Something ancient is stirring beneath the waves, and humanity is woefully unprepared. The BBC’s latest Whoniverse entry, the five-part miniseries The War Between the Land and the Sea, premiered with a double bill on December 7, 2025, and has since unleashed a tidal wave of panic and fascination across audiences. This slow-burn thriller, a Doctor Who spin-off without the Doctor, reimagines the classic Sea Devils as a formidable force reclaiming the oceans—and the planet—from human destruction. Critics hail it as one of the most terrifying and thought-provoking entries in years, while viewers warn of sleepless nights after a finale that delivers a disturbing, unforgettable punch.
Created by Russell T Davies, the visionary behind Doctor Who’s revival, the series plunges into an international crisis when an ancient aquatic species—rebranded as Homo Aqua, evolved cousins to humanity—emerges dramatically from the depths. Triggered by centuries of pollution and exploitation, their arrival floods cities, disrupts global order, and forces a desperate standoff. Without the Time Lord’s intervention, ordinary people and the military organization UNIT must navigate diplomacy, betrayal, and escalating horror in a world fracturing under rising waters.
At the center is Barclay Pierre-Dupont, portrayed with raw vulnerability and fire by Russell Tovey. A low-level UNIT logistics manager leading an unremarkable life, Barclay is thrust into the role of humanity’s ambassador when the enigmatic Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) selects him during tense negotiations. Tovey’s performance captures a man overwhelmed by terror yet driven by unforeseen courage, his everyman charm evolving into quiet heroism amid chaos. Mbatha-Raw, in a chillingly calm turn, embodies Salt—the Homo Aqua leader emerging from a massive tank on the Thames—with ethereal menace and hidden depths. Her composed exterior masks profound grief and resolve, creating shivers as secrets beneath the surface slowly rise.
Supporting the leads is a stellar ensemble of Whoniverse veterans. Jemma Redgrave reprises Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, UNIT’s steadfast chief, commanding with authority while grappling with moral dilemmas. Alexander Devrient returns as Colonel Ibrahim, Ruth Madeley as scientific advisor Shirley Bingham, and Colin McFarlane as General Pierce, adding layers of military tension and ethical conflict. The absence of the Doctor amplifies the stakes—humanity must confront this threat alone, exposing flaws in leadership, politics, and environmental neglect.
The narrative unfolds as a masterful slow-burn, blending disaster epic with psychological dread. It opens with fishermen hauling a Homo Aqua specimen, sparking global alarm. As waters rise and strange phenomena engulf coastlines, UNIT mobilizes. Barclay’s unlikely promotion leads to high-stakes summits, where Salt demands accountability for oceanic devastation. Themes of climate urgency weave through, portraying Homo Aqua not as mindless invaders but rightful reclaimers, awakened by humanity’s hubris.
Visually spectacular, the series boasts epic underwater sets, sweeping coastal shots filmed in Wales and Spain, and redesigned Homo Aqua creatures—sleek, pearl-necklaced beings blending reptilian heritage with humanoid grace. Effects shine in scenes of flooding cities and emerging armies, creating a dangerously real apocalypse feel.
Episode by episode, trust erodes. Alliances fracture as hardliners push for war, while moderates seek peace. Romantic undertones between Barclay and Salt add poignant tragedy—a forbidden connection echoing classic star-crossed tales, yet grounded in species survival. The pacing builds inexorably, layering revelations about Homo Aqua’s ancient history and humanity’s complicity.
The finale, “The End of the War,” arrives like a crushing wave. A engineered virus, “Severance,” decimates Homo Aqua, leaving survivors confined to protected ocean zones. Barclay, discovering his hybrid transformation (gills emerging from a mysterious rash), bids farewell to his family and joins Salt in the depths. Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, hardened by loss, emerges changed—hinting at darker paths ahead. The resolution is bleak: humanity “wins” through genocide, yet the cost exposes irreversible fractures. Viewers report profound disturbance, the ending’s ambiguity—a mix of hope, loss, and warning—lingering like an unending tide.
Inspired by Davies’ environmental concerns, the series feels eerily prescient in 2025, amid real-world climate crises. It pushes boundaries with tougher themes than mainline Doctor Who, evoking Torchwood’s intensity while expanding the Whoniverse. Mixed reviews praise ambitious scope and performances but note occasional bluntness and pacing dips; overall, it’s celebrated as bold, haunting television.
As the world drowns in secrets surfacing, The War Between the Land and the Sea isn’t mere disaster fare—it’s a siren call, questioning if we’re the monsters. The finale’s impact has sparked endless debate, leaving audiences wrecked and reflective. You’re not ready—but dive in anyway.
