Queer change-makers: Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa tops The Independent Pride List

The Independent has unveiled its annual Pride List, which celebrates 50 LGBTQ+ change-makers from the past year, coinciding with the beginning of Pride month. As ‘MSN’ writes, leading the list is Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, who publicly came out as queer in September.

Gatwa has become a household name, having first taken on the role of the Time Lord in Doctor Who‘s 60th anniversary special “The Giggle.” His first full episode aired on Christmas Day, and the new season of the long-running BBC sci-fi show premiered in May.

Gatwa is the first Black, queer actor to portray the Doctor. Showrunner Russell T Davies mentioned that the latest series will delve deeper into race and queerness in the upcoming episodes.

Image Credit: Canva

“You’re talking about someone who does have a lightness and a joy about him that, to me, chimes with queer energy. It’s very rarely driving the story vehemently, but you will see moments exploring it. We’re not delivering a neutered Doctor,” Davies told Variety.

Gatwa has also been outspoken in his support of the LGBTQ+ community, accusing the UK government of using trans people as scapegoats for its “own ineptitude.”

Speaking to Attitude magazine, he said: “Everything trickles down from the top, and when you see politicians openly attacking marginalised communities, when you see our politicians openly attacking trans people, it makes it OK for everyone else.

“You’re going to put the blame on immigrants, Black and brown people, trans people, queer people, to hide the fact that you are not doing anything for people. It’s easier to create discord among people. It’s divide and conquer, isn’t it?”

In an interview with Elle, he shared how Manchester Pride, which is partnering with The Independent as its official media partner, gave him the opportunity to meet another queer Rwandan person for the first time.

“I had never met another queer Rwandan person before. I thought I was the only one in the world,” he said.

The Independent’s Pride List 2024 also features sports presenter Alex Scott, actor Andrew Scott, Labour MP Wes Streeting, comedian Rosie Jones, and former Years & Years frontman and 'It’s a Sin’ star Olly Alexander.

Others honored as “extraordinary LGBTQ+ change-makers” include England footballer Beth Mead, comedian Joe Lycett, former editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful, TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark, Elton John, UK Black Pride’s founder Lady Phyll, activist and model Munroe Bergdorf, and drag queen Bimini.

Geordie Greig, The Independent’s editor-in-chief, said: “We are delighted to be launching this year’s Pride List, which celebrates an amazing array of LGBTQ+ trailblazers. It’s a privilege for us to help honor those who are making such an incredible impact in society.”

The Independent Pride List 2024 in full:

1. Ncuti Gatwa

2. Alex Scott

3. Victoria McCloud

4. Andrew Scott

5. Wes Streeting

6. Crystal

7. Rosie Jones

8. Tia Kofi

9. Self Esteem

10. Olly Alexander

11. Layton Williams

12. Jonathan Bailey

13. Beth Mead

14. Juno Dawson

15. Pet Shop Boys

16. Joe Lycett

17. Rylan

18. Hanif Kureishi

19. Sir Elton John

20. Russell T Davies

21. Wegan

22. Andrew Lumsden

23. Nancy Kelley

24. Graham Norton

25. Jack Rooke

26. Joseph Galliano-Doig

27. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

28. Yasmin Finney

29. Andrew Haigh

30. Jill Scott

31. Cat Burns

32. Nicholas Cullinan

33. Clare Balding

34. Cynthia Erivo

35. Sam Smith

36. Alan Cumming

37. Sandi Toksvig

38. Kelly Simmons OBE

39. Amber Bain

40. Oliver Hermanus

41. Sue Day

42. Munroe Bergdorf

43. David Hockney

44. Robert Rinder

45. Bimini

46. Evan Davis

47. Jack Murley

48. Edward Enninful

49. Arlo Parks

50. Romy Madley Croft

Read related myGwork articles here:

Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa blasts Government’s failings and “attacking” of minorities

Actor Ncuti Gatwa Comes Out as Queer

Ncuti Gatwa Defends Doctor Who Fan From Homophobic Abuse

Ncuti Gatwa Says Playing Doctor Who “Feels Powerful”