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)

What The Dickens?

The fabulous Freema Agyeman was a guest on The Paul O'Grady Show last Thursday, March 26th. After the obligatory promotion of her new show Law & Order: UK, the topic changed to what the audience really wanted to hear about: "Everybody loves Doctor Who!".

Miss Martha Jones herself recounted the tale of her strange audition process for the show, which involved the producers having her read for the part of Gwen on Torchwood!

Until the clip goes up on the official O'Grady website, YouTube has it here.

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Speaking of Freema, you can catch both her and Eve Myles in the excellent BBC adaptation of Dickens' classic novel "Little Dorrit". Both actors wear the latest in Victorian-era dresses while navigating this tale of society, scandal, and, um, debtor's prison? The mini-series aired in the U.K. a few months ago, but American viewers can watch it on PBS, and stream it online, through this April.

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And while we're on the subject of Dickens, the current West End revival of Oliver!, featuring Burn Gorman as the dastardly villain Bill Sikes, released its official cast album on March 15th.

Burn appears in several of the songs, most notably "It's A Fine Life", as well as his deliciously creepy solo "My Name".

Give it a listen here at Amazon.co.uk, and let us know what you think about Dr. Owen Harper's surprising career change.