In a clip released as part of the ‘Vworp Around the World‘ promotion, The War Between the Land and the Sea main character Barclay (Russell Tovey) and his mission are described by General Austin Pierce (Colin McFarlane).

“Mission Briefing, Subject Barclay Pierre-Dupont: Barclay is a low-level civilian of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce. The most ordinary of men. But today his life changes. Today Barclay takes his place on the front line. And this ordinary man is our best hope for peace. But why have Aquakind chosen him as human ambassador? What invisible undercurrents have drawn them together? Can he cope with pressure, scrutiny and the danger? Can he and his family survive what’s coming? And can this ordinary man save the human race?”

43-year-old London-born Barclay Pierre-Dupont has worked for UNIT since 2017. Employed in Transportation and Logistics, he is tasked with organising taxis and vehicles for UNIT staff.

Barclay’s father was French and his mother is of Scottish background. He was previously married to Barbara Dupont (Ann Akinjirin) and has a teenage child named Kirby (Cat Gannon).

“I bid you welcome and bring to session this diplomatic congress,” Barclay is seen saying in Empress Hall at Empress House, a UNIT installation near the Thames where a conduit is constructed from the river to accommodate the Aquakind ambassador Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and her delegation.

Now that he has been chosen as human ambassador to Aquakind (the sea-dwelling species formerly known as Sea Devils), Barclay holds Grade Ten security clearance and has been designated as a Diplomatic Witness in the event of a Categorgy-55 Situation under automatic Gold-Contact protocols.

Russell Tovey spoke of the Empress Hall diplomatic congress scene with co-star Gugu Mbatha-Raw at the screening in London on 25 November, 2025.

Will Barclay successfully broker peace between Humankind and Aquakind? Viewers will find out by watching The War Between the Land and the Sea on subsequent Sundays, 7, 14 and 21 December 2025 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The spin-off will be available on Disney+ some time in 2026.