Early Reviews Hail Russell T Davies’ New Doctor Who Spin-Off

With just days until the premiere, the first reviews of The War Between the Land and the Sea, the new spin-off series from acclaimed writer Russell T Davies, have emerged, garnering praise for its engaging storytelling and relevant themes. The five-part series, set to debut on December 7, 2023, follows actor Russell Tovey as Barclay, a low-level member of UNIT who unexpectedly finds himself representing humanity in a conflict against the Homo Aqua, also known as the Sea Devils, who rise from the depths to confront humanity’s environmental destruction.

Leading the Homo Aqua is Salt, a character played by former Doctor Who star Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The series also features Jemma Redgrave reprising her role as UNIT head Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. As tensions escalate into an international crisis, Barclay must negotiate with Salt, navigating the complexities of human and sea creature relations.

Critical Acclaim and Key Themes

Early reactions highlight the series as a significant return to form for Davies, especially following a less favorable reception of the most recent Doctor Who series. According to a four-star review from Metro.co.uk, writer Asyia Iftikhar commended the show for its “natural” exploration of climate change themes, stating it is presented in a “genuinely fun way” that resonates with the show’s adventurous spirit. Iftikhar noted that the messaging around environmental issues does not feel forced, an achievement that speaks to Davies’ writing prowess.

Similarly, Radio Times writer Louise Griffin echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the series’ timely commentary on the climate crisis. Griffin remarked that the writing in the first two episodes is “much sharper” than in previous seasons, offering both humor and emotional depth for the actors, particularly Tovey.

Mixed Reviews on Character Development

While Tovey’s performance has garnered praise, not all reviews are overwhelmingly positive. In a three-star critique from the Financial Times, Rebecca Nicholson described the show as “entertaining but frothy,” suggesting that Davies’ writing resembles his previous work, Years and Years, rather than the iconic Doctor Who. Although she noted Tovey’s “buckets of charm,” she suggested that the series lacks the depth of its predecessor, Torchwood.

In contrast, Digital Spy reviewer David Opie offered a more critical view, stating that Barclay does not come across as a particularly engaging lead. While he acknowledged Tovey’s ability to portray a less dynamic character, he concluded that the show “lacks the spark” that fans might expect, being both “ambitious yet awkward.”

Despite these criticisms, Iftikhar maintained that the series will ultimately “thrill and delight” fans of the franchise, predicting it could be Davies’ best work in years. The overall positive response is likely to encourage Davies, especially after the mixed reviews that followed the latest Doctor Who series, which concluded with Ncuti Gatwa‘s departure as the Doctor.

As the anticipation builds for the first two episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea, which will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, viewers are eager to see how this new narrative unfolds and whether it will successfully reignite the franchise’s appeal.