Doctor Who spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea has officially been announced and confirmed at San Diego Comic Con! During the show’s panel in SDCC’s famed “Hall H”, showrunner Russell T Davies announced new details for the first Who TV spinoff since 2016.
What is The War Between the Land and the Sea About?
The spinoff will feature the return of a classic Doctor Who villain- the Sea Devils. First introduced in 1972’s six-part serial “The Sea Devils” (naturally!), they are not aliens. Within the world of Doctor Who, the Sea Devils are native to Earth but were prominent in the planet’s ancient history before humans walked the surface. Newer viewers may know the Sea Devils from the 2022 special “Legend of the Sea Devils”.
In hibernation beneath Earth’s oceans, The War Between the Land and the Sea will kick off with the Sea Devils revealing themselves to humanity at a scale that cannot be ignored. At SDCC, showrunner Russell T Davies said that the Sea Devils have seen what humans have done to their oceans and they are not happy. Facing an “international crisis”, UNIT will step in to help in this five-part series.
RTD also had this to say about the spinoff:
“I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast. And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama which will shake The Whoniverse to its foundations. When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble.”
Who is in The War Between the Land and the Sea ?
The new spinoff (shall we shorten it to TWBTLATS?) will feature many returning faces. However, some of these may not be playing the characters they’ve previously appeared in the show as!
Russell Tovey (American Horror Story: NYC) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki) will lead the cast. Both actors have appeared in the show before, but will take on new roles in this show. Russell Tovey played Alonso Frame in “The Voyage of the Damned”. Gugu Mbatha-Raw portrayed Tish Jones- sister to series 3’s companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman). The names of their characters for The War Between the Land and the Sea have not yet been revealed.
Jemma Redgrave will return as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart for TWBTLATS as well! Kate is, of course, the leader of UNIT and very accustomed to getting things done without the Doctor. Also from UNIT, Alexander Devrient returns as Colonel Ibrahim. Colonel Ibrahim was introduced in “The Giggle” and last seen in season 1’s finale “Empire of Death”.
Writers and Director for TWBTLATS
The War Between the Land and the Sea will be co-written by Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe.
McTighe is known to Doctor Who fans for his work during the 13th Doctor’s run. He wrote “Kerblam!” and co-wrote “Praxeus” with former showrunner Chris Chibnall. Who fans may also know his work from Tales of the TARDIS (“The Mind Robber” and “The Curse of Fenric”) as well as several webcasts to announce various additions to “The Collection” classic Doctor Who Blu-ray boxsets.
The spinoff has also found its director in the already-existing Doctor Who family. Dylan Holmes-Williams will direct all five episodes of the series. He previously directed season one’s “73 Yards” and “Dot and Bubble”.
Where To Watch
Continuing their partnership from the new seasons of Doctor Who, Disney Branded Television and the BBC are both involved in the new spinoff. Fans in the UK will be able to watch The War Between the Land and the Sea on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For everyone else, the show will air exclusively on Disney+ (where available).
There is no airdate yet, but filming starts next month!
Stay with us as we learn more about this new show.
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