Season Two Announced

It's with great honour that I can confirm that the BBC has commissioned a second season of Torchwood.

The news broke in the early hours, on the BBC Press Office website. Here's what they had to say:

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 move to BBC Two comes after the channel faught with Torchwood's current home, BBC Three, to air the series. It's especially good news to non-Freeview viewers, who'll now have a chance to watch brand spanking new Torchwood episodes on teh same night as every one else. Lucky you!

I'm going to be a right old bugger and tell you guys that I found out about the second season commission way back in November, but have been sworn to secrecy by my BBC source. Look back at some of my old posts, and you'll notice little hints I've tried dropping about the commission. Lesson learnt - jackharkness knows more than he's letting on!

If this doesn't prove the BBC's commitment to New Who, then I don't know what does. Congratulations to every single member of the Torchwood cast or crew, who so deserve this return. It's your hard work that has made Torchwood a success. Thank you.

Now, all we need is the Doctor Who season four announcement to complete the set...