The BBC’s upcoming Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between The Land And The Sea, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated new entries in the Whoniverse. Officially announced during San Diego Comic-Con 2024, this five-part mini-series is set to explore an epic clash between humanity and an ancient underwater species, the Sea Devils, a classic Doctor Who villain. The Sea Devils were first introduced in 1972 alongside the Third Doctor, and their latest resurgence promises a much larger and more threatening conflict.

Cast and Characters

Leading the cast are Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, two highly talented actors familiar to Doctor Who fans. While both actors have appeared in the Doctor Who universe before, they will be portraying entirely new characters in this series. Russell Tovey previously played Midshipman Alonso Frame in the Voyage of the Damned episode, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw appeared as Martha Jones’ sister, Tish, in Series 3. Joining them are Doctor Who alumni Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the head of UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce), and Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim, a recurring UNIT figure from the Doctor Who universe.

The cast also includes Ruth Madeley, reprising her role from the 60th Anniversary specials as UNIT Scientific Advisor Shirley Anne Bingham, and Colin McFarlane, known for his work in Torchwood: Children of Earth, returning as General Austin Pierce.

Story and Themes

The plot centers on an international crisis that erupts when the Sea Devils, an ancient race dwelling beneath the Earth’s oceans, rise to challenge humanity. As the series title suggests, the show will explore a literal and symbolic war between land and sea, focusing on environmental and societal issues. The Sea Devils, awakening to find Earth’s oceans polluted and damaged by human activity, launch a full-scale attack on humanity, forcing UNIT to step in and defend the world from this new threat.

Russell T Davies, the showrunner and co-writer of the series, described The War Between The Land And The Sea as a “huge, muscular, thrilling drama” that will shake the Whoniverse to its foundations. Fans can expect a high-stakes narrative, where the absence of the Doctor leaves humanity vulnerable, relying solely on UNIT and their military and scientific expertise to prevent disaster. According to Davies, the series will delve deeply into the moral and environmental implications of humanity’s relationship with the planet, providing a modern spin on the classic Doctor Who theme of responsibility and stewardship.

Production

The series is directed by Dylan Holmes-Williams, known for his work on Doctor Who episodes like 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble. The script is co-written by Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe, who previously contributed to Doctor Who episodes and other popular series like A Discovery of Witches. With such a strong creative team behind it, the series promises both visual and narrative complexity.

Filming for The War Between The Land And The Sea began in August 2024, with production spanning multiple global locations to capture the vast, dramatic scale of the conflict. Expect sweeping shots of coastlines, dramatic underwater scenes, and intense action sequences as UNIT fights to save humanity from an amphibious invasion.

The Role of UNIT in the Whoniverse

The War Between The Land And The Sea marks the first new Doctor Who spin-off since the formal establishment of the Whoniverse as a shared universe of interconnected stories. It joins past spin-offs like Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and Class, but focuses on UNIT, the military organization dedicated to defending Earth from extraterrestrial threats.

This series takes place during the Doctor’s absence, a central theme of the new Whoniverse spin-offs. With the Doctor off-world, UNIT must tackle the Sea Devils without their time-traveling ally, showcasing the team’s resilience and ingenuity. The show explores what happens when humanity is left to fend for itself against an overwhelming extraterrestrial force, a premise that ties into the broader Doctor Who narrative of self-reliance and moral choices.

Release and Availability

While an exact release date has yet to be announced, The War Between The Land And The Sea is expected to premiere sometime in 2025. It will be available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in international markets, marking another collaboration between the BBC and Disney for the global distribution of Doctor Who content.

Conclusion

The War Between The Land And The Sea promises to be a thrilling addition to the Whoniverse, blending the rich history of Doctor Who with fresh, contemporary storytelling. The return of the Sea Devils, combined with a stellar cast and the environmental themes underpinning the story, makes this series one to watch for both longtime fans of Doctor Who and new viewers. As UNIT steps into the spotlight, this spin-off explores the darker, more grounded aspects of the Whoniverse, highlighting humanity’s fight for survival in a world teetering on the brink of ecological disaster.