Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea divides critics
Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea(BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon)
Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea(BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon)
The first two episodes of Russell T Davies’ new Doctor Who drama The War Between the Land and the Sea have been met with both criticism and love.
The five-part series follows Plainclothes actor Russell Tovey as Barclay, a low-level UNIT staff member, who becomes humanity’s ambassador when the mysterious Homo Aqua (aka Doctor Who villains the Sea Devils) emerge from the oceans.
UNIT, led by Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), fights for control as humanity faces destruction. “The tides have drawn us together,” a voiceover in the trailer says. “We could make a difference, you and I. End the conflict between our species – before it’s too late.”
The early episodes premiered on Sunday (7 December) with critics and fans soon weighing in with their opinions.
The Guardian offered a middling 3-star review but highlighted it as “wasted opportunity to make genuinely great TV.” The review summarised the show: “Dodgy character names, zero subtlety, a dubious approach to female roles.”
Additionally, The Telegraph wrote that the show is “inadvertently hilarious.”
The review continues that highlights included “Tovey, who very nearly pulls this off, playing a likeable everyman with his family.
“Whereas, when it shifted gears and entered the Whoniverse, propelled by some rather obvious politics, composer Lorne Balfe’s relentless strings and a constant battle with its own effects budget, I struggled to keep a straight face.”
‘RTD never lost the sauce’
On the other hand, many fans flocked to social media to share their love for the new show.
One viewer shared: “The War Between Land and Sea is proof that RTD never lost the sauce, this feels just as strong as Torchwood: Children of Earth, and that’s the biggest compliment.”
“The War Between the Land and the Sea is so damn good guys. My god,” another commented.
“They actually made a huge scale political thriller within a Science Fiction context that acts like a mirror to the worst that humanity has to offer. Top tier stuff.”
“Russell T davies has redeemed himself, the war between the land and the sea is so good! the acting, the increasing tension, the stunning visuals,” another posted.
The War Between the Land and the Sea airs on BBC iPlayer and BBC One weekly on Sundays, before premiering on Disney+ around the world in early 2026.
