Doctor Who in waiting Ncuti Gatwa has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) for his contributions to both acting and charity.

He graduated from the RCS in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in acting.

Is he the first Doctor Doctor?

Not even close, though he may be the first to receive one prior to performing in this role.

We don't have time to perform an exhaustive search but were able to find multiple former Doctor Whos and company who have been doctored.

Colin Baker (sixth Doctor) received one from Buckinghamshire New University in 2015.

David Tennant received one from the RCS in 2016.

Chris Chibnall and the entire cast and crew of Jodie Whittaker's first episode received one from Sheffield Hallam University in 2019. That episode was filmed in Sheffield.

Former showrunner Stephen Moffat has received at least two, one from the University of West Scotland in 2016 and one from the University of South Wales in 2017.

Former companion John Barrowman received one from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2011.

Yes, recipients of honorary doctorates can call themselves doctors the same as recipients of real doctorates.

It's considered gauche and almost never done or insisted upon by recipients but fine for us fans to have a bit of fun with.

Doctor Gatwa has a very poetic ring to it.

During his speech Doctor Gatwa said:

All I’ve learned in life thus far, is that you have to roll with the punches and figure it out as you go along.

Sounds incredibly Doctor Who.

Ncuti Gatwa is scheduled to appear in that role on our screens in 2023.

[ Main Image: Ncuti Gatwa. Credit: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland via Twitter. ]

References

Paddick, Rebecca (September 13, 2015). Doctor Who star awarded honorary degree. University Business.

Radio Times (July 5, 2016). You can now call David Tennant the Doctor for real...

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland [@RCStweets] (July 8, 2022). Congrats to our first afternoon ceremony graduates! Twitter.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (July 7, 2022). Sex Education Star and New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa Receives Honorary Doctorate From the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Sandwell, Ian (July 4, 2016). Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat is going to become a real Doctor - sort of. Digital Spy.

Sheffield Hallam University (October 16, 2019). Doctor Who cast and crew among Honorary Doctorate recipients.

Sheffield Hallam University (November 21, 2019). Doctor Who cast and crew 'blown away' to receive honorary doctorates from Sheffield Hallam.

The Scotsman (May 17, 2011). Honorary doctorate for actor John Barrowman.

University of South Wales (July 14, 2017). Doctor Who and Sherlock writer Steven Moffat receives honorary doctorate.