Ncuti Gatwa to executive produce Doctor Who star's short film
Ncuti Gatwa will executive produce Passing Through, a new short film from his Doctor Who co-star Niamh Marie Smith, Variety reports exclusively. The Doctor Who lead reunites with Smith after her 2024 Christmas special appearance, backing her second short as writer, director, and star. The project marks a behind-the-camera move for Gatwa, who praised Smith's talent after working together on the series.
For Whovians tracking cast careers beyond the TARDIS, the partnership signals continued momentum for emerging talent tied to the show.
Key Takeaways
- Ncuti Gatwa will executive produce Niamh Marie Smith's short film Passing Through, per a Variety exclusive.
- Smith stars alongside Gemma Laurie, and also writes and directs the queer meet-cute romance.
- The team includes Doctor Who ties: Smith played Sylvia Trench in Joy to the World, and casting director Becky Rossmaur joins the project.
- Filming starts soon, with a release planned for later in 2026.
- Gatwa called the script a beautiful, layered story about grief, connection, and life's small pleasures.
What Is 'Passing Through' About?
Passing Through is described as a modern, queer take on a meet-cute that draws on the chemistry and heart of timeless British rom-coms. According to its synopsis, the story follows two strangers who meet on a train station platform in December.
Variety reports that the film is a tender, hopeful exploration of grief, connection, and the unexpected importance of seemingly small interactions. Marie Smith said the story is very close to her heart and aims to platform stories and moments previously overlooked as unimportant.
Who Else Is Working on the Short Film?
Marie Smith stars alongside Gemma Laurie, known for Shetland and The Long Shadow. Laurie said the script feels tender and sparky, showing how two strangers can meaningfully impact each other in a fleeting moment.
Doctor Who casting director Becky Rossmaur is also on board. The creative team includes BAFTA-winning cinematographer Sunshine Hsien Yu Niu, plus producers Augusta Woods and Sarah Boyks. Passing Through is produced by Track Films, Blank Canvas Pictures, and Loinnir Pictures.
Why Did Ncuti Gatwa Sign On as Executive Producer?
Gatwa told Variety he was blown away by Smith's talent and insight during their Doctor Who collaboration. He said he was overjoyed to join Passing Through as EP and work with fresh new talent.
He described the script as beautifully layered, adding that it warmed his heart as soon as he read it. Gatwa said he knew immediately he wanted to be involved in a story about human connection, grief, and taking in life's small pleasures.
When Will 'Passing Through' Be Released?
According to Variety, filming on Passing Through is set to begin soon. A release is planned for later this year, though no premiere festival or streaming platform has been announced yet.
For more updates on Doctor Who alumni and U.K. screen projects, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage. The original report is available via Variety.