Russell T Davies has officially confirmed a brand-new Doctor Who spin-off series, titled The War Between the Land and the Sea

Russell T Davies has officially confirmed a brand-new Doctor Who spin-off series, titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, which will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 7 December 2025. The five-part drama will expand the Whoniverse with UNIT at its centre, tackling both classic villains and contemporary themes.

A New Chapter in the Whoniverse
Showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed that The War Between the Land and the Sea will be the final project produced under the now-cancelled BBC–Disney+ deal. The series focuses on UNIT, the long-running military organisation within Doctor Who, as they confront the return of the Sea Devils—reimagined here as Homo Aqua, an ancient species emerging from the oceans to wage war on humanity.

Davies described the spin-off as a story about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. The lead character, Barclay (played by Russell Tovey), begins as a low-level UNIT employee booking taxis for senior staff, only to find himself thrust into the centre of a global crisis.

Themes of Climate and Crisis
Davies has emphasised that the series is not just science fiction spectacle but also a reflection of real-world anxieties. Living by the sea in Swansea, he drew inspiration from rising sea levels and environmental change, noting that the show’s confrontation between land and ocean is “political because it has no choice”.

This environmental resonance positions the spin-off as one of the most socially conscious Doctor Who projects to date, blending action with allegory.

Torchwood Connection
Fans of Torchwood will be pleased to hear that Davies has confirmed The War Between the Land and the Sea exists “in the same world” as the beloved 2006–2011 spin-off. This link strengthens the continuity of the expanded Whoniverse, promising crossover potential and deeper lore connections.

Cast and Production
The series boasts a strong ensemble cast alongside Tovey, including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave, Ruth Madeley, Adrian Lukis, and Alexander Devrient. Executive producer Pete McTighe has teased “massive action sequences” in every episode, with episode two featuring a particularly ambitious set-piece.

Davies confirmed that despite initial doubts, every scene he and McTighe envisioned made it to screen, underscoring the scale and ambition of the production.

Release Details
– Title: The War Between the Land and the Sea
– Episodes: 5
– Premiere: Sunday, 7 December 2025
– Platforms: BBC One and BBC iPlayer (UK)
– Focus: UNIT vs. Homo Aqua (Sea Devils)

Outlook
With its blend of classic monsters, UNIT intrigue, environmental allegory, and Torchwood connections, The War Between the Land and the Sea marks a bold expansion of the Doctor Who universe. For fans awaiting the 2026 Christmas special, this spin-off offers a timely and ambitious addition to the Whoniverse.

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