Doctor Who showrunner reveals reason behind tragic The War Between the Land and the Sea death

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The recent Doctor Who story, ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea,’ featured a heartbreaking death, and the show’s creator, Russell T Davies, has now revealed the reasons behind that difficult decision.

The third episode of the spin-off series featured a deadly conflict with the Sea Devils – now called Homo Aqua – and shockingly killed off Colonel Christofer Ibrahim (played by Alexander Devrient) soon after revealing his romantic connection with Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave).

In a recent documentary about the making of the project, Davies shared that, unfortunately, some sacrifices had to be made.

The core issue in ‘The War Between’ feels authentic. Beyond the fantastical sea creatures, the damage we’ve inflicted on our oceans is genuine, and the show reflects that seriousness. It’s a level of realism you wouldn’t always find in something like ‘Doctor Who,’ and it prepares the audience for the possibility of significant loss.

You know, when I was reading the scripts, I really got the sense that the character didn’t fully understand her own feelings for him. It was like she was holding back, afraid to admit just how much she loved him. Then, when she loses him, it’s like everything clicks – she finally realizes the depth of her love, and it completely changes her life. It’s such a powerful moment, and Redgrave really explained it well!

Devrient and Redgrave had previously discussed with TopMob the challenging and potentially dangerous romantic relationship between Christofer and Kate.

We talked about the stark contrast in how the two characters viewed the situation, which was really compelling. This difference in perspective is evident throughout the script and episodes, particularly in the writing by Pete McTighe and Russell T Davies, and highlights their differing feelings about the relationship and what lies ahead for each of them.

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There’s a crucial moment in episode 2 involving Colonel Ibrahim’s father. Kate remarks on his wisdom, and Ibrahim suggests she meet him, which Kate likely sees as impossible. However, she’s too busy at that moment to even consider it – they simply don’t have time for a personal connection. This highlights another challenge: Kate is incredibly focused on her work, and it’s the central driving force in her life.

Devrient explained that they included many small clues throughout the seasons of Doctor Who. Honestly, she and Jemma weren’t sure if those clues would ever become important. At first, they were cautious about revealing too much.

Working within UNIT involves a clear hierarchy, which is a significant factor here. The age difference between the individuals is also important. Combined with other issues, these factors make any potential relationship quite complicated and risky.

Ultimately, inspired by Russell’s writing, we decided to fully embrace the connection between these two characters. There’s a genuine beauty and strength in their stoicism, respect, and loyalty—a bond they can’t deny. We wanted to explore what that looks like when everything is falling apart around them.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Okay, so I just found out about this show called ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea,’ and it looks amazing! You can add it to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app – seriously, download that app now if you want daily recommendations and all sorts of cool TV features. I’m adding it right now!

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-21 21:04