It's a new era for Doctor Who fans. That's a pretty bittersweet sentiment, as the legendary BBC franchise has seem some highs and lows over the past few years. The lows include the end of the Disney Plus partnership, which throws its future around the world into question just two seasons into its new relaunch. The highs involve a major new spinoff that fans are eagerly awaiting.
The War Between The Land And The Sea is set to tell a new story in the Whoniverse, bringing back the infamous Sea Devils to do that. It's going to be a new chapter in the iconic saga, which goes to show you how much faith BBC still have in it.
The War Between the Land and the Sea start and release time
The War Between the Land and the Sea airs on BBC One on Sunday, December 12, at 8:30 p.m. GMT, immediately after the Strictly Come Dancing Results Show. The first two episodes will air in the one night, with the second starting at 9:15 p.m. GMT. The first episode has a runtime of 45 minutes while the second will have a runtime of 50 minutes. And both will be available to stream on iPlayer live, with the whole series being added to the platform after the first two episodes have aired.
If you're hoping to watch the spinoff outside of the UK and Ireland, however, you won't be able to do that right now. Although Disney Plus did produce it in partnership with BBC, the streamer won't be airing it until 2026. This breaks from the norm as it always streamed new episodes of Doctor Who around the world at the same time as its UK debut. Unfortunately, that won't be the case here.
BBC and Disney were in partnership over the past two seasons of the mothership series. Doctor Who is a phenomenon in the UK and, while it has been popular outside of its home country, it's never really been the same titan that it was at home. It was hoped that putting it on a streamer known for global success stories - one that also houses similar beloved sci-fi and fantasy franchises like Marvel and Star Wars - might produce the same kind of success. It wasn't to be.
Nevertheless, the BBC remains devoted to the beloved staple of British culture, with plans to launch a new series / season of the show after the spinoff completes its run. It will all kick off with a Christmas special next year.
In the meantime, sit back, relax, and prepare yourselves for the return of the Sea Devils in what is undoubtedly going to be a vivid adventure worthy of the big screen! The War Between the Land and the Sea also features a star-studded cast, with Looking's Russel Tovey, Loki's Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and The Dark Knight Trilogy's Colin McFarlane. Jenna Redgrave also reprises her role as UNIT's Kate Lethbridge-Stewart!