Archive for the ‘Torchwood’ Category

Russell T Davies has talked about his plans for the the fourth series of Torchwood in a new interview with SFX.

Davies doesn’t give away any story details but says it will be “very dark” like Children of Earth, “I think with that, Torchwood found its feet. People found something very compelling and very chilling about it. I love the way people got on their high horse saying, ‘Oh, he killed his grandson!’ Hello! He saved every single child in the world! If you would fail to do that then you’re the monster, frankly.”

Davies also says he is only writing one episode at the moment (episode one). “I’d love to write more, but we’ve got a lot of interest from other writers, and I’m happy showrunning the whole thing, so… depends how it pans out, really! Plenty of time to decide.”

Asked about the changes to the series, he says, “It’s a new starting point and yet… as a faithful viewer you do get that awful feeling when something reboots or revamps that you’re not comfortable anymore, and there’s none of that. It’s still Gwen, it’s still Jack, and hopefully more. You’ll feel very comfortable with it. And there’s great new American characters coming into it. Bear in mind, of course, Captain Jack, he’s American as well, so it doesn’t seem quite as alien, I think, as if you suddenly introduced American characters into Emmerdale or something!”

A casting call sheet for the fourth series of Torchwood has apparently been leaked. The sheet says filming on the ten episode series will begin January 12th 2011. It then reveals details on three key new characters, one of which will be a regular cast member. Character descriptions below.

REX MATHEON, CAUCASIAN, Late 20s, CIA agent, a fast-tracked high-flyer. And he knows it! Rex is fast, sharp, smart, clever, and when the situation demands it, ruthless. He’s got a lethal sense of humour – he doesn’t care if he makes enemies, he’s too busy enjoying himself. But when Rex’s life is put in danger, he feels his own mortality for the first time, and has to balance the demands of the job, and his duty to his country, against his desperate desire to survive. Though that doesn’t defeat him – if anything, it makes him even more arrogant and unstoppable than ever. For Rex, all rules are off! Like him or loathe him, you can’t miss him – and that’s exactly how Rex wants things to be. Series regular.

ESTHER KATUSI, She’s early 20s, a Watch Analyst at the CIA – it’s one of the less glamorous jobs, filtering information to pass along the chain. But Esther’s determined to better herself! She’s still young, so the job hasn’t made her cynical yet – she’s still an optimist, ever hopeful, and her faith in mankind is sustained by her own Christianity. She’s hopelessly in love with one of the CIA agents, Rex Matheson, though she’d never tell him. Nevertheless, she’s no pushover – she’s more than capable of thinking for herself, and can break the rules when she needs to. And when Esther’s forced off the grid, and on the run, she learns to survive, fast. She turns out to be a natural, learning to fight and run with the best of them, without ever losing her essential good-hearted nature. Please submit actors of all races and ethnicities EXCEPT Caucasian. Recurring Guest Star. Will appear in many, or possibly all 10 episodes.

OSWALD JONES, CAUCASIAN, Late 40s, a convicted murderer and pedophile. But he’s no thug – this man is dangerously clever. Oswald escapes his sentence on a technicality, and finds himself becoming a media celebrity. And he’s sharp enough to make the most of the situation, and profit from it. He’s always thinking, always aware, always looking for the chance to promote himself – while living with the fact that many people want him dead. He appears to be wonderfully, genuinely repentant – but underneath, he’s still boiling with lust and rage. And one day, he’s going to lose control again. But this man is destined to become more important than even he could have foreseen, as terrifying events of worldwide significance begin to turn around him… Recurring Guest Star. Will appear in many, or possibly all 10 episodes.

So Oswald’s going to be a bad guy then (with an unfortunate surname)?! And is it just me, or do Rex and Esther sound a bit too similar to Owen and Tosh?

Russell T Davies gave an interview to BBC E24 News yesterday and talked a bit more about the fourth series of Torchwood. He also gave his thoughts on the fifth series Doctor Who. Check out the video below.

Fresh after the fourth series announcement yesterday, comes an article over at the Hollywood Reporter which reveals a few details on what to expect from the new Torchwood.

The president of US TV network Starz, Chris Albrecht, said that the new series would have a larger budget and also explained where the story would be picking up.

“Well at the end of “Children of Earth,” Torchwood was destroyed, so when we pick up in our world the need for Torchwood arises again. A lot of this story takes place in the U.S. as well with several characters that are in the U.S. intelligence forces and end up teaming up with Gwen and Captain Jack to deal with the situation at hand.”

While series creator Russell T Davies added, “It’s very much the next step. It’s not a new version, it’s not a reboot. We’re simply moving countries. The show was previously a format show — monster of the week. The breakthrough was “Children of Earth” and that it became one long story. It’s not going to be ‘Lost’ and take 20 years to find out what’s going on. It’s going to have a most remarkable conclusion after 10 episodes.”

The fourth series is expected to air Summer 2011.

Torchwood fans, it’s the news you’ve been waiting for. The BBC has officially confirmed that a 10-part fourth series has been given the go-ahead in a joint partnership with BBC Wales, BBC worldwide and US TV network Starz Entertainment. John Barrowman (Captain Jack) and Eve Myles (Gwen) are confirmed to return. In a change to previous series, the story-lines will take place around the world. Creator, Russell T Davies is staying on as showrunner. The full press release follows.

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network Starz Entertainment have today announced a three-way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit BBC sci-fi drama Torchwood. BBC Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.

The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator Russell T Davies and produced by BBC Worldwide productions.

Davies and BBC Worldwide Productions’ SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The series has been commissioned by Controller BBC One, Jay Hunt, Controller BBC Drama, Ben Stephenson and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.

While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the US and around the world.

John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces.

Announcing the commission, Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, said: “We have a long history of working with many US networks, but it is incredibly exciting to be working with Starz for the first time, as well as to be reunited with the best of British in Russell, Jane and Julie.

“Torchwood will burst back onto the screen with a shocking and moving story with global stakes and locations that will make it feel bigger and bolder than ever.”

Jane Tranter, EVP, BBC Worldwide Productions, added: “Torchwood has attracted remarkable attention and loyalty in both the UK and US, and in this new partnership with Starz, the next chapter will not only reward our current fans, but also introduce new viewers to the most impressive instalment yet.

“We’re committed to programming exceptional television that is entertaining, imaginative and provides a premium TV experience, and by any measure the new concept for Torchwood fits that mandate.”

Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht, said: “I’ve been part of successful partnerships with Jane Tranter and the BBC previously, and I’m very much looking forward to working with them again.”

Torchwood is a drama that puts extraterrestrial threats into a very real world, and asks how humanity deals with the danger – while fighting mankind’s darkest instincts. The series was originally commissioned and produced in 2006 by BBC Cymru Wales, with the latest high octane series capturing UK audiences of more than 6million.

BBC Worldwide has distributed previous Torchwood series around the world to territories such as Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, Russia and across Latin America.

The new series is expected to air Summer 2011.

Back in January there were reports that Fox were developing a US version of Torchwood, much to the annoyance of many fans. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fox have now scrapped their plans.

“BBC Worldwide Productions and the FOX Broadcasting Company have mutually agreed not to progress together with a 13-episode serialized ‘Torchwood’ format,” said BBC Worldwide in a statement. “We are currently in discussion with several interested networks.”

But before any of you get too relieved BBC Worldwide’s Jane Tranter said, “It’s very much ongoing and very much alive.”

As for rumours of Doctor Who USA, it looks like that horrible idea at least isn’t going to materialise any time soon.

“It may well be confusing to have a British Doctor and an American Doctor at the same time,” Tranter said. “There is only one Doctor, so I don’t see that happening.”

John Barrowman was a guest on last nights Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and he discussed Captain Jacks future in both Torchwood and Doctor Who.

Whilst Barrowman wouldn’t be drawn on either this time, he didn’t rule out a future appearance with Matt Smith in Doctor Who. He said, “If they ask me to come back, of course I would go back -- I would go back in a second!” You can view the Captain Jack part of the interview below.

US TV network Fox are developing an American version of Torchwood according to an article on The Hollywood Reporter today.

The report states that the original show creator Russell T Davies is on board writing the script. He will be joined by former Doctor Who producer Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter, the one responsible for bringing back Doctor Who in 2005.

Details are thin on the ground and several questions remain. Will any of the original cast remain? Does this effect Series 4 in the UK? Is it a reboot? And just how long will it take before Fox cancels yet another Sci-Fi show? We’ll just have to wait and see.

John Barrowman appears to have confirmed rumours that a fourth series of Torchwood is happening. Not only that but it will return to the 13 episode format of the first two series.

Barrowman told Steve Wright on Monday’s edition of Steve Wright in the Afternoon, “We’re discussing the future of Torchwood, because most definitely [it] will come back to the BBC. We’re not sure when because we have to work out the logistics of the filming.” He added, “It’s already been said that it’ll be 13 episodes rather than five.”

You can listen to the interview again here (note: show will expire in 7 days).