Doctor Who’s The War Between The Land And The Sea Death Explained

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Russell T Davies, the showrunner, has finally revealed the reason behind the tragic death of a beloved character in the popular Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

The third episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea features a battle between humanity and the Sea Devils (also called Homo Aqua). Sadly, this episode sees the death of Colonel Christofer Ibrahim, played by Alexander Devrient. This came shortly after the show confirmed a romantic connection between his character and Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), a pairing fans had long speculated about and hinted at. This development made Ibrahim’s death even more shocking and upsetting for viewers.

A new documentary on the official Doctor Who YouTube channel, called The Making of The War Between the Land and the Sea, features Russell Davies discussing the heartbreaking death of Ibrahim and the reasons behind it. Davies explained that the tragedy was essential for progressing the storyline and increasing the tension of the conflict.

Davies explained that the emotional impact of The War Between the Land and the Sea comes from its connection to real-world issues. Even though the episode includes fantastical sea creatures, the environmental problems it explores are very real. And, realistically, war always involves loss of life, so it felt right that not every character would survive the series.

The story inevitably involves loss because it tackles a very real issue: the damage we’ve done to our oceans. Unlike some science fiction, where everything might work out neatly, this story acknowledges that consequences are unavoidable, and someone will have to suffer. It aims for a sense of realism that’s more grounded than what you might typically see in a show like Doctor Who, reminding us that actions have real costs.

Redgrave discussed how the loss impacted her character, Kate. She explained that Kate hadn’t truly understood how important Ibrahim was to her until after he was gone. His unexpected death forced her to confront her feelings and became a significant moment of change for her.

When I read the scripts, it was clear she hadn’t fully acknowledged her feelings for him. She always held back from truly understanding the depth of her love. Losing him forced her to confront all the emotions she’d been suppressing, and it was a profoundly transformative experience for her.

You’ll be able to watch “The War Between the Land and the Sea” on Disney+ worldwide starting in 2026, though an exact release date hasn’t been announced yet.

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2026-02-22 02:29