BBC America sets 'Torchwood' return, 'Doctor Who' special

BBC America's 'Torchwood: Children of Earth'

When BBC America unveiled the teaser trailer for "Torchwood: Children of Earth" just last week, the sci-fi favorite still had a generic July premiere date. Now, BBC America is ready to be a bit more specific.

The cable network announced on Monday (June 1) that the new mini-season of "Torchwood" will premiere the week of July 20 as part of a Sci-Fi Week which will celebrate the launch of BBC America HD.

"Torchwood: Children of Earth," kicks off in high definition on July 20 at 9 p.m. ET. The season will play out over five consecutive nights as Captain Jack (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) face a fearsome new challenge.

In addition to the run of "Torchwood: Children of Earth," that week will also include the third season finale of "Primeval" on Saturday, July 25. The "Primeval" finale will lead into the series premiere of "Being Human," a look at a trio of twentysomethings who also happen to be a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost.

The week will then wrap up on Sunday, July 26 with the American premiere of "Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead," the first of four "Doctor Who" specials wrapping up David Tennant's tenure as Time Lord. The Bionic Woman herself, Michelle Ryan, guest stars as the mysterious Lady Christina. BBC America announced the acquisition of those remaining Tennant specials just last week.

Busy times for BBC America, eh?

"BBC America is a truly unique channel in the cable landscape," gushes BBC America President Garth Ancier in the morning release. "We bring viewers some of the best programs on television and now with the option to experience them in HD, they’re going to be even better. The launch of BBC America HD coupled with the existing VOD channel, BBC America On-Demand, expands the opportunity for viewers and distributors to access the best of British entertainment."

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.