BBC & Starz team up for more 'Torchwood'
New, international-themed season to debut next summer.
John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness on "Torchwood."
"Torchwood" will be back on television next summer in a couple of new homes, with Starz replacing BBC America as the sci-fi series' American broadcaster and the characters perhaps leaving their Wales stomping grounds to reflect "the more international scope of the series."
Then-"Doctor Who" showrunner spun John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness off into his own, more adult-themed series in 2006 (it debuted here in early 2007), about a covert British government team specializing in alien life. The show muddled through a first season that took the "adult" designation to mean "lots of sex and nothing but," creatively improved in its second season, then took a massive leap forward with last summer's "Torchwood: Children of Earth" five-night miniseries.
That miniseries ended with only two members of the team remaining: Jack and Eve Myles' Gwen Cooper, and Jack was leaving Earth to cope with the losses he suffered during the story. Both Barrowman (who was attached to a failed attempt to produce a new US-based version of the series for Fox) and Myles will return, and other castmembers will be announced soon. Davies, who turned over the "Doctor Who" franchise to Steven Moffat, is still attached to produce.
The press release suggested the partnership with Starz "will allow Davies and his writing team to tell a more explosive and global story," and noted that the series "has to date been located primarily in Cardiff, Wales," suggesting Jack, Gwen and company might be traveling far and wide whenever he gets back to our particular globe.
It'll be interesting to see Davies working with what sounds like a larger budget, as he and his team managed to work miracles on what the BBC could afford (particularly with the very explosive and global "Children of Earth"), but I had hoped that if the show came back, it would be with that same five-episode, five-night miniseries format.
I know there was controversy over the miniseries' ending, so I'm curious to see how many of you are excited about more "Torchwood," and how many wish that Captain Jack just kept wandering the stars.
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Next 63 Commentsleleana
June 7, 2010 at 1:42PM EST Reply to CommentSure I'm excited, but also sad. With Tosh, Owen, & Ianto all dead, it'll take some seriously good new characters for me to really love the show again. I've never really liked Gwen (though she was awesome in COE), and there better be a good reason for Jack coming back. It's the characters that convinced me to love the show, so I'll be able to move on if the new characters are worth it.
mad sab I feel EXACTLY the same way. Thanks for giving voice, leleana...
June 8, 2010 at 12:05AM EST
June 8, 2010 at 12:47AM ESTJeff W
June 7, 2010 at 1:45PM EST Reply to CommentThe series started rough, but it's only improved since then. The five-episode Children of Earth format was a very successful expiriment, so I agree that Torchwood should stick with that. But I'll tune in for traveling Jack Harkness, regardless of whoever else they get. More Martha Jones would be a plus, but that might conflict with her Law & Order gig.
floretbroccoli Any news of American broadcast of L&O:UK?
June 7, 2010 at 5:24PM ESTMG Stewart @floretbroccoli -- seriously, they still haven't broadcast L&O:UK south of the border??
June 7, 2010 at 5:49PM EST
June 7, 2010 at 6:21PM ESTJeff W Law & Order: UK isn't bad, but I'd much rather have a Captain Jack & Martha Jones globetrotting Torchwood miniseries. Here's hoping.
June 7, 2010 at 8:12PM EST
June 7, 2010 at 9:04PM EST
June 7, 2010 at 1:46PM EST Reply to CommentBoooo on Starz only. Granted, I can see Starz product via NetFlix, but I still do not like this. AT ALL!!
lambertmanCTTS It's Starz's money that's making the season possible... so I'd be thankful we're getting a new season. At All.
June 7, 2010 at 2:17PM ESTRobert Seriously?
June 7, 2010 at 6:46PM ESTIt's better than having to rely on FOX to give the show continuous strong support.
Gonzobot Frankly I would rather have no more Torchwood, than an over-expensive American Torchwood. Seriously, why are they even considering it?
June 8, 2010 at 8:19PM ESTSam With the quality of Spartacus: Blood and Sand I think Starz might able to pull this off.
June 9, 2010 at 10:21AM ESTrachelmed
June 7, 2010 at 1:51PM EST Reply to CommentI'm definitely excited about this. The only big question for me is who re the new characters and what type of vibe will they bring to the team of two? If they cast and create a new group that works and I like as much as I liked the original Torchwood group then I will definitely be tuning in!
Logic Gap
June 7, 2010 at 1:53PM EST Reply to CommentI've watched all the new Who's but only watched Torchwood for the Children of Earth miniseries... and was blown away by it. If Davies and company to even get in the neighborhood of that for some of a full season I'll be psyched.
I'll also be hoping that Starz continues the Netflix streaming agreement for this, since I don't get the channel.
June 7, 2010 at 1:58PM EST Reply to CommentGreat news - may even get me to (re)subcribe to Starz. I do wonder how they're going to deal with Gwen's baby. And if it turns out Ianto created an unauthorized clone and downloaded his personality into it, I'm really not going to complain.
BigTed
June 7, 2010 at 2:24PM EST Reply to CommentThis is great... except for the part about Starz. With the amount I pay for a high-level DirecTV package that includes channels like BBC America, I'm not about to shell out an extra $13 a month to watch one show that used to be included.
June 7, 2010 at 2:27PM EST Reply to CommentDoes the press release say how many episodes there will be next season? You imply that it's not a 5 episode mini series... so is it another 13 episodes season, like the first two years?
sepinwall 10 episodes.
June 7, 2010 at 2:32PM ESTspecialj67
June 7, 2010 at 2:57PM EST Reply to CommentI had long since made my peace with Children of Earth possibly being the last we'd see of Torchwood--on TV, anyway--so any new Torchwood is good in my opinion. I definitely look forward to seeing where they go with Jack (still grieving?) and Gwen (juggling motherhood and alien shenanigans?) and those two working together again. Many interesting places they could go.
patrick foster
June 7, 2010 at 3:02PM EST Reply to CommentPretty stoked to see it anywhere but Fox. Looking forward to more-
June 7, 2010 at 3:18PM EST Reply to CommentSo glad they aren't trying to reboot it American style. This show on FOX would not be any good. I'm beyond excited for it to come back! I'm rewatching the first season right now and 'Countrycide' gives me the creeps everytime I see it! It'll be soooooo good to get John Barrowman back in my apartment on a regular basis!
albatross
June 7, 2010 at 3:52PM EST Reply to CommentI kind of liked the Wales setting. It made the show rather unique. The last thing we need to see is yet another montage of world monuments being destroyed by aliens, which is inevitable when the scope of a show becomes "global."
June 7, 2010 at 4:32PM EST Reply to CommentVery interested to see where this goes. I wonder how much, if at all, we might see crossover with the new Doctor?
Big D
June 7, 2010 at 4:40PM EST Reply to CommentWrite a comment...
Big D
June 7, 2010 at 4:42PM EST Reply to CommentAwesome news!! Childern of Earth was brutual but spellbinding. I hope the new season includes a visit from James Marsters.
John L
June 7, 2010 at 4:43PM EST Reply to Commentspoiler alert would be nice if major plot points are discussed, like main characters dying.
i have not seen the mini-series yet, and now :(
Bad Wolf If something came out 2 years ago and you still haven't seen it, you have only yourself to blame for spoilers.
June 7, 2010 at 5:40PM ESTAnyway, Torchwood just needs to forget that most of COE ever happened. That's probably the only way I'll be happy with it but we'll see...
June 7, 2010 at 7:12PM ESTklg19
June 7, 2010 at 5:03PM EST Reply to CommentI watched Torchwood almost more out of habit and a certain curiosity than out of real interest. I thought the characters were not particularly interesting and that they drained Captain Jack of most of the charm he'd displayed on Doctor Who.
I did, however, watch "Children of Earth" and found it absolutely brilliant, miles above the rather tawdry and tired level of most Torchwood episodes.
So I was going to continue to watch it in the new season, just to see where it went from there.
But I don't get Starz. I'd have to pay extra for it, and I'm not likely to do that, especially given that I can watch Party Down online rather than subscribe.
So, no more Torchwood for me!
klg19 Unless....Torchowood will also be viewable on Netflix??
June 7, 2010 at 5:08PM ESTHatfield Plus, there is such a thing as DVDs
June 7, 2010 at 8:41PM ESTMG Stewart
June 7, 2010 at 5:48PM EST Reply to CommentThere are not a lot of gay (sorry, omnisexual) adventure heroes on television, so yes, I'd probably watch it. Enjoyed the series, esp. Children of Earth. Will miss Ianto, but Gwen was always my favourite member of the cast, so am happy that she is returning. Am in Canada, so no opinion as to Starz - just hope it gets picked up by Space like the previous seasons.
Krishna
June 7, 2010 at 6:07PM EST Reply to CommentGreat news! I guess they will be recuiting new members for Torchwood. Still a bit of wait to enjoy the next installment! Nonetheless, still worth it!
e
June 7, 2010 at 6:32PM EST Reply to CommentI'm glad it's coming back, and I hope the bigger budget will be put to good use. I hope Starz will provide episodes on itunes or on demand for those of us who can't get a subscription.
Kelly
June 7, 2010 at 6:47PM EST Reply to CommentI love Torchwood and was very sad to see it end after the miniseries. I don't get Starz but I will watch it on Netflix. Also, like others have stated, I'll miss the characters that were "killed off" but if the same creative minds are behind it I'm sure the show will be great! Thank you to Starz for bringing back my Captain!
iles of smiles
June 7, 2010 at 6:48PM EST Reply to CommentInitial thrill of euphoria crashes in despair. STARZ!?!? WTF!!?? I LOVED this show, thought the last series was brilliant and sad and maddening, but hoped it would return. I get the leap to pay cable, but I am not a fan or subscriber of STARZ. So, I'm thrilled for the series, pissed for me, and hope the DVD set is quick on the heels of the last new episode shown on STARZ. LOOOVE CAPT. Jack! Happy for John Barrowman, Eva Myles and crew. RIP Ianto, Tosh and Owen.
June 7, 2010 at 8:39PM ESTgert
June 7, 2010 at 7:26PM EST Reply to CommentYEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 7, 2010 at 7:46PM EST Reply to CommentI'm not paying for Starz. I love Torchwood, but I just cannot afford to pay extra, just for one show. I'll wait for the iTunes download.
DanJack
June 7, 2010 at 8:47PM EST Reply to CommentI can't wait to see what happens next. The Doctor Who suite of Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Adventures, and Torchwood are all excellent! I looked forward to more.
June 7, 2010 at 10:01PM EST Reply to CommentYES!
curriejean
June 7, 2010 at 10:08PM EST Reply to Comment"Massive leap forward" -- You're so funny!
Angela
June 7, 2010 at 10:19PM EST Reply to CommentI never saw Torchwood or Children of the Earth, but the latter streams free if you have Netflix.
Also some old episodes of Torchwood will be on BBC Starting June 14th at 11am to 5pm.
Starz is streaming live on Netflix, at least for now. But it only works with a newer PC. It won't work with my 2ish year old Dell, and not at all with a Mac. I hope Netflix changes the Mac thing soon!
taotaotao76 I have a Macbook and can stream with Netflix. So, you shouldn't have any issues.
June 7, 2010 at 10:47PM ESTKensington In fact, I'm pretty sure every episode of Torchwood is available on Netflix right now.
June 7, 2010 at 10:54PM EST
June 8, 2010 at 12:57PM ESTAngela I should clarify. The only thing I can not stream on Netflix with my Mac is Starz *Live* TV. Can anyone here with a Mac do that? If so I will pursue the problem further!
June 8, 2010 at 7:30PM ESTAngela Patrick, OUCH! That had to hurt.
June 8, 2010 at 7:47PM ESTKensington, your right. I noticed after I posted the above, that all the Torchwood eps., stream on Netflix. :P
Kensington
June 7, 2010 at 10:57PM EST Reply to CommentThis is great news. I've been largely disappointed with the new season of Dr Who so a returning Torchwood with Russell T Davies attached is a real balm.
And I appreciate that some people are disappointed that it will be on a premium channel, but in the end that just puts it in the same category as any show on HBO or Showtime.
Of course I'll watch it via Netflix and so most likely won't even notice the extra cost.
June 8, 2010 at 4:44AM EST Reply to CommentAs much as I loved the show, when they killed off Ianto, that was it for me. I didn't even watch the final episode of Children of Earth because I was to pissed off to watch it. This is good news for those that can get past losing Ianto, Tosh and Owen. I am a person who gets attached to characters. I have several friends and know tons of bloggers who feel the same way. Davies would have to work a MAJOR miracle to get me back.
kurttrail Ianto was a whining b*tch of a character. Glad he was killed off and not Gwen.
June 8, 2010 at 12:25PM ESTThe relationship between Jack and Ianto always seemed forced to me, with no real passion between them.
June 8, 2010 at 5:51PM ESTLorrie I honestly don't understand the outrage over Ianto's death. It was sad, but the reaction of some fans seemed over the top. Torchwood is an adult British show. Practically by definition, that means anyone can die, main characters included. I thought this was understood. I wasn't that interested in seeing Jack tied down to a relationship, anyway.
June 8, 2010 at 9:53PM EST- 1
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