Starz is really finding its legs as a channel. It's been slowly building up original content for a while now, though shows like Crash and Party Down have gone largely unnoticed by the TV-viewing crowd. Now that the network is hosting bigger fare like the miniseries Pillars of the Earth, it's finally getting a bit more attention -- and might just get a few more subscribers as well.
Here's one reason I might be subscribing to Starz: Torchwood. The Doctor Who spinoff is being co-produced by the network, who will also be airing the series in the US, instead of BBC America, which aired the first three seasons of the show. Unlike Doctor Who, Russell T Davies is still in charge of Torchwood, which has become his main show since his move to Los Angeles earlier this year.
Like Children of the Earth, the subtitle of Torchwood's third season (a miniseries event), the fourth season will be "very dark," Davies told SFX. "It's too soon to give away the story, but I've always had this story in mind, and the whole existence of season four will make sense once you know what that story is."
Children of the Earth, which featured some major deaths, might have been a turning point in the series, but Davies assures viewers that it's still essentially "the same people in the same world, following on... It's still Gwen, it's still Jack, and hopefully more. You’ll feel very comfortable with it. And there’s great new American characters coming into it."
That's one aspect of the series that will be much different from previous years -- it's expanding culturally. Though main character Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) is an American (a strange thing for British television), the cast remained predominantly British. With the show's expanded horizon and producers, the change seems necessary. What still remains unknown is whether or not the new series will feature Russell Tovey (Being Human) as Alonso Frame. The character, who appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special "Voyage of the Damned," reappeared in the Who episode "The End of Time," where the Doctor introduced him to Jack as a potential romantic interest (for those who don't know, Jack is bisexual). This seems like a set-up to bring Tovey into Torchwood, and I hope it follows through.
Torchwood will premiere on BBC One and Starz in Summer 2011.
"Very Dark" I can't wait!!!! The darker the better I say! And geeky side note: Technically Jack is omni-sexual not bisexual But it sucks that it will be on Starz, I will have to sign up I guess.
I really hope Tovey is NOT in Torchwood… I really don't like him at all. Only Pc Andy or John Hart would even have me consider watching it.
Actually, Captain Jack is not an American. He's from Boeshane in the 51st Century. He took the name of an American pilot during WWll and kept it.
yeah i think they go their information messed up cause other than the Boeshane bit Capt. Jack Harkness doesn't have a nationality, however John Barrowman (the actor) is a Scotish-born American … i think that may have been the confusion there … also if we are being pedantic Matt Rippy (the actor who played the 'real' Capt. Jack Harkness in the blitz '1941) is American … but that's about it. However in Torchwood some charachters refer to Jack as 'the American' or 'that American' such as Gwen in episode 1 … just saying …
If Torchwood 4 is going to be "very dark" it would mean that Jack is still getting over Ianto who died last season and thus Alonso comes into the picture and we may see that Jack is still seeing the "ghost" of Ianto over Alonso. I really do hope to see Ianto again like a "ghost" or a "flashback scene" in the season to be more "very dark." Ianto's my favorite character and killing him off made me upset with Russel T. Davies though I am still going to watch Torchwood 4 to see where it is going. However, not all of us "viewers" have Starz and I have BBC America in my place. Now when I want to watch Torchwood 4, the only option to see it is now online like on youtube or something. The producers should have let the show stayed in BBC America like Doctor Who which many viewers have on television. Thus putting it on Starz would cut down the viewers and the ratings of Torchwood.
I'm pretty sure Tovey is still working on Being Human. As great as it would be to have him as Jack's new love interest, I'd rather keep enjoying him as the most neurotic werewolf in history.But I do hope John Hart, Jack's psycho ex, comes back a few more times and wreaks some entertaining havoc!
yes bring back Hart!!!
Jack is not American. He is from the 51st century from another planet. I wish Torchwood would stay in Wales and the Rift. I don't find 'very dark' very entertaining.
Jack is more… omnisexual.
RTD,Please, Please, Please NO Alonso.
Alonso was the most stupid and heartless idea the Doctor ever had. "Oh, Jack went through hell. Let's get him laid. But don't apologize for any mess you made." Great.Torchwood 4 is going to be as horrible as Torchwood Season 3. Davies ruined the show.
I agree with the Torchwood S3 CoE and what S4 sounds like , yes absolute total crap (the first 2 seasons were the best) RTD has severely annoyed me with his action-packed death and destruction … i mean other than Jack [no i didn't forget Gwen, but i never really liked her in the first place] he has killed pretty much all that was Torchwood; for example … (Suzie, Owen x 2, Tosh, Ianto & THE HUB) ~ it's going to become Americanized and more 'mainstream' with it's fast-paced action, explosion and Hollywood style … CoE was torture for classic Torchwood fans …
however i do <3 Alonso (but I agree that it was way too soon for Jack to move on)
Considering that RTD says season 4 will be as dark as season 3 was, I guess he's decided he can survive without the small percentage of viewers who were only watching for a quick entertainment fix and focus on the rest of viewers – you know, the millions who gave the show its highest viewing figures and best critical reactions the show's ever had.Don't let the door hit you on the backside. ;) Luckily for the Bring Back Ianto crowd, there's no shortage of brainless fluff on tv.
Are you new to this world?
I'm a stupid bitch!
Excellent way to show you have nothing to say. ;)
Lol I just finished children of earth, wow, what it was trying to do, it worked. Inside I'm a mess. Very dark, it's not true Dr. Who to me. Gwen's lines are true, about the Dr. turning in shame. I realize life isn't like a Lionel Richie video, but still, too dark. Did he have to kill his own grandson? I'm getting soft in my old age. But it was rough. Don't know if I can handle more of that. Maybe I should stick to Sarah Jane Adventures lol haha.
Why is everyone so concerned with who Jack's love interest is or isn't? The relationships and characters are what's important and they're all evolving. They've all gone through Hell, why would the story not be dark? It is an intellectual banquet full of promise, character evolution, and the chance for us to enjoy something that isn't fluff for the masses but quality for those of us who like our stories cerebral. I say go on with the good work RTD! You bring great life to the stories you touch.
I hope they dont change Jack-and Jack is omnisexual btw…i would also be great if Moffat would be able to penn some of the scripts…
This is potentially good news. The show's first season was the best. Having it edited for time and content ruined it for American TV. A cable channel like STARZ is a good place for it, but I hope it finds the viewers. I, like many, wonder why RTD basically caused Torchwood to self-destruct, killing off all but two of the cast. While dramatic, dark and emotional, it really destroyed my hope of any more good Torchwood for the future. Whether RTD can pull it off remains to be seen.
agreed,but I'm also concerned that it being a premium channel that not everybody will see it and it will get cancelled
i just don't like it switching to the usa. i LIKE the british flavour!
I like Jack's attitude. Just because he's died like a gazillion times- "So what? I am going to enjoy every of my life!" Who couldn't love that character!!
With Ianto and Toshiko dead, I don't know if I'll watch it. I really liked those two characters. Face it, Ianto was a hottie and Tosh was someone who had so much emotion caged inside. The episode with Toshiko and the soldier from World War One was heartfelt.
Yes. Haha! I'm glad somebody said it.
Nothing for Owen? I actually really liked Owen.
As it's been mentioned, BBC America cuts out so much content, and is extremely restricted. They added subtitles to Skins for fuck's sake. What the hell is that about?
hes omnisexual
Excuse me, but when was Torchwood ever cerebral? I always watched for fun and fluff. It has never required a lot of thinking. Guardian writer, Charlie Brooker once described it as: Shortbus meets Goober and the Ghost Chasers meets X-Men meets Angel meets The Tomorrow People meets Spooks meets Oh God I Give Up.
Does that sound like something serious or cerebral?
Just watched the handful (via the net) of Torchwood shown in the states and I’m so sorry to say that the yanks have turned a good British TV programme into a load of typical American C**P. Russell Davies writing talent is good and one of the best in the UK however since BBC Wales let a cable network get it hands on it, (Starz) well they just trash the hole experience of Torchwood. Queen Victoria would be turning in her grave, it belongs this side of the pond. ‘O’ by the way, what did Mr Gold say in that 1st meeting for them to even change the theme tune.