Mattel Releases Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa Barbie Amid Show Pause

Ncuti Gatwa, the current star of Doctor Who, has been honored with a Barbie doll modeled after his portrayal of the Fifteenth Doctor, unveiled by Mattel at MCM London Comic Con. Gatwa expressed that seeing himself as a Barbie was an emotional and surreal experience, hoping the doll inspires children to believe they can achieve anything. The new Barbie collection also includes a figure of the Doctor's companion, Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. Despite the celebration, Gatwa's future on the show is uncertain amid falling ratings and criticism over so-called 'woke' storylines, including his withdrawal from presenting the UK's Eurovision jury scores due to political reasons. The BBC show has reportedly been paused while its future is reconsidered, with insiders suggesting Gatwa's departure could be imminent. The contrast between Gatwa's personal milestone and the show's challenges highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Doctor Who's direction and audience reception.