Doctor Who showrunner explains “hard-won” ending to The War Between the Land and the Sea – including unseen stage direction

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for the finale of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

As a huge Doctor Who fan, I was fascinated to hear Russell T Davies explain the ending of ‘The War Between the Sea.’ He even shared a script detail that no one had seen before, which really helped clarify things and added a whole new layer of understanding. It’s awesome when creators give us a peek behind the curtain like that!

I was completely hooked by this five-part series! It centers around Barclay, played by Russell Tovey, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt – they’re such an unexpected pair, representing two very different worlds. The story really kicks off when a huge conflict erupts between those who live on land and those in the oceans, and these two find themselves right in the middle of it all.

Even though their situation looked hopeless at the end of the show, Barclay and Salt manage to find happiness together. A particularly memorable scene features Tovey’s character physically transforming and developing gills.

In a documentary about the show’s creation, Russell T Davies revealed that the ultimate message of the finale is simply love.

The show is really about love – who we care for, what makes us happy, and how we should show those feelings.

Davies explained that the script’s stage directions for the last scene – which couldn’t be spoken aloud during filming – indicated that if anyone deserved hope, it was those two characters.

What really struck me about this film is how the two central characters truly become each other – it’s a blurring of boundaries, like the distinction between land and sea just dissolves. They achieve a complete merging, a recognition of shared identity, and it’s profoundly moving. Ultimately, it’s a hopeful message – that connection and transformation are possible for anyone, no matter their circumstances. The ending isn’t easy, it’s earned, and I found it incredibly beautiful. I’m genuinely glad the filmmakers committed to this vision.

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Davies has emphasized the importance of addressing climate change within the Doctor Who spin-off, previously stating to TopMob that telling a writer ‘Don’t be preachy’ is one of the most uninspiring things you can say.

For centuries, many religions have relied on spreading their message through sermons and teaching, and that approach has proven effective. I don’t need to present myself as superior or exaggerate the facts. If I’m writing about the state of the oceans in 2025, I have to acknowledge that they are likely polluted, damaged, and in poor condition – to ignore that would be dishonest. My writing appears to be politically charged simply because the situation demands it.

Meanwhile, star Tovey added: “I would want [viewers] to feel activated and angry.

My hope is that this will inspire an entire generation to take action. Like David Attenborough’s documentaries, I want this to connect with people on a human level and dramatically show them the urgent need to address what’s happening to our planet, compelling them to realize we must do something now.

You can now watch “The War Between the Land and the Sea” on BBC iPlayer. And don’t forget, Doctor Who is coming back to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas!

Don’t miss The War Between the Land and the Sea! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section 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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2026-02-19 16:04