The Whoniverse has expanded once again with The War Between the Land and the Sea, Russell T Davies’ five-part miniseries that premiered with a double bill on BBC One and iPlayer on December 7, 2025, marking the first major Doctor Who spin-off since Class in 2016. This standalone adventure, streaming internationally on Disney+ in 2026, strips away the TARDIS and Time Lord to focus on UNIT’s desperate stand against the returning Sea Devils—now rebranded “Homo Aqua”—in a geopolitical eco-thriller that’s darker, more mature, and surprisingly intimate than fans anticipated. With no Doctor in sight, Davies crafts a tense, atmospheric tale of humanity’s hubris and ancient grudges, proving the Whoniverse thrives even in the shadows of its iconic hero.
Starring Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont, a low-level UNIT transportation arranger thrust into ambassadorial chaos, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, the enigmatic Homo Aqua leader emerging from a Thames tank, the series pits diplomacy against destruction as the aquatic species demands land restitution for centuries of pollution. Jemma Redgrave reprises Kate Lethbridge-Stewart as UNIT’s steely commander, while Colin McFarlane returns as General Austin Pierce. The ensemble—Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, and more—grounds the fantastical in human frailty.
Davies, co-writing with Pete McTighe, infuses environmental urgency: Homo Aqua’s pearl-necked warriors, awakened from hibernation, declare war on surface pollution. Barclay’s empathy bridges worlds, but politics fracture alliances. Directed with moody restraint, the series excels in quiet dread—tidal floods swallowing cities, diplomatic standoffs turning deadly—over spectacle.
Critics are mixed but engaged: 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for Tovey/Mbatha-Raw chemistry and eco-themes, though some lament “slow pacing” and “fishy” dialogue. Viewers binge: “Darker than recent Who—brilliant” (@WhoniverseFan, 50k likes).
The War Between the Land and the Sea isn’t flashy—it’s thoughtful sci-fi that bites. Stream now on BBC iPlayer; the tide turns December 2025.