Comic-Con Panel Report: BBC America's 'Torchwood'

'Torchwood: Children of Earth'

Credit: BBC America

Executive Prod. Julie Gardner, director Euros Lyn, creator/writer Russell T. Davies, and star John Barrowman (who got a partial standing ovation when he came out) were all on hand for this Comic-Con's last panel in Ballroom 20, which was packed with enthusiastic fans. If you haven't watched "Torchwood: Children of Earth" yet, you might not want to read. Thar be major spoilers below.

Highlights:

Though it was a very heavy five hours, Russell says the intention was never to make "Torchwood" darker but just to make it bigger for the BBC One. He supposed the intensity came from a "please watch it!" sort of place.

The decision to not get a clear look at The 456 was the idea from the start.

"You're not going to top what Stephen Speilberg and what Peter Jackson are doing," says Russell. They didn't want to disappoint the audience. Julie added that there was no prosthetic monster that was going to be more horrible than seeing the "child in the tank."

It's too soon to say if Lois Habiba, played by Cush Jumbo, is going to be back next season. I agree with John, Cush Jumbo is a great freaking name.

Barrowman's biggest concern about the revelation of "Jack's" past involvement with The 456 and the tough decisions made throughput "Children of Earth" was if the audience was even going to like him anymore. He asked the crowd if they did and, naturally, got a rousing round of applause and many shouts of "I love you!"

There were many, many shouts about bringing back Ianto. Russell is not at all shy about taking full blame and responsibility for killing him and steadfastly says he'll remain dead. It was necessary for the story and "it's my show."

To clarify, Russell has no problem with the online communities or the fans - he loves them. But there were a few people who were pretty malicious in their comments, which is a shame since it gives a lot of other fans a bad reputation.

John, answering for Russell, says there's no way there will be a musical "Torchwood" episode because it just doesn't work for the show tonally. Russell added that the musical episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" couldn't really be topped.

Barrowman was as lively as ever -- he repeatedly said how cute Euros and moderator Rich Sands from TV Guide Magazine were and even broke out in song. 

"Torchwood: Children of Earth" will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on July 28th.