Exciting and underwater: New Doctor Who spin off ready to dazzle TV viewers

In the latest addition to the Doctor Who universe, a new threat emerges from the depths of the ocean. Titled "The War Between the Land and the Sea," the spin-off series introduces viewers to Barclay, portrayed by Russell Tovey, who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of humanity's ambassador as the Sea Devils rise from the sea. This marks the 53rd anniversary of the Sea Devils' debut, and their return comes just three years after their previous appearance in a confrontation with Jodie Whittaker's Doctor aboard a pirate ship.

Despite the Sea Devils' long-standing presence in the Doctor Who franchise, the creators of this new five-part series insist that it stands apart, offering a fresh and standalone story within the larger Whoniverse. According to Tovey, the show is accessible even to those who have never watched Doctor Who before. "It's a truly captivating and beautiful series," he explains. "You can dive into this without any prior knowledge of Doctor Who."

The villains in this series, led by Salt (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw), are set on a much grander ambition than simply causing chaosthey aim to take over Earth itself. Mbatha-Raw, who previously appeared in Doctor Who as Tish, sister to Martha Jones, has since made a name for herself in popular series like Black Mirror, Loki, and The Morning Show. In her return to the Whoniverse, she transforms into the fierce leader of the Sea Devils, a role that requires heavy prosthetics. The prosthetics are incredibly intricate, she shares. Although not everyone on set was impressed, especially Russell's dog, Rocky, who wasnt too fond of my blue transformation!

Mbatha-Raw describes "The War Between the Land and the Sea" as a "wild, epic, and thrilling adventure," with themes that resonate with today's world. She notes that the show brings forward important messages about the current state of humanity and the challenges it faces.

The Sea Devils first appeared in Doctor Who in 1972, and their iconic return promises a fresh perspective on humanity's relationship with the ocean. In one particularly dramatic scene, the Sea Devils use the vast amounts of plastic waste in the ocean as a weapon, symbolizing the environmental crises we face today. Tovey credits the stunning visuals to the show's set designers and special effects team, emphasizing how immersive the experience is: "You'll think a lot of money went into the green screen, but the set builds were incredible."

The spin-off is co-written and executive produced by Russell T Davies, the mastermind behind Doctor Who's 2005 revival. His return as showrunner with Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor brings a new chapter for the beloved series. "The BBC never had the resources to make a sequel to the original Sea Devils story," Davies admits. "But now, we have the budget to bring these big, beautiful pictures to life. Yet, the real heart of the show lies in the emotional performances of Gugu and Russell Tovey."

The series follows the cliffhanger of the most recent Doctor Who series, in which Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor seemed to regenerate into former companion Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper. In October, the BBC reaffirmed its commitment to the future of Doctor Who, with a special Christmas episode scheduled for 2026, though Davies joked, "I better get writing it down soon, just in case I get run over by a bus!"

The first two episodes of "The War Between the Land and the Sea" will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One starting Sunday, 7 December, and will later premiere globally on Disney+ in early 2026.

Author: Grace Ellison