New Doctor Who spin-off confirmed and cast revealed

During San Diego Comic-Con 2024, BBC has confirmed at Hall H, that there is a Doctor Who spin-off in the works, as well as revealing who will star in the mini series called The War Between The Land And The Sea.

The series features creatures called The Sea Devils, these were last seen during Jodie Whittaker’s era in 2022. Chris Chibnall and Ella Road wrote this special episode titled ‘The Legend of the Sea Devils’ which garnered 2.20 million viewers overnight.

For this spin-off, Russell T Davies will be the Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer, just as he currently is for the main series. There is also a second writer, Pete McTighie; who has worked on previous Doctor Who episodes.

Dylan Holmes-Williams; who previously worked on Doctor Who episodes: 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble, will be also directing this mini series.

Here is brief description about The War Between The Land And The Sea, from the official Doctor Who site:

‘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 step into action as the land and sea wage war.‘

Who will star in the Doctor Who spin-off?

It has been speculated for months about this Whoniverse spin-off happening and fans were expecting Freema Agyeman to be leading this series. However, this is not the case, as there are now four cast members who have been confirmed:

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki), Russell Tovey (Being Human), Jemma Redgrave (Doctor Who) and Alexander Devrient (Doctor Who/Tedd Lasso) leading the cast.

A new Whoniverse spin-off begins filming next month with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Russell Tovey, Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient leading the cast. — Bad Wolf Studios/Disney Plus. Photo credits: Gugu Mbatha-Raw by Michael Wharley, Russell Tovey by Jason Dimmock, Jemma Redgrave by Charlie Carter, Alexander Devrient by Marina Castells

Two of these cast members (Redgrave and Devrient) are already known to be part of UNIT from the main series. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Russell Tovey have previously appeared in minor roles during Tennant’s Tenth Doctor’s era; when Mbatha-Raw portrayed Tish Jones (Martha’s sister) and Tovey portrayed Alonso, who met up with Captain Jack. It’s not confirmed if those two actors will reprise as the same characters.

When will ‘The War Between The Land And The Sea’ release?

There’s no date yet, filming is only just beginning next month (August 2024). The five-part mini series will be releasing on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and Disney Plus.