DuringDoctor Who’sInto the Whoniversepanel atSan Diego Comic Con, we got a lot of things confirmed. Not only were new details released about upcoming companions, but information abouta new spinoff was also revealed. The spinoff is titledThe War Between the Land and the Sea.The most exciting part is that fans are finally getting what they’ve been asking for quite some time: a spinoff with UNIT.Jemma Redgrave’s Kate Stewart will be a part of the five-part series that is set to begin filming next month.
Talking with Collider’sSam Coleyat the Collider Media Studio,Doctor WhoshowrunnerRussell T. Davieskept it tight-lipped about any additional information about the series. Fans still don’t know when to expect it, just that it will stream on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer much like the parent series. Davies says the series “will appear when it appears.” All will be revealed in due time, Davies promises, “I’m sure some of the filming will be in the papers and stuff like that. So, keep watching. It’s gonna be wonderful.” Joining the series in addition to Redgrave isRussell Tovey,Gugu Mbatha-Raw, andAlexander Devrient.
The synopsis reads as follows:
“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, UNIT steps into action as the land and sea wage war. Created by “Doctor Who” showrunner and executive producer Russell T Davies, who wrote the spinoff with Pete McTighe (“A Discovery of Witches,” “The Pact,” “Doctor Who”), the series features the triumphant return of the Sea Devils, classic “Doctor Who” villains first seen in 1972.”
Doctor Who Is No Stranger to Spinoffs
Two of the major spinoffs from the Doctor Who parent show include:Torchwoodand The Sarah Jane Adventures. There’s also Class but the two most well-known are the former. Torchwood is also an anagram forDoctor Who.The show followed the expected alien-of-the-week formula of the parent show this time featuring a Cardiff-based team of agents who investigated the extraterrestrial. The lead cast sawJohn Barrowmanreturn as Captain Jack Harkness. He was joined byEve Mylesas Gwen Cooper,Gareth David-Lloydas Ianto Jones, and many more.
The Whoniverse tried a monster-of-the-week show aimed at a more juvenile audience withThe Sarah Jane Adventures. Following the former companion, Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen), as she investigates alien anomalies out of her home on Bannerman Road. She put together a team of kid sleuths to help her sus out what extraterrestrial trouble might be afoot. The series was unfortunately canceled due to Sladen’s passing in 2011.
Stay tuned with Collider for more from San Diego Comic Con.Doctor Whois available to stream on Disney+ in the US.
Doctor Who
The show follows the adventures of a Time Lord, “The Doctor,” who is able to regenerate, and the Doctor’s human friends. The Doctor and his companions journey through time and space in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – saving the universe with a combination of wit, bravery, and kindness.
Watch on Disney+
