Starz have released details on the individual episode titles that make up Torchwood: Miracle Day. The episodes are as listed in the programme guide, but may be subject to change nearer broadcast.
One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep aging -- 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 C.I.A. 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, forever
The series premieres on Starz in the United States at 10:00pm ET/PT, 8th July 2011; however, its launch on BBC1/BBC1HD has yet to be confirmed in the United Kingdom.
With less than two months until Torchwood: Miracle Day premieres on Starz on the 8th July, the channel continues its promotion of the show by releasing some promotional photos of the cast, alongside the brief bios for the characters originally unveiled from the press launc h in January.
Teaser trailers have been playing on the channel for a number of weeks, though a full cast/clips style version has yet to air (both the BBC and Starz have shown a couple of clips in general promotional showreels).
Captain Jack Harkness(John Barrowman)
Jack looks like a hero. He's handsome, witty and subversive with a killer smile. But there's a reason for that glint in his eye. His dashing style hides a secret. Truth is Jack Harkness is immortal, the only one of his kind. He once ran the Torchwood Institute, a British organization dedicated to fighting the strange and bizarre. But Torchwood closed down, and Jack disappeared to start yet another of his many new lives. When a new, epic danger affects the whole planet, Jack finds himself back at the center of events, fighting not just for his own life, but for everyone on Earth.
Gwen Cooper(Eve Myles)
Gwen once lived the ultimate double life ... the funny, salty, earthy woman who loves home and family, combined with the tough, ruthless warrior, who loves the thrill of the fight. She was the heart and soul of an organization called Torchwood. She was a defender of the human race. But now she lives in seclusion, with her devoted husband Rhys and baby Anwen, knowing that one day trouble will come calling again. When events surrounding "Miracle Day" push Gwen to the limit, she'll need to call on resources she never knew she had and make the most terrible decisions, on behalf of all mankind.
Rex Matheson(Mekhi Phifer)
Rex Matheson is a CIA agent at the top of his game. Ruthless, brilliant and destined for fast-track promotion, nothing's going to stop this man from getting whatever he wants in life. But when the world convulses under Miracle Day, Rex discovers that everything he thought was true and safe and fair is now in danger. And when the CIA itself turns against him, Rex finds himself on the run. The only people he can trust are some strangers from a long-lost British institute called Torchwood. Rex finds himself traveling across continents as the scale and ambition of the threat is revealed - but in trying to save the world, will he put his own life at risk once too often?
Oswald Danes(Bill Pullman)
Well-educated and a former school teacher, Oswald's a convicted child killer, both guilty and unrepentant. But when Oswald survives his own execution, he's given a whole new life. The most infamous man in the world, he becomes the most provocative figure in modern media. He's a flare, reviled yet mesmerizing, whose very existence embodies how the world changed on "Miracle Day".
Jilly Kitzinger(Lauren Ambrose)
As a PR woman, Jilly sees how the world spins and instinctively knows how to manipulate her position in it. Ambitious and ruthless, there's little she wouldn't do for her career. A great talent spotter with a dark understanding of human needs, she is unshockable in a world that is increasingly corrupt and boiling. Jilly soon realizes that, in a world gone mad, Oswald Danes could easily become her ticket to power.
Rhys Williams(Kai Owen)
Gwen's husband is loyal, loving and passionate about her. A new father, he is firmly devoted to their daughter Anwen and the unity of their family. They've been through a lot, particularly when Rhys discovered Gwen's secret life working for Torchwood ... a world he could barely have imagined. Unafraid to tell Gwen when she's out of line or to say family sometimes needs to come first, Rhys is confident in his relationship with her and carries a grudging respect for Jack. But how much longer can he endure the dangers of Torchwood?
Esther Drummond(Alexa Havins)
Esther is an innocent, in a world of assassins, liars and zealots. She got where she is with the CIA through diligence and application. Hard work keeps Esther focused but she still dreams of active duty as a field agent serving her country. The dream is going to happen faster than she thinks and in no time at all, Esther finds herself running alongside Jack, Gwen and Rex, living off the grid, gun in hand, fighting a global conspiracy against enemies ranging from big business to the state. It's a tough, brutal, hard lifestyle where survival is hard won an d life-changing choices have to be made.
Dr Vera Juarez(Arlene Tur)
An attending surgeon in Washington D.C., she's smart, fast talking and hard working, Vera is on the frontline of medical care on "Miracle Day". As the world crisis grows, Vera's surgical and ER experience sees her recruited to advise on government think-tanks. Sexy, confident and passionate, Vera's life is soon inextricably tangled up with Rex's.
Hot on the heels of the BAFTA Television Award nominations (with Matt Smith up for the Best Actor award) come the nominations for the 2011 British Academy Cymru Awards; as with previous yearsDoctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures are represented in a number of categories:
Music and Entertainment Programme Last summer's Doctor Who at the Proms is nominated in this category; it was produced by Paul Bullock, whose work on BBC Young Musician 2010 with Steve Freer is also up for the award, plus Llangollen 2010: Uchafbwyntiau Dydd Mercher (Gareth Williams, Hefin Owen).
Children's Programme This category sees spinoff series The Sarah Jane Adventures nominated for Death of the Doctor, produced by Brian Minchin; other nominations for this award are an episode of documentary series My Life focusing on the impact on a child with My Dad in Prison (Stephanie Harvie Campbell, Inge Hanson, Rachel Evans), and an episode of pre-school documentary series Y Diwrnod Mawr on farming with Sion Pyrs (Nia Ceidiog).
Editing: Fiction Editor William Oswald is nominated in this category for his work on The Time of Angels; other nominations here are Kevin Jones for S4C's drama Pen Talar, and John Gillanders for BBC daytime drama The Indian Doctor.
Make Up and Hair This category sees Barbara Southcott nominated for her work in Vampires of Venice; Pen Talar also features in this category with a nomination for Nel Bat, whilst Moffat's other successful series Sherlock sees Claire Pritchard in the running for her work on the episode The Great Game (as well as working in earlier series of Doctor Who she has also recently worked on the forthcoming Torchwood: Miracle Day).
Sound A Christmas Carol is featured here, with the nomination to Tim Ricketts for his work on this episode; Sherlock's Bang Post Production Team are nominated for The Great Game, whilst talent show Cyngerdd Mawr Talent Cymru is represented through Toby Alington's nomination.
Lighting Matt Smith's opening story The Eleventh Hour is represented here with Mark Hutchingson being nominated in this category; he'll be facing Bernie Davis for the final of BBC Young Musician 2010, and Nigel Catmur for Only Men Aloud.
Last year saw Make-up nominee Barbara Southcott win an award for her work in The End of Time; Doctor Who also won an award in Design for Ed Thomas/The Waters of Mars. The series was also nominated for Drama Series/Serial for Television, but lost out to its spinoff show Torchwood: Children of Earth, which also gained a Lighting award for Will Oswald. The Sarah Jane Adventures also received an award for Interactive.
The Award Ceremony takes place on Sunday 29th May at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Saturday, 23 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
With media interest in the imminent return of Doctor Who running high, it is perhaps unsurprising that some of the popular characters from previous series were discussed, looking at the possibility of their return in the future.
John Barrowman, aka Captain Jack Harkness
Speaking to The Gothamist, series head writer Steven Moffat talked about his views on the return of older characters, including Captain Jack:
There's no rule against that. People talk as if somewhere there's been some schism. There isn't an intentional line at all. I do think there's a danger, if you're always harkening back.
Jack - who I wrote in the show - I'd love to have him back. I was thinking he should really be here recently but he's busy (filming Torchwood: Miracle Day).
John Simm, aka The Master
Speaking to Life of Wylie, John Simm wouldn't rule out a return to Doctor Who as the Master, if the production team asked:
I’m sure I could but no-one’s mentioned it. Steven Moffat is a brilliant writer and it would be nice to see what he does with The Master. Maybe they’d want him to regenerate into somebody much younger. Somebody from Skins or something like that. Or a woman. And what would be wrong with that?
They can do whatever they want with The Master. You’re at their mercy. But I’d seriously consider it if they asked me. I’d love to have a go at Matt Smith because I think he’s really great.
James Corden, aka Craig Owens
Speaking to Shortlist, producer Marcus Wilson commented on the potential of James Corden as a series regular:
What’s lovely about Doctor Who is that people want to guest star in it. We set out the story commissions for this series and we knew that we wanted to do a sequel to The Lodger. James said, "Tell me when, I’ll be there." We thought that his episode would be a one-off, but it did so well that everyone was keen to do another. Now he’s pitching to us for a trilogy.
Actor John de Lancie has been confirmed as a member of the cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day.
The actor is best known for his portrayal of Q, a recurring character in the Star Trek franchise. He created the role for the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and was so successful that he had regular appearances in the series throughout its run as well as episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.
He has also appeared in numerous television shows including: The Six Million Dollar Man, Hill Street Blues, The Thorn Birds, Nero Wolfe, The West Wing, Sports Night, Judging Amy, The New Twilight Zone, The Closer, Legend, L.A. Law, MacGyver, Picket Fences, Civil Wars, The Practice, Charmed, Murder, She Wrote, Stargate SG-1, Battlestar Galactica (1978), Emergency!, and Touched by an Angel.
de Lancie's casting in Torchwood was revealed in a tweet by one of the series' authors, Jane Espenson.
The series is currently in production for transmission worldwide this summer.
BBC Worldwide Canada has announced a deal with SPACE which will see Torchwood: Miracle Day come to the channel this summer along with a raft of other sci-fi titles such as Bedlam, Primeval and Outcasts.
Hilary Read, COO, BBC Worldwide Canada said:
A leader in the sci-fi realm, SPACE has been a fantastic partner and the perfect Canadian home for these captivating titles. BBC produces some of the world’s most acclaimed sci-fi and supernatural programming, and we’re looking forward to sharing these exceptional series with audiences across Canada.
Joanna Webb, Senior Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media said
SPACE is very pleased to continue our valued partnership with BBC Worldwide Canada, Over the course of this relationship, we’ve worked collaboratively to deliver some of the highest quality and most exciting genre programming to Canadian viewers.
SPACE previously aired series Two and Three of Torchwood. Series One was first seen in Canada on CBC.
With the Managers in Partnership Television Media Market (MIPTV) continuing in Cannes this week, both John Barrowman and Bill Pullman have been in demand for their thoughts on the development and filming of Torchwood: Miracle Day.
In an interview with the two stars, Barrowman described the effect of 'globalisation' of Torchwood has had upon him:
This is a huge thing for us, this is huge thing for me, and it's huge for the BBC, huge for Starz, so it's - if I use the word on a global sense - it's just incredible. I arrived here in Cannes and at Nice airport people were waiting for my autograph, that's not happened to me before. To do all the paparazzi, photographs, to do all that kind of stuff, it's a big change for us. I'm used to being a - I use the word 'celebrity' - in the UK and some parts of the US, but this is becoming global now - and I'm loving every minute of it!
Talking of his co-star, Pullman, he said:
I get to do some wonderful scenes with Bill; we're bit of a pair of jokers off camera and we're having a really great time, spending time with each other. But on camera, the characters of Jack and Oswald, they don't like each other, but they really do - because they see something in each other that is recognisable. Our scenes are all very heavy, with a little bit of twist in them each time. It should be exciting to watch, but I'm working with the President of the United States, for goodness sake - come on, how more exciting could that be!
Pullman himself commented on the quality of science fiction presented by Torchwood:
This is the kind of story that I think is why I enjoy science fiction the most, when I like it the best is when it's an allegory for what it is to be human and not just learn more about how much the aliens look like insects!
Speaking about his own character, Oswald Danes:
There is something kind of wonderful about this role in that I climb from a relatively dark little nasty corner into a global spotlight and look to morph myself to accomodate that stage. So it is as much about someone who is recognising a need for a leader and becoming the person he has to become, more out of opportunity and then waiting to see what happens internally. It's not just a villain who is just stamping everything with black.
Finally, he also had nice some things to say about his British co-stars:
I've been impressed by the casting, you Brits have a very nice pool of actors with a consistency all the way down the bench, shall we say, so the smallest parts provide a certain kind - to me - of good quality. I've been glad to see the actors that they've been casting have been from a great range of things and they have a lot of texture and soul.
You can watch the full interview with the two stars below:
John Barrowman and Bill Pullman talk at Cannes. Video: MIP Marketing (via YouTube)
Executive producer Julie Gardner also commented on the programme maintaining its Welsh roots:
We're taking the Welsh global - retaining the best of British drama while learning all about US production values. Previously, America was represented in our stories by two people in US military uniform. Now we can tell a truly global story with actors of the calibre of Bill Pullman.
In the media, Deadline talked to John Barrowman, who said:
There is so much more we can do with Torchwood now having made the leap to America. It’s going to be even bigger and better. And, for me on a personal level, the move to America has been amazing.
... the audience is going to need a forklift truck to pick their jaws off the ground. The stunt work is unbelievable. I used to do quite a lot of stunts except if it was jumping off of buildings but now I’m not allowed to because of the insurance policy. I’m much more valuable in America!
The article also mentioned the new coat that Jack wears:
Among the tweaks on the show, Captain Jack’s iconic RAF coat has been “re-booted” with a lighter weight material and a “slimmer cut.” According to Barrowman, the former was to account for LA’s hotter weather, while the latter was the decision of the designer (Shawna Trpcic), not him.
Worldscreen spoke to Julie Gardner about how working with Starz has improved the scope of the series:
It helps us reach some scale. We've had for the first time the opportunity to shoot both in the U.K. and also in America. We are doing bigger stunts. We are able to create more action. We have more background artists. So there is an onscreen value. The single most important thing to say is, at heart, the show remains the same. We haven't been asked to change it. We haven't been asked to be 'American', whatever that means. Both Starz and BBC One have asked us to make the best quality, most bold offering of Miracle Day that we possibly could.
The first poster for Torchwood: Miracle Day from BBC Worldwide has been revealed at the MIPTV event in Cannes, highlighted by a full page promotion in the event's electronic publication, MIPTV News.
Julie Gardner, production partner for the series with Russell T Davies, explained about the development of the series:
Season Three was transmitting on BBC1 around the time that I moved to Los Angeles to work at BBC Worldwide Productions. Russell T Davies had also moved there and was looking for new challenges and wanted to try for a US career. (Seeing how well it did in the US, we thought) maybe there was another chapter of Torchwood to be told. And very happily we were able to see the title to Starz.
Talking about the partnership with Starz, she said:
The pillars of the show are actually the same. But I think the difference is that because of the quality of the co-production partnership between Starz and the BBC, we have an opportunity to tell a big story over ten episodes. The fact that we are transmitting on a pay premium cable channel means that we have to compete production-value wise in that environment. We're filming at the moment and from what I have seen so far we are able to do that.
The full MIPTV News Issue 1, covering many of the shows on offer at the event, may be read at the MIPTV website.
Entertainment correspondant Richard Arnold is also at the event, where he will be interviewing John Barrowman and Bill Pullman, who are both there to promote Miracle Day. Barrowman's agent Gavin Barker is also at the event, where a Q&A took place with both actors and Julie Gardner
Richard Arnold with John Barrowman and Bill Pullman (via yfrog)
John Barrowman, Bill Pullman and Julie Gardner answer questions. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)
John on the red carpet. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)
John meets Captain Jack. Photo: Gavin Barker (via Twitpic)
Further photos "from the red carpet" may be seen via the MIP Blog.
Promotion for the series has begun in the United States, with Starz broadcasting a teaser trailer on their channel over this weekend; this coincides with the launch of their official Torchwood site. The teaser is also available on their website - however, this may only be viewed by those within the United States (though may be watched globally via io9).
Additionally, some clips from the series formed part of a promotional showreel for Starz shows.
The clips include Rex firing a machine gun from the back of a jeep on the beach in Wales, an explosion behind Gwen, Jack brandishing a gun, and Gwen holding a rocket launcher over her shoulder.
Since Starz announced the launch date in the United States for Friday 8th July, UKTV have now confirmed that they will bring the series to Australia immediately afterwards - this suggests the weekend 9th/10th July. The United Kingdom premier is also widely expected for that weekend, too, though BBC schedules are unlikely to be confirmed until around a fortnight before broadcast.
However, those subscribing to the streaming service Netflix are unlikely to be able to see the show immediately, as a change of policy by Starz that comes into operation today means that their output will be delayed for some ninety days before being made available (see the LA Times for more details).
Production-wise, filming this week included scenes for episode seven, with a return to the Willow Studios and surrounding areas, as well as on the Warner Bros lot. The series is being recorded in a way to enable it to be "printed" in an optimised form for transmission in any country it is sold to. Director of Photography Nathaniel Goodman explained: "We're shooting on the Arri Alexa, recording 4444 that will be broadcast Rec709 1080 HD.".
The BBC Production Office also reported on Thursday that the music for this series would be undertaken by Doctor Who's stalwart composer, Murray Gold - he wrote the original theme for the series, and contributed to a number of earlier episodes of the series.
Times cited within reports below are in Los Angeles local time, except where indicated
Monday - Tuesday
Filming for the first couple of days wasn't clear, but indications were that preparations for episode seven were well under way to commence with a night shoot on Tuesday evening. This was also Cris D'Annunzio's first evening, who seemed quite taken with John Barrowman!
28 10:07 ST Monday morning beautiful sunny day. All is peaceful as we shoot and continue to prep biggest ep yet!!! 28 10:24 ST That could mean so many things...explosives? Very emotional? Special effects? All of the above? Yes yes yes 28 13:28 CDA Costume fitting for Torchwood. 29 09:32 JE Watching Torchwood dailies. Oh my. Oh my my my. 29 16:45 CDA Night shoot on set of Torchwood where I will have it out with the talented and handsome, John Barrowman. 30 08:20 CDA Great first night on set of Torchwood. What a terrific group of people! And yes, John Barrowman is dreamy. 30 11:02 CDA Seems I'm not alone in my warm feelings for Mr. Barrowman. Not Surprising. I'm upgrading him from dreamy to luscious. Uh-oh!!
Wednesday
Documentation for today indicated that a three-day shoot was planned at 1335 Willow Street, the address being home to the Willow Studios, which provide a number of pre-designed sets for the filming profession (bars, restaurants, apartments, etc.) - the studios had also played hot to a photo-shoot a few weeks before.
The BBC Production Office praised costume designer Shawna Trpcic for her episode seven costumes by the BBC:
13:34 Costume Designer Shawna Trpcic, has yet again kicked ass as seen in her designs from EP7. You Go Girl! 13:36 You can't help but love her, trust us, the feeling doesn't go away.
Meanwhile, the weather in Los Angeles was keeping other members of the team happy!
16:02 KO Oh my lord it's lovely in LA. The weather is outstanding. I'm having an iced tea! Could get used to this life. 16:12 BBC Kai Bring some tea to the office would ya?! Enjoy the day. 21:23 KO Tonights snack is good old fashioned Beef Jerky. I bought it from the farmers Market today, it immense, addictive as hell. 21:28 DE First warm evening here in ages leads to gaudy sunset. http://twitpic.com/4f6st9 22:01 KO How's the family? did you bring the little one to the set? We're all great thank you, he's not been on set yet!! Maybe one day.
Another night shoot beckons ...
17:03 BBC We're going deep into the night this week... deep into the night.
Thursday
Thursday's shoot included filming somewhere close to the Dodger's Stadium, according to Cris D'Annunzio, whilst Allyson Floyd indicated somewhere dim, dank and cold underground - with multiple shoots in progress these could be completely different locations, of course!
The Wales Screen Commission also commented on filming: "Just heard from one of the Torchwood crew that's seen the first episode, and they say it looks AMAZING, like a tourist video for Wales!!!"
04:19 AF OMG, calltime at 6:30 AM! For some reason, I thought it was PM! O_O No sleep! Gaaaaaaah! 07:51 CDA I may be able to hear the game as our Torchwood set is on location today next to Dodger's Stadium. Or at least hear the crowd. 09:28 CDA It's always exciting working with John Barrowman, so I probably won't be thinking about the game at all! 11:06 AF Dim, dank and cold underground while the sun shines outside. Must... stay... awake. >_< 12:54 CDA I will be seen in Torchwood: Miracle Day, episode 7. Will post more details later. Thanks! 16:14 CDA Dodgers open in 45 min. and already signs of bonehead mngmt decisions. Russell Martin? Hello? 01:01 CDA Sure, Katie, I will pass along your love to John 01:17 CDA @Katie Just wrapped filming for tonight. Home to sleep! 01:19 CDA @Katie - And JB appreciates your love & support. Me too! G'night!
Friday
Filming for Friday was documented as 590 South Santa Fe Avenue, which turned out to be a lot and warehouses just around the corner to the Willow Studios!
However, it was a production office 'tour' from Shawna Trpcic for today's TW-Spy!
What can you see in my photo? Thats how we work so many hours :-) (via Twitpic)
View from my desk beautiful California summer weather (via Twitpic)
01 20:20 KO A cracking week! Now for a few beers and some Thai food. Big game for United this weekend, HAVE to win - no messing at all. 03 09:50 TP Reading TW scripts. AWESOME. Sadly no mention of what an immortal populace would do to the charity shop industry. 03 15:30 KO Look who's in my house playing with my childs toy!!! 03 18:37 TP Jane, I am distracted from learning your writing by your tweets. How META am I?!
Key to initials: AF - Allyson Floyd (stand-in); BBC - BBC Torchwood (production office); CDA - Cris D'Annunzio; DE - Doris Egan; JE - Jane Espenson (writer); KO - Kai Owen (Rhys); ST - Shawna Trpcic (costume designer); TP - Tom Price (Andy)
Week Thirteen sees the publicity campaign begin in earnest, with BBC Worldwide promoting the series at the Cannes MIPTV 2011 event; the presentation will also include both John Barrowman and Bill Pullman there to promote the new series (see the press release for full details). It is expected that the publicity photos taken over the last few weeks will be released shortly after the event!
John Barrowman will be having another busy year after recent announcements were made about his involvement in various projects.
He will be flying out with Bill Pullman to France for the MIPTV Media Market in Cannes on Monday 4th April 2011, where he will be promoting Torchwood: Miracle Day.
His show Tonight's The Night, which "combines show-stopping acts from world-class artists with once-in-a-lifetime performances that make people's dreams come true", has been recommissioned for a third series which will comprise of six studio-based episodes and two compilation shows. [See full BBC Press Release]
Other future TV appearances include being a guest judge on talent show, So You Think You Can Dance, 9 April 2011 at 6.30pm on BBC1. He'll also be giving his giving his expert opinion on Eurovision – Your Country Needs Blue. Date to be announced.
Barrowman will be playing the title role of Robinson Crusoe in the pantomime, Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates along with The Krankies at the SECC Clyde Auditorium in Scotland from Saturday, 17 December 2011 to Saturday, 7 January 2012. Michael Harrison, executive producer of the show said:
"John's showmanship together with the hilarious antics of Glasgow panto favourites The Krankies, combined with ground-breaking 3D, means that audiences are in for another spectacular SECC pantomime". Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales for SECC added: "The news that John Barrowman and the Krankies will once again be taking to the stage at the Clyde Auditorium is brilliant. [Press Release]
Finally; he will be releasing a CD, The Best Of John Barrowman, in September 2011, shortly before embarking on his concert tour. The CD will feature songs from his previous albums, Another Side, Music Music Music and John Barrowman.
With less than two months until Torchwood: Miracle Day premieres on Starz on the 8th July, the channel continues its promotion of the show by releasing some promotional photos of the cast, alongside the brief bios for the characters originally unveiled from the 
Hot on the heels of the BAFTA Television Award nominations (with 
John Barrowman, aka Captain Jack Harkness
John Simm, aka The Master
James Corden, aka Craig Owens
Actor John de Lancie has been confirmed as a member of the cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day.
John Barrowman will be having another busy year after recent announcements were made about his involvement in various projects.
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