BBC Two (beating the channel's Wednesday night time slot average week in, week out) and for BBC America in, erm, America! That much we know. The reason why a third series hasn't yet been officially announced? Perhaps the BBC are waiting for a perfect PR moment, or will use an announcement to promote Doctor Who's return? Perhaps, even, it'd spoil certain elements of the Torchwood/Doctor Who season finales to tell all now?
Whatever, there's changes a coming!
Stop reading right now if you don't want the end of series two spoiled for you!
As regular readers of this site will know, there's a rumour that "Exit Wounds", the last Torchwood episode of 2008, will see the death of two regular characters Owen Harper and Toshiko Sato - and there's whispers that next year they'll be replaced in the show, and the Torchwood team, by two familiar faces - Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman).
A report by Sci-Fi Pulse seems to indicate that the next series will take a much lighter tone - and the show will move away from its more adult nature. Effectively, the show would be like the cutdown, edited 7pm repeats that currently grace BBC Two - family friendly, but still dealing with darker subject matter than Doctor Who or The Sarah Jane Adventures currently do.
Numerous sources say that series three won't start filming until August this year (apposed to the usual May through to October filming schedule we've been used to) which could suggest that the show won't be back until mid-way through next year. I.E. Not another January launch - maybe March, or April 2009?
Finally, there's the availability of John Barrowman, and the prospect that from next year he might not be a central figure within the show anymore. He's a busy television career (including a role on the Canadian version of "How to Solve a Problem Like Maria?" coming up) and reports are that Jack Harkness will be a reduced presence in the Torchwood team from here on out.
With all that into consideration, what are your opinions? Will this still be the same show you're used to watching, and will you still want to watch if all these reports come true?
It's still gonna be Torchwood, sure - but will it be your Torchwood?
Personally I have faith in the production team - some of the best writers / directors / designers / candle stick makers on the planet. If anybody can pull such a revamp off, it's them.
Have a little faith, and a lot more Torchwood!
Right, here's the thing: I've been writing this blog a pretty long time, and it's made me a little thick skinned. There's something great, and clever, and funny about Torchwood fans - or "Woodies" - but a small fraction of them can be terribly demanding too. It's only because they're so passionate and supportive or the series, but still, they make demands that other fans might not - and demanding people let their feelings known more than anybody else!
Reading the comments on this blog can be a chore at times, because some of those fans often take their frustration (regarding potential spoilers/plotlines/news stories they don't like) out on me, the writer. Let me tell those fans; I'm aware that much of this report might not be true - but as a Torchwood news reporter, it's my obligatation to report them.
What if there's just a fraction of the truth hidden in there? Hmmm? And imagine I never reported it? How stupid and incompetent would I - and the blog - look then, if we missed such a major news story?
You'll find that I never sensationalised the story. Infact, the main point of the essay was to reassure worrying fans if all this is going to happen, it's a good thing. Change is good, especially with this production team. But it's not set in stone just yet - and I feel that did a good enough job to reinforce that point in my writing ("...he might not...", "...which could suggest...", etc).
In short:
I never said anything was happening for sure. As a reporter I was just reporting the whispers that I've been hearing these past few months. Some might be true, some might not. Over the next couple of months Torchwood.tv will continue to report solid facts, some of which might debunk what I've said here. Who knows? Perhaps you'll join us for the ride, perhaps not.
But I won't stop reporting stuff like this, if I think it's in fan interest.
I'll finish with a Burn Gorman soundbite:
"I’m the type of actor who gets bored pretty easily. The scripts and the people I’m involved with are so passionate, that it has a certain amount of momentum. I really like the actors I work with, but the very nature of Torchwood, I would say, is one where people die young. I’d never say never, but there is only so many times a person can be shot, stabbed, poisoned or whatever before it just isn’t believable anymore. But I’ve had a really good time doing it and I hope the Torchwood world continues, definitely."
42 comments:
I started the Mickey and Martha rumors on digital spy lmao!
So much of this (everything except the Owen and Tosh spoiler) is based on pure rumor and speculation. (There's no logical reason, for example, that JB doing an 8 week Canadian show in June and July should impact filming that starts in August.)
It's kind of irresponsible to spread it here... I expect better from this blog.
I don't think it should be like the lighter tone. That's not what Torchwood is. Everyone writers, etc said that TW is a darker more adult themed show, why take that away from the adults?
Being American, shows like TW don't come around that often that deal with the openness of sexuality, and other things. To take that away would just plain suck.
If it is taken away, yeah it'll still be called Torchwood, but in reality it'll be just like Doctor Who and SJA, for the kiddies.
I thought the whole point of Torchwood was to have post watershed show. RTD has said that several times. A "family friendly" version is irrititating to even think about.
and if John Barrowman isn't on. I'm not watching.
The Gwen and Martha Show? I have better uses for my Saturday evenings. I think BBCAmerica will find out that without the adult themes and the Jack/Ianto relationship their viewership will go to hell in a handbasket. The US does not have a large Doctor Who audience...Torchwood is its own thing.
I have a very very hard time believing that John Barrowman would willingly leave Torchwood.
I've read, in interview after interview, that he wants to play Captain Jack for as long as The Powers That Be will let him.
As for the Owen&Tosh rumors, like a lot of people, I hope that's just a red herring thrown out there to get our panties in a twist. It's a cruel joke that the production team has done such a bang-up job of making The Team (as a whole) a more enjoyable lot to watch this season, making us fall in love with them as a cohesive unit, only to yank that away.
If all these rumors come to fruition then I'll watch the first episode of Torchwood S3 with the idle curiosity I usually reserve for half-baked tv shows cooked up here in the US.
I'm sorry, call me shallow, but Captain Jack *is* Torchwood for me. If he's not there, or if his presence is scaled back, I'll stop watching after this season and pretend that S3+ just doesn't exist.
Torchwood has just begun to hit its stride this season and it pains me to think that a show still in its infancy will be revamped in so drastic a manner.
I'll miss the casualties very much.
I'm intrigued by the prospect of getting Mickey. Mickey is cool. Martha is a character they've misjudged too badly to fix now and should probably be laid to rest permanently.
I fear there may be some truth in the rumours about John. He's doing so much work that it's hard to see how he juggles his commitments as it is.
Honestly, if this blog starts quoting SciFi Pulse and it's ilk as any kind of a reliable source you're going to lose a whole lot of the credibility you've worked to achieve. Stop trying to wind people up with baseless rumours and stick to reporting news items that have at least a shred of veracity to them. Unless you want to become the Torchwood version of the UK tabloids, of course...
Mickey and Martha as part of the team? YUCK! They weren't interesting on New Who and I don't want them helping to ruin a show I actually like.
I haven't watched a single ep of DW yet. I am a Torchwood fan. If this rumours are true and they ruin my show I will just stop watching (and buying merchandise)... it is as simple as that.
What irony that they might want to make this show lighter right after killing off a big part of the team! It couldn't get any darker than keeping your dead teammates in the morgue right where you work. Kids don't try this at home.
i really would not be the same if john left nor would it be if owen and tosh left u cant do it to us.
Since Jack/Ianto is the soul reason I put up with the plot holes and weak characters. If they take that out, needless to say there will be nothing to keep me and the thousands of other fangirls watching.
Andrew Lloyd Weber just announced he's going to do the sequel to Phantom. Can you imagine he'll give the role
of the Phantom to anyone other than JB (who is now old enough to play it rather than Raoul). Can you imagine John NOT taking it? Me either.
As to Torchtwig (which is what it will be w/ less JB) I've
never cared for Tosh -how pathetic is she?- and the Owen zombie for goodness sake blow him away already. I've had to put up with 3 episodes with the annoying Owen. Let him go already!!
Mickey on TW? Stranded on Petes World. Enough said.
I'll keep watching, as long as the show is well written. The killing of characters and changing of plotlines can be done well...I'm just worried that it might not be. I'll be around for the start of series 3, but it's up to the writers to keep me there.
I agree with kyle and kryswynUSA. Captain Jack 'is' Torchwood.
I'm so hoping them 2 members don't die and Jack doesn't step down. If it turns lighter I don't think it will be as good, I mean Torchwood is the "adult" Doctor Who not the "Other program just like Doctor Who". I will keep on watching but I hope these rumour are true. Thanks for reporting and those people saying it shouldn't be reported are wrong if you look what it says, it's "Torchwood.TV: news, commentary & secrets" Plus its still reporting whats going on in the world of Torchwood, specuation and spoilers. If people just posted facts there wud be hardly any posts in between the time the series isn't on.
Love this site :D
Mark
agreed with mark. i like torchwood as it is. and i think you mean i hope these rumours are not true
Without John Barrowman as the star, and Captain Jack as the main character, Torchwood would be bound to be more child friendly etc. etc.
The killing off of characters, is a really nasty pay back to some fantastic actors. Ugh.
The child friendly theme, enough is enough. Torchwood is dark and scary and not child friendly and should never go down that route. If it does, it will not be Torchwood.
For me, the removal of John Barrowman from the lead will be enough. I will not watch.
But - I would like to see the Series continue as a dark and scary adult show, with a decent cast, and no child friendly concessions. To see it dumbed down would be heart breaking and a real betrayal of the true fans.
Truly the BBC does know how to ruin a good Series !!
I don't want Torchwood to be the dumping ground of DW or its filler... I want the same old TW... even with a bit of new cast for obvious reasons... but maybe some good NEW character can be good to watch.
Anyway, if there's no Jack and no adult themes, I think I'll quit watching... my love for Ianto can't be enough... except if he suddenly become the main character... but I doubt it...
God I hope its not true!
Series 2 has been too childish compared to series 1. You can tell when looking at the cutdown versions. Its only about 10 seconds shorter that the proper episode.
Owen is already dead so I really hope he doesn't die-die. Tosh I don't mind so much.
I don't mind the cast changes too much as long as they don't make it a family show.
Hands off Tosh! I would happily lose Gwen, but never la Tosh!
it wont be torchwood! it wont be the same torchwood we all know and love!
1) how can you make a less adult version of torchwood without it being just doctor who but with more people? The whole point of torchwood in the first place was a dark, adult version of doctor who - why change it so that it targets children when they have already got doctor who!
2) John, oh god, no! PLease no! Captain Jack is the heart and soul of Torchwood. It just wouldn't be the same without him leading the way- they'd fall apart [and thats just the fans falling apart, dont get me started on ianto]. Torchwood is well known for its innuendo etc, and Jack is the one who holds that reputation together..i really can't see martha, gwen and ianto flirting..it wouldn't be right!
I should shut up now, but seriously, I'm upset. Very very unhappy. :(
I think we should start a petition going....
Although saying that I do trust RTD with my life - but there is only so much he can risk.
love,
Captain Charlotte Harkness :)
xx
Torchwood was created for Captain Jack. I can't imagine they'd change it. Would they...?
It's good to hear you won't stop reporting stuff like this :D Yes Bad Wolf I meant I hope they aren't true, lol bad mistake in typing lol.
Longtime lurker here...if the rumors about Martha and Mickey joining are true, I'm done with the show. I want to watch Torchwood,, not Dr. Who 2. The more adult themes are what drew me to the show in the first place (well, that and Burn Gorman and John Barrowman...with them gone, there will be no point in watching at all).
BTW, a very reliable source at Televison Without Pity has seen the episode and has confirmed most of the rumors. :(
Long time lurker here.
Torchwood agents always die young and that's part of the tragedy of their job. It'd deadly. We've lost one agent since the series started - Suzie - and it's kind of remarkable, really, that certain ones *cough*Gwen*cough* are still alive and kicking.
I'll miss the characters that are going to die off but, honestly, this is Torchwood and as we saw with Suzie (and Owen!) - death isn't necessarily the finale.
Though if Captain Jack bows down to a lesser role in the show (which is something that annoyed me about A Day In The Death Of) or if Torchwood goes "family friendly", I'm going to be a lot less inclined to watch the show.
Thanks for reporting what you've heard.
ok heres my view on the rommors:
owen leaving: ok not that bothered about the caracter. he has got better than last year but still i wouldn't be too bothered if he satid or left.
Tosh leaving: bad i like the caracter i wish that more episodes where centered around her.
Martha joining: good i like her but i was hoping that she would join doctor who full time again
mikey smith joining: no i have alwas hated the caracter and was glad when he left dr who
the show becoming lighter: No this years torchwood has had the right balance of humor and good drama e.g. fragments was a really dramiactic episode
the show becoming a pre watershed only show: no the whole point of torchwood was that it was disigned for adults however i do think that it is good to have a family friendly version aswell for those who want to watch it but couldn't otherwise. So i think that they should keep it as it is at the momnet with it aring first on bbc 2 after the watershed then a day or so later before the watershed so that everyone can enjoy torchwood but at their own age group if that makes sense.
so just to sum up while some of these roumers seem ok to me (owne leaving, matha joining) the majority of them seem to be bad. But these are just roumers and as happens every year with doctor who and torchwood most of them will probably be proven wrong.
Change is good, but I'm not so sure in this case. We'll have to wait and see, but at this point it's the chemistry and interaction between the team that make the show. Such a dramatic change in the members will mean a totally different balance, tone and relations. So, no, it won't be the Torchwood that I love watching so much. It will be totally different, and whether they hit a good mix of chemistry and interaction, which is just as good as it is now - well...
I'm also doubtful about the emphasis on being a family show. I think it's a mistake. They've managed to attract a large fan-base because of darker themes and tone that DW can't explore, but spark interest. A more family orientated show would lose that fan-base and what would they gain? Surely it's just cannibalisms of an audience they've already got with DW and SJ. And I think the by trying to be more family orientated it would put limits on creativity and where they take us in their storylines, experiences and relationships. That's not good and again, I can't see how it would be the same show.
On a specific side note about the spoilers that are going around - I'd be really disappointed if the rumours are true. I think series two has really developed both Owen and Tosh as characters and have added unexpected insights and understanding about who they are, it would be shame just to have that build up and then have it all come to nothing.
And if the rumors are true and they're taking them away, I know that sometimes deaths are pointless and would fit in with the darker themes of Torchwood, but in this case I hope that their deaths will add something.
this is bull.I'll stop watching for sure....I just can't believe they're doing this to my favorite show *sigh*
I'm hoping that JB will continue and that TW won't become a family-friendly show. What would the point be? They go to all of the trouble to tout it as an adult show and then yank it back? That makes no sense. I can deal with cast changes with the exception of JB. No Captain Jack? No point.
And I like my adult show. I also like Who. But lets keep them moderately separate as they are now. Martha full time? Then she needs the freedom to pursue a sexual relationship like any other member of TW. Same for Mickey. If not... then they can both go back to Who. We were promised an adult show - not the Gwen/Martha hour made for kids.
the Gwen/Martha show
no more Jack/John Barrowman on TW
a family friendly TW
no thanks! I'd rather have the show cancelled and end now.
Does the BBC know how to ruin a good thing or what...
Has it not occurred to anyone else that, if the rumours are true, the actors may have wanted to move on to different projects and at the beginning of the second series gave notice that they would be quitting? It *might* explain why one of the characters has been rather poorly served writing-wise this series.
And as to being family friendly, hasn't the BBC had its budget cut? Perhaps "dumbing" down TW was the best option to keep it on the air while balancing their adult/family charter requirements.
I can understand if the actors want to leave (I realize how in demand Burn Gorman is)...I just don't understand the whole changing of the formula. Why make it "family friendly"? Why mess with what worked pretty well? I like Torchwood for what it is, flaws and all.
Big problem with statement about "actors wanting to leave". For obvious reasons no-one is going to say anyone has been "sacked", they may have to work with them again.
For the same reason, no actor will state they are discontent, they may want to work with persons again.
As to the "family friendly" option. Sorry. We have plenty of those, and it is better that Torchwood is cancelled, as we remember it - full of guts and fun, than to have it continue till we want it gone because it is so wimpish.
Pat.
I live in the U.S. the fact that we have access to Torchwood is a blessing in its self. It's a dark adult themed show that has something that will most likely never happen in any U.S show and that is it's openness in sexuality amongst other things.
I find it confusing that they would revamp the show so much when it's ratings are impressive on all the BBCs.
I mean really it's being successful in the U.S. that has to say something for how good the show's merit is. I mean with the amount of variety that the U.s. has in television for torchwood to have grown in popularity as it has is impressive.
Personally I love torchwood the way it is. all the character's are lovable and different and well developed. Of course there is captain Jack. Captain Jack is a driving presence in the show. John Barrowman in my opinion is what gives the show life.
I will not watch season three if John Barrowman is removed from the show or lessened in any way.
*Le Sigh*
I like Torchwood the ways it was in S1 and the way it is now. I really really hope they don't turn it into another kid-friendly Who-esque clone. How terrible! If it turns out to be true I'll be done with this show for sure.
Torchwood without Jack as the lead makes no sense to me either. Jack & Ianto should be staying on as regulars, and esp. Ianto as the coolest character IMO should get more screen time.
Martha and Mickey as regulars in Torchwood? WTF! Even more potential bad news.
To JackHarkness- keep on trucking. Killing the messenger has been the knee jerk reaction since Roman times. Just keep dodging the spears :D
In the US, actors are thrilled with multi-year contracts. In England where a "series" is only 13 episodes with 4 months or more till the start of the next "season", most actors have to line up work in advance to pay the bills. If any of the actors other than JB wanted/asked/hinted/irritated themselves off the show, obviously TPTB would accomodate them. Somewhere I remember hearing John talk about how he was approached by RTD with the idea for TW. It was all built around Jack and Gwen and then 'the team'. As far a I'm concerned jack and Gwen are what drive the show and I believe many Gwenhaters wouldn't if she didn't always have to react to one dimensional characters. Although the writers *could* expand the dimensions of owen and Tosh it might be easier to bring in new characters who come in more fleshed out. The best thing they could do for S3 is get RTD back as head writer for continuity and have the writers keep each other aware of what they're writing so one writer doesn't cut the legs out from under another.
Wasn't Burn Gorman's big role prior to this season of Torchwood as an Elf in a failed Christmas movie?
Mr. Gorman, you chimp, please sit down and shut up. Keep this job you little monkey looking twerp, it may be your last.
Funny, I always thought he looked more like a frog...
I did see him in some Scottish film where the accents were so thick the film ran with English subtitles!
>>Wasn't Burn Gorman's big role prior to this season of Torchwood as an Elf in a failed Christmas movie?<<
Actually it was Bleak House, a BAFTA award winning drama which won him much praise.
Or perhaps you're thinking of acclaimed Britflick Layer Cake?
He's also had a sucessful theatre career.
>>Mr. Gorman, please sit down and shut up. keep this job...it may be your last. <<
Nope, not the last, that was "The Curse of Steptoe."
Oh and do watch "The Oxford Murders" when its released in the cinema. He has quite a large role in that too.
Nope, just thinking of "Fred Claus", where while he played "Elf#1" it wasn't a very good movie.
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