Torchwood Magazine

Sunday, 22 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

Titan Magazines has announced that they will begin publishing Torchwood Magazinebeginning in 2008. This monthly release will include interviews, behind the scenes reports and original fiction. This new magazine is currently slated to coincide with the airing of series two.




FILTER: - Torchwood - Magazines

New Torchwood Audio

Sunday, 22 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The John Jarrold Literary Agency has announced that Steven Saville, editor of the recent Short Trips Anthology Destination Prague, has been signed on to write a newTorchwood audio. The title will be Hidden, and the story will be delivered in August, for an autumn recording by BBC audiobooks.

John Jarrold said: "The storyline is under wraps, however, I've read the synopsis, and it's terrific! As one of those who remembers watching the first episode of Doctor Who in November 1963 and still watches both the original and Torchwood, I can't wait to hear it!"




FILTER: - Torchwood - Audio

Marsters Knocked on Torchwood's Door

Wednesday, 18 July 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

In a brief interview with BBC NewsJames Marsters talks about his appearance in series two ofTorchwood.

"I am a huge fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood so it was me who knocked on their door," Marsters says.

He refuses to say too much about the part but calls his character "naughty and a bit of a psychopath".

Also interviewed is Alan Dale, who has recently appeared in the US in Lost, The O.C., Ugly Betty and The West Wing.

Dale admits to being a huge fan of British drama and says he is thrilled to be in Torchwood.




FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Barrowman on Torchwood S2

Tuesday, 17 July 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

SCI FI WIRE reports on an interview with John Barrowman at the Television Critics Association press tour in California. Barrowman informed the press that the second season of Torchwood would delve more in to Captain Jack's complicated back story.

"You don't know the exact date when Jack returned yet," Barrowman said. "We do know he was left on Satellite Five [at the end of season one of Doctor Who]. He was brought back to life. He then came back to Earth and arrived back in another time and had to live through it to get to the point where the Doctor came back. In [season] two of Torchwood, there's some of that revealed."

Barrowman also briefly discusses the way other characters will change and guest appearances in the series.

Torchwood's first season will begin airing on BBC America on Sept. 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.




FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Torchwood Interviews, Casting

Monday, 16 July 2007 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

John Barrowman recently spoke to American television journalists at a BBC America panel promoting Torchwood; in conjunction, the BBC Press Office has released a press release about developments for the second series, which is reproduced below.

Details of the panel, and concurrent interviews with Barrowman, can be found on blogs affiliated with the Chicago Tribune, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Multichannel News. In the Chicago Tribune interview, Barrowman describes a scene between Captain Jack and the character played by James Marsters as "so hot, so horny, so violent..." and concludes with a phrase the Tribune's reporter couldn't get past her editor. SCI FI WIRE has more details about Marsters' appearance. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's television reporter also mentions Barrowman in her blog, but focuses on his Milwaukee-based sister Carole Barrowman, who is helping her brother write his autobiography.

In other Torchwood news, the Sun has reported that New Zealand-born actor Alan Dale will be appearing as a "baddie" in Torchwood's second series. Dale is known for his roles in the Australian soap opera Neighbours and several US television series including The O.C.Lost and, most recently, comedy series Ugly Betty.

The first series of Torchwood will air on BBC America beginning September 8; the second series debuts on BBC Two early in 2008. The press release is below (click on the spoiler tag; there are very mild spoilers including a couple of minor story points.
Torchwood, the smash-hit thriller drama created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, is currently filming for a new series which will be shown on BBC Two early next year.

Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Tosh (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) return as the close-knit team of investigators solving alien and human crimes as they delve into the underworld of modern day Cardiff.

The high-octane storylines, filmed in and around Cardiff, include Torchwood's encounter with a rogue Time Agent; a tragic time-slip from World War One; and a memory-thief who uncovers long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.

Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters who starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire, in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Commenting on his role in Torchwood, James says: "I am a huge fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood so it was me who knocked on their door.

"I am really excited about the character I am playing. I can't say too much about him, except he is naughty and a bit of a psychopath."

Later on in the run Alan Dale makes a star appearance. Alan is currently appearing in Ugly Betty as Bradford Meade and he is well known for his roles in The O.C., Lost, The West Wing and as Jim Robinson in the Australian hit soap Neighbours.

He said: "I am thrilled to be working on Torchwood and delighted to be in England again. I am a huge fan of British television drama."

Another familiar face among the surprise guest stars is Doctor Who's gorgeous companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who brings her time-travelling expertise and medical skills to the team halfway through the series.

She says: "I'm really looking forward to working with the Torchwood team and can't wait to start filming.

"It's a huge new challenge and a wonderful opportunity to develop and expand the character of Martha Jones."

Russell T Davies said: "Filming is well underway in Cardiff, and we're aiming to make the show bigger and bolder than ever, as we move to our new home on BBC Two.

"It's too early to start giving things away, but we've got some amazing guest stars, fearsome new aliens, and compelling new storylines that will push the Torchwood team further than ever before."

The 13-part series is written by Chris Chibnall, Catherine Tregenna, Helen Raynor, James Moran, Joseph Lidster, Peter J Hammond, JC Wilsher and Matt Jones.

Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series, which aired on BBC Three last year, achieved the channel's highest ever ratings – with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode.

Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama in BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Production

Torchwood At San Diego Comic-Con

Friday, 6 July 2007 - Reported by Jeremy Bement
BBC America is sponsoring a special Torchwood event at the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 26. The event will feature guest appearances and clips. Says their website:

2:15-3:15 BBC America: Torchwood - Writer Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who) has created a spectacular spin-off TV series from Doctor Who with Torchwood, about a rogue team of investigators who use scavenged alien technology to solve present day crime - both alien and human. Catch an extended clip of the new series and a panel discussion with actors John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness); Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper); series writer Chris Chibnall; and executive producer Julie Gardner. TV Guide's West Coast Bureau Chief Craig Tomashoff moderates. Room 6A

However, it has been confirmed by the webmaster of his official site that John Barrowman will not be in attendance, due to work commitments in the UK.




FILTER: - Torchwood - Conventions

BBC News: New Companion, Martha's Future

Monday, 2 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The BBC has revealed that Martha Jones, as played by Freema Agyeman will join the cast of the Doctor Who spin off Torchwood for three episodes next year.

She will then return to Doctor Who, rejoining the show in the middle of Season Four.

To replace Martha a new companion will join the Doctor, staying for the entire thirteen week run of the series.

An announcement on casting is promised very soon.

Update 0800: news sites have started to pick up on the story: the Mirror, the Times,
GMTV, and the Sun (who still insist she was 'axed'!). The ITV1 programme GMTV also reported on who might be cast as the companion (in the Spoiler section below).

0915: The BBC Press Office have now formally reported on Freema's future in the two series, and that the role of new companion is currently vacant and to be announced shortly.
Richard Arnold on GMTV's Pick of the Day reported on the casting speculation that the Sun also touched upon, that actor Tom Ellis would play the next companion; Ellis had just appeared in Last of the Time Lords playing Thomas Milligan.





FILTER: - People - Torchwood

BBC Bomb Apology

Monday, 2 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The BBC have issued an apology for sparking terror fears with an explosion in Cardiff city centre during filming for Torchwood.

The explosion was staged next to the Millennium Stadium in an old courtroom building. Because of the latest terrorist attacks in Glasgow and London, the BBC issued warnings one hour before the blast on local radio and police had issued an alert two hours before the blast was due to go off.

Passers-by were horrified by the explosion which sent a huge pall of smoke over the city centre.

A BBC production member said:

"The filming was planned many weeks ago before the recent terrorist incidents."

"We had informed neighbouring businesses but could not tell everyone who might be in the city centre. We apologise if anyone was frightened."




Full article available at The Sun Online




FILTER: - Torchwood - Production - Press

James Marsters in Torchwood

Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - Reported by Marcus
American actor and musician, James Marsters has been signed up for a guest appearance in Series Two of Torchwood

Marsters has previously played Spike in the American series Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as appearing in Smallville playing Dr. Milton Fine.

Marsters is also an acclaimed musician having played in bands and solo in bars and clubs for many years and he was the lead singer for the rock band Ghost of the Robot.

The appearance in Torchwood was revealed on the website James Marsters Live. The site also announced that Marsters will be playing a one-off concert in Cardiff on Saturday, July 21.

He will be appearing at The Point in Mount Stuart Square. Tickets are now on sale.

Thanks to Matthew See and others




FILTER: - Torchwood

Australian Torchwood: ratings update and coverage

Sunday, 17 June 2007 - Reported by Adam Kirk

Channel Ten has been been heavily promoting Torchwood in preparation of its Australian debut on Monday 18 June 2007 at 9.40pm. These promotions have included newspaper and radio advertisements, a weekly $A2000 prize for viewers and both John Barrowman and Eve Myles have been appearing in Channel Ten 'I believe . . .' promotional trailers.

There has also been significant local media interest. The Sydney Morning Herald has a front page banner of John Barrowman entitled 'Dr Who for Adults' and an article by Michael Idato. SMH TV Reviewer Robin Oliver describes the show as 'a stunner.' The SMH's online TV guide also reviews the show whileThe Age and the Brisbane Sunday Mailalso have online reviews. The Sun-Herald TV magazine features a Torchwood front cover and interview with John Barrowman. Rachel Browne gives the programme four stars, describing it as 'highly original and very watchable, it benefits considerably from creator/writer Russell T. Davies' ever-present droll sense of humour.'

On the other side of the Continent The West Australian Newspaper, the main daily paper for Perth, features Torchwood and a photo of Eve Myles on the front cover of its Today entertainment section. Inside is an interview with Eve Myles about Torchwood and its debut on Australian television.

Additional information from Tristan Alfaro 

Ratings Update, 19 June 2007: Torchwood has made a strong Australian debut in the ratings. It averaged 1,003,000 viewers in the five major capitals, winning its (time-adjusted) 9.40pm timeslot over Channel 7 (average 964,000 viewers) and Channel 9 (average 963,000 viewers). It enjoyed a 40% audience share in the 18-49 age group.

It was also Channel Ten's top rating drama for the day, coming second only to its local version of Big Brother.





FILTER: - Torchwood - Press - Radio Times - Australia