"Shake the Dirt Off My Shoes..."

My Blu-Ray DVD 'boxset' of Children of Earth has arrived through the post, and this afternoon I sat down to watch the concluding episode of the serial - hours ahead of its official BBC One debut. Normally I'd probably just wait it out, and watch as it goes live - but alas, I'm at work from 7pm onwards so that's never been an option.

HAHA, PROOF! THAT UGLY BLIGHTER IS ME, DON'T YA KNOW?

Here's a quick preview of what to expect. It's pretty light on SPOILERS, but if you want to go into the episode not wanting to know anything at all, I suggest you look away now.

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1: PC Andy Davidson takes off some clothes...
2: Not only is Captain Jack immortal - a certain well known accessory of his is, too...
3: It's all to do with getting high...
4: Abortion becomes an option...
5: "The Government has sold us out..."
6: Jack's Ret-Con is namechecked (and also, kinda blamed).
7: "They've got kids. Ianto's niece and nephew... Save them"
8: Mr. Frobisher makes an important decision. It's the only option left...
9: Rhys threatens to hit one of the other men in Gwen's life...
10: One cast member's name doesn't feature in the episode's credits - for the very first time since the series started back in 2006.

As for the episode's ending... well, put it this way I'm not too sure what form a fourth series of the show would take. I'm taking the ending as more of a cliffhanger than a definite ending, however. A little bit like how series one ended the story very specifically, but left enough room for series two, and beyond.

More on the episode after it goes out tonight.

Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Five airs 9pm, BBC One.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Heartbreak of Jack & Ianto

One of the things I've found most satisfying with the whole Children of Earth storyline is how well it's served the Jack and Ianto relationship. Honestly, the tail end of series one their relationship was utterly laughable - but how far we've come since then. Between series two, the recent audio dramas and this run of adventures, I'm at last feeling their love. It's real, and at times it's so convincingly heartbreaking.

Yes, I've seen Day Four at last - but I won't say anything further on the matter, not wanting to spoil anything for readers outside of the UK or Australia. Let's just say, it's another chapter in the "Janto" relationship, and quite an important one...

If you haven't seen the episode yet, avoid the comments section below.

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Children of Earth - Day Four was watched by 6.2 million viewers; that's the highest figure yet! Normally shows that run across five nights see a drop-off throughout the week. Well, Torchwood is the exception! 27% of the available viewing audience were watching at the time, and it was the 2nd most watched programme of the day.

Our friends at the Doctor Who News Page report that 82,000 watched on BBC HD, and a further 232,000 watched the BBC Three repeat. A great success!

Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Five is the final part of the serial, and airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One. It follows 15 hours later on Australian television's UKTV Channel.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Wait... You Haven't Seen It Yet?

Day Four, that is. And the only reason why I haven't been able to watch it thus far is because of pesky work getting in the way. It means, however, that I have to stay off all the usual internet forums I read until I do, and I can't even open the comments box for the previous blog entry on this site, scared that it will reveal that Ianto is really one of the Chuckle Brothers, or another such mammoth twist to end all twists.

Wanna know the worst part? I've actually got the Blu-Ray sat right infront of me now, and if I wanted to I could sit and watch both parts and over indulge. But, get this, I'm too tired - so it'll have to save until I'm alive and/or alert enough to watch it tomorrow afternoon. Geez.

Anyhoo, I hope everybody reading at least had fun watching it. Apparently it had a stonking good cliffhanger, that I refuse to know anything about... *fingers in my ears*

I'm not alone of course, because as I write this the episode has yet to hit Australia, for instance. They have another few hours to wait. Still, that's not as bad as the Americans who still have weeks to go until CoE hits their screens (television, that is - I'm sure it's hit a good few computer screens already...). Even Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly hasn't seen what's in store for episode 4 (or 5 for that matter).

So, after reading all this, I'll sum things up in quite a helpful conclusion for you. I haven't seen the episode in question, but you probably have - and for that, I've had my revenge. You see I've made you sit here and read this blog post of mine, when there's no real point to it whatsoever, other than me confirming that I haven't seen an hour of television.

Guess I get the last laugh after all!

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

"The Best 5 Hour Movie EVER!!"

At least that's how one of our readers is describing Torchwood: Children of Earth so far. I guess they're not alone in that opinion, as the ratings for Day Three indicate that the figures have gone back up to the level they were at on Monday, with 5.9 million people watching. That's 300,000 up from the night before, making the programme the 3rd most watched of the night (after the soaps) with an audience share of 27.1% and an amazing audience appreciation of 90/100 - to put that in its place, anything over 85 is considered exceptional.

The BBC HD figures, BBC Three repeats and iPlayer views also remain very strong.

It's astonishing just how well received this mini series has been thus far. People at my work who used to scoff at the mention of Torchwood before have been coming up to me and saying how brilliant they're finding this adventure, and asking when the next series starts. My family are addicted, too. Oh, and for people on the bus or on the street it's watercooler television, as everybody I hear is talking about it.

Torchwood has become must watch television, great stuff.

Honestly, the BBC would be fools not to recommission the drama now, wouldn't they?

Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Four airs tonight on BBC One from 9pm, and is also showing across in Australia mere hours later, at 8:15pm on UKTV.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

They've Come For Your Children!!

Another explosive episode tonight, huh? I must admit that I'm finding the 456 creature utterly, utterly creepy. It's one of those things that I think they should keep hidden from us as viewers, much like the Alien in the Alien series. As soon as we're granted a full look at the thing, it loses all sense of mystery and horror - because nothing 'real' can live up to what our imaginations might conjure up regarding the thing.

On another note, am I the only one who's noticed how little airtime Captain Jack/John Barrowman has had during the last couple of episodes? They've very much been lite on the character - maybe because Barrowman is off here, there and everywhere filling in as presenter on gameshows, or panel shows, or whatever. I miss him, in a strange way.

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You can read the blog of Day Three's co-writer James Moran here, and there's also an interview with him over at Den of Geek! for your enjoyment, here.

Let us know what you thought of tonight's episode in the comments section below. If you missed it, it's available via BBC iPlayer (UK only, alas) for the next 7 days.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Britain is Taken!!

The second episode of the five part Children of Earth serial grabbed an average of 5.6 million viewers last night - just 300,000 short of the night before. That's not an all that significant drop in viewers, so I'd say the prospects for a fourth series just got that little bit better...

(That 5.6 million translates to 24% of the available viewing audience... oh, and the show was - for the very first time ever! - the most watched programme of the day. It beat the likes of the soaps, and the Michael Jackson memorial over on BBC 2.)

As for some reactions...

Ed Martin is loving how the series has become 'event' television.

Charlie Jane Anders has some horribly nice things to say about the show.

It's 3 stars out of a possible 5 from DigitalSpy.

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Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Three airs tonight on BBC One, at 9pm. In Australia that same episode airs a mere 15 hours later, at 8:15pm on UKTV.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

John Barrowman's Bum!

Ever since the BBC forced the Doctor Who production team to cut a scene in the 2005 episode "Bad Wolf" which would have featured the sight of Mr John Barrowman's bum, we've been promised that one day Captain Jack Harkness would find another reason to take his clothes off and show us his peach. Well, fanboys and fangirls (who probably spend too much time wishing this sort of thing into existence) tonight your wishes came true!

That episode really kicked things up a gear or two, huh? Personally I'm loving Lois Habiba, played by the very lovely Cush Jumbo (fantastic name, too!!). If she doesn't find her way into the show's regular cast next series, there's no justice in the world. She's beautiful, clever and has ten times more charisma than Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones ever did. I was watching her tonight, and thought to myself - "hang on, she has more character depth in two episodes than Toshiko Sato did after two whole series!" Another sign of the show's growing confidence and maturity.

Anyhoo, enough from me - what did you guys and gals at home think? Did you too love Cush, or was it John's tush that really had you going? Or Ianto's "Here He Comes in a Great Ruddy Tractor?" (Ben Foster fans will know straight away what I'm referring to there..!) Let us know in the comments section below, why don't you?!

Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Two is available over the next 7 days via iPlayer.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Reactions - Day One

Children of Earth's opening episode managed a rating of 5.94 million viewers (on average) between 9pm and 10pm last night. Not only does this make Torchwood the 5th most watched programme on British television for Monday July 6th, but it's the show's highest ever rating! And if you're wondering, that equates to 25.58% of the available audience watching!!

We were beaten only by the three main soaps - the pesky Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Eastenders.

It's likely that tonight's installment will see a drop of in figures (as is usual between first and second episodes of any show) and the figure should probably settle at around the 4.5-5 million mark.

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Elsewhere, reviews are coming in from a number of places. BEWARE, if you haven't seen the episode in question yet the links contain nasty SPOILERS:

Sam Wallaston at the Guardian gives his (mixed) review.

Brian Viner from the Independent offers another analysis.

Keith Watson of Metro is in a playful mood (SPOILERS for episode 2).

Meanwhile Charlie Brooker's You Have Been Watching wants your Torchwood reviews, because next week's episode is dedicated entirely to the show! You can tweet them to Brooker direct through this Twitter page!

Oh, and here's one we missed first time around - it's an interview Eve Myles conducted with Under the Radar magazine. Thanks to Mark Redfern for alerting us to it.

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Don't forget, Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day Two airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One, or for readers Down Under, that's 8:15pm on UKTV.

Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Bang Bang Boom!

Now, that was explosive...

So, Torchwood has blasted back onto our screens at last. Hooray, it's been worth the wait! One of the things I noticed about this opening episode is just how mature it feels. Every season the show grows up that little bit more, and it's working in its favour. Back in 2006 we had brash episodes about sex-addicted aliens, and now instead we have quieter moments with the team and a general intelligence injected into the scripts.

In other words, based off what I've seen so far, I approve of Children of Earth!

What did you make of the episode? Reactions in the comments section below!

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Catch a trailer for Day Two at the BBCi site (plus an interview with Eve Myles).

Meanwhile, a couple of interviews with the show's cast that ran earlier today:

Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd on BBC Breakfast.

John Barrowman on his favourite chat show, Loose Women.

As ever, if you're new to the site, welcome! Hope you feel at home here, and within the Torchwood community as a whole.

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Why don't you follow this blog for all the latest, up-to-date Torchwood news?

Tonight's the Night

(See what I did there? I thought it was clever and highly amusing, anyways...)

Tonight sees the first new venture onto television for the Torchwood team since... would you believe it, April 2008. Children of Earth runs all week long, becoming true 'event' television in the process. But let's face it, for us Woodies it was always going to be an event, wasn't it? After all, we've had over a 15 month wait - not to mention a Doctor Who crossover that's wet our appetites, and four rather accomplished radio plays that have helped bide time.

If you're new to the Torchwood experience, having seen trailers and such over the last couple of weeks and thought you'd investogate further, then welcome! Firstly, to the world of Torchwood - which spins out of Doctor Who, or more specifically Russell T Davies' take on the science-fiction juggernaut. The show is centred around Cardiff's Torchwood team, who investigate strange goings on around the town that are often related to the presense of extra terrestrial beings.

Tonight is the start of the show's third season; although rest assured that you need no more of an introduction than what you'll get during tonight's opening installment.

(And if you do like what you see tonight and during the rest of the week, you should know that the DVD and Blu-Ray boxsets of series one and two are also available now...)

Secondly, welcome to TORCHWOOD.tv! We're a site dedicated to all things Torchwood (but you've probably guessed that, right?) and have been reporting all the latest news, as well as commentary and other such ramblings, ever since the show's commission was first announced back in 2005. On a personal level, I hope you enjoy what you see here and decide to join us on our Torchwood odyssey on a regular basis.

Torchwood: Children of Earth - Day One kicks off at 9pm tonight on BBC One here in the UK, and runs on UKTV in Australia a few hours later, from 8:15pm local time.

Radio Play Wrap-Up

Well folks, in just a few more hours those lucky people in the UK will be watching the opening credits of Torchwood: Children of Earth's first episode.

But until that time, why not have a discussion of the three most recent radio plays? I have a feeling that any and all coverage from herein on will focus on CoE, but before that let's give the audio dramas a bit of love, hmmm?

So leave a comment or two (or twelve) in this post.

What did you love (or not) about the shows? How did they stack up against Lost Souls waaay back in September? Do you think that CoE will address some of the new canon (especially in regards to Asylum?) Which, if any, do you wish had been made into an actual episode?

And a spoiler-lite refresher:
Asylum: In which it is revealed that Captain Jack's Torchwood eventually becomes firefighters.
Golden Age: Colonialism is most efficient when run with people-power.

The Dead Line: Don't blink answer the phone! Blink Answer the phone, and you're dead.

Thin Dead Line

Right, that's two down - one to go! By now you've no doubt listened to the two brand spanking new Torchwood radio adventures, that have been airing on BBC's Radio 4 station (Wednesday's "Asylum" and yesterday's "Golden Age"). Well, today's there's one final story to round off the series - "The Dead Line" and from the sounds of things, it's a corker!

Don't forget, ahead of Children of Earth next week various media outlets are running stories regarding the series. SFX Magazine, for example, have published a lengthy interview with the show's creator, Russell T Davies (who, as ever, positively shines during it). Digitalpy have also been previewing the series, and here's just one example of their coverage.

The DVD and Blu-Ray release of CoE has been pushed forward a couple of weeks, to July 13th - meaning that there's an ever so slight chance some fans who have pre-ordered the release will get the boxset ahead of transmission for Friday's finale (depending on when the discs are shipped - there may well be an embargo for even shipping releases until, say, Thursday afternoon).

The Blu-Ray release of series 2 has also hit UK stores, and those across Europe.

More developments surrounding CoE over the weekend, and across next week.

(You can read a 'making of' for the three audio adventures here - thanks to reader J. M. Ferretti)

Takin' Over the Asylum

Right now, at the very second I'm writing this, the first of three new Torchwood radio adventures is about to go out to listeners in the UK. It's called "Asylum" and it's by award winning playwright Anita Sullivan, and stars John, Eve and Gareth - reuniting them with Tom Price as the returning PC Andy Davidson.

The official synopsis:

When PC Andy arrests a teenager for shoplifting, he thinks it is going to be a routine case. Then he sees the weapon she is carrying and decides to call in the Torchwood team. Under questioning from Gwen, the girl remembers her name but little else, and when she speaks it is in a strange mix of English and Scandinavian, but with a Cardiff accent. Then the girl's blood tests come through and the team is faced with a dilemma.

I'm hearing a little time travel is involved...

You can download the episode over the next 7 days on BBC's iPlayer service, and after that it'll be available through iTunes and on CD release sometime over the next few months.

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Don't forget that the latest issue of Torchwood: The Official Magazine is out now - with previews of Children of Earth, as well as interviews with the cast and crew, and various pieces of original fiction. You can pick it up from all good newsagents, priced £4.99.

They Punish the Earth Defenders

John Barrowman is interviewed inside the latest edition of the Radio Times, which is out today. He talks about his disappointment at having Torchwood's third series cut down from thirteen to just five episodes: "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it," he says, "but... we were the most successful show on BBC 3, ever. We moved to BBC 2 because the ratings were so good; the ratings were great again and we were beating shows that had been on BBC 2 for a long time. The decision was made to go to BBC 1 - and then we were cut."


He goes on, "The five episodes, the miniseries as I call it, are incredible - I have no doubt about that - but personally, I felt like we were being punished. Other shows move from BBC 3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut. So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."

It's a good point. Have the BBC an agenda against the series? What form will series 4 take (if commissioned...)? And just how will Russell T Davies move to America - as he confirmed to Mark Lawson during an interview with Front Row last night - have upon the series' future?

Torchwood: America anybody...?

The Radio Times also has a complete production rundown, that begins January 2008 with the initial scripts being planned, to the completion of post-production earlier this month.

Buy the listings magazine for £1.10. Most of the week's other television and radio periodicals contain information about the show, with interviews with various members of the cast and crew.

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In day two of its Torchwood: CoE preview, DigitalSpy talks with Kai Owen.

T Minus 7 Days!

It's only a week to go now until Torchwood: Children of Earth debuts on British television - and the good news for Australian fans is that the episodes show Down Under the exact same day (8:30pm on UKTV, don't you know). In the build up to launch, the BBC have released another trailer for the serial, that has been running inbetween a hell of a lot of post-watershed programming.

Tomorrow's edition of the Radio Times is expected to have a Torchwood themed cover, and will have interviews with the cast and crew. Check back here tomorrow for a full report on what you'll find inside it.

After that, Wednesday/Thursday/Friday see (well, not technically...) the three brand spanking new Torchwood audio adventures air on Radio 4. They are:

Asylum (Weds @ 2:15pm)
Written by Anita Sullivan, directed by Kate McAll.

When PC Andy arrests a teenager for shoplifting, he thinks it is going to be a routine case. Then he sees the weapon she is carrying and decides to call in the Torchwood team. Under questioning from Gwen, the girl remembers her name but little else, and when she speaks it is in a strange mix of English and Scandinavian, but with a Cardiff accent. Then the girl's blood tests come through and the team is faced with a dilemma.

Jack ...... John Barrowman
Gwen ...... Eve Myles
Ianto ...... Gareth David-Lloyd
PC Andy ...... Tom Price
Freda ...... Erin Richards
Security Guard ...... Matthew Gravelle
Policewoman ...... Sara McGaughey
Dog Walker ...... Dick Bradnum
Girl ...... Isabel Lewis

Golden Age (Thursday @ 2:15pm)
Written by James Goss, directed by Kate McAll.

The Torchwood team are led to Delhi on the trail of a dangerous energy field. As the field grows, they witness the simultaneous disappearance of hundreds of people. Jack discovers that the field centres on an old colonial mansion, Torchwood India. Shocked to find that Torchwood India is still going strong after he shut it down himself over 80 years ago, he is even more surprised to find that its members, including his old flame the Duchess, haven't aged a day.

Jack ...... John Barrowman
Gwen ...... Eve Myles
Ianto ...... Gareth David-Lloyd
The Duchess ...... Jasmine Hyde
Mr Daz ...... Amerjit Dew
Mahajan ...... Ravin J Ganatra
Gissing ...... Richard Mitchley

The Dead Line (Friday @ 2:15pm)
Written by Phil Ford, directed by Kate McAll.

When a Cardiff hospital is inundated with patients who have fallen into coma -like trances, Torchwood move in to investigate. The trances appear to have been triggered by phone calls, all received on retro phones and made from a number that hadn't been active for over 30 years. Determined to find out who has been calling the unfortunate victims, Jack rings the mysterious number, but the line is dead. But then it calls Jack back.

Jack ...... John Barrowman
Gwen ...... Eve Myles
Ianto ...... Gareth David-Lloyd
Rhys ...... Kai Owen
Stella ...... Dona Croll
Jan ...... Eiry Thomas
Bob ...... Matthew Gravelle
Tyler ...... Brendan Charleson

Also, don't forget to check out the new series of Torchwood original fiction novels from BBC Books - which include The House that Jack Built, Bay of the Dead and Into the Silence. Amazon currently has them for around a fiver, or alternatively you can pick them up in Waterstones' current summer 3 For 2 offer. (Thanks to Katie from eBury for this, and apologies it's taken so long for me to report!)

Finally, a sneaky ten hints as to what to expect from next Monday night onwards.

More from us throughout the week!!

RTD talks 'Torchwood' and, um, that other show

Another day, another Who-related interview pops up. But for a change, this one isn't with John Barrowman! (pause for the audience to gasp dramatically!)

In a piece published the other day, American TV critic Alan Sepinwall spoke to our main man Russell T. Davies about both 'Doctor Who' and 'Torchwood: CoE'.

Even though the article was written as a tie-in to the American premiere of a DW special, the article contains a surprising amount of Torchwood talk. RTD speaks about the possibility of a fourth series (and what format it could take), his own use of the word "epic", and whether or not Jack really is The Face of Boe. (Answer: C'mon, it's RTD!)

The full article is found online here.

I'll try to make this a good one...

I hate to have to follow the previous post, which contains pretty much the most exciting news Torchwood fans have heard in a long time. So, regardless of what I post, it will not be as awesome as the recently-confirmed air dates. Sorry.

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First off, Torchwood Magazine #16 was released today in the UK. The issue is available with either regular or 'collectible' covers, the latter of which features a tribute to the Rift War comic strip. The content of both editions is the same inside, though, with exclusive interviews, photos, and spoiler-ific articles in their countdown to CoE. More details on their site here.

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John Barrowman is interviewed in the latest issue of Radio Times, speaking about the three upcoming Torchwood audio dramas. "Tardis And Torchwood Treasures" has excerpts from the article, including another reference to Captain Jack and supermarkets. Ha.

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And just to check up on Torchwood's departed medical team... (Get it? "Check up"? Because they're doctors?! I'll stop now.)

Burn Gorman, who is currently playing the villainous Bill Sikes in the West End hit musical Oliver!, has plenty to sing about: due to record-breaking ticket sales, the production has been extended for another full year, until February 2011.

And good news for Freema Agyeman, who turned down more Who-related gigs for a leading role in Law & Order: UK. Although fans had feared the worst, ITV has just renewed the show for a second full 13-episode series. (And for those of us still waiting with bated breath for the second half of series one, the channel has confirmed that the episodes will air "at a later date". Argh! I need to know now!)

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Aaaaand to bring this post back around to CoE, there have been some very cool new TV promos recently. The newest one from Australia, an extended preview of Gwen's "this is how the world ended" video, is eerily Cloverfield-esque. BBC America has also come up with a minute-long "behind the scenes" effort, featuring short snippets of the cast (including RTD as his usual humble and modest self! :D)

Finalized Airdate: CoE

Torchwood: Children of Earth has been finalized in the schedule. Finally. Beginning on Monday, July 6 and running until Friday, July 10, CoE will air at 9:00PM to 10:00PM on BBC1. The BBC Press Office has changed their original listing.

The US release date is still on July 20, which coincides with the release of BBCHD. It also begins in Canada on the 20th.

Date FINALLY confirmed!

After weeks of waiting and months of speculation, the BBC would seem to have finally issued us with dates on which the third series of Torchwood will air. Kind of.

According to a press office release this morning on their website, the show has been included in the line up for "Week 27 - July 4th to July 10th". However, all five episodes are still listed as "Unplaced", in terms of exact days or times. Given the fact it will run for 5 straight nights and that it's been understood that it would be broadcast on weeknights, it's a fair guess to presume that this means the show will run Monday 6th to Friday 10th July.

(A bittersweet announcement/prediction for me personally, as I will be leaving for Spain on Friday morning, thus missing the last episode. DAMN YOU BBC!)

The site, as well as giving us some previsional dates, also gives a brief description of all five episodes, (including some minor spoilers if you read down into the fifth episode). This can all be read here!

BBC America is Bringing it ALL to Comic Con International

According to News-a-Rama, BBC America is set to bring the biggest names in Doctor Who and Torchwood to San Diego's Comic Con International, July 23-26. With their latest acquisition of first run rights to Doctor Who as well as the release of Torchwood: Children of Earth, BBCA is bringing show creator/recreator Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner, and director Euros Lyn for both Torchwood and Doctor Who's panels.

For Torchwood's panel, they have the irreplaciable John Barrowman and for the Doctor Who panel they have David Tennant, fresh out of filming his final scenes as the Doctor.

The Doctor Who panel is on Sunday at 10AM in Ballroom 20. The Torchwood panel (which is partnered with a small bit of Being Human) is also Sunday at 2:15PM in Room 6BCF.

There will also be a back-to-back showing of Doctor Who's "Planet of the Dead" and the final episode of Torchwood: Children of Earth on Saturday at 7:30-10PM.

BBCA will also feature a part of the Doctor Who set at their booth in the exhibit hall.

Read the original article for more information. Please also keep in mind that Comic Con's schedule can be subject to change, especially since this is pre-released information.