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.
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.
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