Doctor Who Spin-Off Explores Sea Devils Without The Doctor

Doctor Who: The War Between the Land and the Sea Gets New Trailer

Something intriguing and slightly unsettling is happening in the Doctor Who universe, and longtime fans are right to raise an eyebrow. The iconic sci-fi franchise is expanding yet again with a bold new spin-off titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, helmed by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies. This five-part event series dives deep into the darker corners of Whovian mythology, exploring the consequences of humanity’s environmental recklessness and the return of one of the franchise’s most chilling adversaries, the Sea Devils.

The story centres on Barclay, played by Russell Tovey, a low-level UNIT operative whose uneventful life spirals into terror when an ancient aquatic species rises from the depths. His world changes forever when the mysterious Salt, portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, emerges from a containment tank during a high-level summit on the Thames. Suddenly, Barclay becomes humanity’s reluctant ambassador as UNIT, led by Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, played by Jemma Redgrave, scrambles to contain a crisis that threatens global annihilation.

The ensemble cast strengthens the project’s dramatic weight, featuring Ruth Madeley as Shirley Bingham, Alexander Devrient as Colonel Christofer Ibrahim, and Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce, alongside a robust supporting lineup that includes Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, Vincent Franklin, Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu, and Ann Akinjirin.

From a critical fan perspective, this expansion arrives at a complicated time. The last few seasons of Doctor Who have struggled to win over core viewers, often favouring ambitious myth-building and experimental storytelling over the emotional consistency and character depth that defined the series for decades. While the intention to reach new audiences is clear, it has come at the cost of sidelining the loyal fanbase who cherish the show’s traditional tone and narrative structure.

That said, this spin-off holds real potential. Much like how Star Wars successfully broadened its universe through standalone series exploring different corners of its lore, Doctor Who possesses a rich narrative tapestry full of untapped stories that do not always require the Doctor’s presence. The absence of the Doctor in this series, echoing the powerful Torchwood: Children of Earth format, reinforces the theme that humanity must face the consequences of its own actions without divine intervention.

At the heart of the story are the Sea Devils, reawakened to discover oceans devastated by pollution and human exploitation. Their return forces a moral reckoning and a confrontation between two species that once ruled the planet. This concept draws directly from classic Doctor Who lore, particularly the seminal serials The Sea Devils from 1972 and Warriors of the Deep from 1984.

The 1972 storyline introduced the Sea Devils as intelligent amphibious reptiles who once dominated Earth before entering hibernation to survive an anticipated global catastrophe. Awakened by the Master, they sought to reclaim the planet, only to be thwarted by the Doctor. The 1984 serial further expanded this mythology, linking them to the Silurians, their land-based cousins, and portraying a grim vision of inevitable conflict between ancient Earth Reptiles and modern humanity.

By revisiting this foundational mythology and reframing it through a contemporary lens of climate crisis and environmental responsibility, The War Between the Land and the Sea may very well become the narrative pivot Doctor Who desperately needs. With strong writing, committed performances, and respect for the franchise’s deep history, this series could evolve from risky experiment to the linchpin that revitalises the Whoniverse for both new viewers and disillusioned longtime fans alike.

If done right, this may finally prove that the Doctor Who universe can thrive even when the Doctor steps aside temporarily, allowing the shadows of its world to tell their own compelling stories.