August 23, 2024
The Whoniverse is set to become even bigger as production begins on the latest Doctor Who spin-off series written by Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe.
With a Christmas special and Season 2 on the way, Doctor Who fans have even more to look forward to with newly announced spin-off series The War Between the Land and the Sea. The five-part series will pit a host of Earth-based characters, new and familiar, against an ancient enemy that rises from Earth’s oceans.
The title of the series was first teased in Doctor Who episode 73 Yards, as the Doctor and Ruby admired the Welsh coastline. “The rocks and the water, it never ends – the war between the land and the sea”. Fans who had heard rumours surrounding the spin-off ahead of time were quick to notice the name-drop!
The series was announced officially at San Diego Comic Con 2024. During the Doctor Who panel in Hall H, Russell T Davies confirmed that a spin-off was in production; as well as its name, a brief plot summary and the principal cast of the series.
Scroll on for everything we’ve learned about The War Between the Land and the Sea so far…
What happens in The War Between the Land and the Sea?
When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war.
Russell T Davies confirmed on the SDCC panel that the “fearsome and ancient species” are, in fact, the Doctor’s old enemy, the Sea Devils. First seen facing off against the Third Doctor in the 1972 serial The Sea Devils, these amphibious reptilian humanoids have dwelled in the Earth’s oceans for millions of years. But, in The War Between the Land and the Sea, we can expect to see them rise up against the land-dwelling species of present-day Earth.
“There’s a race that lives beneath the oceans – they wake up, and they see the state of the oceans, that we have put it in,” explains Russell. “We have wrecked the place, and it is war - war on an epic scale.”
The Sea Devils were last seen in China in 1807, where they clashed with the Thirteenth Doctor in the 2022 special, Legend of the Sea Devils. When the series debuts, we can expect to see the implications of the next Sea Devil uprising on a global scale as Russell revealed that shooting would begin “across the world” in August…
When is The War Between the Land and the Sea being filmed?
Production on the spin-off is already well underway. The series is being directed by Dylan Holmes-Williams, who directed Doctor Who Season 1 episodes, 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble.
As shooting begins, the cast and crew gathered on August 19th 2024 for the first script readthrough, written by Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe (A Discovery of Witches, The Pact, Doctor Who).
Who is starring in The War Between the Land and the Sea?
The SDCC panel confirmed four of the spin-off’s principal cast. Leading the series are Russell Tovey (Years And Years, American Horror Story: NYC) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki, Surface). While both have previously played roles in Doctor Who before (Russell appeared as Midshipman Alonso Frame in Voyage of the Damned while Gugu had a recurring role as Martha Jones’ sister Tish in Series 3), Russell T Davies stated that they would be returning to the Whoniverse as brand new, as yet unnamed characters.
“This is not Midshipman Frame teaming up with Tish Jones – which I would write actually, why not?” he joked. “Big Finish can do that.”
Joining them are Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient, reprising their roles in Doctor Who as UNIT’s finest, Chief Scientific Officer Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and Colonel Christofer Ibrahim respectively. Additional cast joining the series include Ruth Madeley, returning in her role from the 60th Anniversary specials as UNIT Scientific Advisor Shirley Anne Bingham; and Colin McFarlane, reprising his role as General Austin Pierce from Torchwood: Children of Earth.
What is The War Between the Land and the Sea’s role in the Whoniverse?
The War Between the Land and the Sea is the first spin-off series announced since the official debut of the Whoniverse, the collective home for all series set in the worlds of Doctor Who. The series joins previous spin-offs Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Class as another Earth-based narrative that takes place in the absence of the Doctor.
“What happens when the Doctor isn’t in town?” Russell asks at the SDCC panel. “That’s what these shows are about: how does the world cope?”
Another recent title that falls under the Whoniverse banner is Tales of the TARDIS, which explores classic stories from the Doctor Who archive through the eyes of various Doctors and companions.
When and where can we watch The War Between the Land and the Sea?
While the airdate for the new spin-off series has not yet been confirmed, Doctor Who fans around the world will be pleased to hear that, as a co-production between the BBC and Disney Branded Television, The War Between the Land and the Sea will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Disney+ where available.