Doctor Who reveals roundabout way Ncuti Gatwa did sort of appear in episode with Daleks

Yet, Gatwa’s portrayal didn’t include battles against some of the character’s most famous adversaries, such as the Cybermen, the Master, and particularly, the Daleks.

Previously, Gatwa stated that it would make him extremely frustrated if he didn’t get the chance to confront them, and furthermore, he exclaimed, “Why would there be any purpose in me playing the Doctor without encountering a Dalek!

Although he never got the chance to join them, it’s fascinating to note that he made an appearance in an episode where a Dalek was present, indirectly speaking.

In an exclusive backstage video, it was unveiled that a Dalek actually made its way onto the set for The Reality War. This prop Dalek even moved past Steph De Whalley’s character Anita to establish a scene where she opens a door to discover footage from the 1972 episode titled Day of the Daleks.

Pillai shared the reason for using a Dalek to transition into archived footage, stating: “It’s truly amazing to collaborate with a Dalek. Russell T Davies had scripted, ‘Anita opens a door and encounters Jon Pertwee from The Day of the Daleks (1972).’

Let me share a small anecdote. I suggested, ‘Perhaps we could place a Dalek in the foreground to give everything cohesion?’, and everyone agreed. This is my only encounter with a Dalek, but it fulfills a dream from my childhood.”

In this version, I tried to keep the original meaning while making it easier for readers to understand and follow the conversation’s flow.

Furthermore, De Whalley expressed her delight as she discovered she’d get to encounter a real Dalek on the set, a surprise she learned only when arriving there that very day.

Currently, Gatwa has been cast alongside Paul McGann as the only main Doctors who haven’t faced off against the Daleks in a recorded screen appearance.

In separate episodes that showcased monstrous characters (specifically “The Reality War” and “The Power of the Doctor”), both actors have made appearances. However, when it comes to encounters with the Daleks, McGann surpasses Gatwa, as he has engaged in multiple confrontations with them in audio dramas.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Disney+ outside of the UK.

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