James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter

There are several good things in that statement. One, that Davies, the man who created Torchwood in the UK is the one adapting it for US TV. And two, that it’s going to Fox. Fox is the only network, outside of Syfy, who could handle the project. Yes, they’ve taken some flack for the handling of Dollhouse and a few other shows – but face it – Torchwood on The CW or on CBS simply wouldn’t fly.

Hibberd also notes that John Barrowman could come along for the ride. It’s not clear if the series would revolve around him or if he might be the catalyst that unites the US and UK branches of Torchwood.

The downside of all this is that it’s a US remake (or spin-off) of Torchwood. We haven’t had a lot of luck with remakes of foreign series. Look at Life on Mars and Kath and Kim. But The Office has worked out for us, so there’s that.

I think if we look at Torchwood like a CSI franchise, an entity that has a different personality depending on the city it’s set in. If they go with Torchwood as it would be if the agency existed on US soil as opposed to “remaking” the UK Torchwood, we could be alright.

The comments on Hibberd’s post have been pretty harsh overall. Actually, I think harsh doesn’t begin to cover it.  No love for the idea at all?

Photo: BBC America

Post from: SF Universe

The news will come as a tonic to fans of the show, which enjoyed runaway success in the ratings when the latest series Children of Earth screened over five nights in July this year. The dramatic finale and the death of much-loved team member Ianto Jones had fans fearing the worst for the future of the show, but Davies’ positive comments will re-ignite hopes that Torchwood will once again return to television screens.

Davies is also confident of writing another compelling series of Torchwood, regardless of the format the BBC decides to choose for the show.

“If the BBC asked for another 13 one-part stories, that’s what we’d do,” ‘Davies goes on to explain to Torchwood Magazine. “I”m ready for anything, but I think it works well as one continuous story. But if the BBC decide they want 13 one-offs, I’ll suddenly decide that’s the best format in the world!”

The prolific writer, widely credited with sparking the recent revival of parent show Doctor Who, goes on to talk candidly about the origins of Torchwood, and why he thinks the timing was all important for the success of the show.

“It’s been a very intelligent decision to make hay while the sun shines,” he says. “Look at the recession that’s sweeping in now. If I’d tried to get Torchwood off the ground now, they would say there’s no money for it. So while we had one very successful show, we made a strategic decision to push our advantage. Julie [Gardner, then Head of Drama at BBC Wales] passionately wanted a big, strong Welsh drama department ­ but one show is not a drama department, You’ve got to have more, so we did it while those doors were open to us.”

The full interview with Russell T Davies appears in Torchwood Magazine Issue #17 which goes on sale here in the US on September 15, 2009 and on August 20 in the UK.

Source: Torchwood Magazine

Post from: SF Universe

If you’ve been watching BBC America, you’ve seen the promos for Torchwood: Children of Earth. That chilling voice over — Jack, Gwen and Ianto in a panic state. All those dead eyes staring back at you! It’s Torchwood’s creepiest monsters ever — kids!

“They just touch a nerve,” says Torchwood creator Russell T. Davies. “A threat to our children gets a primal reaction out of all of us. But beyond that, I think we can be scared of our kids, too. That they can seem unknowable, unreachable – that’s why a gang of young hoodies can seem more unnerving than an adult gang of thugs.”

It’s a story Davies has been wanting to tell for ages and finally he was given the opportunity when the BBC agreed to a five-part Torchwood mini-series instead of the normal run.

“Underneath the sci-fi and the aliens, there’s something very relevant to the world, I hope. The way we sit in the west, and watch footage of atrocities in different countries, and imagine it’s all so far away, and so impossible here. Which is a nice, comfy lie we tell ourselves. That was the heart of it. I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe. Plenty of people live like that, on this planet. In this story, it’s Britain’s turn.”

But writing an epic five-part mini wasn’t an easy job, even for a pro like Davies.

“I loved it, because it was a huge challenge. Lots of thrillers are written by just one writer, but we had three, across five episodes. Which meant a lot of emailing and late-night phone calls. But we really worked as a team, all locked in one room to thrash out the storyline and create the characters, and that’s my favorite way of working. We also had the Producer and Director inside the Writer’s Room, right from the very start, which is a very unusual way of working in this country, but with huge results – it meant we were all focused, we all knew the tone and the ambition of the piece, and we all aimed in the same direction.

“The size of this story, and the scale of it – spread across more than 40 years of history – means that we needed something bigger, a threat with real intelligence, a race with different protocols and standards. Some of my favorite material comes from Episode Three, where we have to see the government engage in genuine diplomatic relations with an alien species. You watch those scenes thinking, ‘That’s what it would really be like.’”

Aliens, massive destruction of a city, 40 years of history — all well and good, but what about the characters we’ve come to know and love?

Says Davies, “This whole story tears Torchwood down, and then watches them rebuild, but always questioning them, asking what sort of heroes they are, how far will they go? And what’s the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist? At the same time, we get to know Jack, Gwen and Ianto more intimately than we ever have before – exploring their families, their history, their hopes and loves. And their failings, too. As the alien threat gets bigger, so Torchwood’s humanity is exposed, and threatened, and celebrated too. And their lives are on the line, none of them is safe!”

As for the relationship between Capt Jack and Ianto . . .?

“It just grew naturally out of the scripts and performances from John and Gareth. And it’s such a rich area – the sheer will-they-or-won’t-they tension of two men getting closer. But again, you can come to Torchwood as a new viewer and follow their relationship from the start, you won’t get lost. And it’s honestly a pleasure to write for two such fine actors, they make the whole process a delight.”

In addition to the usual suspects, Torchwood: Children of Earth has several scene-stealing guest stars.

“We’ve got great new talent, like Cush Jumbo as Lois – the innocent secretary who discovers state secrets on her computer – and wonderful stars such as Peter Capaldi, who makes his character of John Frobisher so detailed and so nuanced, and so heartbreaking in the end. Add to that, Susan Brown as Bridget Spears – keep an eye on her, she’s a slow burn – and Nicholas Farrell as the most clever and manipulative Prime Minister you could imagine. And then Liz May Brice as a truly ruthless assassin! We’ve also got Paul Copley as Clem, a character holding so many secrets from the past – Paul’s simply astonishing to work with. And then the greatest enigma of the whole series is Lucy Cohu, playing Alice, who’s no less than Captain Jack’s daughter… What a mix! Best cast I could have imagined!”

If you haven’t been a loyal Torchwood watcher before now, you can still plan to sit down and enjoy this special presentation.  Says Davies, “There are fleeting references to the past, but from the moment it starts, we’re telling a brand new story. It’s been deliberately written so that no one will be lost – and at the same time, the faithful viewer will discover so much more about the members of the Torchwood team. There are plenty of rewards for the long-term fan.”

Torchwood: Children of Earth will air on BBC America beginning Monday, July 20 and running straight through to Friday, July 24, 9:00 – 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.  The previous night’s episode will encore at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Photos and quotes from BBC America

Post from: SF Universe

BBC America has announced their lineup for this year’s scifi / comic lollapalooza and it’s a biggie.

David Tennant, will appear alongside writer/executive producer Russell T Davies, executive producer Julie Gardner and director Euros Lyn for a Doctor Who panel on Sunday July 26, 10:00-11:00am PT. (Just before Supernatural!) They’ll be showing sneak peeks from Tennant’s upcoming specials and offering photo ops.

Then, John Barrowman, will take the stage with Davies and Julie Gardner to discuss the new Torchwood: Children of Earth special.  During the same panel, we’ll be introduced to the new BBC America series Being Human. On hand for that will be creator and writer, Toby Whithouse, plus stars Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow and Aidan Turner who will talk about what it’s like to play three twenty-somethings with secret double-lives – as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. All four panelists will be signing exclusively at the BBC AMERICA booth, Saturday July 25, 3:00-4:00pm PT.

There will also be special screenings of Doctor Who and Torchwood with introductions by the stars and you’ll get a chance to buy a new limited edition Comic-Con only action figure from Doctor Who.

Here are the details so you can start planning your (already jam packed) weekend!

Saturday, July 25

3:00-4:00pm Being Human: creator Toby Whithouse and actors Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow and Aidan Turner signing at the BBC AMERICA booth (#3629).

7:30-10:00pm Torchwood/Doctor Who: Key talent from both shows introduce the last episode of the five part series Torchwood: Children of Earth and an advance viewing of Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, the first of four specials starring David Tennant. Room 6A

Sunday, July 26

10:00-11:00am Doctor Who: actor David Tennant, writer/executive producer Russell T Davies, director Euros Lyn and executive producer Julie Gardner discuss their creative process and experiences working on BBC AMERICA’s Doctor Who with exclusive clips and a Q&A session. Ballroom 20

2:15-3:45pm Being Human/Torchwood: Being Human creator Toby Whithouse and cast members Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow and Aidan Turner, are on stage to give an inside look at BBC AMERICA’s U.S. premiere sci-fi drama about the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives – as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. Following that actor John Barrowman, creator/writer/executive producer Russell T Davies, executive producer Julie Gardner and director Euros Lyn talk about the making of the epic five-night television event Torchwood: Children of Earth as well as take questions from the fans. Room 6BCF

Photo: BBC America

Post from: SF Universe