‘Doctor Who’ Spinoff ‘The War Between the Land and Sea’ Announced, Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw to Star

At San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, they announced a new “Doctor Who” spinoff during the “Into the Whoniverse” panel. This adds even more fun and adventure to the time-travelling world of “Doctor Who.”

Russell Tovey (“Feud” and “American Horror Story: NYC“) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“Surface” and “Loki”) will star in the new five-part series “The War Between the Land and the Sea.” They will act alongside Jemma Redgrave, returning as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, and Alexander Devrient, returning as Colonel Ibrahim from “Doctor Who.”

In the series, a scary and ancient species comes out of the ocean, surprising everyone and causing a global crisis. With everyone in danger, UNIT jumps into action as the land and sea start fighting.

Russell T Davies, the showrunner and executive producer of “Doctor Who,” created “The War Between the Land and the Sea.” He wrote the spinoff with Pete McTighe (“A Discovery of Witches,” “The Pact,” “Doctor Who”). The series brings back the Sea Devils, the classic “Doctor Who” villains who first appeared in 1972.

“I’m so lucky to work with such an amazing cast. This big, exciting drama will shake the Whoniverse to its core. When the Doctor isn’t around, all of humanity is in danger.”

Davies said

This isn’t Tovey’s first time in the Whoniverse; he played Alonso Frame in “Doctor Who” over ten years ago. Mbatha-Raw also appeared in “Doctor Who” as Tish, Martha Jones’ sister in four episodes. Davies confirmed that they will have new roles in the spinoff.

Filming for the spinoff series starts next month. Bad Wolf and BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC produce the show. Besides Davies, the executive producers are Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner, and Jane Tranter.

Dylan Holmes-Williams, who directed two “Doctor Who” episodes, “73 Yards” and “Dot and Bubble,” will direct the series. It will be available on Disney+ and air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

At the lively Hall H panel, “Doctor Who” stars Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, along with showrunner and writer Davies, had a discussion moderated by Josh Horowitz.

Gatwa told the audience that playing the iconic role is an honor. He said, “The pressure fuels you because the show means so much to so many people. It’s amazing to play a character that’s been around for 60 years.”

“Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan sent a special video message to announce she’ll be in this year’s “Doctor Who” Christmas special as Joy, “a determined woman whose life changes forever when she meets the Doctor.” She then introduced an exclusive clip from the special.

Gatwa joked, “Barbie and Ken, back together again,” about Coughlan after the big reveal. “She brought so much joy to the set. She’s an absolute star.”

Gatwa and Gibson will return next season and be joined by Varada Sethu as another companion to the Doctor. During the panel, Gibson also announced that Jonah Hauer-King from “The Little Mermaid” will join the cast as part of Ruby’s story.

The latest “Doctor Who” season introduced Gatwa as the 15th Doctor. He made history as the first openly queer Black actor to play this famous role.

At the convention, “Doctor Who” had a big presence, letting fans take photos inside a TARDIS-themed photo booth. On Saturday, Davies will join “Star Trek” showrunner Alex Kurtzman for a special International Friendship Day panel to talk about storytelling across time and space.

Source: Variety