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‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’ trailer
06.08.2011
04:15 pm
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If you recall me raving about the Torchwood mini-series, Children of Earth a couple of years ago, you’ll understand why I’m so excited to see that Torchwood is returning next month. There’s a new sneak preview for Torchwood: Miracle Day, featuring John Barrowman as Capt. Jack Harkness, that’s just been released. Gwen Cooper’s back too, shooting down a chopper with a bazooka… just like old times.

Bill Pullman joins the cast (SPOILER ALERT: I read he’s the “baddie”) for this series and it does seem like they’ve “de-gayed” Capt. Jack, as was widely speculated about when an American version of Torchwood was being discussed in 2009. According to press materials from the Starz premium cable channel (where Torchwood will now air in the US, instead of BBC America): “The only thing that could call Jack Harkness back [to Torchwood, which was decimated in the bleaker than bleak last series, of course] is his unstated love for Gwen Cooper.”

Gimme a break. Still, I’m massively looking forward to this. Apparently the action is centered in Los Angeles, this time round, great for we locals! Torchwood: Miracle Day premieres on Starz and BBC1, one month from today, on July 8th. Series creator Russell T. Davies has written the first episode.
 

 
If you want to read a bunch of spoilers, read them here.

Posted by Richard Metzger
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06.08.2011
04:15 pm
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Will U.S. version of Torchwood ‘degay’ Capt. Jack Harkness?
03.24.2010
12:25 am
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Rumors have started that the U.S. version of the hit British sci-fi series, Torchwood, would “de-gay” pansexual hero, Captain Jack Harkness, for American viewers. Not if actor John Barrowman has anything to say about it.

”I hope wherever [the franchise] goes that the show stays the same,” says the openly gay Scottish thesp. “The last thing I would want would be for Jack to become this heterosexual, straight hero. He’s an omnisexual guy. He likes men, women, aliens, whatever. I think we should continue going down that route.”

Any effort to de-gay Capt. Jack would be followed by a “really big discussion,” Barrowman stresses, adding that it would ultimately be up to series creator Russell T. Davies and producing partner Julie Gardner to fight that battle.

Regarding the status of a U.S. version, Barrowman confesses that he has “no information” beyond what’s already been reported: That Fox has commissioned a script from Davies and that Barrowman would almost certainly slip back into his signature role. “Julie has said, as has Russell, that there will be no Torchwood without John Barrowman as Capt. Jack,” he says. “If I am asked to do Torchwood again, I will do it at the drop of a hat — whether it’s in America or back in Britain or if it’s for a film. I absolutely love Capt. Jack.”

Me, too! And I’m a happily married straight man. Viva Capt. Jack! Don’t change a thing!

Would U.S. Torchwood turn Capt. Jack straight? (Entertainment Weekly)

Posted by Richard Metzger
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03.24.2010
12:25 am
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U.S. Version of “Torchwood” on the Way
01.20.2010
06:31 pm
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Fox is developing the cult hit Dr. Who spinoff show “Torchwood” for American audiences. I bet you five bucks they will get Adam Lambert to play Captain Jack. If nobody’s thought of this yet, consider the idea my gift to the dark machinery that runs Hollywood.

Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series ?

Posted by Jason Louv
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01.20.2010
06:31 pm
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John Barrowman Dons Drag in La Cage aux Folles
10.21.2009
01:30 am
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Torchwood star John Barrowman is currently appearing on the West End stage in full drag in a production of La Cage aux Folles.

I have to say this getup is rather in better taste than the dreadfully gauche Ed Hardy t-shirt I saw him wearing at the San Diego Comic Con while charging $20 for autographs.

The Daily Mail says:

Torchwood star John Barrowman releases his inner diva as he takes to the West End stage as a drag queen.

The actor is barely recogniseable as he dons several revealing dresses to play Zara in comedy La Cage Aux Folles.

Following in the footsteps of Jason Donovan and Brian Conley who took on similar roles in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Hairspray, Barrowman is said to have slipped into the part with ease, delighting audiences.

?

Posted by Jason Louv
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10.21.2009
01:30 am
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David Tennant and Russell T. Davies
08.24.2009
03:01 pm
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Richard Metzger interviews outgoing Timelord David Tennant and former Doctor Who executive producer Russell T. Davies at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, CA for Boing Boing Video.


“I’m one of those guys who downloads Doctor Who and Torchwood within seconds of them hitting the torrent trackers. Just a few hours after they air in the UK, I’m watching them in Los Angeles. My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year and I said “A new Doctor Who episode, but I’m getting that already.” That’s how much I love the show (She’s a fan too, but drew the line at me using the TARDIS landing for my ring tone).

“So it was great fun for me to meet Russell and David. A real treat. They’re both friendly, charismatic guys who who were really easy to interview. They clearly enjoy each others company and there was a nice, loose banter between them that I think will be fun for the fans to watch here. They’ve got their double act down pat, let’s just say.

“This interview took place at an interesting moment in time for both men as they’ve only just left behind their respective starring roles in one of the biggest television successes in the world today. As difficult as that may sound, you can only imagine how much pressure is off them after four years of practically non-stop work. I think it shows in this interview, as they’re both very relaxed and jovial. David had just come from Comic Con where he was treated with fan adulation bordering on Beatlemania and Russell is starting a new phase of his life here in Los Angeles. The week we shot this he was just coming off the double whammy career high of Torchwood practically *taking over* British television for an entire week with his brilliant Children of Earth mini-series (read my review here) and then seeing it launch BBC America’s new HD service with a resounding success right afterward here. How lucky Hollywood is to have Britain’s answer to Rod Serling in such close proximity these days and I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re reading in Variety what David Tennant will do next. He’s an interesting actor and a lot of big people will want to work with him, so expect that it will be something worth watching! Like I say, I think it’s an interesting glimpse into a transitional time for both David and Russell and these were the questions that I wanted to ask them, not as a journalist on assignment, but as a big Doctor Who fan (“David, isn’t leaving Doctor Who like Sean Connery quitting James Bond?”), so I hope other Who fans around the world will enjoy this as much as I did.”

READ ON
Posted by Richard Metzger
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08.24.2009
03:01 pm
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Torchwood: Children of Earth

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I probably should have blogged about Torchwood: Children of Earth yesterday, when it started its five consecutive nights run, but BBC America (and the newly launched BBC America HD channel) is airing the previous night’s show before the new episode starts each night (and there are plenty of other ways to catch up obviously).

For those of you who agreed with me about how much I hated the new Harry Potter movie, believe me again when I tell you that the new Torchwood season three mini-series is one of the finest, most action-packed, unpredictable, FREAKY and most deeply moving sci-fi tales I’ve ever seen. Totally raises the bar for the genre in so many, many ways.

Torchwood: Children of Earth boasts one of the most intelligent and sophisticated long form scripts in the history of the genre. I don’t want to give anything away to American viewers who still have four shows left to go, but my god when you find out what the aliens really want with the kids, WHOA, it is fucking dark! The lead actors John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd are terrific and guest star Peter Capaldi proves once again that he’s one of Britain’s finest acting talents. It’s truly a milestone.

It’s also a new high water mark for the already illustrious career of creator, lead writer and executive producer Russell T. Davies (“Queer as Folk,” “Doctor Who”) who had this to say about his multi-layered tale: ?

Posted by Richard Metzger
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07.21.2009
10:58 pm
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