Russell Tovey gives updates on “indie vibe” Doctor Who spinoff

Posted by Filed under

In two separate interviews with Variety and Collider, Russell Tovey gave and update on the Doctor Who spinoff The War Between the Land and Sea.

Though the spinoff was first announced as headlined by both Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tovey indicated to Variety that the experiences of his character, Barclay, are the main focus of the series.

“It has been one of the most joyful jobs I’ve ever done. Every day was just brilliant. I love the character I play. I love the cast and crew. I think we have a responsibility as actors when we walk on set to be kind and to be honest and to be vulnerable. And I think as I get older and every single project I do, I make sure that when I walk onto set, I am kind and that’s all I can do. I was number one on this show, and from day one I was like, ‘It’s not a struggle for me to be kind.’ I know the ripples that come from being a really good number one and being a really good team player and being kind on set. We’ve all worked with people who aren’t as generous with their kindness or their good energy, and it makes for a really uncomfortable, unsatisfying and sometimes upsetting experience. It makes it harder for you to be vulnerable because it makes you anxious.”

The War Between the land and the Sea is the story of a conflict between humans and ancient sea creatures who wake up and emerge from the sea to find Earth and its oceans polluted by the land-dwelling humans. War ensues.

“Well, the story of these creatures [Sea Devils] has appeared in Doctor Who episodes, it might have been in the ‘60s, but this has been a refresh of that. You’ve got members of UNIT in there. Jemma Redgrave is so brilliant. She’s the same character [Kate Lethbridge-Stewart] in this, but it’s so elevated.”

From filming reports, there seems to be a Romeo and Juliet-type subplot involving the human Barclay and Mbatha-Raw’s character, who appears to be playing an updated version of Sea Devil.

“Gugu Mbatha-Raw is in prosthetics and phenomenal. I don’t know how she does it.”

Cast of the Doctor Who spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea

When talking to Collider at the Sundance Film Festival, Tovey described how the series has the feel of and an indie film.

“It feels more indie vibe, and that’s why I’m really excited about it. Dylan Holmes Williams has directed a couple of episodes in the last season of Doctor Who [2024 episodes 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble], 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 was really compelled by his tone. So tonally, it’s part of the Whoniverse, but it’s its own special creation.”

“The script is huge. The War Between the Land and Sea — the title is crazily long. It’s brilliant. It was a really wonderful job. I finished that just before Christmas.”

All reports place the transmission of the spinoff at the end of 2025.

“I don’t know when it comes out but I would assume toward the end of the year.”

The War Between the Land and the Sea, written by Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe, will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Disney+ where available some time in late 2025.