Whilst We Were Sleeping...

Just for fun, here's a rundown of the news this site missed between our last regular updates, and its 2015 revival.

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MAY 2010

Indira Varma stars alongside Idris Elba in BBC's global hit, Luther.

JUNE 2010

Naoko Mori stars opposite Christopher Eccleston in BBC Four's Lennon Naked. She plays Yoko Ono, to Eccleston's Lennon.

NOVEMBER 2010

Gareth David-Lloyd marries his girlfriend Gemma James.

DECEMBER 2010

Torchwood: The Official Magazine is cancelled. This is rumoured to be due to complications with the Torchwood license, following Miracle Day.

JANUARY 2011

Eve Myles headlines BBC Wales' Baker Boys.

FEBRUARY 2011

Former showrunner Chris Chibnall launches Camelot on the Starz network.

JUNE 2011

Russell T Davies is interviewed by the Guardian, about Torchwood: Miracle Day.

JULY 2011

Starz CEO Chris Albrecht states his channel is willing to wait until Russell T Davies is ready to deliver Torchwood season 5.

Meanwhile an original Torchwood novel, First Born (by James Goss) is released.

Chris Chibnall's Camelot series is cancelled by Starz, after a single season.

Captain Jack was suppose to feature in Doctor Who's 'A Good Man Goes to War'.

AUGUST 2011

Another Torchwood novel is released - Long Time Dead, by Sarah Pinborough.

SEPTEMBER 2011

The final episode of Torchwood airs on Starz, 9th September 2011.

Guy Adams' The Men Who Sold The World original novel is released.

Jane Espenson's web series Husbands premieres.

OCTOBER 2011

Johnny English Reborn releases in cinemas. It features Burn Gorman in a minor role.

NOVEMBER 2011

Miracle Day is released on DVD/Blu Ray.

DECEMBER 2011

Russell T Davies announces he's returning to the UK, to care for his boyfriend Andrew Smith.

FEBRUARY 2012

John Barrowman and Carole E Barrowman release the first in their Young Adult/Fantasy series, Hollow Earth.

MAY 2012

Gareth David-Lloyd's second album with rock band Blue Gillespie (Seven Rages of Man) is released.

JUNE 2012

4th June - Gareth David-Lloyd's daughter (Lily Christina Lloyd) is born.

A day earlier, John was helping BBC One present the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Even better, he's crowned Rear of the Year.

JULY 2012

Burn Gorman features in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, released this month.

John Barrowman presents a Channel 5 documentary about TNT's Dallas revival.

AUGUST 2012

Lauren Ambrose gives birth to her second child.

'Sleeper' writer James Moran releases his film Cockneys VS Zombies. A month later Tower Block, another film scripted by him, is released in cinemas. Both play that year's Frightfest.

SEPTEMBER 2012

John Barrowman and his sister Carole collaborate on Exodus Code - an original Torchwood novel, set post-Miracle day. It's released this month in book form, and as an unabridged audio reading (read by Daniel Pirrie)

Gareth David-Lloyd joins the cast of BBC One's Holby City. He reoccurs in the series on a semi regular basis, before departing in January 2013.

Chris Chibnall contributes two further episodes to Doctor Who ('Dinosaurs on a Spaceship' and 'The Power of Three')

OCTOBER 2012

John Barrowman makes his first appearance on the CW's Arrow series. He's soon promoted to a series regular role - and is still a part of the show's ensemble to this day.

DECEMBER 2012

John Barrowman features in a minor role within Zero Dark Thirty (which went on to be nominated  for the Best Picture Oscar)

FEBRUARY 2013

John and Carole E Barrowman release Bone Quill - the second in their Young Adult/Fantasy series.

Chris Chibnall has his say about Torchwood: Miracle Day.

'Reset' guest star (and Doctor Who's Chief Caretaker) Richard Briers dies.

MARCH 2013

Chris Chibnall's ITV series Broadchurch makes its debut. It stars a number of Doctor Who alum, but most notably David Tennant, and is frequently directed by Torchwood's James Strong.

MAY 2013

Eve Myles marries her boyfriend Bradley Freeguard.

She lands another lead role - in BBC's Frankie.

JUNE 2013

Naoko Mori is part of the cast taking Avenue Q to South Korea.

JULY 2013

John Barrowman marries boyfriend Scott Gill.

Burn Gorman stars in Pacific Rim (Currently in post-production, he's also a part of director Guillermo Del Toro's supernatural horror Crimson Peak, playing 'Holly').

Indira Varma joins HBO's Game of Thrones.

AUGUST 2013

Children of Earth's Peter Capaldi is announced as the Twelfth Doctor!

SEPTEMBER 2013

Miracle Day debuts on BBC America.

NOVEMBER 2013

John Barrowman appears during Doctor Who's 50th anniversary celebrations, as himself in Peter Davison's short film The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.

Peter Capaldi makes his debut appearance as the Doctor in Day of the Doctor (which also includes a reference to Captain Jack).

FEBRUARY 2014

11th February, Eve Myles' second child, a daughter called Siena, is born.

MARCH 2014

Mekhi Phifer stars as Max in Summit Entertainment's hit movie Divergent.

APRIL 2014

Starfury: Miracle Day convention is held, with Eve, Kai, Naoko and Gareth present.

MAY 2014

It's announced that Lauren Ambrose has joined the cast of USA Network's Dig series. It eventually launches March 2015.

Miracle Day co-star Mekhi Phifer, meanwhile, files for bankruptcy.

JUNE 2014

John Barrowman releases his latest album, You Raise Me Up. You can download it now, or listen to it on Spotify.

He's also made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

JULY 2014

The third book in John and Carole E Barrowman's Hollow Earth series, titled The Book of Beasts, is released.

John plays a pivotal role in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, taking place in Scotland.

Big Finish announce plans to adapt the New Adventures novel Damaged Goods (originally published in the 1990s by Virgin). It eventually releases in May 2014. Check it out - it's great!

AUGUST 2014

Congratulations to Gareth David-Lloyd who's son, Eli Andrew Lloyd, is born on the 14th of this month.

SEPTEMBER 2014

Captain John Hart features in a blink and you'll miss it cameo, in Doctor Who's Eighth Season episode 'Time Heist'.

OCTOBER 2014

Released in cinemas this month is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It features Burn Gorman, and is probably the most junior film/TV programme ever listed on this site!

An American remake of Chris Chibnall's Broadchurch, entitled Gracepoint, launches.

NOVEMBER 2014

Fox greenlights an Indepedence Day sequel, Resurgence, starring Bill Pullman. It's released June 2016.

DECEMBER 2014

Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings is released in cinemas. It features Indira Varma.

JANUARY 2015

The second series of Chris Chibnall's Broadchurch premieres on ITV. The new series features Eve Myles.

Russell T Davies returns to TV with dual-dramas Cucumber (Channel 4) and Banana (E4). It's reported that his CBBC series Wizards VS Aliens may have been cancelled (this is later confirmed).

Gareth David-Lloyd plus Juror#12 in the 2015 tour of play 12 Angry Men. The run concludes in May.

Netflix confirm that BBC shows (including Doctor Who and Torchwood) will remain on its services.

FEBRUARY 2015

Eve Myles talks about a Torchwood revival.

ITV officially announce a third series of Broadchurch - to air in 2017.

For no particular reason, the Radio Times website lists all the best references to Torchwood in its parent show.

MARCH 2015

Mekhi Phifer returns to cinemas in the second film in the Divergent series - Insurgent.

Gareth David-Lloyd stars in the final 4 episodes of the BBC's school soap Waterloo Road.

APRIL 2015

James Marsters talks about the differences between Buffy and Torchwood.

MAY 2015

Starfury: Mircale Day 2 convention takes place.

BBC America asks: Where are the cast of Torchwood now?

JUNE 2015

It's announced that Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat and Peter Capaldi are to speak at the Radio Time Festival 2015.

Kai Owen joins Channel 4's teen soap Hollyoaks. He's currently leading a controversial storyline. He plays manipulative paedophile Pete Buchanan, in a plot hailed by child abuse charities.

Universal Pictures launches the official trailer for Everest (featuring Naoko Mori).

Eve Myles is raising money for Dewi James, who is in need of a life saving operation.

JULY 2015

WalesOnline reports that Ianto's shrine in Cardiff Bay is still going strong - 6 years on from the events of Children of Earth.

Former BBC Execs Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter launch production company Bad Wolf in Cardiff.

Lauren Ambrose joins the cast of the forthcoming X Files revival.

John Barrowman attends San Diego Comic Con, and sings the Doctor Who theme tune!

James Moran's latest short film, Ghosting, will play at this year's Frightfest in London.

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Phew! All caught up.

Drop a comment below if I've missed anything.

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.

BFI: Russell T. Davies on the Future of Torchwood

News abound from the preview screening at the BFI this evening in London. Reviews have begun sparking up as well as chatter about what's to come. The screening of the first of five episodes of Children of Earth was followed by a Q&A with actors John Barrowman and Eve Myles as well as Russell T. Davies himself.

According to this article among other sources, when asked about the future of Torchwood, Russell T. Davies stated that Series 4 is "ready to go". He also has hopes for further crossover with the parent show, Doctor Who. Davies was still tight lipped about the official air date for the series, saying they have it set, but it is still to early for it to go public.

Official Torchsong Statement

Just as I was about to post a little edit to the last article about Torchsong, I got this in my inbox.

"TO ALL OF JOHN’S LOYAL FANS:

We are, all of us, very upset about John’s severe injuries that prevent him from traveling to be in Chicago to participate in TORCHSONG; however, everyone including John, has put in herculean effort to continue what cannot be cancelled 1-2 days before any event.

At this point before any event, the facility (convention center) has been paid, the hotels/banquet hall (food) has been paid, non-refundable air tickets have been purchased, regional and national television ads have been paid for and run, audio/visual equipment rentals have been delivered, as well as a myriad of other event related expenses have been fully paid. Despite what some may believe, there is no pool of funds from which refunds can be paid. As stated on the web site from Day One: “There are NO REFUNDS after March 30, 2009.”

When the star of a Broadway/West End show gets injured, he is replaced by the understudy. After all, “The Show Must Go On!” All of us at TORCHSONG are doing much better than that for you, John’s loyal fans. John will still be at TORCHSONG CHICAGO via live 2-way video conference, known as SkyChat. He will be a part of the programming a number of times throughout the event, including the Cabaret! Further, within a day of our being notified of John’s injuries, we were able to arrange performances from the other TORCHSONG participants, as well as adding Peter Wingfield to the event and Cabaret.

Attending Premiere and Deluxe Members will get a signed photo of John Barrowman from San Diego Comic Con International 2008 (John’s first U.S. convention appearance), as well as Peter Wingfield’s signature and Photo-Op as part of their Premiere/Deluxe package.

All previously purchased John Barrowman Autograph tickets will be honored with the SDCC signed photos. If anyone has brought a special item to be signed by John or Kai, please speak to us directly.

Everyone attending TORCHSONG CHICAGO will receive Peter Wingfield’s autograph, No Purchase Required.

All unredeemed John Barrowman Autograph and Photo-Op tickets, as well as all unredeemed Memberships will be honored at our next event that John attends. Depending upon John’s recovery and rehabilitation, he will then be able to discuss his schedule.

For John’s fans who are attending TORCHSONG CHICAGO this weekend, rest assured that membership tickets to our next John Barrowman Event will be offered to you at a discount.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Jonathan Harris & MaryLee Holzheimer"

We'll see how everything sorts out.

Torchsong Continued

The people running Torchsong have given this official statement to hopefully clear up some things:

"Space Debris and Chez Lee Productions, promoters of Torchsong Chicago, are as disappointed as our attendees that both John Barrowman and Kai Owen are unable to attend this event. Although he cannot physically be present, John is working with us to make sure that the weekend is still an enjoyable one.

Present plans include:
-Peter Wingfield, of Highlander and Holby City fame, attending as a replacement guest
-John to still participate in interactive Q & As via SkyChat over the weekend

We're still sussing out a few other details but the event is still happening and we hope people will come and have a good time.

Sincerely,

MaryLee Holzheimer, Chez Lee Productions
Jonathan Harris, Space Debris"

No word about potential refunds or future events, but I would guess that is an individual matter between attendees and the convention staff. According to the website, the chance for refunds ended on March 30th, but perhaps some exceptions will be made due to the sudden, disappointing turn of events. Unfortunately, running a convention means putting a fair amount of money and risk onto the table and because of that, even a partial refund could be impossible. Regardless, hopefully everyone who goes to the event will still have a fantastic time. I have my fingers crossed for all of you.

Thanks to Space Debris and Chez Lee Productions for this information.

Marathon Man

At the recent the Hub 2 convention Kai Owen revealed that he will be running this year's London Marathon, and he's looking to YOU for support. His aim is to raise at least £2000 for his chosen charity, CLIC Sargent (the Cancer & Leukemia In Children charity).

As Kai himself explains, "... As you may know I am running the London marathon on the 26th April this year. It's for a wonderful charity called CLIC Sargent, they care for children living with cancer. It's a charity that's very close to my heart, my beautiful cousin Michaela has undergone 9 operations to remove tumours from her brain. She is an absolute superstar and is so brave and inspirational, I love Michaela and with the help of CLIC Sargent Michaela continues to live a wonderful life with her wonderful family. CLIC is an amazing charity and I hope to raise a nice sum of money to help them continue their phenomenal work."

You can donate via this page. The marathon takes place Sunday 26th April.

Best of luck to Kai during this training!

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During his March '09 online Q&A session, Gareth David-Lloyd confirms that he records the latest Torchwood audio book - "The Sin Eaters" by series script editor Brian Minchin - on Monday 31st March. This will be followed at a later date when he joins the rest of the cast for three follow-up dramas to last year's "Lost Souls".

(Incidentally GDL also talks about HBO's incredible tour de force The Wire, which starts tomorrow night - for the benefit of British readers - on BBC Two at 11:20pm. Don't miss it if you haven't already seen the show)

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Spooky! Victorian ghost on Google Earth's UK street map..?

Somebody call in the Torchwood team!!

He of Barrowman fame

Isn't John Barrowman a nice chap, huh? Inviting members of the Great British public onto his latest BBC vehicle Tonight's the Night, and then making their dreams come true - what a guy! And what's this? One lucky viewer will have the chance to audition and maybe star in a special Doctor Who scene as a MONSTER?! Oh John, really, you're spoiling us...

LOOK WHAT ONE FAN WISHED FOR...

So says the BBC: "Offering viewers dream-come-true wish fulfilment, BBC One's Tonight's The Night is running a competition for one viewer to take part in a specially-written Doctor Who scene, working with the Doctor Who production team, and shot on the set of the TARDIS."

And what does the Great and Mighty Barrowman think of it all? "This is a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to see the winner experience performing on the set of Doctor Who."

Well, there you go - get applying now! You have until Saturday 28th.

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In other news, it appears Kai Owen will be joining John at Chicago's Torchsong convention in June!

Please sign my...erm, you know

On Saturday 25th April the Forbidden Planet store on Shaftesbury Avenue in London will be holding a special signing, to commemorate the release of the very first Torchwood graphic novel - "Rift War", released by Titan Publishing, and extracted from the pages of their official Torchwood Magazine.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JOHN RIVERS

Much of the comic's original creative team will be there on the day, as well as other members of the Torchwood Magazine team. These include D'Israeli, Simon Furman, Paul Grist, Ian Edgington and Brian Williamson. No doubt TW Magazine will run a feature on how the day turned out in a future issue.

It's a great chance to meet some of the extended Torchwood creative team, and meet up with other fans during the day, also. If you wanna know more, clicky here.

(Thanks to John Rivers at the Doctor Who Forum for bringing this to my attention.)

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In other news, ahead of the Blu-Ray release of Torchwood's second series UK Woodies can see the entire series in glorious HD by downloading the episodes direct from iTunes, at £2.49 a pop (so around £33 for the entire series, then).

The Con-Man!

Some exciting news for fans of the convention circuit: John Barrowman is set to make an appearence at this year's London Film and Comic Con on July 1st / July 2nd!

The news was announced here folks.

A GALLERY OF JOHN AT LAST YEAR'S CONVENTION CAN BE FOUND HERE

Other guests already confirmed are Richard Dreyfuss, Jorge Garcia, Ejjah Wood and many more too! With John in the mix, this could be your only chance to see that bizzare Torchwood/Jaws/Lost/Lord of the Rings crossover that you've been dreaming of for years. Should you require anymore tempting, visit here for lots more details!

Anyway, here's a quick cut-and-paste of general prices for the convention, including your chance to buy a golden ticket - to ensure the best possible service on the day!

SATURDAY ADMISSION: Early Bird £10 (from 9am) Standard Entry (11am to 6pm) Adults £5, Children £3 (Under 12)

SUNDAY ADMISSION: No Early Bird Standard Entry (10am to 5pm) Adults £5, Children £3 (Under 12)

Also available: LIMITED EXCLUSIVE GOLD PASSAdvantages include: shorter queues at the entrance, reserved talk tickets, easier and quicker access to autograph queues, exclusive goody bag, official photo CD, and dedicated assistanceTHERE ARE ONLY 50 GOLD PATRON PASSES AVAILABLE! Click here for details.

I hope to see you all there folks!