Coming Soon: The New World

Wednesday, 29 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Torchwood: Miracle DayThe BBC have now updated their programme information for Week 28 with details of Torchwood: Miracle Day's first episode, The New World, which will premiere in the UK on BBC1/BBC1HD at 9:00pm, 14th July.

The following is the plot synopsis for The New World which might be considered a spoiler



One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep ageing – they get hurt and sick, but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight.

With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four month's time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as CIA agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking: "What is Torchwood?", he’s drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human ... for ever.

In the launch episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day, Agent Rex Matheson is impaled in a car crash and miraculously survives, while his analyst, Esther Drummond, sets out to discover what Torchwood is. Far away, in Wales, Gwen Cooper lives in hiding with her husband Rhys and daughter Anwen – she’s the last surviving Torchwood member and is determined to stay hidden. In Kentucky, convicted murderer Oswald Danes survives his own execution. And when Esther meets the mysterious Captain Jack Harkness, assassins are activated to kill them all...

Last week, Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury commented on Twitter that there would be slightly different versions of Miracle Day for the US and UK broadcast, adding yesterday that "they haven't started with one 'master version' and cut it for the UK. They've prepared two parallel edits for different markets." Russell T Davies had previously mentioned in his interview with Front Row that Jack is a 'childrens hero', and clarifies in the new Issue 436 of DWM that 'racier' scenes might be edited for a BBC audience.

Attendees at last week's BFI preview had reported that The New World seemed longer than the fifty minutes originally reported in the Cannes press release; this is also confirmed in DWM, with UK episodes expected to run for some 54 minutes whereas episodes on Starz would run for 50-51 minutes. Davies pointed out that this isn't a cut to the US version, but extra material added to the UK one!





FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Press - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: first UK teaser released

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC broadcast the first UK teaser for Torchwood: Miracle Day this evening, between The One Show and Eastenders; the ten second trailer reported that the show would be "Coming Soon".

An online version promoting the official Torchwood website has also been released:


Torchwood online teaser, BBC, via BBC Website - may not play outside of the United Kingdom


Update 29th June: The BBC broadcast the teaser before The Apprentice at 9:00pm, this time confirming 14th July as the airdate to viewers.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Online - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: UK premiere on course for 14th July

Monday, 27 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC Press Office have informed us today that Torchwood: Miracle Day will most likely premiere on BBC1(HD) on Thursday 14th July at 9:00pm.

The announcement ends months of speculation over when the show would be broadcast in the United Kingdom, with Starz announcing Friday 8th July for Miracle Day back in March. Canada and Australia see the show a day later, with SPACE broadcasting at 9:00pm(ET) and UKTV 9:30pm on Saturdays.

A full BBC Press Release confirming the date and time is expected in the next couple of days.





FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4) - Broadcasting

Doctor Who: episode titles update

Friday, 24 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
With a couple of episode title mentions popping up in the media over the last week, here is an update of the currently known titles making up the second half of the current series, back later this year. Please note that (with the possible exception of episode eight!), the titles may still change before broadcast!

The following episode titles and snippets may reveal plot details that readers might consider spoilers.






Episode Eight: Let's Kill Hitler

This title was, of course, confirmed in the end credits of the mid-series finale, A Good Man Goes To War.

Episode Nine: Night Terrors

Mark Gatiss confirmed on the Danny Baker Show (BBC Radio 5 Live, 18th June) that the title to his episode (nine) is to be Night Terrors. The episode - moved from its original position in the first half of the series - had been previously been reported as What Are Little Boys Made Of? by Doctor Who Magazine #433.

Episode Ten: tbc

On the other hand, Tom MacRae recently spoke to the Telegraph about his involvement with the interactive show The Crash of the Elysium, during which he also discussed his forthcoming episode (ten) in Doctor Who and how it's name isn't known as yet!
I’ve written episode 10 which I think is my most accomplished piece of plotting ever. What’s interesting is that the requirements of the script meant that for various reasons nothing has gone out about it at all. We didn’t do much location filming, and the way the guest characters work is unusual, so no one knows anything about my episode. There’s speculation about it which is wrong - some bright spark has put the title of the episode on IMDB as The Green Anchor - it has never been called that! I’m amazed we’ve kept it this secret because there’s a really big surprise in it. All I will say is that it’s an unusual episode and it’s really great.

Episode Eleven: The God Complex

This title for Toby Whithouse's episode was reported in Doctor Who Magazine #432, which also confirmed the director as Nick Hurran and its guest star as David Walliams.



Episodes twelve and thirteen have yet to be named, though the former has been nicknamed "The Lodger 2" owing to its guest star James Corden reprising his role as Craig Owens.




FILTER: - Series 6/32

SPACE goes into HD

Friday, 24 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Bell Media in Canada have announced that it will be launching a high definition version of the SPACE channel from the 6th July - just in time for Torchwood: Miracle Day!

Rick Brace, the President of Speciality Channels and CTV Production, Bell Media, said:
SPACE fans can celebrate the long-anticipated launch of SPACE HD, one of many new Bell Media HD specialty services currently or soon-to-be on offer. We’re thrilled to start the roll-out of HD programming with the highly anticipated launch of Torchwood: Miracle Day and some of the other series and movies from the channel’s engaging Summer lineup.
The channel will be available via Bell Satellite TV (channel 1746) and Bell Fibe TV (channel 1632).


The HD channel will mirror it's 'normal' version, with high definition programming being shown where available, such as the BBC series Outcasts and Syfy's Alphas.





FILTER: - Canada - Torchwood - Miracle Day (Series 4) - Broadcasting

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Starz Synopses

Friday, 24 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Starz have updated their scheduling information with a brief synopsis of the first seven episodes of Torchwood: Miracle Day (their scheduling currently only lists as far as 19th August).

**** What follows is a list of episode titles and synopses for Miracle Day
**** Could be considered spoilers!
****



1. The New World - 8th July 10:00pm

When death itself comes to a halt, the whole world faces its greatest danger yet. CIA agent Rex Matheson has only one clue – Torchwood.

2. Rendition - 15th July, 10:00pm

As the Torchwood team is reunited, Jack realizes he’s the most vulnerable man on Earth. A flight to the United States turns into a desperate battle for survival.

3. Dead of Night - 22nd July, 10:00pm

Torchwood goes on the run and finds a new enemy, but as they launch a raid on PhiCorp headquarters, Jack must confront the mysterious Oswald Danes.

4. Escape to L.A. - 29th July 2011

The fight against PhiCorp takes the Torchwood team to California, where a trap is waiting. Meanwhile, Oswald and Jilly find themselves with an enemy of their own.

5. The Categories Of Life - 5th August, 10:00pm

Torchwood goes undercover and discovers the terrible truth behind the Miracle. The enemy is closing in, and death is about to make a shocking return.

6. The Middle Men - 12th August, 10:00pm

With Gwen, Rex and Esther trapped on both sides of the Atlantic, it’s a race against time as Jack goes straight to the heart of the conspiracy.

7. Immortal Sins - 19th August 2011, 10:00pm
Gwen must fight to protect her family and takes a terrifying journey, covering both miles and decades, as the long history of the Miracle is revealed.


The other episodes still to be placed are End Of The Road, The Gathering and The Blood Line.




FILTER: - Torchwood - USA - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: the UK wait continues

Thursday, 23 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC Press Office have now released details for Week 28 (9-15 July); however, Torchwood: Miracle Day does not feature amongst the highlights listed for that coming week.

The series is expected to begin in July, with Front Row presenter Mark Lawson announcing: "Torchwood: Miracle Day begins on BBC1 next month, alongside Radio 4's Torchwood drama." after speaking to writer/producer Russell T Davies on the show. Davies himself believed it would be during week 28, telling On The Box: "it's something like Thursday July 14th here, that's the plan, so you only have to wait six days." However, BBC News muddied the waters somewhat, reporting after the preview of episode one that: "The series will air in the US in early July and be shown later in the summer on BBC One."

Based on the press release it would currently seem that Torchwood won't begin on UK television until at least a week after its premiere in the United States. However, as always, the Press Office states:
Scheduling information in Network TV Programme Information is subject to change.

Update: the BBC Press Office issued a tweet on Friday 24th June to say: "Torchwood schedule is still being determined and once there's a date, we'll let you know."





FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Day of the Daleks: Special Edition preview event

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society are organising a special launch day to tie in with the release on DVD of Pertwee tale Day of the Daleks.

Taking place at Riverside Studios on the 4th September, the event will see the new, CGI-enhanced version shown on the big screen, plus guest panels with both members of the original cast and those working on this new version of the story. There is also the chance to buy the DVD and have its sleeve signed by those present during autograph sessions.

This event is being presented by permission of 2|Entertain, and tickets are free to anybody wishing to apply - full details on how to get tickets and more information about the afternoon may be found via the DWAS website. Please note that guests will be announced nearer the event.


The Day of the Daleks special edition was originally announced by 2|Entertain at last year's DWAS event, Time and Space.

Update 27th June: the event is now full - all applications received up to today are being processed, but no others can be accepted.





FILTER: - Special Events - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Welsh Preview

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
After the blaze of publicity in London for Monday's preview of episode one of Torchwood: Miracle Day, another, lower key preview took place in Wales last night as cast and crew gathered to watch in Swansea, where UK filming took place earlier in the year.

The preview took place at the Branwyn Hall (seen itself in the previous series, Children of Earth), and as with London the principal cast and crew were available to speak to the press, with an emphasis upon the show's Welsh roots.

Russell T Davies, who was born in the city, told the South Wales Evening Post:
I don't come as often as I should, but it is lovely to be back. Torchwood has such a Welsh heritage, we wanted to bring it here to show it off and repay the city really.

One of the first scenes in the first episode is at the (white National Trust) house in Rhossili. I spent my life wondering what it was like inside and I never thought we would get it, but lo and behold we managed it. It was a joy to film there and it looks epic and huge.

It is an exciting adventure to be in Los Angeles and America at my age (48) but you will always come home to Swansea.
Speaking to the Western Mail, he added:
There is a fair bit of swagger in Miracle Day. We go to Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington as well as Wales. Of course, being in America meant more money, more production value, bigger explosions, but it was also very important to recognise Wales. If we had just shot it out there it would not have been believable.

It is a Welsh show with Welsh characters, that is very important and is part of the reason why it works. The story starts in Wales, the middle is in America and it ends in Wales.

Eve Myles said:
We had the premiere in London on Monday, which was lovely, but this is the one I am really excited about.

It was unbelievable to film at Rhossili, it was wonderful. I had always wanted to live at that house and the beach is where I walk my dog, so it was unbelievable to blow it up!

It is one of the most important things on the whole show, a huge element of it is Welsh, the show will always have a link to Wales."

BBC Wales have released a video with Bill Pullman at the event, talking about his character.

Russell T Davies also featured on BBC Radio 4's Front Row last night, chatting to presenter Mark Lawson about taking Torchwood from the UK into the US, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and on other topics like the austerity measures within the BBC, the importance of the watershed, and his enthusiasm for his next writing project.

Having talked about what would happen with The Sarah Jane Adventures, discussion then turned towards the audience that would watch Torchwood, and that though it isn't aimed for children some would still watch it through its Doctor Who/Captain Jack connection. Davies commented:
You have to be quite careful with it, more careful than you'd normally would be, because now obviously Torchwood goes out at 9 o'clock, and we've got it coming up on BBC1 now, but we've never had Captain Jack swear because he's loved by children, and children will come to watch it. So we don't tone Torchwood down as such, there's still strong meat and there's some great visuals and some great gore in this show - and, you know, Captain Jack freely has an open and honest and wonderful sex life, but that's fine - it's just the harsher elements, the swearing and his actions as well - I don't think you're ever going to see Captain Jack stab someone brutally or something like that because he's a children's hero.
Talking about the co-production deal, he said:
The move to America partly coincided with the success of the last series of Torchwood which has allowed us to get co-production money. This new series of Torchwood is in conjunction with Starz, who are a premium cable network over there, so they brought a level of funding that we wouldn't have got from the BBC. I have to say if we hadn't, we could still have made this series. But you know, this co-production stuff is nothing new, you haven't seen a Dickens drama made for about 25 years that didn't have money from Boston in it or something, so this is the way of the world now, co-production money is natural.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Special Events - UK - Radio - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Torchwood: Web of Lies - update (iOS only)

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide and Starz have released new details on the tie-in "motion comic" Torchwood: Web of Lies, which has been revealed to consist of a series of ten, three minute interactive narratives that will offer clues to the mysteries conjured up in Miracle Day. It has been written by Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott, and has been developed by Double Barrel Motion Labs for BBC Worldwide Productions and BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games.

However, the series will only be released through an application designed for the Apple-based iOS operating system, available through iTunes.

The press release provides details on how Web of Lies fits in with Miracle Day:
Torchwood: Web of Lies is an episodic interactive experience for iOS that fuses together motion comic and gameplay elements to tell an original and digitally exclusive Torchwood story. Players will participate in a parallel storyline to Torchwood: Miracle Day that includes lead characters Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper – voiced by John Barrowman and Eve Myles.

Torchwood: Web of Lies runs alongside weekly premieres of Torchwood: Miracle Day, providing fans with a way to engage in the world of Torchwood between episodes. It reveals a past day in the lives of Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper - a day they’ve both forgotten. The events of that day fuel a modern day conspiracy-laced treasure hunt, as Holly Mokri, voiced by Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), labours to uncover the secrets of Miracle Day.

Each week a new episode unlocks, allowing players to access another piece of original motion comic narrative and game which ties into and extends plot developments of the show, as well as providing new twists in its own narrative.

The first narrative and game will be released promotionally and the remaining nine can be purchased inside the app in packs of three, each for $0.99/59p. A special bundle for all 10 narratives and game can be purchased for $2.99/£1.79.

No information has been forthcoming as to whether fans of Torchwood using other operating systems will also be able to access the complimentary material featured in Web of Lies.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Games - Miracle Day (Series 4)