Torchwood

[Majestic]

The latest news and developments on the spin-off series.

http://www.torchwoodtv.blogspot.com./
"First things first, this breaking news item was originally posted on www.bbc.co.uk/news but the item mysteriously vanished after a couple of hours or so (Torchwood operatives are obviously wanting to keep this one secret for a while!), but alas, we Woodies cannot be silenced. This move though does question the honesty of the following story, but I believe it to be the truth, so without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, let me present Gwen, at long long last...Eve Myles!"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/02/24/29846.shtml

In the Doctor Who DVD boxset in the special feature The Adventures of Captain Jack, John Barrowman was interviewed about playing Jack and I assumed this was recorded before the announcement of Torchwood as it ended with him saying this:
"I would love if Captain Jack had his own series. I think that would be, for me personally, that would be awesome, that would be cool. But whether or not...it would have to be... It would have to be another kind of time dimension in parallel or what would be kind of cool. 'Cause then you could do all these, kind of specials where they meet, boom! And then they go off again. I'd love that. Yeah, I could see Captain Jack with his own... Yeah, I could see Captain Jack with his own TV show! Hell, yeah!"


Torchwood to debut in October says Russell T Davies as Outpost Gallifrey reports:
"In an interview for the US Sci-Fi Channel's Sci Fi Wire, executive producer Russell T Davies singled out both a start date for production on the spinoff series Torchwood as well as a likely date for transmission. "We start filming in May, and we should be on in this country [England] in October," Davies tells Ian Spelling. "So we'll have two shows running simultaneously, which will be fun." Says the article, "Davies, who will oversee Torchwood while maintaining his Doctor Who responsibilities during the filming of that show's second season, described Torchwood as a 13-part science fiction series for adults. (Torchwood is an anagram for Doctor Who.) 'Doctor Who airs in this country at 7 o'clock at night, so it gets the whole family watching,' Davies said. 'Torchwood is Earth-based. It takes one of the actors who was very popular from the first [season] of Doctor Who, who is called Captain Jack Harkness [John Barrowman]. He was in five episodes and was hugely successful as a companion to the Doctor [Christopher Eccleston].' Davies added: 'He's a bisexual con man. Hooray! We need more bisexual con men on our television screens, I think, don't you think? Bisexual con men from the 53rd century, what could be better? He was so enormously successful that we've created a spinoff for him.'""


CBC becomes co-production partner:
http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=4&article=29877

"BBC sci-fi thriller finds partner

MIP NEWS: The BBC's latest sci-fi thriller, Torchwood, has picked up CBC as a coproduction partner, it was announced in Cannes today.

The Canadian pubcaster, which is already a copro partner on series one and two of Doctor Who, has also agreed to partner a third season of the Timelord's adventures. Series two is due to air on CBC in fall 2006.

Sci-fi crime series Torchwood (13x50') is scripted by Doctor Who scribe Russell T Davies, and follows the adventures of a team of investigators, led by the enigmatic Captain Jack (John Barrowman), who use scavenged alien technology in the UK to solve alien and human crimes.

Torchwood and Doctor Who are both produced by BBC Wales for the BBC in association with CBC.

Gün Akyuz "


Torchwood Filming Next Week:
From Outpost Gallifrey-
"According to a brief comment by John Barrowman today's installment of ITV's "This Morning," which Barrowman has been filling in as guest host all week, Torchwood, the Doctor Who spinoff series he and Eve Myles will star in for the autumn, begins filming "next week". There is currently no official word from the production, but this is indication that the series will film during the off-time for Doctor Who (which starts filming its third series in July). Barrowman also noted that the series would be "more adult, more saucy and I drive around in a big vehicle," and he commented that his character would soon be an action figure: "Yes I am going to be an action figure! I proofed it last night and it should be on the shelves soon." (Thanks to Chuck Foster, Stuart Jackson)"

Very interesting indeed. Thanks TS.

 

[Theta Sigma]

You're Welcome.

Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori have been cast in the series:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/24/torchwood.shtml

"Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori have been cast to star alongside John Barrowman and Eve Myles in the brand new BBC THREE drama Torchwood, it was announced today.

Burn Gorman has been cast to play Owen Harper – the raw but charming medic of the group.

Burn's most recent acting credits include the hugely popular role of Guppy in the BBC onE award-winning adaptation of Dickens' Bleak House, written by Andrew Davies.

Lead writer and Executive producer, Russell T Davies says: "Burn was just dazzling in last year's Bleak House, and attracted our attention immediately.

"We beat a path to his door. He's one of the UK's brightest new talents, and I can't believe how lucky we are to get him for Torchwood."

Naoko Mori will play Toshiko Sato – the member of the team who specialises in all things computer, surveillance and technical.

She is best known for her role as Saffy's best friend Sarah (aka Titicaca), in the comedy series Absolutely Fabulous.

Of Naoko, Russell T Davies says: "We were lucky enough to work with Naoko in 2004, on the very first day's filming of the new Doctor Who, which introduced the character of Toshiko Sato in the episode Aliens of London.

"She was absolutely brilliant, and I knew then that I wanted to bring her back."

The British sci-fi crime thriller for adult audiences will follow the adventures of a team of renegade investigators, led by the enigmatic Captain Jack, played by John Barrowman.

It will see the investigators use alien technology in a real world to solve crime; both alien and human.

The 13-part drama series begins filming in Wales next month and will transmit on BBC THREE and BBC onE.

A BBC Wales production for BBC THREE, Torchwood is written by Russell T Davies and Chris Chibnall, with contributing writers including P J Hammond and Toby Whithouse.

The producer is Richard Stokes and executive producers are Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies. "

 

[Paul]

i think that it got a mention in the new Doc Who . when the Doctor and rose left the queen alone . she stated going on about how great britain has enemys ect . and then she says that she is gonna start the Torchwood

 

[Theta Sigma]

Latest progress as reported by Outpost Gallifrey:
"DWM also has a brief update on progress in the making of the Torchwood spinoff series. According to the issue, the readthrough for episodes one and two took place on Wednesday 26 April before location filming began on Monday 1 May. Colin Teague will direct Block Two, comprising episodes by Toby Whithouse and Helen Raynor, the latter titled The Ghost Machine."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Yesterday prior to The West Wing on the ABC which I recorded on Thursday night, saw the preview for Bleak House which features Burn Gorman. It looked quite good.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The BBC owns the site http://www.torchwood.org.uk/ which simply says "ACCESS DENIED".

 

[Paul]

looks like we are gonna find out a lot about Torchwood soon . 2x12 is about it ! . they start lookin into the doctor ( they found him in history , and in a photo from Queen Victoria ) . this is gonna be great . a look into torchwood

 

[Theta Sigma]

Found out from Wikipedia that Torchwood is set to premiere on BBC 3 on October 22.

 

[Majestic]

I look forward to seeing it when it comes to Australia. Thanks for the notification TS.

 

[Theta Sigma]

You're Welcome.

The SFX team has had a look at the first episode and they loved it:
http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=first_reactions_to_torchwood

 

[Paul]

its startin here in the UK on wed at 9PM til 10.40PM , a double ep is comin .

 

[Cylon]

woo uk
i think my mum sed its on today if so ill probably watch it

 

[Cylon]

Well i watched both the episodes and they were pretty gd
Its more adult themed that dr who but still quite gd

 

[Theta Sigma]

Torchwood has done well in its debut as it has scored a record audience:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6077078.stm
"Torchwood scores record audience

The opening episodes of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood drew the largest digital channel audience for a non-sport programme, says the BBC.
The first two instalments of the series, starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, also attracted BBC Three's largest ever audience.

The 2100 BST episode had 2.4 million viewers and a 12.7% audience share, the 2145 BST one had 2.3 million (13.8%).

Two football matches in 2004 and 2005 earned larger digital TV audiences.

BBC Three controller Julian Bellamy said the audience figures for the new sci-fi series were an "incredible achievement".

"I'm delighted that last night's Torchwood was such a big hit," he said.

The series follows a team of investigators solving alien and human crime and is aimed at an adult audience.

It has been written by Russell T Davies, who scripted the comeback series of Doctor Who as well as earlier hits including Queer as Folk and Bob & Rose.

Torchwood is set in Cardiff and also stars Welsh actress Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper.

The first two episodes will be repeated on BBC Two on Wednesday. "

Let's hope non-UK viewers like myself get to see Torchwood soon.

 

[Majestic]

Let's hope non-UK viewers like myself get to see Torchwood soon.

Lets hope. I am interested in what the series will be like. Might give me something new an interesting to watch.

 

[Paul]

watched the 1st ep . class , this is gonna be interestin anyways . a view inside the secret Torchwood

 

[Cylon]

The second episode was alright to but i prefered the first

 

[Theta Sigma]

Saw the first two episodes last night. Both very good with the first slightly better than the second.

 

[Joelteon7]

Well, just viewed the third. It was pretty damn decent really. If the quality stays this high, I will definitely rate it higher than season 2 of Dr. Who!

 

[Theta Sigma]

Torchwood Declassified is a making of Torchwood, basically Torchwood's version of Doctor Who Confidential. Well as part of spending the 43rd anniversary of Doctor Who on this November 23 2006, just saw the preview and the first two episodes of Declassified and all very good and the preview at the end of Declassified episode 2 really makes me want to see Torchwood episode 3 The Ghost Machine.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Torchwood gets a second season:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/12_december/12/torchwood.shtml
"BBC Three's Torchwood is back for a second series but this time it will premiere exclusively on BBC Two as confirmed by Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction, and BBC Two Controller Roly Keating.

Starring John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David-Lloyd, Torchwood has captivated audiences and smashed records.

It attracted an audience of 2.4 million viewers for the broadcast of its first two episodes - securing the highest-ever audiences for a BBC Three programme and the highest-ever ratings for a non-sport programme to air across all channels in digital history.

Created by award-winning writer Russell T Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the high-octane sci-fi thriller follows a team of modern day investigators as they use alien technology to solve crime, both alien and human.

Set in Cardiff, Torchwood delves into the unknown - battling against the impossible in the highly volatile underworld of savage aliens and monsters whilst trying to maintain their every day lives.

Roly Keating said: "Inventive, intelligent and unpredictable, Torchwood is a brilliant piece of 21st century fantasy drama. I'm delighted that its second series will be premiering on the channel."

Julian Bellamy, Controller of BBC Three, said: "Breaking all records on BBC Three is no mean feat and we've been proud to help build Torchwood into one of the most talked-about and eagerly-anticipated series of recent years."

Jane Tranter said: "Torchwood is a modern and innovative drama that has truly captured the imagination of its audience, and we are very excited that there will be more of the adrenaline-fuelled, action-packed adventures of our team of Torchwood heroes."

Russell T Davies said: "The whole team is bristling with ideas and we are delighted that Cardiff is going to be home to more monsters and mayhem."

Torchwood will be executive produced by Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.

Filming is due to start in Cardiff in Spring 2007 and the series will hit screens later next year.


The remaining four episodes in the current series will continue to transmit on Sundays at 10pm on BBC Three and Wednesday nights at 9pm."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Torchwood a no go at the Australian ABC:
Sunhill Fire an insider at the ABC has posted an announcement at Gallifrey saying that the ABC has officially passed on Torchwood.

Torchwood is now apparently at the centre of a bidding war betwen 7 and 10.

Sunhill Fire has stressed to add that it came from an official source from the very top and seems pretty sure of it.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Outpost Gallifrey has reported that via an interview with Dreamwatch Sci Fi that Sapphire and Steel creator PJ Hammond who wrote the season 1 episode Small Worlds will again write for season 2 and is not giving anything away on what his new episode will be about.

Full interview (warning there is a spoiler to the ending of Sapphire and Steel):
http://www.dwscifi.com/articles/show/48?category_id=25&type_id=4&page=

 

[Theta Sigma]

Torchwood not being bought by the Australian ABC has finally been reported by TV WEEK in response to a letter from Bob. It also said that SBS has passed on it as well. Surprise that SBS decided not to buy Torchwood considering the fact that SBS did show Funland which is like the very adult version of Blackpool just as Torchwood is to Doctor Who. In fact Torchwood is slightly less adult than Funland was.

Also as reported by Outpost Gallifrey, John Barrowman has told BBC Radio Two that he will be recording the second season until November and the season will be shown in early 2008.

 

[Theta Sigma]

10 in Australia has bought Torchwood:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=229977
"Ten signs BBC's hit Dr Who spin-off
Wednesday Feb 28 19:09 AEDT
Sizzling British sci-fi drama Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin-off about American air force renegade Captain Jack Harkness, has been licensed to Network Ten by BBC Worldwide.

The adventure-packed series follows a team of global investigators led by the John Barrowman-played Harkness, who first appeared on Doctor Who in 2005.

The department named Torchwood is dominated by bright young characters who make the most of alien technology which they scavenged from an alien wreckage to fight crime.

The first episode of Torchwood was the most watched non-sport program ever to air on a British digital channel when it was shown on BBC Three.




The program is directed straight at Ten's target 16- to 39-year-old audience, it's sexy, clever and fast-paced.

The Australian network has already shown great faith in the show by committing to a second series, which is yet to be completed.

Ten head of programming Beverly McGarvey said: "Torchwood brings a sexy new twist to the traditional cop show genre that we at Ten are thrilled to have as part of our 2007 slate".

Torchwood, written by Doctor Who, Casanova, and Queer as Folk's Russell T Davies has now been sold to nine countries.

It was named after an anagram which was used to protect the secrecy of early Doctor Who roughcuts."

 

[Theta Sigma]

I have now finished with the first season.

My own personal assessment of the show is that you have to take the good with the bad. It has been enjoyable although there are some aspects of it I didn't like and the ending to the season is something worth waiting for.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
As well as showing ads for it, Ten now has a webpage for Torchwood:
http://ten.com.au/ten/tv_torchwood.html

Also found out from Madds at Buffy Down Under when Torchwood will start. It will be on Monday June 18 9:30pm.

 

[Theta Sigma]

As soon as I found out the Australian debut date I posted it to Outpost Gallifrey and I received an acknowledgement. Just go to http://gallifreyone.com/news.php and read "Torchwood - Channel 10 website" posted by Marcus on May 30 and you will see at the bottom of that report:
"Thanks to........and Matthew See [that's my real name]"

 

[Theta Sigma]

The first episode Everything Changes on Monday June 18 on Australian TV is TV WEEK's Pick of the Day.

The reviewer says that while Doctor Who fans will watch, for a general audience it needs to move beyond the "alien of the week" scenario.

Well good luck with that Torchwood.

 

[Cylon]

i didnt really enjiy the first series that much. The characters just spent most of there time being angry