Starz Brings in the Next Chapter of Torchwood

The internet is full of buzz this morning about Starz' acquisition of Torchwood! The US cable network is teaming up with show runner Russel T. Davies and the BBC to produce a 10 episode season to air summer 2011 on both Starz and on BBC One. The new series will star John Barrowman as Captain Jack and Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper along with other new characters.

Beautiful Rumors

According to numerous fan postings around the internet, John Barrowman has said that Torchwood series four is on the way with a full 13 episode season! The actor, who plays Captain Jack, insisted it'll be bigger and better than ever. The good news came out this weekend at Collectormania and was reiterated by Kai Owen's official web group shortly thereafter. Other speculations say that production is slated to begin some time in January. The BBC has not made any official statements on the matter at this time, but in the past they've been the last ones to share the good (or bad) news anyway.

Times are looking good for us Woodies. So I wonder what you readers would love to see in series four. What is top on your Torchwood Christmas wish list?

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.

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.

Ianto spills the (coffee) beans?!

Gareth David-Lloyd was a guest at Vortex, a one-day Who convention held in Belfast this past weekend, and he let slip a few more details about CoE.

One fan's report revealed: "Gareth David-Lloyd was a great presence, he kept a tight lid on the upcoming Torchwood: Children of Earth, but did reveal that we would find out much more about Ianto's past, such as meeting his family, and discovering the reasons he tore apart from them." You can see the rest of her write-up, including photos, here at her blog.

But that's not all he said! As many fans have also reported, Gareth told the gathered crowd that CoE would air in the second week in June.

In addition, UK channel Watch has issued a press release stating they will re-run Torchwood's first series starting an hour after each new CoE episode airs, kicking off Monday, 15th June (from here).

Come on, BBC! Stop with the secrecy already, and make the official announcement confirming what we've already guessed. We promise we'll act surprised when you tell us...!

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.

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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".