Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are to star in a Doctor Who spin-off called The War Between the Land and the Sea, it has been announced.
They will lead the cast alongside Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient in the series, which was created by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies. He has co-written the series with Pete McTighe, who has also worked on Doctor Who.
Redgrave and Devrient are no strangers to the sci-fi series. Redgrave will reprise her role as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of Unit, from the main show, while Devrient will return as Colonel Ibrahim.
The action begins when a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, and triggering an international crisis. With the entire population at risk, Unit steps into action.
The series was announced by the BBC and Disney+, which airs the show outside the UK on Disney+, at San Diego Comic-Con.
Tovey, best known for roles in Being Human, Feud and Looking, will lead the show alongside Mbatha-Raw, who found fame in Belle and Beyond the Lights, and has since starred in The Morning Show and Loki.
Davies said: “I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast. And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama which will shake the Whoniverse to its foundations. When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble.”
Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC, added: “The War Between the Land and the Sea is another utterly unique and gripping drama from Russell T Davies and we’re delighted to welcome the show to the Whoniverse.
“Featuring a stellar cast, with Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw taking on leading roles, this brand-new, epic mini-series will leave audiences on the edge of their seats as they watch Unit take on one of their biggest battles to save humanity.”
Filming of the series begins next month and the director will be Dylan Holmes-Williams, who has previously helmed episodes of Doctor Who.
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Disney+ outside the UK where available.