Doctor Who Showrunner Explains The Doctor’s Absence In The War Between The Land And The Sea

by

The Doctor and the TARDIS won’t be involved in the new Doctor Who spinoff, The War Between the Land and the Sea. This means the stakes are much higher as the Sea Devils – classic Doctor Who monsters – return to threaten the land.

In the upcoming story, a race of aquatic beings called the Sea Devils (also known as Homo Aqua), led by the character Salt, will declare war on humanity due to the damage pollution and climate change have caused to the planet. Usually, the Doctor would step in to help when monsters appear, but this time, UNIT and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart must face this threat on their own.

Russell T Davies, the showrunner for Doctor Who and creator of The War Between the Land and the Sea, recently told Radio Times why he chose not to include the Doctor in this story. He explained that one of the most compelling things about Doctor Who is the ability to explore stories without the Doctor, and to see how humanity copes in their absence.

Usually, the Doctor can rely on a special blue doorway to keep everyone safe, but that option is no longer available. As a result, the characters are facing extreme challenges and are really being pushed to their limits,” Davies explained. This is particularly true for negotiator Barclay (Russell Tovey), who forms a surprising and strong connection with Salt – a relationship that could change everything.

Davies explains that The War Between the Land and the Sea feels more intense than Doctor Who because the Doctor isn’t present. He believes the story tackles more difficult subjects and evokes stronger emotions from viewers due to the Doctor’s absence. However, it still offers plenty of classic Doctor Who elements, including monsters, romance, action, and exciting chases and shootouts.

I’m really excited about this new series! Even if you’re not a long-time Doctor Who fan, you’ll get a fantastic look into the Sea Devils – their history, their culture, everything! They’re really fleshing out their world, and episode 3, The War Between the Land and the Sea, seems like it’s going to be a deep dive into their home. Russell T Davies said they didn’t have much established backstory for them before, so this is a whole new level of detail!

Previously, the Sea Devils were portrayed as simple monsters appearing in beach settings, like Portsmouth or Sea Base. We didn’t explore their civilization or way of life much at all. Now, we’re really digging into their culture, showing how they live, their environment, and the different creatures that exist alongside them, which has been a lot of fun for developing their story. The Sea Devils last appeared during Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor, but they’ve been completely reimagined since then.

The Sea Devils aren’t the only things that have changed recently. In the final episode of Doctor Who season 15/2, titled “The Reality War,” Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor unexpectedly transformed into Billie Piper, a former companion. It’s currently unknown if this strange regeneration has anything to do with the Doctor’s disappearance in The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Despite being a separate show, the spinoff still pays tribute to its Doctor Who origins. Writer and producer Pete McTighe promises devoted fans that they’ll find plenty of hidden references – known as Easter eggs – if they look closely. “Keep the pause button handy, and you’ll definitely spot some things,” McTighe told RadioTimes.com.

As a huge fan, it feels a little bittersweet watching ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea’ – it’s the last adventure made with both the BBC and Disney working together! The good news is the BBC has promised that Doctor Who will continue, starting with a special Christmas episode in 2026. But right now, I’m completely absorbed in figuring out what the Sea Devils are up to, and it’s been a fantastic ride so far!

Viewers in the UK can watch “The War Between the Land and the Sea” starting December 7th on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series will be available internationally on Disney+ in 2026.

Read More

2025-12-03 23:21