Myles to go?

Has Eve Myles really quit playing the role of Gwen Cooper?

Reports last month suggested she had, after the actress posted a number of tweets stating as much.

Since then Eve has remained pretty quiet about the whole thing. It leaves me to wonder, however, exactly what she means. Has she ended her association with Torchwood completely (i.e. no more TV, Big Finish, etc.) - or is she merely suggesting that, five years on from her last appearance in Miracle Day, Eve no longer wants to play the role of Eve in a live-action capacity, but is willing to continue with the Big Finsh audios?

At the moment, it looks like the first option is more likely, which is a shame. Big Finish has a great reputation amongst its actors - Hell, they even managed to lure Tom Baker back! If Eve *has* quit them (which we don't know for certain)... did something happen behind the scenes?

***

I'm aware we've been away for a while. I'll slowly start to catch up on news throughout the rest of this week.

Series 2 Discrimination!

The brand spanking new BBC Store has launched. The online shop allows you to purchase digital copies of all of your favourite BBC series. Torchwood is there - however, series 2 is currently missing off of the available download options! No reason is given, although it's likely to do with rights issues on one or more of those particular set of episodes.

We'll update you when series 2 is ready. In the meantime, you can find the BBC Store by clicking here.

In other news, the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (number 493) contains an interview with former Torchwood writer Catherine Tregenna. She talks about her time on the series, as well as writing for Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who's The Woman Who Lived:

"Torchwood was a bit 'anything goes' in that first series and that's fun, you know? It's fun to get your teeth into darker, greyer areas of morality, where not all the characters are necessarily likeable.

Tregenna goes on to discuss how she chose the name Bilis Manger, her acting career, and creating Welsh TV soaps! You pick up her interview in DWM now - in shops, or via Apple Store download.

Season 5 Teased!

Vortex, Big Finish's promotional magazine, has released its September 2015 issue. Guess what made the cover?

Inside, the creatives who brought the new series together discuss the background to the series;

Gary Russell: "Russell [T Davies] and I began plotting ideas for what would have been an audio season five, set post-Miracle Day, with some new, some older characters and a new set-up back in Cardiff (where I feel Torchwood absolutely belongs)"

When Gary moved away to Australia, he explains that he had to relinquish his responsibilities for the series. When the current series was pitched, he made sure "they could be set during the first four seasons of Torchwood but not tread on the toes of the still-planned season five."

There we have it. As things currently stand Big Finish has plans to produce an official Torchwood Season 5!

For the rest of the magazine's Torchwood coverage, click here to read Vortex magazine all for yourself!

Torchwood: The Conspiracy should be released any day now, and we're still awaiting news on releases 3-6 in the current series.

Golden Age!

We've known for a while now that three brand new Torchwood audio dramas were coming our way, that'd be in the same vein as last year's "Lost Souls". Now Torchwood - the Official Magazine has revealed exclusive details about the forthcoming episodes - which includes story titles, and who's writing them.

"ASYLUM"
By ANITA SULLIVAN
The story of a troubled teen runaway called Freda, who is brought to the attention of Torchwood by PC Andy (played by Tom Price).

"GOLDEN AGE"
By JAMES GOSS
"A story with a twist" according to producer Kate McAll, 'Golden Age' is set in present day India and features a character called the Duchess.

"THE DEAD LINE"
By PHIL FORD
"A series of mysterious phone calls lead Jack into danger, and result in 'a very emotional moment for Ianto'. Listen out for familiar voices! (One possibility is that David Tennant guest stars as one of the callers, using his natural Scottish accent, but that's speculation on my behalf.)

The episodes are all 45 minutes long and will air as part of Radio 4's Afternoon Play slot from 2:15pm (it's likely they'll air all in the same week, in June). It's stated that they're set after "Lost Souls" and before "Children of Earth" - which airs a week or so after the radio series concludes.

(Sorry about the "Children of Time" typo!)

They'll be available through iPlayer and as a podcast. After that, expect a CD release of all three stories some point later in the year.

Meanwhile, two more Torchwood audio books are arriving pretty soon. "In the Shadows" is out on May 7th, and features a script by Joseph Lidster ("A Day in the Death") and will be read by none other than Eve Myles. On June 4th that's followed by another adventure, "The Sin Eaters" written by script editor Brian Minchin and likely to be read by Gareth David-Lloyd.

***

Completing this round of merchandise updating, it's now confirmed that Torchwood's second series will be released on the Blu Ray platform on June 22nd.

News direct from Torchwood - the Official Magazine issue 15, out now!

15 of the Best

Hmmm. I'm sure I posted this story yesterday, but according to Blogger it was only ever saved as a draft entry. Thing is, the entry was in my "blogs I follow" stream last time I looked. The mystery deepens...

***

Issue 15 of Torchwood - the Official Magazine is out now, and it's a blinder! Honest to God, it's improved ten fold over the last couple of issues. There's still some room for improvement beyond this, but for now it'll do quite nicely.

TORCHWOOD - THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE#15

It's the last issue before Children of Earth launches mid-June, so there's a number of articles to tie-in with the new series, including an interview with John Barrowman that I'll be reporting upon in further detail later this week (if all goes to plan). Then there's an exclusive preview of the five new shows by Russell T Davies, as he comments upon five new photographs released from the show to its official magazine. He states:

Episode One - a picture of Jack and Gwen with a parent, and her child: "Torchwood: Children of Earth begins with every parent's worst nightmare: what if something happened to the kids? Luckily Jack and Gwen are quickly on the case."

Episode Two - a picture of Ianto in a hard hat and builder's get-up: "Who's this rugged fellow in a hard hat and hi-vis jacket? Is it the Health and Safety Village People? No! It's Ianto Jones sporting a rather nasty gash on his cheek, and far from the comforts of good coffee and master tailoring. Curiouser and curiouser..."

Episode Three - shows Rhys in a smart dinner jacket: "Now things are really getting weird! First Ianto is looking like a docker, and now Rhys is all dressed up with no place to go! As his wife puts everything on the line to save the world again, is it time for him to enter the frontline with the rest of the Torchwood team? Some things are always worth fighting for..."

Episode Four - Jack and Ianto, guns blazing, on Floor 13: "Red alert! As Children of Earth moves towards its jaw-dropping climax, Jack and Ianto face off against an unseen opponent in the mysterious Floor 13. As the international situation escalates, UNIT is also on the scene - but will the military taskforce help or hinder Torchwood in their mission?"

Episode Five - Gwen rescuing a child: "The future of the entire human race is in the balence, and the situation is spiralling out of control. Everything depends on the children, but with Torchwood battered and bruised, can Gwen still make a difference, and will it be enough to save the day?"

There's an exclusive set report, taken from last November's filming (so it's likely from the final two episodes) and an interview with Rik Makarem, who plays Doctor Rupesh Patanjali in the specials.

Also in the magazine is a look at the monsters and aliens that the team has faced over the course of the last two seasons, and during its numerous spin-offs; a familiar face (SPOILER!) Bilis Manger returns in part one of a new five-part comic strip, "Broken" by creative team Gary Russell (writer) and Adrian Salmon (artist); and there's a peak at series one adventure "Greeks Bearing Gifts" which includes an interview with guest star Daniela Denby-Ashe.

Other features include a talk with the show's sound mixer, an investigation into whether the show's Pterodactyl could really exist, and a fan inquisition with Eve Myles.

Oh, and for some bizarre reason an index of the first 13 issues of the magazine, just in case you might have missed them...

And lots of adverts for other Titan products - but thankfully this time a good chunk of them are in some way related to the show. Hooray!

More from the magazine and some exclusive news it spills throughout the week. You can pick up the real thing yourself from all good newsagents, for £4.99.

Lets hope they keep up the trend next issue, huh?

Not So 'Undiscovered' After All

Last Saturday's episode of Britain's Got Talent, the inescapable reality show where 'average' people show off their above-average skills, showcased a preteen whose face may be familiar to die-hard Woodies.


Twelve-year old Shaheen Jafargholi wowed the crowd with his singing voice, but Torchwood's casting directors discovered his talents as an actor almost three years ago. One of his first roles was as "Danny", the young boy Toshiko saves from his father's murderous rage, in episode 1x07 "Greeks Bearing Gifts". (If that doesn't ring a bell: It's the one where Tosh snogs a woman. Yeah, now you remember it.)

No word yet on whether other Whoniverse associates will infiltrate the show and compete for the £100,000 prize. But just between you and me, I've always figured Simon Cowell for an Auton.

(Mirror.co.uk article)

Jumping Ship

The 2010 series of Doctor Who is shaping up nicely, don't you think? Not only do we have the ever brilliant Steven Moffat as Head Writer and the youthful Matt Smith as his Eleventh Doctor, but now it's been confirmed that Peter Bennett (Producer of Torchwood's "Children of Earth" series) will take over the role that Phil Collinson once occupied, as main series Producer.

The BBC's Press Office confirms his promotion, and notes that he'll share the job with Tracie Simpson (who has already produced "Planet of the Dead" as well as the Christmas 2009 finale to the David Tennant era).

Beth Willis (Ashes to Ashes - which is back next Monday, don't cha know?) steps in as the show's third Executive Producer, alongside Moffat and Piers Wenger.

***

I'm hearing that Torchwood's fourth season (if commissioned...) won't film until at least next February or March, as John Barrowman is looking to return to the stage at some point later this year, and then head up his usual Christmas time panto, plus there's the fact that Gareth David-Lloyd is in America for the next few months.

Hmm... what with this and whispers that the Torchwood Hub set has been torn down to make room for the new look TARDIS console room it's looking like it'll be a nervous few months for us Woodies as we wait to hear what comes next, beyond the "Children of Earth".

Inside the Hub (Or, At Last, A New Set Report!)

Here's a quick set report from our friend in the Torchwood production team. Some would call him a mole. Not me. I'll kindly bestow the nickname Chula upon our friend on the inside, in honour of Captain Jack's first appearence on Doctor Who (the infamous Chula warship in "The Empty Child" two-parter). So, here's Chula's latest set report, this time with a difference. It's not from location filming, but from deep within the Torchwood studios at Camelot! Yay for Chula! BEWARE OF THE SPOILERS...

Have been in the studios all week so not much to report. The sets are incredible, especially the HUB (Torchwoods secret base under Millennium Square) it's a large cavernous space with high-tec work stations, a firing range (where we discover Gwen is a crack shot), a morgue and dungeons where Torchwood's resident monster the "Weevil" lives (played as always by Dr Who's brilliant monster-man Paul Casey). The Weevil is fantastic and is sure to be one of the Fan's favorites, but it's not the only monster down there!

Gareth has been shooting his first scenes as Ianto this week and his character is quite the charmer. Dressed in snazzy suits he guards the Hub from unwelcome attention and although not strictly part of Torchwood, his intelligence, good looks and a strange ability to make superb coffee makes him an valued contributor to their investigations.

The cast and crew said their goodbyes to Peter Bennett (1st AD) and Stefan Morris (2nd AD) both returning to Dr Who. Steff received a Dalek cake whilst Peter's had a picture of John Barrowman pulling a moonie on his (he dutifully ate the piece of cake with Johns butt on it). Both will be greatly missed.

Torchwood secret:
We learn a big secret about Capt Jack at the end of episode 1, he tells Gwen -

Out of respect for the Torchwood production team, that's where our set report ends. They work so hard to bring us thirteen episodes of television magic that it would be horrible of me to ruin the fun and tell you guys the secrets months in advance. But it is a marvellous secret, and should make for a VERY interesting series concept. And on that cryptic note, I'll bid you guys goodbye until more Torchwood news comes in...

Ghost Watch

Doctor Who Magazine # 370 is released in newsagents across the UK tomorrow, but I've managed to grab a sneak peak, and found some very interesting Torchwood news inside.

As well as commenting upon the casting of Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori, the magazine also exclusively reveals the director of the second block of filming on Torchwood (which consists of just two episodes). This particular block will be completed by Colin Teague, a director who has already headed up some notable episodes of Holby City (along with producer Richard Stokes). We wish Colin all the luck in the world, and here's hoping he produces some incredible episodes!

Colin's two episodes will not contain Noel Clarke's episode like previously thought. Instead, block two will contain a script by Toby Whithouse (Doctor Who - "School Reunion"), as well as script editor Helen Raynor's story, which has the working title of "The Ghost Machine". Now that's what I call an excellent episode title!

Below is an updated episode guide. Any spoilers associated with particular episodes will be printed in invisotext next to the title, so again, DO NOT HIGHLIGHT IF YOU WANT TO STAY SPOILER FREE! Don't say I didn't warn you! Information in brackets is currently awaiting confirmation.

EPISODE ONE - "Flotsam and Jetsam"
Written by: Russell. T. Davies, Directed by :Brian Kelly
Jack Harkness has returned from the far future, to modern day Cardiff where he's found a job working amongst Torchwood, an ultra secret military organisation. Jack believes that by staying near to the 'Rift' the Doctor will return one day and find him. Whilst investigating some alien gangsters (supposidly) he meets a police woman called Gwen Cooper, and soon Gwen has become part of Torchwood itself, replacing a former Torchwood operative named Suzie who has since gone rogue.

EPISODE TWO - "Dark Revelations (tbc)"
Written by: Chris Chibnall, Directed by: Brian Kelly
Current rumours suggest that during this episode Gwen Cooper's boyfriend learns the secret of Torchwood, and is taken over by a great evil. During the course of the episode Gwen learns exactly what it means to work for a top secret co-government agency.

EPISODE THREE(?) - "tbc"
Written by: Toby Whithouse, Directed by: Colin Teague
No details currently available. Bah!

EPISODE FOUR (?)- "tbc"
Written by: Noel Clarke, Directed by: (block three)
Noel appeared on GMTV last week and revealled that his episode is currently sheduled to be episode four of Torchwood. For now we'll continue to place the episode here. No specific details are yet available.

EPISODE FIVE (?) - "The Ghost Machine"
Written by: Helen Raynor, Directed by: Colin Teague
Thing's go bump in the night, but that's all I'm saying. The clue's in the name.

EPISODE SIX (?)- "Small World"
Written by: PJ Hammond, Directed by: (block three)
Gwen is still feeling her way in to the world of Torchwood, which she has just joined. This episode revolves around some "malevolent fairies". Hammond confirms in Dreamwatch magazine that the episode is no longer the third of the series.

OTHER EPISODES:
One more Russell.T.Davies script (possibly the finale)
At least three more Chris Chibnall scripts
A script by Si Spencer

And a quick note for fact fans: the first cast readthrough for Torchwood was Wednesday 26th April 2006, with actual filming commencing on Monday May 1st 2006. The first few weeks of filming were location shots as the team continue to settle into their new studio "Camelot".

And that's your lot for now! More news as we get it...and if anybody has any updates for our rough episode guide, then contact myself or Kurly and we'll be happy to make any changes.

Torchwood:High Definition Television!

In a move that's sure to delight fans of High-Definition Television, a source has confirmed that Torchwood is indeed being filmed in High Definition. All this basically means is better picture and sound quality for viewers who possess a HD Television set (so if you don't already own one, buy one today, or in time for Torchwood in October!). The benefits of HD programming also mean that a series is more likely to sell to the American market, as the US already use HD technology. So it's a major yay for Torchwood as it tries to secure a place on American television screens. Watch this space.

INDIRA VARMA PLAYS "SUZIE"

We've also got news of a guest star in episode one, "Flotsam and Jetsam". Actress Indira Varma is set to play the role of Suzie. Indira has already made a name for herself in the UK and US by appearing in high profile series such as The Canterbury Tales, The Quatermass Experiment (with a certain David Tennant), Little Britain, and HBO's Rome epic. A word of advice to readers though: becareful when typing Indira's name into google images. A few naughty pictures may pop up on screen. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Spoilers concerning Suzie's character appear below in invisotext. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED!

Suzie is a rogue Torchwood operative that eventually gets replaced by our heroine Gwen (Eve Myles). I told you it was a pretty big spoiler!

Can you take a letter please Ianto?

Torchwood news is coming fast and furious, and hard for me to keep up, what with my own crazy schedule. Thanks to everybody who is helping out.

Source:hampsteadtheatre.com

It was announced today that Gareth David-Lloyd of Bettws, Wales will be Ianto, Torchwood's receptionist. I was hoping for that gig myself, since my typing speed is quite fast, but apparently I don't have a nice enough bum to work for the Institute.

The Fantastic Four

Isn't it nice to finally get the complete picture? (well, near-complete I imagine) To any aliens out there who may be reading this, if you have plans to cause havoc on our planet, remember these faces.

The Earth is defended!

Meet Owen Harper and Doctor Toshiko Sato!

Some breaking news direct from the BBC Doctor Who site. At long long last the final two lead members of Torchwood have been announced. Joining John Barrowman (Captain Jack) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) within the Torchwood Institute are - drumrolls please! - Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori.

Burn's casting was 'unoffically' announced a few weeks ago, though we had no idea of the character he was playing, or the significance of this role. Now it appears burn will be playing one of the four main leads, Owen Harper, Torchwood's resident medic. Burn was recently seen in both Bleak House and Layer Cake.

Source: http://www.stakesandstones.co.uk/

Meanwhile it's been confirmed that Naoko Mori will reprise her role of Doctor Sato, from Doctor Who Series One episode "Aliens of London". The scientist was seen there disecting a 'space-pig', and it's interesting to note that her scenes were Christopher Eccleston's first scenes as the Doctor recorded on screen! Already the woman's gone down in the Doctor Who history books.

With two men, and two women, it would seem that the Torchwood team is now complete. Well, except for that 'mysterious leader' Russell T Davies is so keen to tease us about. Anyway, filming is confirmed as "Starting next month" so that's the closest confirmation we've had of a May filming date for Torchwood.

More news as we get it folks...

Hub Captain!

DWM recently spoke to Torchwood producer Richard Stokes to find out all the latest news from the series. The interview is re-printed in full here (with many thanks going to the DWM team)...

QUATERMASS - A GREAT INFLUENCE ON STOKES, AS YOU'LL SEE

Congratulations on your new job, Richard! How does it feel to be starting work on the first full Doctor Who spin-off series?
Thank you. To be honest it's a bit of a dream gig. I've been attached to the show now for a few weeks, and I still can't quite believe it's happening. Long night shoots will soon bring me back down to Earth though, I'm sure.

We already know that Torchwood will have its own very seperate identity away from Doctor Who. Without giving too much away - of course! - how would you describe the tone and feel of the series?
It's much darker - both in tone and in look. I'm discussing style with directors, the design team, Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner all the time and we keep talking about a noir style, lots of shadows. Doctor Who famously sends the kids round the back of the sofa; I went the grown-ups there too. The tradition of horror films - from Wes Craven to M Night Shyamalan - has filtered through to American television for many years and we should do a bit more of that here. People like being scared and a bit unsettled. Its themes are more adult - which is not about lots of swearing and gratuitous violence - it's about exploring more adult themes and sides of humanity you may not want your kids to watch. That's not to say we don't have a laugh on the way. Both Russell and our other lead writer - Chris Chibnall - have filled their scripts with great humour.

Despite the different audience demographic, would you say that Torchwood has any similarities with Doctor Who, beyond the character of Jack himself?
The Doctor Who team has injected an iconic series with great heart and compassion and that will certainly be the same - everyone on this show wants nothing short of the very best. Like all the most memorable shows in this genre it's about us; who we are and what we're doing to ourselves and each other. Doctor Who taps into a yearning for adventure in all of us and Torchwood will, similarly, touch on universal truths in the human condition.

Doctor Who fans are, of course, already familiar with John Barrowman's character, Captain Jack, from his episodes last year. What did you make of Jack in Doctor Who, and how are you looking forward to bringing him to Torchwood?
I thought he was a fantastic character - great fun and very charismatic. He was very deliberately there to mix up the relationship between the Doctor and Rose, whereas in this series he is the heroic lead and that requires some subtle changes.

Will your job be similar to Phil Collinson's? What sort of duties do you have on a day to day basis?
Yes - very similar. Producing is about plate-spinning; making sure nothing falls and breaks during the whole process. Day to day can be very different and that's part of the joy of the job but I have an overview on everything from scripts to directors to crew to cast to design to budget to sheduling and making sure everything is delivered to the channel for the money, on time and to the high standard everyone wants and expects. And then making sure all the different departments know what's going on so that when cameras start rolling everyone is making the same show.

If this first series of Torchwood is a success, is it hoped there may be a second? Or is this planned as a self-contained series of 13 episodes?
Hopefully - if all goes to plan and the audience enjoy it - there will be more.

As a former producer of Eastenders and Holby City, how do you think producing a sci-fi drama series will compare with the soaps?
It's all about storytelling. We all look for characters with whom we can emphathise as heroes or hate as villains and it's the combination of these things in a great story which made good drama. And that's true of anything, whether it's setin Albert Square or Andromeda.

Thanks to shows like Doctor Who and Life On Mars, it seems that the BBC is looking at more fantasy drama. What do you think about this recent interest in this sort of television? Are you a fan yourself - and if so, what sort of shows have influenced you?
It's about time. We were the best at this genre in the 1950's and 60's with Quatermass, Hammer productions and the original Doctor Who and the whole thing got hijacked by America doing it very well - and with a lot more money - and TV execsin this country thinking the genre was for kids. I am a fan - I was the perfect age when Star Wars came out to completely fall for it but writers like Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel and Firefly), J.J Abrams (Alias and Lost) and Chris Carter (The X-Files) have shown how these shows can appeal to an intelligent, adult audience. It's exciting...it feels like a genuine renaissance and to be part of that is incredibly exciting.

Finally, do you have any specific aims and ambitions for Torchwood as you enter production?
To be honest - my ambition is not to fall short of Russell's vision of the show. He generates a creative atmosphere which just makes everyone want to do their best. It's infectious and great fun. I don't want to let him down, but equally I want to make a series that fans talk about and which brings in a new audience that feels the show has something to say...so no pressure then!

Yours, Confidentially...

Yes, as a few of you have discussed on the comments section, earlier this evening, during a special episode of "Doctor Who Confidential" entitled One Year On, Torchwood was discussed in some detail, which I'll break down for you below:

BACKGROUND
According to RTD (who was interviewed about the show) Jack Harkness travels back in time, through the rift, to Cardiff, where he hopes the Doctor will one day return, in order to re-fuel the TARDIS (much like he did in Boom Town). It's here that Jack becomes head of the re-formed Torchwood, and as we know folks, that's where all the fun begins...

JULIE GARDNER
According to Gardner (Torchwood's executive producer) the show will be filmed in Cardiff, but set throughout Britain's cities. So yay! Here's hoping they visit Manchester (where I live!)

CONCEPT DRAWINGS
The designs for The Hub, and various other Torchwood locations were featured quite heavily throughout this broadcast. We also saw some builders actually assembling the set! As soon as any screen caps are released onto the net, you can be sure we'll post them here! And boy, will they be worth the wait!!!

UPDATE! Thanks to www.eyeofhorus.org.uk the concept drawing for the "Autopsy Area" is now here! It can be seen below:

http://www.eyeofhorus.org.uk/images/photo/10tennant/dr-who-night-dwc/torchwood-drawing1.jpg

Anyway, I better get typing away at that Richard Stokes (long overdue!) interview. Until tomorrow...

Boyz 'n the Torch-hood

Let's just say we got off on the wrong foot with Mickey Smith in the first episode last year. He has since gone on to prove himself as a worthy WHO companion, admitedly he does need to just dump that tramp Rose and move on though. Plus yesterday we learned that the actor behind him, Noel Clarke, will be doing more than just reading other people's lines.

We already knew Noel could act. He started his career by winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer. But can he write? Well he has already written one produced screenplay. That's one more than naysayers like you and me have. His film Kidulthood doesn't have the catchiest title, but he could have done worse, he could have called it Flotsam and Jetsam for example. He is also a good doodler, he put this bit of his dalek artwork up for auction with proceeds going to charity.

Source:http://www.viewlondon.co.uk

Kidulthood is a semi-autobiographical film for Noel set in Notting Hill where he himself grew up. There is no sign of Julia Roberts in this controversial film however, it tells the gritty story of a group of delinquent teens. It has had mostly good reviews (BBC, Channel 4, MusicOMH) and hopefully Noel will again draw from some of his own experiences to color his assigned Torchwood episode. Mickey and Jack made a good 'odd couple' in Boomtown last year, so Clarke could insert a nice cameo for his own character in the spinoff.

He is not the first WHO companion to pick up a pen, Ian Marter, who played Harry Sullivan, wrote several story novelizations and worked on the WHO Scratchman movie before his untimely death. Maybe it will be a new tradition among actors on the show. I'm now looking forward to the Billie Piper penned episode titled Honey to the Bee.

PS - Mickey Smith's WhoisDoctorWho website has just been updated with video of Noel and a new interactive game.

News From The Hub

At long, long last I've bought my copy of Doctor Who Magazine, and I think it's about time I shared some of its secrets with you guys. And guess what? We've beaten ever major Doctor Who/Torchwood site to the news of Torchwood writers. A first! We're top of the pile, with the big dogs now...just where we should be! Anyhoo, lets begin, we've a lot of information to get through...

THE WRITERS

NOEL CLARKE AS "MICKEY SMITH"

The big news here is that Noel Clarke, the actor behind the role of Mickey Smith, is writing an episode for the series. Russell T Davies (lets just call him RTD for my aching hands sake!) says of Noel's involement: "Noel's just hit the headlines with his controversial script for the successful UK movie Kidulthood, but we've actually been talking about this for quite some time. The man is bursting with ideas! We have to add half an hour on to script sessions, just to hear him talk. I've also picked up quite a few tips on how to talk to the laydeez, though when I'm gonna use them, I don't know! Noel's a big sci-fi fan, and I think he's going to find some radical ideas to take Torchwood in completely new directions."

There's an interesting development too. Helen Raynor, script editor on both series of Doctor Who, will be penning one episode, although Russell confirms that this wasn't planned! He says "This was a bit of a scary prospect - first of all, it was an over-commission, which means an extra script...but Helen's script was so good - no, in fact it was brilliant - it's one of the best first scripts I've ever read, so it's gone straight into the shooting shedule." Over-commission? Does this mean what I think it does? 14 scripts?!? Unless one episode is dropped, could we have a 14 part series on our hands?

Other confirmed writers include PJ Hammond, Chris Chibnall (who's writing episode two, and at least three other episodes as well) and newcomer Si Spencer (Whose previous work includes work such as Life During Wartime, apparently).

DIRECTORS

The first 'block' of episodes (one of which is episode one) will begin filming in May, under the helm of director Brian Kelly.

EPISODE TITLES

The first episode has the title of "Flotsam and Jetsam". Interestingly RTD notes the series as "Series One". Are more series planned for the show? This is the first indication that it won't be a one-series-wonder!

RUSSELL . T . DAVIES AND CHRIS CHIBNALL

RTD has confirmed that he'll only be writing two scripts for series one (episode one and, maybe, the finale episode 13). Chris Chibnall has now joined Russell in the show's editorial team, overseeing scripts and in RTD's own words has "been helping me plan and shape the entire season". So that'll be Torchwood, "created by Russell .T. Davies and Chris Chibnall" then.

RICHARD STOKES INTERVIEW

Here's some nuggets of information the new producer told the magazine:
+ "We keep talking about a noir style"
+ "Russell and Chris have filled their scripts with great humour"
+ "The show will touch on universal truths in the human condition"
+ "(Jack) is the heroic lead. He requires some subtle changes."

I'll post more specific comments on this interview later in the week.

THE HUB

Buy this month's Doctor Who Magazine just for this fantastic column, written by none other than RTD. Here he tells how the BBC are planning for Doctor Who and Torchwood's futures so much that for Doctor Who Series Three and Torchwood Series One production will move to a "Hollywoodesque" film set 20 miles from the current studios. Here, Doctor Who and Torchwood will film back-to-back. Russell has nick-named the new studio "Camelot". So Camelot it is then! Anyway, the interseting news is that Torchwood's main interior has been named "The Hub". The set has already been designed, and when the column was written at the start of March, construction had started on it. So it should be ready any day now! The Hub is directly next to the TARDIS interior, so a scene in the TARDIS could be filmed one minute, with scenes for Torchwood's Hub immediately after!

DOCTOR WHO AIRDATE (UK VIEWERS)

Sorry to advertise the show's broadcast details here, but RTD has given all fans one simple mission this month: to promote the show's debut whenever possible. So, who am I to argue with the bossman!

Saturday April 15th, BBC One, 7PM

EPISODE GUIDE

Here's the details that are currently confirmed:

Episode 1: "Flotsam and Jetsam" Written by Russell.T.Davies
Episode 2: Untitled Written by Chris Chibnall

OTHER STUFF

Further updates will follow later. Kurly's probably typing away at his Noel Clarke bio as we speak. I'll update you on the Richard Stokes interview very soon, I just want to respect DWM and wait a few days before posting (too heavily) from their work. They've done a fantastic job this month (and every month infact) and I want to say a big thank you to all the guys and gals who made this month's issue possible.

PS

Well done Kurly on the site's new look! Absolutely fantastic. You've outdone yourself yet again!

So, It's April Then?!?

Some quick rumblings from Cardiff have just hit my inbox, rumblings that seem to match common whisperings about Torchwood filming. My source at BBC Wales today e-mailed me with the following message regarding the start date for the new season of Doctor Who. I think you'll like what he says:

"The BBC chiefs here in Cardiff are putting some final touches to their grand Doctor Who advertising campaign (and I can tell you now, if you think Eccleston was good in last year's trailers, you ain't seen nothing yet!) and I was lucky (i.e sneaky) enough to see a preliminary schedule for the production team in April. The series is set for an April 15th launch, although the document makes clear that this date can change at any point between now and March 25th. Russell, David, Billie and Noel are all making press interviews leading up to this date, and therefore Russell meets with John, Eve, et al to begin production on Torchwood April 23rd (although I don't know if this is filming or cast read throughs). That's if all goes to plan. Anyways, I'm writing on my laptop on the way home now, and I'm quite excited! As always, you didn't here this from me."

So, yay! I guess. If all is true, Torchwood begins 'filming' April 23rd (?). This makes sense as Barrowman's stint on This Morning will then be a distant memory, and having rested for a week he'll be ready for his months of filming. Yay! I'll update you guys if anything changes.

Stokes of the soaps

Unlike most of the rest of the crew, newly named Torchwood producer Richard Stokes has not already been part of the Doctor Who team. He has come over to RTDHQ from producing the BBC1 hospital drama Holby City.

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk

The show is already well-connected, James Hawes directed an episode of Holby City, and even our old friend Rachel Stevens was engaged to one of the stars of the show. Well you know me, I could go on for days about the soap, but I will defer to the experts and have you check out our sister site Holby.TV if you desire to learn more about the goings on at everybody's favorite hospital.

The BBC has an online profile of Stokes featuring an interview he did sometime before he signed on with Torchwood. He praised RTD's writing and said the production he most wished he had the opportunity to work on was the original Star Trek. Sounds like we have been able to rescue Richard from the world of tissuebox-tv just in time. Prior to Holby City, he came up the ranks at the BBC working on Eastenders. No worries Richard, we won't hold it against you, everybody has to earn their stripes somewhere.

He's no angel

The Torchwood stable of writers has accepted one more member. Toby Whithouse has picked up a pen and joined RTD, PJ Hammond, Chris Chibnall and (likely) Steven Moffat.

Whithouse was already given the important task of writing episode 3 School Reunion for the forthcoming season of Doctor Who. It is a highly-anticipated story that will feature the return of two companions from the classic series.

Source:http://www.channel4.com

Toby is probably best regarded for creating the show No Angels, a Channel 4 drama about young nurses in love. He has been much in demand lately, an episode he wrote of the drama Hotel Babylon aired a few weeks ago on BBC1. His play Blue Eyes and Heels starring Martin Freeman ran at London's Soho Theatre last Autumn. Unfortunately the stage show which featured a heavy dose of satire attacking TV had less than stellar reviews.

Whithouse has appeared in front of the camera as well. His IMDB actor entry reads almost like Ricky Gervais' CV from Extras, including characters named: Man in restaurant, Sound Technician, and Student. To help his stalled acting career he could always write a juicy part for himself in Torchwood, perhaps as an unnamed Institute agent who is exterminated in the first five minutes of the episode.

PS - John Barrowman will once again be on the ITV chat show Loose Women this Friday the 3rd. If his appearances last Fall on the program are anything to go from, JB should be good for an innuendo or ten.