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# Russell Tovey looks buff in first official pics from 'Doctor Who' spin-off, 'The War Between the Land and the Sea'
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/russell-tovey-lo-buff-in-first-official-images-from-doctor-who-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea/
- Published: 2025-11-11T16:23:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-11T16:25:12.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Culture

The **BBC** has released the first official images from its upcoming *Doctor Who* spin-off, ***The War Between the Land and the Sea***, and fans are already buzzing about **Russell Tovey**.

The five-part drama, penned by returning *Doctor Who* showrunner **Russell T Davies**, promises to be a “huge, spectacular Christmas treat” filled with “heroes and monsters and battles and romance in a world on the edge of disaster,” according to Davies. The series will air on **BBC One** and **iPlayer** later this year, with international streaming on **Disney+** in 2026.

Among the newly unveiled photos, one image stands out: Russell Tovey, best known for roles in *Looking* and *Years and Years*, appears as Barclay, a UNIT operative caught in the middle of an escalating global crisis. 

Speaking about his character, Russell said:“Barclay is someone who’s been through the wars - literally and figuratively. He’s loyal, brave, and maybe a little reckless. I’ve loved getting stuck into the action, and yes, there’s been a fair bit of gym time involved!”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/p0mcsbg8.jpg)

The spin-off centres on an ancient species rising from the ocean, sparking an international emergency that UNIT must confront. Alongside Tovey, the cast includes **Gugu Mbatha-Raw** as Salt, **Jemma Redgrave** reprising her role as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, **Ruth Madeley** as Shirley Ann Bingham, **Alexander Devrient** as Colonel Ibrahim and **Colin McFarlane** as General Austin Pierce.

Russell T Davies teased the scale of the story:“This is UNIT like you’ve never seen it before. It’s global, it’s dangerous, and it’s deeply emotional. Watch the seas!

Produced by **Bad Wolf** and **BBC Studios**, the series is being billed as one of the most ambitious *Doctor Who* spin-offs to date, blending political intrigue with blockbuster spectacle. Filming took place across the UK, with extensive underwater sequences and cutting-edge visual effects promised.

While the BBC has yet to confirm an exact UK release date, the first-look photos suggest an epic, high-stakes addition to the Whoniverse.