When the 13th Doctor regenerates, the new Doctor will once again be a Scot.

Returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, who in 2005 shepherded the revival of the 60-year-old BBC sci-fi classic Doctor Who, has chosen 29-year-old Scottish-Rwandan actor Ncuti Gatwa to portray the iconic character. Gatwa is best known for starring in Netflix’s Sex Education.

Gatwa joins former Doctors and current Scotsmen Peter Capaldi, David Tennant and Sylvester McCoy to portray the traditionally English-accented character.

Gatwa told BBC News: “It feels really amazing. It’s a true honour. This role is an institution and it’s so iconic.”

Speaking on the red carpet before Sunday’s BAFTA TV Awards, where he was nominated for Sex Education, Gatwa said the role of the Doctor “means a lot to so many people, including myself”.

He added: “I feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and I’m going to try to do my best.”

Davies, who is returning to Doctor Who after leaving the show in 2009, posed with Gatwa on the red carpet.

Gatwa will make his debut as the Time Lord in 2023, taking over from current Doctor Jodie Whittaker.