Russell Tovey stars in first trailer for Doctor Who spin-off series

The first look at Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea has dropped, featuring Russell Tovey and more.

Warning: Doctor Who season two finale spoilers follow.

Following the recently concluded season two finale of Doctor Who, in which the titular Time Lord regenerated from Ncuti Gatwa into Billie Piper in a shock early departure from the long-running BBC series, a first look at the Whoniverse’s new five-part limited series has dropped.

The War Between the Land and the Sea will follow Russell Tovey as Barclay, a member of the alien-blasting UNIT organisation, as it comes up against a fierce aquatic threat – the Sea Devils, who have triggered an “international crisis” after coming out of the ocean for the first time.

The trailer shows Barclay in action, as well as Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the blue-skinned, many-finned Sea Devil, Salt.

“The tides have drawn us together,” a voiceover says over ominous shots of Barclay looking very military official. “We could make a difference, you and I. End the conflict between our species – before it’s too late.”

Barclay and Salt also seem to draw up some form of alliance in the brief trailer, presumably with the fate of the world hinging on its success. Standard stuff.

“The excitement is beginning to build, as the Whoniverse expands. I can’t wait for people to see this magnificent cast in such a powerful, vital, epic story. Look to the seas!” showrunner, writer and executive producer Russell T Davies said in a statement.

Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, and Vincent Franklin all co-star.

Gatwa, who appeared as Doctor Who for just two seasons of the rebooted series (also known as season 14 and 15), recently broke his silence after his shock departure.

“Monsters, goblins, gods, human-eating Slugs, invisible brain altering creatures, evil barbers, conspiracy theorists… you’ve had quite a busy two years. Well done and rest up son,” he wrote, sharing a photo of himself in role as the two-hearted Time Lord.

Gatwa made history as the first Black and publicly queer actor to play the Doctor. During Gatwa’s run, the character charted new territory, falling in love with a man for the first time in the show’s 60-year history.

The War Between the Land and the Sea will air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK. It will be available on Disney+ elsewhere.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere.

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