Though it’s been more divisive than ever as of late,Doctor Whofans that are still in love with the show will be eating good this year as not only isNcuti Gatwaset to return in Season 2 onDisney+, but a new limited spinoff series titledThe War Between the Land and the Seais also set to debut at some point in 2025. Now, ahead of the premiere of both, starRussell Toveysays the big difference between the main show and the new seriesis that the spinoff feels more like an independent production than anything else.
Speaking withColliderat this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Tovey calledThe War Between the Land and the Sea"its own special creation" while discussing the spinoff, which is set to bring back classicDoctor Whovillainsthe Sea Devils for the limited affair. As someone who has already had experience working on the classic British production, he says the tone is noticeably different.
“It’s more indie, and I’m not just saying that because we’re at Sundance. It feels like a more indie vibe, and that’s why I’m really excited about it. [Director] Dylan Holmes Williams has done a couple of episodes in the last season of Doctor Who, and he was brought in. He was here at Sundance a few years back with a short, [The Devil’s Harmony], and it was really well-received. I saw that, and I could tell by his tone… It’s part of the universe, but it’s its own special creation.”
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Tovey first appeared in theDoctor Whouniverse all the way back in 2007, where he played Midshipman Alonso Frame in the episode “Voyage of the Damned,” a role he reprised once more in the 2010 gem “The End of Time,” which introduced audiences to a new Time Lord by way of Matt Smith. For The War Between the Land and the Sea, Tovey will portray a new character alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who will also take on someone new after having already portrayed Martha’s sister Tish Jones.
‘The War Between the Land and the Sea’ Will Focus on UNIT
Fans who haven’t been impressed with Gatwa’sinterpretation of the Doctorwill be pleased to know that he won’t make an appearance inThe War Between the Land and the Sea, which instead focuses on the military organization known as UNIT. The five-episode series centers around the United Intelligence Taskforce as they take action to prevent a global war with the Sea Devils after the ancient species makes their presence known once again.
In addition to Tovey and Mbatha-Raw, the spinoff also features Jemma Redgrave reprising her role of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham, and Colin McFarlane, who is anotherDoctor Whoalumni playing a new character. Filming wrapped in December, and while no specific release date has been announced, as we mentioned,The War Between the Land and the Seais expected to premiere later this year. As we await the spinoff, and the return of Gatwa, you can check out seasons 1-13 of the modern era streaming on Max, and Season 14 on Disney+.
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