(Photo: Alistair Heap/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)

Filming has begun on The War Between the Land and the Sea, and the first cast photo has been released for the Doctor Who spin-off series. The five-part series will air on BBC in the UK and on Disney+ in the US.

Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, and Colin McFarlane star in the series, which has been created by Russell T Davies.

The series will follow the group when a “fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war.”

The series features the triumphant return of the Sea Devils, classic Doctor Who villains first seen in 1972.

Davies said: “I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast. And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama that will shake The Whoniverse to its foundations. When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble.”

The premiere date for The War Between the Land and the Sea will be announced later.

What do you think? Do you enjoy the Doctor Who series? Do you plan to watch this new series when it arrives?