The War Between the Land and the Sea cast: Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw star

A new Doctor Who spin-off, titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, will feature the return of UNIT, the show’s military organization. Several key actors from recent seasons – including Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, and Ruth Madeley – will reprise their roles.

I’m so excited to see Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw joining the cast! I loved them both when they were in Doctor Who before, back when Russell T Davies was the showrunner. It’s cool they’re back, even though they won’t be playing the same characters as before.

In this story, Tovey portrays Barclay, a regular employee at UNIT who surprisingly ends up representing humanity when negotiating with the Sea Devils, who are now called Homo Aqua. Mbatha-Raw plays Salt, a member of the Homo Aqua.

But who else stars in the series and who do they all play?

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Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

The War Between the Land and the Sea cast: Who stars in the Doctor Who spin-off?

Meet the stars of The War Between the Land and the Sea! Below, you’ll find details about the main characters and the actors who play them – including where you might recognize them from.

Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt
Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart
Alexander Devrient as Colonel Christopher Ibrahim
Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham
Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce
Adrian Lukis as TBC
Patrick Baladi as TBC
Francesca Corney as TBC
Mei Mac as TBC
Vincent Franklin as TBC
Waleed Hammad as TBC
Iestyn Arwel as TBC
Hannah Donaldson as TBC
Manpreet Bachu as TBC
Ann Akinjirin as TBC

Russell Tovey plays Barclay Pierre-Dupont

Barclay Pierre-Dupont is an ordinary employee of UNIT who unexpectedly becomes Earth’s representative when a long-lost species, Homo Aqua, emerges from the ocean.

Many people are wondering where they recognize Russell Tovey from. He actually previously appeared on Doctor Who, but played a character named Alonson Frame.

I’ve seen him in so many great things! He’s really versatile – I remember him from shows like Little Dorrit, Sherlock, and Being Human, but also comedies like Him & Her and The Job Lot. He’s been in some really intense dramas too, like Quantico and The Sister, and even appeared in American Horror Story and Feud: Bette and Joan. Oh, and I loved him in Gavin & Stacey! He’s also done some powerful roles in things like Suspect and Juice. Plus, I’ve seen him in films like The History Boys, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!, Pride, The Lady in the Van, The Good Liar, and Allelujah. He’s consistently fantastic in everything he does.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Salt

Salt is an enigmatic individual belonging to the Homo Aqua species. He unexpectedly appears from the Tank during a meeting held on the River Thames.

Wondering where you recognize Gugu Mbatha-Raw from? She was previously on Doctor Who, but played a character named Tish Jones.

She’s appeared in many popular TV shows like Spooks, Undercovers, Touch, Black Mirror, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Morning Show, The Girl Before, Loki, and Surface. Her film credits include Belle, Jupiter Ascending, Concussion, Free State of Jones, Miss Sloane, Beauty and the Beast, The Cloverfield Paradox, Irreplaceable You, A Wrinkle in Time, Misbehaviour, Lift, and The Woman in Cabin 10.

Jemma Redgrave plays Kate Lethbridge-Stewart

Kate Lethbridge-Stewart is a recurring character in Doctor Who, first appearing in 2012. She’s a friend of the Doctor and the daughter of the Brigadier, and currently leads the organization UNIT.

I was just wondering, where do I recognize Jemma Redgrave from? It turns out she’s been in a ton of stuff I’ve seen! Besides playing a memorable character in Doctor Who, she’s popped up in series like Bramwell, Holby City, Grantchester, and Silent Witness. And on the movie side, I realized I’ve seen her in films like Howards End, Red, White & Royal Blue, and even The Beekeeper. She’s a really versatile actress!

Alexander Devrient plays Colonel Christopher Ibrahim

Colonel Christopher Ibrahim is an important military figure at UNIT, first appearing in Doctor Who in 2023.

You know, I always rack my brain trying to place actors, and with Alexander Devrient, it’s been bugging me for ages! I finally realized I’ve seen him in a few things – he was in ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ and ‘The Danish Girl’. But that’s not all – he’s also popped up in TV series like ‘Emmerdale’, ‘Industry’, ‘Motherland’, even ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘The Lazarus Project’! He’s definitely one of those ‘oh, that’s who it was!’ actors.

Ruth Madeley plays Shirley Ann Bingham

Shirley Ann Bingham is the scientific advisor for UNIT, a special organization featured in Doctor Who. She first appeared in the show in 2023.

You might recognize Ruth Madeley from shows like Fresh Meat, Outnumbered, Cold Feet, Years and Years, The Long Shadow, Brassic, Renegade Nell, and Nightsleeper. She’s also appeared in the films Joy and the TV movie Then Barbara Met Alan.

Colin McFarlane plays General Austin Pierce

General Austin Pierce is a US Army officer who appeared in the 2009 Torchwood: Children of Earth series. He was a character introduced and last seen in that story.

You might recognize Colin McFarlane from his role as General Pierce in Torchwood. But he’s also been in Doctor Who twice, playing two separate characters: he was part of the Heavenly Host in “Voyage of the Damned” and Jonathan Moran in the two-part story “Under the Lake” and “Before the Flood.”

Beyond his work on Doctor Who, Alex McFarlane has appeared in many popular TV shows and films. He’s been in series like Dennis the Menace, The Fast Show, Bob the Builder, Judge John Deed, and Coronation Street, as well as dramas like Outlander and Industry. He’s also had roles in films including Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

You can watch “The War Between the Land and the Sea” on BBC One and BBC iPlayer starting at 8:30 PM on Sunday, December 7th, 2025. All episodes of Doctor Who are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

2025-12-07 11:36