The latest chapter in the Doctor Who universe, The War Between the Land and the Sea, has started. This new five-part series began on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The show brings back a classic enemy for a modern story. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the full series is ready to watch. However, international audiences will need to wait until 2026 to see it on Disney+.
The story asks a big question: what happens on Earth when the Doctor is not there to help? A hidden species from the ocean, known as the Sea Devils, rises to the surface. They are angry about how humans have treated the seas. Their sudden appearance starts a global crisis. With no Time Lord to save the day, the task of stopping a war falls to the human organization UNIT.
How and When to Watch in the UK
For viewers in the United Kingdom, watching the series is straightforward. The show premiered with a special double episode on Sunday, December 7. The first episode started at 8:30 PM GMT on BBC One, followed by the second episode at 9:15 PM. All five episodes were made available as a complete box set on BBC iPlayer immediately after the first broadcast.
Watching on BBC iPlayer is free, but you must have a valid UK TV Licence. The series will also have repeat broadcasts on other BBC channels later in December.
If you are a UK resident traveling outside the country, you can still access BBC iPlayer. You can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect to a UK server. This lets you watch your usual services as if you were at home.
International Release on Disney+
For fans in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries outside the UK, the release plan is different. The War Between the Land and the Sea will be available on Disney+, but not until 2026. This is a change from recent Doctor Who seasons, which were released globally on Disney+ on the same day as the UK premiere.
An exact release date for 2026 has not been announced. This delay has been a point of discussion among international fans, who will have to avoid spoilers for several months.
Episode Guide and Release Schedule
The series is a five-part event. The first two episodes launched together, with the remaining episodes coming weekly. Below is the full UK broadcast schedule.
| Episode Number | Episode Title | UK Release Date & Time (on BBC One) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Homo Aqua” | Sunday, December 7, 8:30 PM GMT |
| 2 | “Plastic Apocalypse” | Sunday, December 7, 9:15 PM GMT |
| 3 | “The Deep” | Sunday, December 14, 8:30 PM GMT |
| 4 | “The Witch of the Waterfall” | Sunday, December 14, 9:20 PM GMT |
| 5 | “The End of the War” | Sunday, December 21, 9:05 PM GMT |
All episodes are also available to stream anytime on BBC iPlayer.
Cast and Returning Characters
The series features a mix of new faces and familiar characters from the Whoniverse.
- Russell Tovey stars as Barclay, a low-level UNIT employee who finds himself at the center of the crisis. He is chosen to negotiate with the Sea Devils.
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Salt, a representative of the Sea Devils, who forms a complex relationship with Barclay.
- Jemma Redgrave returns as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the leader of UNIT, who coordinates the global response.
Other returning favorites include Ruth Madeley as scientific advisor Shirley Bingham and Alexander Devrient as Colonel Christofer Ibrahim. Notably, Colin McFarlane reprises his role as General Austin Pierce, a character last seen in the Torchwood series over fifteen years ago.
Story and Themes
The show is created by Russell T Davies, the current showrunner of Doctor Who. He co-wrote the series with veteran writer Pete McTighe. The story is described as an “ecological thriller”. It uses the conflict with the Sea Devils, who are also called Homo Aqua, to explore themes of environmental damage and political negotiation.
The drama plays as an ecological thriller, with humanityโs mistreatment of the oceans used as a stick by the Sea Devilsโฆ to justify their demands.
A key part of the tension comes from the Doctor’s absence. This makes the stakes feel higher for the human characters, as there is no guaranteed last-minute rescue.
Early Reviews and Fan Reactions
Initial critical responses to the first episodes have been mixed. Some reviewers have praised the show’s focus and maturity. Louise Griffin from Radio Times noted that “the writing is much sharper than recent Doctor Who” and that it benefits from strong character development.
Other reviews were less positive. Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave the series three stars, calling it “an opportunity wasted” and comparing it unfavorably to Davies’ past work.
On fan forums, the show’s long title has already inspired a humorous nickname. Some fans have abbreviated it as “TWBTLATS,” which they have playfully renamed “TWATBLAST”.
The Show’s Place in the Whoniverse
The War Between the Land and the Sea is a significant part of the current Doctor Who landscape. It is the first major spin-off since Class in 2016 and continues a tradition that includes shows like Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. This series also represents the final part of the initial co-production deal between the BBC and Disney+. Its performance and reception may influence the future of the franchise.
The main Doctor Who series is on a break, with the next episode not scheduled until a Christmas special in 2026. This makes the new spin-off the only Whoniverse content for fans over the next year, placing extra attention on its story and success.
Also Read: The War Between the Land and the Sea Episodes 3-4: Release date, time, streaming details and more
