Russell Tovey (Being Human) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki) will star in the five-part series, created by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies. Davies co-wrote the show with Peter McTighe, who has also written for the long running sci-fi staple.

Jemma Redgrave (Grantchester) will reprise her Doctor Who role as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, commander-in-chief of military outfit UNIT, while Alexander Devrient (Ted Lasso) will return as Colonel Ibrahim.

The show follows a deadly conflict sparked by an ancient species walking out of the sea. Fans have speculated that this could be the Sea Devils, who last appeared on Doctor Who in 2022.

“I’m so lucky to work with such a magnificent cast,” said Davies. “And this is a huge, muscular, thrilling drama which will shake the Whoniverse [the Doctor Who extended universe] to its foundations.

“When the Doctor’s not in town, the whole of humanity is in trouble,”

Filming begins in August 2024, under the eye of director Dylan Holmes-Williams. It will air on BBC One and be available on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Elsewhere, it will stream on Disney+ where available.