Watch the seas this Christmas as the premiere of Whoniverse spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea is brought forward
The War Between the Land and the Sea will launch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December. The Doctor Who spin-off was originally announced as arriving sometime this year, before later being moved to 2026. Now it’s clearly not only be back on, but set to receive a prestigious Christmas slot. So while we may need to wait until Christmas 2026 for new Doctor Who, fans will still be able to visit the Whoniverse this festive season.
The five-part series will showcase how the world reacts when a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean. Their dramatic reveal of themselves to humanity triggers an international crisis. These are the Sea Devils, first introduced in Doctor Who in 1972. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is their leader Salt, opposite Jemma Redgrave, who returns as UNIT commander Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Meanwhile Russell Tovey is Barclay, the scientist who finds himself caught between the two women. He’s potentially Earth’s last, best chance for peace.
The star studded cast also includes Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham and Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim. Meanwhile, Colin McFarlane returns as General Austin Pierce from Torchwood: Children of Earth.
Other previously announced cast members include Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, Vincent Franklin, Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu, and Ann Akinjirin.
Russell T Davies, who has co-written the series with Pete McTighe (Kerblam!, Praxeus, Lucky Day) describes The War Between the Land and the Sea as “a huge, spectacular Christmas treat, with heroes and monsters and battles and romance, in a world on the edge of disaster. And remember. Watch the seas!” Meanwhile, McTighe said he was “so proud” of the series.
The Whoniverse returns this Christmas with The War Between the Land and the Sea, on BBC One in the UK and Ireland, and on Disney+ everywhere else
