17 Facts You Didn't Know About "Sex Education" Actor Ncuti Gatwa
Sex Education is only the beginning for Ncuti.
1. To start, Ncuti Gatwa is currently starring in Netflix's Sex Education as Otis's longtime bestie, Eric Effiong.
2. Prior to landing his leading role as Eric, he was homeless and credits his close friends for helping him get through it.
"I couldn't have got through without two wonderful friends. One made me stay with her and the other wired me money for food every week," he said. "Their generosity was incredible but difficult to accept as it meant accepting what my situation had become – and it was a situation I could barely comprehend."
3. When Ncuti was auditioning for the Netflix role, he thought he had blown it because he was so nervous. It turns out those gut feelings were wrong because he ultimately got the part.
4. Ncuti has spoken candidly about the fact that Sex Education "deals with a lot of important issues, and the humor delivers those messages in a not shaming or preachy way."
"But also the show has helped a lot of people find strength within themselves, 'cause a lot of the characters have a struggle they're going through that a lot of people can identify with," he continued. "The show's very relatable, so I think it has helped a lot of people with what they’re going through in their lives."
5. While the Netflix series is his first major recurring role onscreen, he's also appeared in The Last Letter From Your Lover, Stonemouth, and Bob Servant.
6. He was born on October 15, 1992, meaning he will celebrate his 29th birthday this year.
7. Not to mention, his Zodiac sign is Libra.
8. He originally reigns from Rwanda, and later moved with his family to Scotland in order to flee the 1994 genocide.
9. Ncuti studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he specialized in theatre.
10. With his theatre background, it's no surprise that he's starred in two plays at Shakespeare's Globe in London, including The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
11. While the actor was couch surfing with friends for five months, he worked as a temp for Harrods selling fragrances.
12. He won a BAFTA for his performance on Sex Education in 2020.
13. The actor shares a close friendship with his co-star and onscreen BFF, Asa Butterfield.
14. He's pretty active on social media and has 2.5 million followers (and counting) keeping up with his daily adventures.
15. The newcomer recently announced that he'll appear in a docuseries called The Outsiders? in October 2021.
16. Being in his late 20s, he's actually one of the oldest Sex Education cast members portraying a teen on the Netflix series.
17. Finally, he hopes others are inspired by Eric's story and wants to continue to put a spotlight on diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.
"It's really nice to have a gay character, a Black character, be at the forefront of this story on a show like this that has the reach it does on Netflix. It matters, I hope, that other little Black boys round the world can be like — 'Oh, Eric is like this, and it’s cool,'" he said. "It’s important that we allow different people to occupy these spaces. Eric is a driving force in his own story as well, which I'm really proud of."