This morning, Russel T. Davies and Julie Gardener shared some information about the upcoming series of Torchwood. "Torchwood: The New World" is slated to premiere on the Starz network in the summer of 2011. That new world branches out from Cardiff and into Washington DC and Los Angeles. Davies confirmed that Eve Myles, John Barrowman, and Kai Owen will be returning for the new season. No word as of yet about Gwen's baby or the nature of Jack's return.
Gardner did say that this series would be a reboot ("Children of Earth" was often called a "relaunch" by the production team) in order to welcome new audiences. She didn't expand on what reboot would mean for any returning viewers. It was also mentioned that the 10-episode season would be similar to the "Children of Earth" mini series format. Each episode is supposed to crammed full of action and story and all the episodes are very tightly knit together.
Spoiler TV reports: "The new story will follow a CIA agent (Rex) and analyst (Ester) who tackle an alien-related global issue. Torchwood, having been destroyed and disbanded, is "like a legend now ... it's like something that's ceased to exist and is now spoken of only in whispers." Soon, Rex and Ester are on the run and are seeking out the help of Captain Jack and Gwen."
( Read more: http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/08/torchwood-official-season-4-title.html#ixzz0vxC1Im5H )
Just a few days before this press release, it was announced that John Shiban (X-Files, Supernatural), Jane Espenson (Buffy, Warehouse 13, Caprica), John Fay (Torchwood: Children of Earth days 2, 4) and Doris Egan (Tru Calling, House) would be on the Torchwood writing team. Whatever your feelings about Torchwood may be, there is no denying that this is an impressive line up of writers working on the upcoming season.
Fans have felt very passionate about the future of Torchwood. People have stated many opinions on whether they wanted to stand by the series or not. So, readers, what do you think of this new season so far? Has anyone been swayed by the promise of such a fantastic writing team? Do you prefer the original tone and format over the fast-paced mini-series?
48 comments:
Should be interesting, though I'm sad to see a departure from Cardiff. Davies infatuation with Americana and bringing Torchwood here has sort of broken my heart though I trust him with the show enough to give him the benefit of the doubt. There should at least be a requirement of the writers having Welsh lineage, IMHO... :)
Pace should not matter. Great writing is unmatched and something we should look forward to. However...most important to hold on to are the core (essence) of the characters and the examples for living that they bring forth. Thank you Torchwood.
I dislike this "New" Torchwood so much I went and cancelled my subscription to Starz. Davies can go to hell and take Gwen, Rex, Ester and Jack with him.
i agree this knew Torchwood is going to suck in comparison to the old series. why bother trying to get american audiences when you are going to lose your original audience.
Well, this American, for one will NOT be watching the new Torchwood. I was in love with the old plot, characters, AND location. I watched the main characters get killed off one by one -- and endured a horrible story line that caused Jack to become someone I no longer cared to follow.
If the impressive list of writers (indeed, they are!) is looking for a new audience, I wish them luck. This loyal and devoted fan from years past will not be tuning in!
I think that the history of torchwood (not the series) leans itself to having multiple bases and people, but the reason I loved the series was Gwen and Captain Jack. I hope that they can hang about, and I hope that there are some more ties back to Doctor Who linked in, perhaps a doctor visit or something would be great
I loved the old plot, although i believe a new direction would be awesome. It will be nice to see some new stuff. I am really upset about all the characters killed off. I didn't care so much about the first two but Ianto was the last straw and as much as id love the new direction i don't think i could stand to watch them go on with the show without him. There losing this American viewer along with all those I've convinced to watch it with me! STOP KILLING PEOPLE! or make a imaginative reason why they r back from the dead!
I agree that the heart-wrenching death of Ianto was too much. His character added something special and precious to Torchwood. It's sci-fi so please bring him back.
Easy decision. Just give me a date and I'm in front of the TV.
Owen, Ianto and Toshiko WERE my reasons for sticking out a rather tacky show. Gwen and Jack--- never liked them at all. Would rather watch a series about PC Andy than the Gwen and Jack Do America show.
I rarely leave comments..
I like the standard series format. It is good to mix things up a but with a mini-series.
There were already many parallels to the old but great X-files show. I think the new season is copying the X-Files format. Torchwood should NOT copy anything similar to X-files.
Torchwood needs their own identity.
Killing off so many main characters was a mistake.
Why in every episode and I do mean every episode do you need sexual activity ??? Especially Gay rights messages and content. Seems to have become John Barroman's personal message forum. "LOOK AT ME I am GAY"
SO What !
John Barroman should get his own talk show and not USE Torchwood" for his personal views. Inappropriate for a sci-fi show.
IT was TOO much. At least the X-files and Doctor Who did not use the sex ploy to attract viewers.
I have let my kids (7 & 11) watch Doctor Who and X-Files. I would not let then watch Torchwood.
The stories have been very good. The cast seemed too small for such a grand task as for what Torchwood does and should be capable of. Defending the Earth.
Destroying the Torchwood Hub was not necessary. It should be rebuilt. The storage areas with artifacts had to of survived. Limit the damage to the main hub office area.
Yes the show does need to get out of Cardiff/England occasionally and be more global. Having several "hubs" around the world and focusing in on each hub with its own set of characters and issues is the direction I think the series should go, Captain Jack needs to be more capable , and be able to outwits his alien opponents and not solve every problem with a new gadget. Maybe give him some simple tools. He has lived a long time and and should have a standard kit of tools. Not just a gun. Yes their will be problems even the Captain will not be able to solve.
Stop Shooting/ Killing Capt. Jack in almost every episode. It is getting old.
CREATE and add another character with some special gift/skill /superpower... A semi friendly rival for Capt. Jack who has a slightly different outlook on how to solve a problem.
One ideas is to put Torchwood in contest with the A Area 51 Alien retrieval team in a global race from time to time.
Lastly keep the show character based. Once in a while using a new alien gadget from their vast collection.
The whole dead Owen thing was too much to be plausible.
Mr R.Davies if you see this let me know.
MRGcav@gmail.com
Milwaukee Wisconsin. USA.
I rarely leave comments..
I like the standard series format. It is good to mix things up a but with a mini-series.
There were already many parallels to the old but great X-files show. I think the new season is copying the X-Files format. Torchwood should NOT copy anything similar to X-files.
Torchwood needs their own identity.
MRGcav@gmail.com
Milwaukee Wisconsin. USA.
Continued....
Killing off so many main characters was a mistake.
Why in every episode and I do mean every episode do you need sexual activity ??? Especially Gay rights messages and content. Seems to have become John Barroman's personal message forum. "LOOK AT ME I am GAY"
SO What !
John Barroman should get his own talk show and not USE Torchwood" for his personal views. Inappropriate for a sci-fi show.
IT was TOO much. At least the X-files and Doctor Who did not use the sex ploy to attract viewers.
I have let my kids (7 & 11) watch Doctor Who and X-Files. I would not let then watch Torchwood.
The stories have been very good. The cast seemed too small for such a grand task as for what Torchwood does and should be capable of. Defending the earth.
Destroying the Torchwood Hub was not necessary. It should be rebuilt. The storage areas with artifacts had to of survived. Limit the damage to the main hub office area.
Yes the show does need to get out of Cardiff/England occasionally and be more global. Having several "hubs around the world and focusing in on each hub with its own set of characters and issues is the direction I think the series should go, Captain Jack needs to be more capable , and be able to outwits his alien opponents and not solve every problem with a new gadget. Maybe give him some simple tools. He has lived a long time and and should have a standard kit of tools. Not just a gun. Yes their will be problems even the Captain will not be able to solve.
Stop Shooting/ Killing Capt. Jack in almost every episode. It is getting old.
CREATE and add another character with some special gift/skill /superpower... A semi friendly rival for Capt. Jack who has a slightly different outlook on how to solve a problem.
Lastly keep the show character based. Once in a while using a new alien gadget from their vast collection.
The whole dead Owen thing was too much to be plausible.
Mr R.Davies if you see this let me know.
MRGCAV
I am an australian torchwood has a strong following over here but the strength of it has a lot to do with cardiff, its just not torchwood without cardiff. glad to see rhys character continuing too.
If its not broken why fix it. keep torchwood in cardiff.
Hi I am from Germany and I would be very happy if Ianto would come back to Torchwood. Please dont stop this wonderful love story between Jack and Ianto.
Regards from Germany, Susanne
I don't understand why Torchwood has to move away from Cardiff, but as long it has Jack I'll be fine :). I wish they stuck with the original way they did Torchwood, but I don't mind the miniseries too much.
I for one was a fan of Captain Jack and I don't see it being anything different than the location. I will watch it and have hoped it returned. It was great having a series that was bold enough to kill off the main characters and anxious to see what the new season brings.....
This is similar to how people were griping over the departure of David Tennant from Doctor Who, with the replacement by Matt Smith. People were all, "Oh it's going to suck without David." I say, let's give it a chance. Sometimes new blood does work on a series. I'll sit back and watch it and make my mind up after I see a couple of the new episodes. I would suggest others try this approach as well. You may (or may not) be surprised, but at least go into it with an open mind and see how it goes.
Anxiously awaiting the new series. As long as Jack and Gwen are there I think I'll be fine. I'm not going to jump to conclusions. I'll watch it and see how it goes, Although I do think it's awesome that the American guy's name is Rex. That is also my dad's name.
WHY the HELL would I watch it for that bi*ch gwen..NOBODY likes her character; well 9 out of 10 don't..
Anyways, the SHOW is DEAD to me when Ianto died..I mean, I like Jack and all but I watched it for Jack and Ianto NOT the CHARACTER gwen, OK!?
The genre is freaking Sci-Fi, so, bring BACK a DEAD character IS POSSIBLE, yet, I believe they got rid of the character Ianto JUST for the whole jack and gwen shit is the reason for OFFING a on-scene gay romance..WHAT A shitty thing to do!!! You hypocritical PASS writers..
Oh, and TORCHWOOD is suppose to be a British show NOT American, so this whole 'change of venue' thing just gets to me but it's the FACT that Ianto is GONE that I HATE!!
FUCK THIS SHOW!!
Torchwood is now Dead. They got rid of great characters, then the great characters they could put in, Martha and Mickey are not going to be in it. Instead they sold their souls to the Devil, (US tv), and filled the program full of Yanks. Next they will say the whole Doctor Who thing was a dream.... :(
If the original surviving (aka returning) cast are willing to trust Russel Davies, so am I. Davies hasn't let us down so far, and I don't expect Torchwood Season 4 to be anything less than thrilling fun!
They need to just get at it... Jack is supposed to be immortal, but Barrowman (who I love) is aging! As for Gwen.. okay this will sound shallow as hell, but never could get past her teeth... they're horrible!
I think killing off the cast was a mistake, they were well knit and played off one another quite well. If it were up to me, I'd start the storyline with Jack running into Dr. Who and time warping back to assure the past doesn't happen. This might piss off some die hards, but tough!
OH! I'm pissed off it's on pay tv.. Starz of all things! I hate Starz. It's nothing but repeats of a handful of movies!
Okay back on topic....
I've been waiting patiently to see where Torchwood goes, but if they don't come out with something soon, it won't matter... all their fans will no longer be interested. It's like how they kill off a good show by moving it's time too many times.
As for Torchwood... they've let over a year pass since the last episode (to which we had to suffer with only 5 episodes that year!), and they're just waiting too long... it's been so long, ppl will soon start saying, "Torchwood? Sounds familiar".
Get the damn show on the air, already!
I am one of those Torchwood fans that is interested in the show and watches certain episodes from time to time but can never really sit down and watch the whole series for a number of reasons.
But the MAIN reason is the sex. If I wanted to see porn I can just look it up on my computer. Now, if you read my above paragraph, I have not watched every single episode but of the episodes I have watched 99% have sex. If this problem is solved in this "new" Torchwood I will be happy to watch it.
I also love the idea of it being more fast-paced. Another reason why I haven't watched every episode is because it is so boring. I mean really I could fast-forward through half of the season and still nothing interesting has happened. But that's just my opinion.
So unlike most of you very biased people I am going to keep an open mind about this and actually watch an episode or two before I decide that it sucks.
Now I am guessing that most (if not all) of you are Doctor Who fans. This is basically the same thing that happened in season five. New Doctor, new companion, new writer, new everything. A lot of people were upset about all the new things saying "I'm not going to watch this show ever again!" or "This show is going to suck!" and as it turns out the show was just as good as its always been, if not better.
So before you guys decide to ditch the show maybe you should actually WATCH it first.
Also if you took the time to read all of this....YOU DESERVE A COOKIE!!
Sooooo glad to hear Torchwood is coming back!!!!! A bit disappointing to hear about the US twist. This American loves the show being in Cardiff and really has no interest in New York, or LA or wherever.
Never thought I could watch again after the Ianto tragedy, but I miss seeing John so much. My dislike for the new season of Who makes me realize how very talented, and missed, Russell T is. The only reason I will give up on TW is if they change Jack to a hetero hero to placate sponsors & a puritanical US audience.
I'll give the new season of Torchwood a chance just like I gave season five of Doctor Who because it might actually turn out to be excellent just like Doctor Who did. However, everything said about the new season makes me think that I'll absolutely hate it. They're Americanizing the show way too much for my liking, and what's Torchwood without Britain? It isn't Torchwood. Furthermore, although Jack continues to be my favorite Doctor Who character, I don't think I'll be able to stomach the series without Ianto. I tried watching Torchwood for Jack, but continued watching it for Ianto. I hope the new series can give me a reason to keep watching.
I'm from Canada...
I like Torchwood, the British Humour and slangs etc. made Torchwood a unique show...
I was disappointed that Ianto Jones was killed off...but I was okay with that.
Amercanizing Torchwood will killed the British humour and slangs...but I am hoping that I might be wrong...
Well, I'm not from Europe or USA and I discovered Torchwood a few weeks ago and I watched it all in few days just because of the force of the characters, specially IANTO, OWEN AND TOSH. But they are dead and Torchwood is over to me.
I really believe that Torchwood should have finished at the end of the 3RD season with jack going away,since they decided to kill almost he entire cast and destroyed the organization. It would have been more creditable. And if they wanted to bring captain jack back, the producers could have created another serie for him, with another name and cast TOTALLY new.
Now Torchwood will be just one more series adapted to the american standards, becoming just one more with a 'romance' between the captain and gwen, as the producers wanted and the americans will accept, full of special effects and empty of singularity.
That's just my opinion and for some more people from my country that liked the serie. Sorry about my bad english.
I'm looking forward to seeing the new season.
All of you Ianto lovers- get a life. He first betrayed Torchwood to protect his first love, the Cyberwoman (Lisa) who was killed by Jack- who brings Ianto back to consciousness by a kiss. So, Ianto had a girlfirend (so much for gay, bi like Jack is more like it) betrayed Torchwood to protect her, then falls for his boss who kills her.
Such a sympathetic character.
I could do without Gwen, but I bet her kid ends up being Jacks and therefore a replacement for his grandson.
I love the original location- but like Dr. Who- the universe (and therefore, by extension America) is a nice sized playground.
My husband and I are Americans who took an amazing vacation to Cardiff because we loved it so much on the show. I can live with killing off of the main characters but will certainly miss the location!
I'm an American that love's this show, and I'll definitely be sitting in front of my television this summer to watch it. That being said, knowing how American television works I'm worried that it isn't going to be Torchwood like we know and love it. There were a lot of hints that Jack and Gwen were a little closer then Rhys and Ianto would have preferred, and I have a feeling we're going to get just one more Tiva (Tony/Ziva from NCIS pairing). I think the best couple on American Television is Kevin and Scotty from Brothers and Sisters, and I'm getting fed up with the will they-wont they couples on the other popular shows. We don't need another one, so I'm praying that either a) something happens and Ianto is brought back (though this can only happen if Gareth David-Lloyd agrees to come back as Ianto) or b) someone else catches Jack's eye. I don't want Jack to become a homewrecker.
Another worry I have is how many people will actually get into it out here. I love it, and think it's a great mix of like Bones meets Buffy, so hopefully it will do just fine. Fringe, though I've only seen commercials, seems to be Sci-fi and it's doing well for itself so maybe Torchwood will catch on as well. Don't get me wrong, I think Torchwood had a nice following, but does it have a big enough following in America to keep our Broadcasting Companies interested? I hope so, because I would really like this show to stick around for a while.
The last thing I want to say, and then I'm done I promise, is that I love the United Kingdom and think it is the most beautiful place in the world. I am addicted to BBCA because I get to see the UK, hear the accents and great humor. I don't want them to leave Cardiff.
No Ianto, no good? Sci-fi in America, can it survive? Not in the UK, why? Yeah those are my concerns, but I trust that Davies won't let us down.
Torchwood took a while to find it's feet, the first series being something of a mish-mash of themes, but by the end of series 2 it had become pretty excellent, culminating in a wonderful mini series last summer. This is why I have grave concerns over the move to America. I can see it ending up as just another mediocre trashy American sci-fi show and that would be a tragedy. As a major constituent of the Dr Who triumvirate (Who, SJA & TW) it more than held it's own but this migration looks likely to separate it from its parent show which would be a real pity.
i say tie in more of the doctor!! bring more near future to it and keep the team as it was! more of the alien influance in our lives story would not hurt, put ia little more x-file type secretness to it. torchwood for the win!! port some story to books.
It's all about the writing. If anyone can do it, this team of superstar writers can.
I worry for the same reasons all TW fans worry. But I will give it a chance.
Incidentally, I will have to wait even longer than most of you for my chance to see it. I've sworn off pay tv. I can only watch via the web.
I am American and love America, but what made Torchwood so good was that for once everything did not revolve around DC, New York, or LA. C'mon, you had a great show now... As we said in the Navy, "If it ain't broke don't mess with it!" But I'll still watch to see if it crashes. At least Jack and Gwen survived.
Torchwood is a science fiction television drama series. It has three seasons. All seasons ane very good to watch but my favorite is season 2.
So 8 JULY 2011 is the official start date on Starz. Does anyone know when it will come to Netflix?
I love the show. Someone posted earlier that their feeling for Torchwood were the same as being in love with someone who is cheating on you. I agree. The show has been an emotional rollercoaster, and my life feels empty without it. I can't wait for it to come back! However, I don't know if I can bring myself to pay for Starz.
Cheers fro Greg in the USA
Russel T Davies you have just destroyed a great show and alienated all the fans you won over with the new Dr Who and torchwood!! Torchwood is WELSH through and through, that was its appeal the world over. Now you are making some Americanised crap to be consigned to the dustbin, bye from another ex-fan.
Clarky - Maesteg Wales
I Miss the talent that is Russel T Davis. I am not as big a fan of the new Dr. Who as I was when he was writing the show for David Tenent.
As for the new Torchwood - can't wait! I only hope you do two things.
First: Give some time to the old fans and explain why Jack was the way he was at the end of Children of Earth.
Second: HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT....BRING IANTO BACK!!!! It is after all science fiction and you are a VERY clever writer.
Bringing Ianto back will go a long way to placating many Torchwood fans. It does not have to be right off the bat (although that would be nice), just sometime during this first season. (Yes that means I am hoping for another season already.)
Mr Davis, one more thing. Could you explain why it took so long to bring back TW? Also, why have you moved the show to the new location and why Starz?
Judy
I am waiting to see how it goes just switched to Starz so I could see. I hope all goes well with it. Only time will tell.
Torchwood did what other shows were unwilling to do, eliminate characters no matter how popular they were! WHile it may have hurt at first, it made it more realistic and emotional! I, fo one , loved the character Tosh, but when she died it actually drew me into the show even more!
I am American and sincerely hope it can maintain the standards they started with but i still can't wait for it to begin!
Torchwood is good and best science fiction television programme. I have seen all season 3 of this show online. And its season 4 Episode 1 is ready to aired on television on 8th July 2011.
They've lost the plot with the American flavour, the show doesn't feel the same anymore. Another sad viewer..
nice post thanks
thanks 4 sharing this post
great post thanks
I've just got finish watching the mini. I thought that it was great. but one thing I'm straight and I love Jake but I can't stand to see him kissing a man. I gave it a try because a friend told me to watch it but he never told what goes on with Jack. I think its a great show and the writing is great just not the sex with men.
Post a Comment