The War Between the Land and the Sea: Release Date, Cast & Plot (2025)
It is finally here. As of December 7, 2025, the Doctor Who universe has expanded, but not in the way many of us expected. The Doctor is nowhere to be found, the TARDIS is gone, and Earth faces a threat that has been simmering beneath the waves for decades.
Russell T Davies has returned with The War Between the Land and the Sea, a gritty, five-part thriller that feels less like Saturday night family sci-fi and more like the tense, political drama of Years and Years.
If you just finished the double-bill premiere and are reeling from the “Homo Aqua” rebrand or confused about why your American friends can’t watch it yet, you are in the right place. In this guide, we break down the shocking plot twists, clarify the confusing Disney+ release delay, and explain why Russell Tovey’s character isn’t the soldier everyone thought he would be.
What is The War Between the Land and the Sea?
This isn’t just another monster-of-the-week episode stretched into a series. It is a dedicated political thriller focusing on the fragility of human existence when the oceans turn against us.
A “Whoniverse” Spin-off Without the Doctor
The premise is terrifyingly simple: An ancient species rises from the ocean to claim the planet, and the Doctor is off-world. This leaves the defence of Earth entirely to UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce).
According to the official BBC Media Centre announcement, the show is structured as a five-part miniseries. This format allows for a serialized story that builds tension without the “reset button” usually provided by the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver. It raises the stakes immediately—when characters die here, they stay dead.
“Homo Aqua” vs. Sea Devils: The Canon Change
If you grew up watching the classic series, you know them as the Sea Devils. However, Episode 1 dropped a massive canon shift within the first twenty minutes. The antagonists officially demand to be called “Homo Aqua” (Humans of the Water).
Why the change? It isn’t just semantics. Calling them “Sea Devils” frames them as monsters. “Homo Aqua” frames them as a sentient, indigenous species of Earth with rights. This shift forces the audience (and UNIT) to question who the real “bad guys” are.
My Take: Watching the UNIT team struggle with the new terminology in Episode 1 added a layer of realism I didn’t expect. It mirrors real-world political language shifts and immediately makes the show feel grounded in 2025 culture.
The War Between the Land and the Sea Release Date & Where to Watch
The release schedule has caused significant confusion online, specifically regarding the split between UK and international audiences. Here is exactly what is happening.
UK Air Dates (BBC One & iPlayer)
For viewers in the UK, the series is airing right now on BBC One and is available as a box set drop on BBC iPlayer.
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Episodes 1 & 2: Available Now (Aired Dec 7, 2025)
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Episodes 3 & 4: Sunday, Dec 14, 2025
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Episode 5 (Finale): Sunday, Dec 21, 2025
The Disney+ 2026 Delay Explained
If you are reading this from the US, Canada, or anywhere outside the UK, you have likely noticed the show is missing from Disney+.
Contrary to early rumors, it has not been cancelled globally. According to reports from Deadline, the delay is due to a strategic restructuring of the BBC/Disney broadcast partnership. The War Between the Land and the Sea is confirmed for an early 2026 release on Disney+ internationally. While frustrating, this staggered release prevents the “midnight spoilers” issue that plagued the main show’s simulcast.
Cast & Characters: Who Is Fighting for Earth?
The cast list blends returning favourites with high-profile newcomers, but their roles are quite subversive.
Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont
Early leaks pegged Russell Tovey as a hardened UNIT soldier. Those leaks were wrong. Tovey plays Barclay Pierre-Dupont, and he is a Logistics Clerk.
Barclay represents the “everyman.” He isn’t trained in combat; he manages supply chains and paperwork. Watching an admin clerk get thrown into the middle of a global war provides a fresh perspective. He isn’t running towards the fire because he’s a hero; he’s running because he has no choice.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt
Gugu Mbatha-Raw returns to the Whoniverse (she previously played Tish Jones in 2007) as a completely new character: Salt.
Salt is a leader of the Homo Aqua. The prosthetic work here is incredible—far removed from the rubber masks of the 1970s. Mbatha-Raw delivers a regal, terrifying performance. She isn’t a screaming warlord; she is a calculating general fighting for her people’s survival.
Returning UNIT Favourites
Anchoring the show to the wider universe are:
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Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart: The pragmatic head of UNIT, now facing her hardest test without the Doctor.
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Alexander Cobb as Colonel Ibrahim: Kate’s right-hand man, providing the tactical military perspective.
Plot Spoilers & The “Plastic Rain” Twist
Warning: Mild spoilers for Episodes 1 & 2 follow.
The conflict kicks off not with an invasion fleet, but with an environmental catastrophe. The series opens with a brutal look at ocean toxicity. The “Homo Aqua” aren’t just invading; they are retaliating.
The defining moment of the premiere is the “Plastic Rain” sequence in Episode 2. The Homo Aqua weaponize microplastics in the atmosphere, turning a rainstorm into a deadly barrage. It is a visually stunning and horrifying sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Watcher’s Guide: What to Look For
If you haven’t started yet, keep an eye on these details:
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The News Tickers: Pay attention to the background news screens in UNIT HQ. They reference events from the Ncuti Gatwa era of Doctor Who.
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The Sound Design: The “clicking” sound used for the Homo Aqua communication is distinct. Listen to how it changes pitch when they are angry versus when they are planning.
Filming Locations & Set Design
Production took place largely in Cardiff and Bristol. The massive UNIT base interiors were constructed at the Empress Hall set in London (historically used for Earls Court exhibitions), giving the show a sense of scale we rarely see in British TV.
A Brief History of the Sea Devils
For new fans, the Sea Devils (now Homo Aqua) are an ancient reptilian race that ruled Earth before humanity. They went into hibernation millions of years ago to survive a catastrophe and have been trying to reclaim the planet ever since.
They first appeared in 1972 alongside the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee). Traditionally, they were honorable warriors, distinct from their aggressive cousins, the Silurians. The War Between the Land and the Sea leans heavily into this history—they aren’t aliens; they are Earthlings who want their home back.
Conclusion
The War Between the Land and the Sea is shaping up to be the boldest entry in the Whoniverse since Torchwood: Children of Earth. It strips away the safety net of the TARDIS and forces humanity to look in the mirror. The real villain here might not be the Homo Aqua, but the pollution and neglect that drove them to war.
If you are in the UK, do not miss the next episodes on BBC One. If you are international, the wait for 2026 will be worth it.
Have you watched the first two episodes? What is your theory on Salt’s endgame? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
Is The War Between the Land and the Sea on Disney Plus?
Currently, no. The series is airing exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the UK for late 2025. It will arrive on Disney+ for international viewers in early 2026.
Is the Doctor in The War Between the Land and the Sea?
No. Ncuti Gatwa does not appear in the series. The plot focuses entirely on UNIT and the global crisis, forcing humanity to survive without the Doctor’s help.
Who are the Homo Aqua?
“Homo Aqua” is the new preferred name for the species previously known as the Sea Devils. They are an ancient, intelligent race of aquatic reptiles native to Earth.
How many episodes is The War Between the Land and the Sea?
The series consists of five episodes. It is a standalone miniseries event.
Who plays Barclay in the new Doctor Who spin-off?
Barclay Pierre-Dupont is played by Russell Tovey. Tovey is a Doctor Who alumnus, having previously played Midshipman Alonso Frame, though Barclay is a completely new character.
Is this a sequel to Torchwood?
While it shares the “darker, adult spin-off” tone of Torchwood, it is not a direct sequel. However, it deals with similar themes of Earth defence organizations.
Where was The War Between the Land and the Sea filmed?
Filming took place primarily in Cardiff, Wales, and Bristol, England, utilizing the Bad Wolf Studios facilities and location shoots for the coastal scenes.
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