The War Between the Land and the Sea
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:17:49 PM Wikipedia source
The War Between the Land and the Sea is a British science fiction drama television miniseries. The series was created by Russell T Davies for BBC One and Disney+ as part of the Doctor Who franchise, known as the Whoniverse. Starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the series features UNIT in their attempt to prevent a global war caused by the return of the Sea Devils, now known as "Homo Aqua". Jemma Redgrave, Colin McFarlane, Alexander Devrient and Ruth Madeley reprise their respective roles from Doctor Who and its franchised series. The series was first reported on in July 2024, and filmed from August to December 2024 across Wales, Cardiff and Spain. Of the five episodes, the premiere and finale were written by Davies, with the other three by Pete McTighe. The War Between the Land and the Sea premiered on BBC One on 7 December 2025 with its first two episodes, and is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2026. The series has received generally positive reviews from critics for its performances (particularly Redgrave's) and its similarities to Torchwood.
Infobox
Genre
Drama Science fiction
Created by
Russell T Davies
Showrunner
Russell T Davies
Written by
Russell T Davies Pete McTighe
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Starring
Russell Tovey Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Composer
Lorne Balfe
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Original language
English
No. of series
1
No. of episodes
5
Executive producers
Joel Collins Pete McTighe Russell T Davies Julie Gardner Jane Tranter
Producer
Edoardo Ferretti
Production locations
Spain United States Wales
Cinematography
Dale Elena McCready
Editors
Tim Hodges Mdhamiri Á Nkemi
Running time
43–53 minutes
Production companies
Bad Wolf BBC Studios
Network
Disney
Release
7 December (2025-12-07) – 21 December 2025 (2025-12-21)
Tables
· Episodes
1
1
No.
1
Title
"Homo Aqua"
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Written by
Russell T Davies
Original release date
7 December 2025 (2025-12-07)
UK viewers
(millions)
4
In an administrative error, logistics manager Barclay Pierre-Dupont becomes involved in a covert mission by the independent international agency Unified Intelligence Taskforce in Dragonera, Mediterranean Sea after the discovery and killing of a Sea Devil by fishermen. Dubbed Homo Aqua by UNIT General Austin Pierce, the deceased creature is recaptur
In an administrative error, logistics manager Barclay Pierre-Dupont becomes involved in a covert mission by the independent international agency Unified Intelligence Taskforce in Dragonera, Mediterranean Sea after the discovery and killing of a Sea Devil by fishermen. Dubbed Homo Aqua by UNIT General Austin Pierce, the deceased creature is recaptur
No.
In an administrative error, logistics manager Barclay Pierre-Dupont becomes involved in a covert mission by the independent international agency Unified Intelligence Taskforce in Dragonera, Mediterranean Sea after the discovery and killing of a Sea Devil by fishermen. Dubbed Homo Aqua by UNIT General Austin Pierce, the deceased creature is recaptur
2
2
No.
2
Title
"Plastic Apocalypse"
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Written by
Pete McTighe
Original release date
7 December 2025 (2025-12-07)
UK viewers
(millions)
3
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of UNIT, agrees to work with Barclay to carry out diplomatic negotiations with Homo Aqua, who wish worldwide pollution to cease. UNIT scientists examine eggs bred by Salt affected by pollution. At the next meeting, Salt requests Barclay drink contaminated water from the River Thames, but he refuses. Again
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of UNIT, agrees to work with Barclay to carry out diplomatic negotiations with Homo Aqua, who wish worldwide pollution to cease. UNIT scientists examine eggs bred by Salt affected by pollution. At the next meeting, Salt requests Barclay drink contaminated water from the River Thames, but he refuses. Again
No.
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of UNIT, agrees to work with Barclay to carry out diplomatic negotiations with Homo Aqua, who wish worldwide pollution to cease. UNIT scientists examine eggs bred by Salt affected by pollution. At the next meeting, Salt requests Barclay drink contaminated water from the River Thames, but he refuses. Again
3
3
No.
3
Title
"The Deep"
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Written by
Pete McTighe
Original release date
14 December 2025 (2025-12-14)
UK viewers
(millions)
3
A UNIT team, consisting of Barclay, Pierce, technician Min Tso, Captain Louise Mackey, and diplomatic representatives Singh and Campbell, undergo Royal Navy training before the underwater meeting; Campbell brings a globe as a gift for Salt. During their submarine descent, Kate meets at Downing Street with Prime Minister Harry Shaw, US Army General
A UNIT team, consisting of Barclay, Pierce, technician Min Tso, Captain Louise Mackey, and diplomatic representatives Singh and Campbell, undergo Royal Navy training before the underwater meeting; Campbell brings a globe as a gift for Salt. During their submarine descent, Kate meets at Downing Street with Prime Minister Harry Shaw, US Army General
No.
A UNIT team, consisting of Barclay, Pierce, technician Min Tso, Captain Louise Mackey, and diplomatic representatives Singh and Campbell, undergo Royal Navy training before the underwater meeting; Campbell brings a globe as a gift for Salt. During their submarine descent, Kate meets at Downing Street with Prime Minister Harry Shaw, US Army General
4
4
No.
4
Title
"The Witch of the Waterfall"
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Written by
Pete McTighe
Original release date
14 December 2025 (2025-12-14)
UK viewers
(millions)
3
The entire submarine crew and hundreds of Homo Aqua are killed by the explosion, except Barclay, who is saved by Salt. A deepfake of Salt is shown to the public, appearing to take responsibility for the bombing and threatening any human who enters the water. Salt is captured by UNIT but Barclay helps her escape. Shaw is pressured by Gunsberg into
The entire submarine crew and hundreds of Homo Aqua are killed by the explosion, except Barclay, who is saved by Salt. A deepfake of Salt is shown to the public, appearing to take responsibility for the bombing and threatening any human who enters the water. Salt is captured by UNIT but Barclay helps her escape. Shaw is pressured by Gunsberg into
No.
The entire submarine crew and hundreds of Homo Aqua are killed by the explosion, except Barclay, who is saved by Salt. A deepfake of Salt is shown to the public, appearing to take responsibility for the bombing and threatening any human who enters the water. Salt is captured by UNIT but Barclay helps her escape. Shaw is pressured by Gunsberg into
5
5
No.
5
Title
"The End of the War"
Directed by
Dylan Holmes Williams
Written by
Russell T Davies
Original release date
21 December 2025 (2025-12-21)
UK viewers
(millions)
3
Homo Aqua expedite the melting of the ice caps, threatening to flood and choke humanity with carbon dioxide release. Kate struggles with PTSD after Ibrahim’s death, blackmailing her therapist to increase her paroxetine dose. Barclay begins secret nightly visits to Herne Bay, calling for Salt in the sea. In London, Kate threatens Shaw about Severanc
Homo Aqua expedite the melting of the ice caps, threatening to flood and choke humanity with carbon dioxide release. Kate struggles with PTSD after Ibrahim’s death, blackmailing her therapist to increase her paroxetine dose. Barclay begins secret nightly visits to Herne Bay, calling for Salt in the sea. In London, Kate threatens Shaw about Severanc
No.
Homo Aqua expedite the melting of the ice caps, threatening to flood and choke humanity with carbon dioxide release. Kate struggles with PTSD after Ibrahim’s death, blackmailing her therapist to increase her paroxetine dose. Barclay begins secret nightly visits to Herne Bay, calling for Salt in the sea. In London, Kate threatens Shaw about Severanc
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | UK viewers (millions) | |
| 1 | "Homo Aqua" | Dylan Holmes Williams | Russell T Davies | 7 December 2025 (2025-12-07) | 4 | |
| In an administrative error, logistics manager Barclay Pierre-Dupont becomes involved in a covert mission by the independent international agency Unified Intelligence Taskforce in Dragonera, Mediterranean Sea after the discovery and killing of a Sea Devil by fishermen. Dubbed Homo Aqua by UNIT General Austin Pierce, the deceased creature is recaptur | ||||||
| 2 | "Plastic Apocalypse" | Dylan Holmes Williams | Pete McTighe | 7 December 2025 (2025-12-07) | 3 | |
| Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of UNIT, agrees to work with Barclay to carry out diplomatic negotiations with Homo Aqua, who wish worldwide pollution to cease. UNIT scientists examine eggs bred by Salt affected by pollution. At the next meeting, Salt requests Barclay drink contaminated water from the River Thames, but he refuses. Again | ||||||
| 3 | "The Deep" | Dylan Holmes Williams | Pete McTighe | 14 December 2025 (2025-12-14) | 3 | |
| A UNIT team, consisting of Barclay, Pierce, technician Min Tso, Captain Louise Mackey, and diplomatic representatives Singh and Campbell, undergo Royal Navy training before the underwater meeting; Campbell brings a globe as a gift for Salt. During their submarine descent, Kate meets at Downing Street with Prime Minister Harry Shaw, US Army General | ||||||
| 4 | "The Witch of the Waterfall" | Dylan Holmes Williams | Pete McTighe | 14 December 2025 (2025-12-14) | 3 | |
| The entire submarine crew and hundreds of Homo Aqua are killed by the explosion, except Barclay, who is saved by Salt. A deepfake of Salt is shown to the public, appearing to take responsibility for the bombing and threatening any human who enters the water. Salt is captured by UNIT but Barclay helps her escape. Shaw is pressured by Gunsberg into | ||||||
| 5 | "The End of the War" | Dylan Holmes Williams | Russell T Davies | 21 December 2025 (2025-12-21) | 3 | |
| Homo Aqua expedite the melting of the ice caps, threatening to flood and choke humanity with carbon dioxide release. Kate struggles with PTSD after Ibrahim’s death, blackmailing her therapist to increase her paroxetine dose. Barclay begins secret nightly visits to Herne Bay, calling for Salt in the sea. In London, Kate threatens Shaw about Severanc | ||||||
· Reception › Ratings
Viewers
(millions)
Viewers
(millions)
No.
Viewers
(millions)
Title
Viewers
(millions)
Air date
Rank
1
1
No.
1
Title
"Homo Aqua"
Air date
7 December 2025
Overnight ratings
2
Consolidated ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
14
Total
viewers
(millions)
4
28-day
viewers
(millions)
6
2
2
No.
2
Title
"Plastic Apocalypse"
Air date
7 December 2025
Overnight ratings
2
Consolidated ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
22
Total
viewers
(millions)
3
28-day
viewers
(millions)
5
3
3
No.
3
Title
"The Deep"
Air date
14 December 2025
Overnight ratings
2
Consolidated ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
12
Total
viewers
(millions)
3
28-day
viewers
(millions)
4
4
4
No.
4
Title
"The Witch of the Waterfall"
Air date
14 December 2025
Overnight ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
33
Total
viewers
(millions)
3
28-day
viewers
(millions)
4
5
5
No.
5
Title
"The End of the War"
Air date
21 December 2025
Overnight ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
1
Consolidated ratings
27
Total
viewers
(millions)
3
28-day
viewers
(millions)
3
| No. | Title | Air date | Overnight ratings | Consolidated ratings | Total viewers (millions) | 28-day viewers (millions) | Ref(s) | |
| Viewers (millions) | Viewers (millions) | Rank | ||||||
| 1 | "Homo Aqua" | 7 December 2025 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2 | "Plastic Apocalypse" | 7 December 2025 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 5 | |
| 3 | "The Deep" | 14 December 2025 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 4 | |
| 4 | "The Witch of the Waterfall" | 14 December 2025 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 3 | 4 | |
| 5 | "The End of the War" | 21 December 2025 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 3 | 3 | |
References
- The United Kingdom and Ireland
- Excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland
- bbchttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002p0xm
- Barb Audienceshttps://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/as-viewed-top-50/
- Doctor Whohttps://deadline.com/2024/07/doctor-who-analysis-disney-deal-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies-bbc-1236008287/
- Doctor Whohttps://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-announced-at-san-diego-comic-con
- Doctor Whohttps://variety.com/2024/tv/news/doctor-who-spinoff-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-1236085079/
- Doctor Whohttps://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/everything-we-know-so-far-about-doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and
- Doctor Whohttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-spinoff-disney-bbc-1235959164/
- TVLinehttps://tvline.com/news/doctor-who-spinoff-cast-gugu-mbatha-raw-russell-tovey-sea-devils-1235295969/
- Doctor Whohttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9r32xg2y0lo
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/doctor-who-war-between-land-and-sea-first-look-cast-image/
- RadioTimeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/war-between-land-sea-patrick-baladi-vincent-franklin-newsupdate/
- Doctor Whohttps://www.thewrap.com/doctor-who-spinoff-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-disney-plus/
- wwwhttps://web.archive.org/web/20251218021326/https://www.bbc.co.uk/writers/resources/be-inspired/pete-mctighe
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-spin-off-filming-newsupdate/
- BBChttps://web.archive.org/web/20251214212711/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002nnk6
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-spin-off-filming-newsupdate/
- "Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea now has a release date – and it's soon"https://www.countryfile.com/tv/doctor-who-spinoff-war-between-land-sea-filming
- EXCLUSIVE Full Documentary: The Making Of The War Between The Land And The Seahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHngzLBXF4A