Torchwood reopens for action

Jan 12 2008 Western Mail

TORCHWOOD is poised to step out of Doctor Who’s shadow as the second series kicks off this week. Tim Lewis caught up with some of the people who bring the show to life.

WHEN Torchwood first hit our screens in October 2006 it was very much a spin-off of BBC’s mega-hit Doctor Who, a chance for fans to get an extra dose of time-travelling, alien-busting sci-fi.

Though it proved hugely popular – the opening episodes drew the largest digital channel audience for a non-sport programme, with 2.5 million – it was alway the “little brother”, tucked away on BBC3.

But Torchwood is about to emerge into the limelight, with the latest 13-part series, created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, to be aired on a prime-time slot on BBC Two.

It marks another step in the huge success of the BBC Wales-produced programme, which won the Best Drama Series category at the BAFTA Cymru Awards.

A fortnight from now, the heroic team of Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth Lloyd-Davies) will return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern-day Cardiff.

There’s no shortage of top-draw special guests for the new series; intent on causing mayhem in the first episode is James Marsters, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel fame, as Captain John. He and Captain Jack have a great deal of “history” and the ensuing meeting places the whole team, city and world in danger.

Other familiar faces to appear along the journey include Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C, Lost and The West Wing), Doctor Who’s Martha Jones (played by Freema Agyeman) and Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin and Stacey).

“This series pushes the Torchwood team further than ever before,” says Russell T Davies. “They are joined by some incredible guest stars who are really going to cause waves. It’s adventurous, thrilling and packed full of surprises.”

Capturing Cardiff as a vibrant and thoroughly modern city, the show will also be shown on the BBC high-definition channel for the first time.

Menna Richards, BBC Wales Controller, says, “The first series of Torchwood was a huge hit with audiences. We’re extremely proud that it’s produced in Wales. And its success is a reflection of the huge wealth of talent and creativity that exists here.

“We’re delighted that it’s returning to our screens for another series full of action, humour and excitement.”

In order to reach as wide an audience as possible there will also be a specially edited pre-watershed repeat to give younger viewers the chance to enjoy it.

EVE MYLES - page 2
JOHN BARROWMAN - page 3
GARETH DAVID-LLOYD - page 4
HELEN RAYNOR - page 5