Humans aren’t often good at existing in liminal mental spaces, and I’m no exception. Between times are rough. Even a hint at when to expect the transition into the next state of being can help, though, so I cling to those little details like my life depends on them.

That’s one of the reasons going to Gally every year is so important to me. Among other things, the conventions closes out with the annual “Year in Review” video, compiling clips of Doctor Who press—interviews, features, and announcements—from the prior year. It’s a quick hit that reminds me of all the exciting things that have happened and reinvigorates me for what is to come.

The most important of those upcoming attractions is unequivocally Ncuti Gatwa.

Of course, we needed to give Jodie her due as the outgoing Doctor. She has been absolutely brilliant in the role (whatever any given fan thinks of the scripts she was given), and fully deserves to be celebrated. I’ll also admit that I’m excited to see the return of Donna Noble (less so Tennant’s Doctor, but I’ve complained about that elsewhere) in the 60th anniversary bonanza.

But Ncuti—that’s a special, extra-hype level of anticipation. It’s not because I know his other work (I’ve never seen Sex Education, and I probably won’t go seek it out just to watch Ncuti in action); it’s just because he exudes so much charm. In all the interviews after the announcement of his casting, he was simply glowing with excitement. How can one repress one’s own enthusiasm when faced with that?

You may recall that one of my kids attended Gally with me this year. Because the two of them were behind on viewing, I had to catch them both up on current episodes before we left (the spoilers would’ve been epic). We finally made it through The Power of the Doctor, and they were duly surprised by the regeneration—and confused.

Obviously, my next step was to show them the trailer for the 60th anniversary. Just like me, they were thrilled the whole way through, but then—then, that last tiny snippet of our Ncuti!Doctor and…

“Okay, I like him!” exclaimed my Gally companion. And sometimes that’s all it takes. A single line, delivered at the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it end of a trailer, and a Doctor has gained another fan before a single one of their episodes has even aired.

It’s now been ten months since Ncuti’s casting was announced. (That’s a long time!) Before the “Year in Review” at Gally, I hadn’t realized how much the shine had worn off the news for me. But seeing interviews again and watching the trailer in a room packed with over a thousand enthusiastic fans, I am once again psyched for the debut of the next (Fifteenth???) Doctor.

I mean, I love me some Donna, but seriously—just bring on Ncuti. It’s about time.