- Jemma Redgrave hints her Doctor Who character Kate Lethbridge-Stewart might not survive the upcoming UNIT spinoff.
- The War Between the Land And the Sea sees UNIT facing the Sea Devils, focusing on environmental themes.
- The series has a definitive ending, with a post-credits scene promising a memorable performance by a cast member.
A Doctor Who legend has hinted her beloved character might not make it to the end of The War Between the Land And The Sea.
The Whoniverse is getting an epic spinoff on BBC and Disney+ this month, as UNIT faces the prospect of an attack from the sci-fi show’s classic villains the Sea Devils.
There’s no Doctor in the five-part series, and instead Jemma Redgrave is the focus as her commander-in-chief character Kate Lethbridge-Stewart tries to tackle the threat.
Humanity it at risk with the sea dwellers furious by the impact the pollution and climate change has had on the oceans.
Get personalised updates on Doctor Who
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Asked if everyone can make it out alive, Jemma admitted nothing is certain, as she suggested her character ark may have nowhere to go by the end of the spinoff.
‘If she survives this series, I don’t know where she can go next,’ she told RadioTimes.com.
Kate was originally played by Beverley Cressman in 1995, with Jemma taking over the role in 2012’s The Power of Three.
If it is indeed time for fans to say goodbye to Kate, the 60-year-old actress – who hopes her stint on Doctor Who can keep going – is grateful for the journey she’s been on.
She described every callback for the programme as a ‘gift’, and one she would always accept.
‘I’ve had a most extraordinary time and journey with this character and through different series of Doctor Who and now through this series,’ she added.
The War Between The Land And The Sea writer Pete McTighe described Kate as a ‘legacy character’ and someone who remains popular with fans.
However, he admitted even longtime Whovians will be ‘very surprised’ by the journey she’s taken on in the spinoff show.
He teased: ‘Her character arc, in particular for Doctor Who fans, is probably the most surprising.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
As well as Kate, the show will also feature UNIT’s Christofer Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient) and Shirley Anne Bingham (Ruth Madeley), while Colin McFarlane reprises his Torchwood role as General Austin Pierce.
With the organisation hoping to avoid an international incident, Kate and the team bring in everyman operative Barclay Pierre-DuPont (Russell Tovey) to try and negotiate with the Sea Devils.
Meanwhile, showrunner Russell T Davies recently weighed in on the future of the series, and confirmed the story has a ‘very, very definite ending’ while encouraging everyone to watch every moment.
‘It is a limited series because there is a very, very definite ending, and I would say to people stay tuned for the very end [post-credits],’ he told Metro at the premiere.
‘That doesn’t mean the Doctor appears; it stays within its own universe, but the credits start to roll, and you get one of the best scenes ever recorded in the last seconds.
‘It’s a stunning performance from one of the stars of the cast that I’m very proud of.’
The War Between the Land and the Sea premieres the first two episodes on BBC One at 8:30pm on Sunday, December 7.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.