Summary
Russell T. Davies' return toDoctor Whocontinues to make its mark as a new spinoff has been announced atSan Diego Comic-Con, bringing back two forgotten stars from the Tennant era.Screen Rantwas at theDoctor Whopanel in San Diego, where new details of what is to come from this new expansion in theDoctor Whouniverse were revealed. Though filming is yet to begin for the series, the confirmed casting of two incredible British actors comes as one of thebiggest movie and TV reveals of SDCC.
TheupcomingDoctor Whospinoffwill join an already impressive list of shows set in that universe. Since its revival in 2005, there have been threeDoctor Whospin-offs. The darker and more adultTorchwood, starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles, andThe Sarah Jane Adventures, which focused on beloved companion Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). Most recently,Classaired in 2016 and targeted a more young adult audience.Russell T. Davies' new show will bethe firstDoctor Whospin-off in eight yearsand makes the return of two incredible acting talents all the more exciting.
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Russell Tovey & Gugu Mbatha-Raw Return In Doctor Who’s New Spinoff (In Bigger Roles)
They Will Be Joined By More Returning Doctor Who Actors
The newDoctor Whospin-off, titledThe War Between The Land And The Sea, will be helmed by British actors Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.Both actors have previously starred inDoctor Who, but in minor roles. Tovey first appeared in the 2007 Christmas Special as Titanic staff member, Alonso Frame, while Mbatha-Raw played Martha Jones' younger sister, Tish Jones. They will be joined by returning actors Jemma Redgrave (Kate Lethbridge-Stewart) and Alexander Devrient (Colonel Ibrahim).
The filming forThe War Between The Land And The Seais expected to begin in August 2024.
The War Between The Land And The Sea,written by Russell T. Davies and Pete McTighe, will see UNIT take action against the ancient Sea Devils, whose presence on Earth threatens the whole of humanity.This five-part series will be directed by Dylan Holmes Williamsand is set to shake up theDoctor Whouniverse in a brand-new way. However, there is one big question that must be answered about its two leading actors.
How Doctor Who Can Explain Russell Tovey & Gugu Mbatha-Raw Playing New Characters
There Are Several Solutions To Doctor Who’s Glaring Problem
Screen Rantconfirmed at San Diego Comic-Con that bothTovey and Mbatha-Raw will not be reprising their previousDoctor WhocharactersinThe War Between The Land And The Sea. Instead, they will be starring as entirely new characters. This initially comes as a huge problem, as both have established characters in theDoctor Whouniverse. However, several solutions could see them explain their new roles in one of the series.
A better solution would be to acknowledge theirDoctor Whocounterparts on screen, which the show has also done before.
Firstly, they could ignore their recasting. This isn’t the most ideal solution, especially asDoctor Whohas acknowledged recastings in the pastand would not do justice to the show’s previous efforts. However, this could give their characters a completely blank slate. A better solution would be to acknowledge theirDoctor Whocounterparts on screen, which the show has also done before. This could act as a nice bridge to the new spinoff and the main series while also separating the actors from the roles they have previously had.
Doctor Who Recasting Former Actors Continues A Tradition Of The Modern Era
Many Actors Have Played Several Roles In Doctor Who
Another exciting addition to this casting news is that Tovey and Mbathu-Raw will continue a great tradition ofmain actors playing multiple roles inDoctor Who.Many ofDoctor Who’s most famous actors have followed this tradition, including Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi,Torchwood’s Eve Myles, and Amy Pond actress Karen Gillan. The casting of Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw is all the more exciting considering the development of their careers after their firstDoctor Whoappearances.
Doctor Who
Cast
Doctor Who: Doctor Who is a British sci-fi television series debuting in 1963, following The Doctor, a time-traveling alien Time Lord. The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS, accompanied by companions, confronting various adversaries and striving to save civilizations while addressing injustices.
