For the first time in Doctor Who history, the universe will expand with a major spinoff that doesn’t include the Doctor at all. Titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, the highly anticipated miniseries premieres on December 7, 2025, exclusively on BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
The show marks a daring departure for the long-running sci-fi franchise, exploring how humanity survives when the Doctor, usually the saviour of worlds, isn’t there to help. In a candid conversation with Radio Times, showrunner Russell T Davies shared his vision for this unique project and why removing the Doctor was both a creative challenge and an opportunity.
“One of the most interesting things you can do with Doctor Who,” Davies said, “is to take the Doctor out. This is a world without the Doctor, and we’re seeing how we cope as the human race. There are monsters, there’s romance, there are chases, there’s gunfights.”
Overview: The War Between the Land and the Sea
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Doctor Who: The War Between the Land and the Sea |
| Creator | Russell T Davies |
| Franchise | Doctor Who Universe |
| Platform | BBC iPlayer (UK), Disney+ (International) |
| Release Date | December 7, 2025 |
| Episodes | 5 (Miniseries) |
| Main Cast | Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Adventure, Drama |
| Doctor Appearance | None (Doctor-less narrative) |
| Tone | Darker, more grounded, emotionally intense |
| Notable Theme | Humanity’s resilience in the absence of a savior |
A Darker Tone Without the Doctor
Davies, who revived Doctor Who in 2005 and transformed it into a global phenomenon, explained that The War Between the Land and the Sea will be grittier and more emotionally complex than the flagship series.
“It’s a little bit tougher than Doctor Who,” he said. “It takes on tougher themes, and people have tougher reactions in it again, because there’s no Doctor.”
Without the Doctor’s moral compass or quick-thinking heroics, the new series asks a profound question: What happens when ordinary people face extraordinary threats on their own?
Davies continued:
“Normally, the Doctor has a magic blue doorway they can take everybody safely through. That safety net has gone. You very much find these characters up against the wall and pushed to the limit.”
TV critic Emma Collins describes the premise as “a test of humanity’s mettle — a stripped-down Doctor Who experience where compassion and chaos collide.”
The Story: When Worlds Collide?
The War Between the Land and the Sea takes viewers into an all-new corner of the Doctor Who universe, a near-future Earth where rising seas and ancient creatures wage war against humankind.
While details are tightly under wraps, the title hints at a conflict between marine civilizations and surface dwellers, echoing mythological undertones reminiscent of Atlantis and other aquatic legends that have occasionally appeared in Doctor Who lore.
The story follows Dr Kayleigh “Kay” Ward (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Commander Nathan Heller (played by Russell Tovey) as they navigate a world on the brink of collapse. Together, they must form uneasy alliances to survive a mysterious war that blurs the line between science and myth.
Davies teased:
“It’s a complete story, it absolutely ends. But I’ll say this: stay tuned for the very end, keep watching. That doesn’t mean the Doctor appears, that’s not what happens! But within the story, when the credits start to roll… keep watching!”
The creator also promised an ending that would leave fans breathless:
“It’s one of the most powerful endings within the most amazing performance from one of this cast you’ll ever see.”
Returning Faces: Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Fans will recognize both lead actors from their previous appearances in the Doctor Who universe.
| Actor | Previous Role in Doctor Who | New Role in Spinoff |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Tovey | Alonso Frame (Voyage of the Damned, 2007) | Commander Nathan Heller (Lead) |
| Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Tish Jones (Doctor Who, 2007) | Dr. Kayleigh Ward (Co-lead) |
Russell Tovey’s return is a delightful callback for longtime fans. Once a supporting character, he now takes center stage in a leadership role something Tovey described as “a dream come true.”
Meanwhile, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who appeared early in her career on Doctor Who, comes full circle to play a brilliant yet conflicted scientist. Her character reportedly faces moral dilemmas about using dangerous technologies to win humanity’s survival.
Entertainment correspondent Holly Parker says,
“Tovey and Mbatha-Raw are the emotional anchors of the new series — it’s less about space and more about humanity under pressure.”
Themes and Tone: A Study of Humanity Without Its Hero
While Doctor Who traditionally explores hope, adventure, and redemption through the Doctor’s interventions, The War Between the Land and the Sea will instead examine despair, leadership, and moral ambiguity in a Doctor-less world.
The miniseries shifts from intergalactic exploration to Earth-bound survival. Without the Time Lord’s presence, humans must make impossible choices and deal with the consequences.
Sci-fi analyst Dr. Peter Walsh commented,
“This spinoff mirrors real-world anxieties — climate change, division, power struggles — all framed through the absence of the one figure who could fix it. It’s timely, raw, and more relevant than ever.”
Behind the Scenes: Crafting a New Type of Doctor Who Story
| Production Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Production Companies | BBC Studios, Bad Wolf Productions |
| Executive Producer | Russell T Davies |
| Filming Locations | Cardiff Bay, Cornwall Coast, and Scotland |
| Visual Style | Cinematic, natural lighting, gritty realism |
| Music Composer | Murray Gold |
| Visual Effects | Framestore Studios (also worked on Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials) |
| Runtime per Episode | 55–60 minutes |
| Target Audience | Adult Doctor Who fans and newcomers alike |
Russell T Davies emphasized that this series is not merely a spinoff but a standalone story with its own tone and structure.
“It’s still in the same universe, but it’s not dependent on continuity. You can come into it fresh. The monsters, the politics, the heart — it’s all self-contained.”
The production team reportedly aimed for a grounded, cinematic look blending practical effects with natural environments to create a visceral viewing experience.
Why the Doctor’s Absence Matters?
Removing the Doctor, arguably one of television’s most recognisable heroes, allows Davies to explore human frailty. It’s a storytelling experiment that challenges both the creators and the audience.
The Doctor’s absence magnifies fear, responsibility, and courage among ordinary characters. It’s about asking: What happens when we can’t rely on the person who always saves us?
Television critic Daniel Kerr puts it succinctly:
“By removing the Doctor, Davies removes the crutch. Humanity must grow up. The universe doesn’t owe us a savior — we have to become our own.”
Recent Updates
- December 7, 2025: The War Between the Land and the Sea premieres on BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
- November 2025: Russell T Davies hints that one “legacy Doctor Who character” may cameo, but not the Doctor.
- October 2025: Gugu Mbatha-Raw confirmed the series will feature “the most emotional ending of any Doctor Who-related story yet.”
- September 2025: Early screenings received rave reviews for its tone and cinematography.
Why It Matters for the Doctor Who Universe?
The spinoff marks a new creative direction for Doctor Who, one that broadens the universe beyond the Time Lord’s influence. It also reflects Davies’ vision for a shared Whoniverse, where each story can stand on its own while exploring different facets of humanity.
With The War Between the Land and the Sea, Davies pushes boundaries, proving that the Doctor Who legacy is not dependent on the Doctor alone, but on the timeless question that drives the franchise: What does it mean to be human in the face of the unknown?
FAQs
It’s a Doctor Who spinoff set in a world without the Doctor, exploring humanity’s survival during a mysterious oceanic war.
No, the Doctor does not appear. The story intentionally takes place in their absence.
Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw lead the cast as Commander Heller and Dr Kayleigh Ward.
The series will have five episodes, forming a complete story.
It premieres on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ internationally on December 7, 2025.
Davies hinted that the story concludes definitively, but future spinoffs within the same universe are possible.
