Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa tops The Independent Pride 2024 list

The Independent has launched its annual Pride List, celebrating 50 LGBTQ+ changemakers from the past year, to coincide with the start of Pride Month – and Doctor who star Ncuti Gatwa is right up there after coming out publicly as queer in September.

Gatwa is now a household name, having stepped into the shoes of the Time Lord for the first time Doctor who“The Giggle” 60th Anniversary Special. Its first full episode aired on Christmas Day, and the new season of the BBC’s long-running sci-fi show began in May.

Gatwa is the first black and queer actor to play the Doctor, with showrunner Russell T Davies saying the latest series will further explore race and queerness in future episodes.

“You’re talking about someone who has an ease and a joy about him that, to me, rings with a strange energy. It very rarely drives the story vehemently, but you will see moments exploring it. We’re not delivering a sterilized doctor,” Davies told Variety.

Gatwa also spoke out about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, accusing the UK government of using trans people as a scapegoat for its “own ineptitude”.

Speaking to Attitude magazine, he said: “It all trickles down, and when you see politicians openly attacking marginalized communities, when you see our politicians openly attack trans people, it’s OK for everyone else.

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

And in an interview with Elle, he revealed how Manchester Pride, which works with The Independent as an official media partner, gave him the chance to meet another queer Rwandan for the first time.

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

The Independent Pride 2024 list also includes sports presenter Alex Scott, actor Andrew Scott, Labor MP Wes Streeting, comedian Rosie Jones and former Years & Years the leader and It’s a shame star Olly Alexander.

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

Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, said: “We are delighted to launch this year’s Pride List, which celebrates an amazing range of LGBTQ+ trailblazers. It is a privilege for us to help honor those who have such an incredible impact on society.”

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. Aunt 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. Vegan
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. The cat is on fire
32. Nicholas Cullinan
33. Clare Balding
34. Cynthia Erivo
35. Sam Smith
36. Alan Cummings
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