The War Between the Land and the Sea represents Russell T Davies’ newest Doctor Who spin-off. Starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jemma Redgrave, the fresh programme operates within the Doctor Who universe, albeit conspicuously without the Time Lord’s involvement.
The BBC series, which examines mankind’s reaction when an ancient and powerful species emerges from the ocean’s depths, launched on Sunday, December 7 with a double episode, and devotees of the show have been singing the programme’s visual praises.
On social media, one fan penned: “Oh my! The War Between the Land and the Sea Is yet another work of utter genius from @russelltdavies63 …beautifully played by @russelltovey.. such a visual treat..words escape me…but I particularly loved the cross references to Dr Who..”
Meanwhile another commented: “Russell T Davies has redeemed himself, The War Between the Land and the Sea is so good! The acting, the increasing tension, the stunning visuals.”
Russell Tovey as Barclay in The War Between the Land and the Sea(Image: BBC)
Much of the subaquatic footage was filmed in Cardiff. Speaking about the production, Gugu, who plays Salt, observed: “The Empress Hall set was huge. The size of those sets that they had built there in Cardiff were really, really epic.”, reports Wales Online.
“One of my favourite sets was under the ocean in Salt’s domain. Everything else up until that point, Salt is out of her comfort zone in the human world and breathing human air. Stepping onto that set really transported you to another world.”
Writer Russell T Davies commented on the sets: “I’m so excited by the look of this, it’s absolutely gorgeous. We have a central setting called the Empress Hall that’s so full of supporting artists, it makes my heart sing! We’ve been able to focus the look, because for Doctor Who you’re often having to create spaceships and time windows and the TARDIS, whereas for this most of our sets are concentrated on the real world.
“At the same time, we create great big swaggering moments of imagination because we do go underwater to the realm of the Sea Devils, what we call the ‘Homo Aqua habitat’. That’s a glorious visual. Our design team has done such a brilliant job.”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt in The War Between the Land and the Sea(Image: BBC)
During the previous year, production crews were also observed at Cardiff City Hall, National Museum Cardiff, The City Arms pub and the Welsh Government offices at Cathays Park.
Sequences were additionally captured in Bristol, with recording occurring at Canynge Road in Clifton, alongside the Lloyds Amphitheatre at the harbourside. Production also extended internationally to Mallorca, Spain.
Further spectacular sets await viewers, as Pete McTighe, who co-wrote and produced the series, has hinted at something substantial for episode three. He remarked: “It still blows my mind that everything Russell and I wrote has ended up on screen, looking so good. The scale of the sets was incredible – I mean when you see the Empress Hall, it’s hard to believe that wasn’t a real location, let alone where we go in Episode 3.
“Our production designers Erica McEwan and Julian Luxton worked wonders. The special effects added in post-production just elevate the show to a whole new level, that team led by Seb Barker is incredible. And our fantastic costume designer Rachel Walsh made sure everyone looked amazing – no mean feat when you look at the amount of people in the Empress Hall scenes.”
The War Between the Land and the Sea continues on Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.