The War Between the Land and the Sea: A New Chapter in the Whoniverse
Introduction: A Timely Return to the Deep
The new Whoniverse event series follows UNIT as it faces an ancient ocean-dwelling species that finally steps into the light and declares open conflict with humanity. The War Between the Land and the Sea represents a significant expansion of the Doctor Who universe, bringing back the legendary Sea Devils—or as they prefer to be called, Homo Aqua—who first appeared opposite the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) in 1972. This five-episode limited series, which premiered on 7 December 2024 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, arrives at a moment when environmental concerns about our oceans have never been more pressing.
The Premise: When the Ocean Strikes Back
When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered, with the entire population at risk as UNIT steps into action as the land and sea wage war. The series explores how the Sea Devils are a tad miffed about the way humanity has been treating the oceans, offering a narrative that resonates with contemporary environmental themes.
UNIT is mobilized when a long-hidden species emerges from the oceans, revealing itself as the original Sea Devils or Homo Aqua, with climate and marine damage as a backdrop, as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart leads a global response through science and strategy, notably without the Doctor to call upon for help.
Creative Team and Broadcast Details
The series was created by long-standing Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who co-wrote the series with “Who” veteran Pete McTighe. The production boasts an impressive cast including Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Jemma Redgrave reprising her role as UNIT’s Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
The series premiered on Sunday, December 7, on BBC One at 8:30 p.m. in the UK, with the complete five-episode box set available on BBC iPlayer immediately after the first two episodes aired. For international audiences, it will stream on Disney+ in 2026.
Significance for the Whoniverse
This spin-off marks an important moment for the Doctor Who franchise, following in the footsteps of successful series like Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. The tone is bigger, bolder, and more morally complex, tackling environmental destruction and humanity’s relationship with the natural world through the lens of science fiction.
The series also represents a narrative referenced in recent Doctor Who episodes, creating continuity within the expanded universe and demonstrating the BBC’s continued investment in the franchise despite recent changes to international distribution partnerships.