Throughout Hollywood's history, racist caricatures have been all too common. And unfortunately, the Black and Asian communities have always been the most repeated targets of it. While there has been some movement towards greater diversity on screen in recent years, and a handful of entertainment companies are making efforts towards inclusion, there is still a long way to go to address the systemic inequalities that persist in some dark corners of the film and Television world. And Ncuti Gatwa, known for his role as Eric in Sex Education, a show known for its commitment to inclusivity, has shared his take on it. 

The 31-year-old recently shared his experiences as a Black artist in the Hollywood industry. 

Ncuti Gatwa, the current Doctor Who star, faced a lot of backlash for breaking barriers as the show's first Black lead. In an interview with Attitude Magazine, he shared his thoughts on the concept of 'Black excellence' and that he always felt the need to be "exceptional" in order to be “loved” in the industry. He reflected on the harsh reality, where “white mediocrity” is celebrated while Black artists must be “flawless” to make it.

The Barbie actor shared his disbelief at how someone could be “so angry over something so inconsequential,” referring to the backlash over his casting as The Doctor, despite some amount of love. Gatwa made it clear that one of the biggest lessons he has learned as a Black artist in Hollywood is that he "deserve(s) love just for existing". And his character in Sex Education might have helped him see things that way.  

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Ahead of the release of Sex Education season 4, Gatwa shared what playing Eric has meant for his own growth and development.

Ncuti Gatwa, the guy who played the confident and outgoing Eric Effiong on Sex Education, talked about how taking on the role on Netflix helped him grow and connect with himself. In an interview with Elle last year, the actor spilled that Sex Education helped him shake off "a lot of the internalized hate". Having dealt with racism his whole life, he used to think those ignorant attitudes were everywhere and assumed he would "constantly have to fight through life."

His experience in Sex Education, however, taught him that he could actually find his "tribe". Portraying a bold and fearless character like Eric also highlighted the significance of representation for Gatwa. Following this discussion, it is clear that Netflix's Sex Education has played a huge role in reshaping Ncuti Gatwa's journey in the industry as a Black artist, making him stronger to deal with the evils.

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What do you think about Ncuti Gatwa’s experience in the industry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!