The War Between the Land and the Sea cast: Who stars alongside Gavin & Stacey actor? | Wales Online

The War Between the Land and the Sea has arrived on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as the latest offering from the broadcaster. This fresh drama, created by Doctor Who supremo and executive producer Russell T Davies, launches with a double episode on Sunday, December 7.

Whilst The War Between serves as a Doctor Who spin-off, Russell has emphasised that prior knowledge of the Time Lord's adventures isn't necessary to appreciate this new programme, which explores humanity's response when a terrifying ancient race surfaces from the depths. Although The War Between the Land and the Sea exists within the Doctor Who universe, featuring familiar characters, the titular Doctor is absent from this world.

Creator Russell elaborated: "It's little bit tougher than Doctor Who, it takes on tougher themes, and people have tougher reactions in it, again, because there' no Doctor. Normally the Doctor has a magic blue doorway they can take everybody safely through, that safety net has gone. You very much find these characters up against the wall and pushed to the limit."

The drama centres on Barclay, portrayed by Gavin and Stacey star Russell Tovey, whose mundane existence transforms into a nightmare when primordial beings emerge from the ocean. He appears alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who takes on the enigmatic role of Salt, reports the Mirror.

The programme will also incorporate UNIT from Doctor Who, with Jemma Redgrave reprising her part as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Here's everything you need to know about the ensemble.

Russel plays Barclay, described as "the most ordinary man in the world" who inadvertently finds himself at the centre of a global crisis.

Discussing his character, Russell explained: "Barclay is a very regular guy who books taxis for very important people. He's a drifter, he's a divorcee, he's a single parent. He's slightly numb and going through the motions. We find him at the beginning just suddenly thrust into a situation he wasn't expecting, and that ricochets throu