A gripping new chapter in the Doctor Who universe is set to premiere this weekend, as the BBC launches its highly anticipated spin-off series, The War Between the Land and the Sea. Masterminded by showrunner Russell T Davies, the drama plunges viewers into a global crisis triggered by the emergence of an ancient, fearsome species from the ocean depths.
Premiere Date and Episode Details
The series launches with a double bill on Sunday, December 7, offering a thrilling start for audiences. The first two 45-minute episodes will air back-to-back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8:30pm. In total, the series will comprise five episodes, allowing for a deeper, more expansive narrative than typical Doctor Who adventures.
Executive producer Pete McTighe emphasised the benefits of the longer format, stating it enables a "propulsive thriller" with significant character development. He confirmed that the extended runtime allows the show to explore established characters like Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in new depth while delivering an epic journey for its new protagonists.
Star-Studded Cast and a World Without the Doctor
The series features a stellar ensemble cast led by Russell Tovey as Barclay, a low-level UNIT employee thrust into the heart of the crisis. Gugu Mbatha-Raw takes on the pivotal role of Salt, the mysterious representative of the ancient species, while Jemma Redgrave reprises her iconic Doctor Who role as UNIT leader Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
Writer Russell T Davies has set a distinct tone for the spin-off, describing it as "a little bit tougher than Doctor Who". He explained that the absence of the Doctor removes the usual safety net, forcing characters into extreme situations. "Normally the Doctor has a magic blue doorway they can take everybody safely through, that safety net has gone," Davies said. "You very much find these characters up against the wall and pushed to the limit."
The supporting cast includes Ruth Madeley, Alexander Devrient, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, and Patrick Baladi, among others.
Filming Locations and Doctor Who Connections
Extensive production took place in Cardiff, where massive underwater and interior sets were constructed. Gugu Mbatha-Raw praised the scale of the Empress Hall set and highlighted the immersive quality of Salt's oceanic domain, which she said truly transported actors to another world. Filming also occurred at the City Arms pub on Quay Street in Cardiff city centre.
While firmly part of the Doctor Who world and featuring the return of UNIT, the series is designed to welcome new viewers. Davies assured that the drama "very much takes new viewers into consideration," refreshing necessary lore while introducing fresh elements. McTighe added that the shared universe allows for a different tone, promising a standalone, gripping thriller accessible to all.
The War Between the Land and the Sea begins its five-episode run on Sunday, December 7 at 8:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
