Doctor Who's Potential Crossover With New Spinoff Show Gets Definitive Response From Showrunner

The Doctor Who showrunner is opening up about plans for a crossover between his primary show and the upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea. The spin-off, which will be led by Russell Tovey (Being Human) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Black Mirror), features the return of the Sea Devils as they come to the surface to begin a global war. The Sea Devils are long-time Doctor Who villains, and debuted as early as 1972. The show is set to premiere in late 2025 and will be five episodes long.

In an interview with TV Insider, showrunner Russell T Davies addressed the spin-off's future. While it is "very much its own story", he is willing to implement a crossover, depending on demand from audiences. He is "slightly cautious" about introducing new characters into the world, because of issues with "overcomplicating" the universe, but he is willing to implement a crossover all the same. Check out his quote below:

Some people think it’s like a UNIT spinoff with UNIT investigating cases of the week. It’s not that. It happens to involve UNIT because it takes place on a worldwide scale, but it’s very much its own story and led by Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, which, what a joy to work with them. Talk about actors you want to work with and push and embrace and celebrate. They are fantastic in it, and they’re so good. I can’t wait for you to see that. It’s lovely.
We’ll see how it goes, to be honest. If there’s a demand for that kind of [crossover], then yes. At the moment, that’s not the plan. I think you have to beware of overcomplicating these worlds sometimes. And bear in mind, it’s still quite a new program for a lot of territories, for Disney+ and for if you’re 8 years old in Great Britain. It’s still a new show with a new Doctor. So I’m being slightly cautious about that. But let’s see where it goes.

What Davies' Comments Mean For The Doctor Who Spin-Off

The Doctor Will Not Crossover Initially

The upcoming spin-off will not be the first in Doctor Who's long history. In the Russell T Davies era alone, the show enjoyed spin-offs that included The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood, and now The War Between the Land and the Sea. If Davies is approaching this series the same as he did his last two, appearances by the Doctor are possible, but they are fairly unlikely. After all, Torchwood never saw him appear, while The Sarah Jane Adventures saw the Doctor appear just twice. Davies' comments mean that this is likely to be a Torchwood situation.

Ncuti Gatwa, the Fifteenth Doctor, is currently leading a season of his own.

Because Davies did not initially plan on a crossover, it is unlikely that the Doctor will step in to face off against the Sea Devils. Davies did insist, after all, that it is "its own story", meaning that the Doctor will likely be restricted to his own show. Future crossovers would likely feature Tovey and Mbatha-Raw in Doctor Who or the Doctor crossing over for a follow-up story, but the initial five episodes should not see him appear. Other characters will return for the spin-off, of course, including Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), Colonel Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient), and Shirley (Ruth Madeley).

Our Take On Davies' Doctor Who Spin-Off Comments

It Is The Right Decision

Ncuti Gatwa holding up his screwdriver in Doctor Who promo

Leaving the Doctor out of The War Between the Land and the Sea could very well be the right decision. Depending on the Doctor appearing to save the day would hinder the story, but it would also be a sign that the BBC lacks faith in it. Depending on the Doctor hints that the network relied on his appearance to draw attention to a project that should be able to stand on its own. If the Doctor appears at the tail end of the story, resolves the war, and moves on, it would make the entire story feel pointless.

Besides, a major issue in Doctor Who has been the lack of agency among many human characters, and this show could be the perfect way to fight that narrative. If humanity could survive a war with the Sea Devils without calling the Doctor for help, they could prove that humanity can still defend itself without depending on a time-traveling alien to solve all of its problems. The Doctor is a brilliant ally, but U.N.I.T. can stand on its own, and it very much should in this limited series.

Source: TV Insider