This new Whoniverse event series follows UNIT as it faces an ancient ocean-dwelling species that finally steps into the light and declares open conflict with humanity. Set between major Doctor Who beats, it asks how Earth responds when the Doctor is not there to save the day.
Expect a punchy, five-part story, a double-bill UK premiere, and the entire series dropping as a box set on BBC iPlayer the same night. Outside the UK, it heads to Disney+ in 2026.
Here’s how to watch “The War Between Land and Sea” online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
‘The War Between Land and Sea’ — Dates, time, channel
“The War Between Land and Sea” premieres on Sunday, December 7, on BBC One at 8:30 p.m. in the UK. The complete five-episode box set will be available on BBC iPlayer immediately after the first two episodes air. Internationally, it will stream on Disney+ in 2026.
• WATCH FREE — BBC One/ BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Global stream — Disney+ in 2026 (outside the U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
UNIT is mobilized when a long-hidden species emerges from the oceans, revealing itself as the original Sea Devils or Homo Aqua. With climate and marine damage as a backdrop, Kate Lethbridge-Stewart leads a global response through science and strategy, and with no Doctor on call.
The tone is bigger, bolder, and more morally complex, and it lands just in time for winter binge-watching in the UK.
Read on to find out how to watch “The War Between Land and Sea” online, on TV, and from anywhere.
How to watch “The War Between Land and Sea” for free in the U.K.
“The War Between Land and Sea” drops on Sunday, December 7, on BBC iPlayer at 8:30 p.m., with all five episodes available to stream as a complete box set shortly after the first two episodes air.
You don’t have to miss it if you’re a Brit traveling abroad because you can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN. We’ll explain how to do that below…
How to watch “The War Between Land and Sea” from abroad
Thanks to a VPN, “The War Between Land and Sea” should be available to Brits wherever they are. A VPN can make your device appear to be in your home country, which helps you access your usual services while overseas. Our current top pick is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you’d select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch “The War Between Land and Sea” episodes online and on demand.
Can I watch “The War Between Land and Sea” in the United States?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Yes, but not right away. “The War Between Land and Sea” will stream in the U.S. on Disney+ in 2026. A specific U.S. date has not yet been announced.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation and prefer to use your usual domestic streaming platform, you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN, selecting the U.K. from the list, and then selecting BBC iPlayer.
Watch “The War Between Land and Sea” online and on-demand in the U.K.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
In the UK, watch the double-bill premiere on BBC One at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. The entire five-episode box set will also be available on BBC iPlayer shortly after the first episode airs.
Additional repeats are listed later in December on BBC Three and BBC Two, so check the listings.
If you’re not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch “The War Between Land and Sea” online or on TV in Canada?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
The series will stream in Canada on Disney+ in 2026. There is no December 2025 release in Canada, and an exact 2026 date has not been announced.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation, you can catch the show on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch “The War Between Land and Sea” online in Australia?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Yes, via Disney+ in 2026. The series will not be released in Australia in December 2025, and the precise 2026 date has not yet been confirmed.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and want to catch the show on your usual domestic streaming platform, you can do so with a VPN such as NordVPN.
“The War Between Land and Sea” — Cast
- Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart
- Russell Tovey as Barclay
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt
- Alexander Devrient as Colonel Christofer Ibrahim
- Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham
- Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce
- Adrian Lukis as Sir Jonathan Hynes
- Patrick Baladi as Sir Keith Spears
- Francesca Corney as Sergeant Hana Chakri
- Mei Mac as Min Tso
“The War Between Land and Sea” — Episode guide
A five-part miniseries launching with a double bill, then continuing weekly in the U.K.
Episodes 1 and 2: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Episodes 3 and 4: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Episode 5 finale: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Watch “The War Between Land and Sea” trailer
The War Between the Land and the Sea | Trailer – BBC – YouTube
Watch On
“The War Between Land and Sea” — FAQ
Is the Doctor in this series? This story focuses on UNIT responding to a global crisis without the Doctor present, exploring what happens when Earth’s defenders have to make the hard calls themselves.
Who are the antagonists? An ancient species from the ocean, known to classic fans as the Sea Devils and also referred to as Homo Aqua, reveals itself and escalates the conflict with humanity.
How many episodes are there? Five episodes in total, with a two-episode premiere in the U.K. and the full box set on BBC iPlayer immediately after the first broadcast.
Where can I watch it outside the U.K.? Disney Plus will stream the series internationally in 2026. Region-specific dates have not yet been confirmed.
Will there be repeat broadcasts on U.K. TV? Yes, listings include additional December airings on BBC Three and BBC Two, so check your EPG closer to the dates .
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