What The Fans Think: Torchwood

Friday, 26 June 2020 - Reported by Marcus

Pencil Tip Publishing has announced the release of What The Fans Think: Torchwood, the latest in the on-going series of fan reviews and assessments.

This volume of What the Fans Think concentrates on all 41 original Torchwood episodes through original reviews, analysis, personal opinion and essays. The fans have their say on what they think are the best, worst, and merely average, episodes of the series. You just might be surprised by what they have to say.

What the Fanis Think is Pencil Tip’s series of books where the fans review and assess their favourite television series. Fan opinion can be extremely critical, often harsher than that of the meanest television critic. But when the fans love something, you know it. Praises are heaped in droves.

Each volume will concentrate on a specific series and will feature original reviews, essays and analysis of every episode of that particular series. The fans will have their say on what they think are the best, worst and merely average, episodes of a series.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to the Vancouver branch of the BCSPCA (British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

FILTER: - Torchwood

#RTWatch: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Friday, 17 April 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Radio Times are presenting their second Torchwood-oriented Twitter viewing event tonight, this time focussing on the arrival of Jack's former colleague Captain John Hart.

To join in, simply pop in your DVD or Bluray disc of Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, or access a streaming service such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Video, iTunes or Google Play, and then hit play at 8:00pm BST / 3:00pm EDT / 5:00am AEST / 7:00am NZST and share your viewing experience!

Tweet #TorchwoodIsReady

John Barrowman will be tweeting his thoughts during the viewing alongside co-stars Naoko Mori, Burn Gorman and Gareth David-Lloyd, after which they will be participating in a live Q&A.

FILTER: - John Barrowman - Online Events - Radio Times - Torchwood

Big Finish: Torchwood - Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4

Wednesday, 8 April 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4, read by Sir Michael Palin (Credit: Big Finish)

Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 (Credit: Big Finish)

Big Finish have released the latest in their regular range of Torchwood audio dramas, but this time in the form of a spoken-word relaxation tape, narrated in the warm, expensive tones of Sir Michael Palin!

You are listening to a self-help tape. You are hearing a soothing voice. You have always wanted to do something with your life, haven't you? Oh, how you've ached to be a better person.

Well now. This is your chance. Go on. Sit back. Close your eyes. Relax. You're going to learn all about Captain Jack Harkness. You're going to learn all about Torchwood.

You're going to change the world.

Narrator, Sir Michael Palin said:

I enjoy doing radio and I enjoy doing recordings because you have to try to create a picture for people. And especially something like Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 as it's catchily called, because there's lots to it. It works on lots of different levels.

It's a very sustained piece. It's a long piece of narration to do. There are lots of different ideas and the pace changes abruptly, and very quickly, from larky- jokey, to very dark and rather violent. Anyone who likes reading stuff, you want to be given something that tests you a bit and this certainly tested me.”

Writer, Tim Foley added:

It was pure joy to watch Sir Michael Palin sink his teeth into the script. He delighted in its weird comedy and revelled in its wonderful menace. I sat there in the studio mesmerised by his delivery. What a lovely voice! What a lovely man!

Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 is now available as a collector’s edition CD, or can be downloaded from the Big Finish website. Subscribers to the Big Finish Torchwood range can save money by pre-ordering a bundle of six or all twelve of the forthcoming stories.

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mailout of collector’s edition CDs will be delayed, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

#RTWatch: Q&A with John Barrowman and Naoko Mori

Friday, 3 April 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Yesterday evening saw the Radio Times present its own "tweetalong", this time for the Torchwood episode Captain Jack Harkness; this was followed by a live Q&A with its stars John Barrowman and Naoko Mori, and is available to watch via their YouTube channel:

Radio Times: Torchwood Q&A with John Barrowman and Naoko Mori

FILTER: - Broadcasting - International Broadcasting - John Barrowman - Special Events - Torchwood

Freema Agyeman returns to Big Finish

Monday, 9 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Dissected (Credit: Big Finish)

Freema Agyeman reprises her role as Martha Jones in a brand new audio adventure from Big Finish Productions.

Torchwood: Dissected sees Agyeman paired up with Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood: Dissected.

Martha Jones who was the companion of the Tenth Doctor in his second series returns to the world of Torchwood in February next year. Freema Agyeman starred in series 3 of New Doctor Who and its spin-off show, Torchwood, before going on to a huge career.

Big Finish Productions has announced it is delighted that Freema is reprising her role in this new Torchwood story, which explores what Martha did after her adventures with the Doctor.

Employed by UNIT, Martha is reunited with former Torchwood colleague Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) – over a dead body...

Gwen Cooper turns up on Martha Jones’s doorstep with a dead body in tow. She needs to ask one final favour of her. And to find out why they stopped being friends.

A lot’s happened to Torchwood since Martha left. A lot’s happened to Martha since she left Torchwood. And there’s something very odd about the dead body Gwen’s brought with her. Tonight she's going to be getting more answers than she bargained for.

Freema Agyeman talked about returning to the character of Martha Jones.

Aw mate, the nostalgia has been quite overwhelming. It really is like stepping into comfortable old shoes. It feels like about five minutes ago and yet so much time has passed. That’s the wonderful thing about the Whoniverse – you never feel on the outside of it. It’s great to be back.

Director Scott Handcock added

I first met Freema back in 2006 working on Doctor Who Confidential. I watched Martha Jones arrive and grow, and it’s a pleasure to welcome her back to the world of Torchwood. It’s something we’ve been chatting about for years, and to finally make it happen with the amazing Eve Myles (who adores her and vice versa) is a real treat!

Writer Tim Foley told us more about uniting two of science fiction’s most courageous female leads

Martha Jones is back! And I’ve locked her in a room with Gwen! It’s such a delight to pit these two against each other. This is quite an experimental story – you’ll be listening to an autopsy in real time, which was such a fun challenge. Luckily for me Eve and Freema spar off each other marvellously, stuck in a lab with nothing but a corpse for company...

Torchwood: Dissected starring Freema Agyeman and Eve Myles, will be released in February 2020 priced at £7.99 on download or £9.99 on CD.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

Torchwood: Serenity

Wednesday, 10 July 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Big Finish Productions have released a new Torchwood Audio play marking ten years since the character of Ianto Jones was killed in the BBC Television series

Originally scheduled for release on 25 July, Torchwood: Serenity has been made available early as a surprise treat for fans of the show and to mark the tenth anniversary.

The story reunites John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd in a new full-cast audio drama.

Tuesday 9th marked ten years to the day since Ianto Jones, one of the most beloved characters ever in the science fiction genre, died in episode four of Russell T Davies’s Torchwood: Children of Earth. Since then, Torchwood has been revived as an international co-production for television in Miracle Day (2011), and continues to thrive in multiple audio drama ranges courtesy of Big Finish.

Fans of Torchwood and Ianto Jones were absolutely dismayed when the character was killed off as a result of gas poisoning by alien menace, the 456. The following public outcry sparked huge online campaigns, a charity fundraiser in his name (which raised more than £10,000 for Children In Need), and even a Ianto shrine in Cardiff’s Mermaid Quay.

James Moran, who co-wrote the 2009 TV mini-series with Russell T Davies and Torchwood TV episode, Sleeper, has returned to pen this new story set before the events of Children of Earth.

And, at first sight, it looks like they’ll live ‘happily ever after’

Serenity Plaza is the most exclusive gated community in South Wales. You’d kill to live there.

Jack and Ianto have gone undercover as a happily married couple. There are rumours that something’s wrong at Serenity Plaza and they’re determined to investigate. But the problem is that Serenity Plaza is just so rigidly normal.

Suddenly, Jack and Ianto have to confront the problems that normal couples face. Sharing a house together, doing the washing up, entering the residents’ baking contest, and hoping to win the Best Kept Lawn. Competition is fierce. Because this is Serenity Plaza. And you’d kill to live there.

Writer James Moran shared his thoughts on this very special release:

Surprise! Beyoncé-style surprise album drop! Me and Beyoncé, so similar in so many ways... I’m really excited that you’re getting this early, I can’t wait to see what you make of it. It’s VERY weird, VERY silly, and I’m still not sure how I got away with it!

I’ve adored jumping back into this universe – Torchiverse? Woodyverse? – and playing with its unique toybox. It’s a particular joy to release this on the tenth anniversary of Ianto’s on-screen death – how many other characters live on like this? Thank you for keeping him alive, and for always being there for absolute madness like Serenity. Now, keep off the grass, don’t use the blue towels, and DON’T mess with Ianto’s kebabs.

Director Scott Handcock added:

When we first started doing new Torchwood stories, we knew Gareth and Ianto were loved, but had no idea to what extent. Gareth was initially nervous about reprising the role, but has embraced the audio medium, both as an actor and writer. That’s the joy of Big Finish. Without compromising the power of his on-screen death, Ianto’s living as full a life as ever, and it’s a joy to be a part of.

Torchwood: Serenity was released at midday on Tuesday 9th July, priced at £7.99 on download or £9.99 on CD.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

Torchwood’s Captain John Hart returns for Big Finish

Thursday, 20 December 2018 - Reported by Marcus

The Sins of Captain John (Credit: Big Finish)

James Marsters, the star of cult television shows Buffy, Angel, Smallville and recent hit Runaways, is reprising the role of Captain John Hart for his own adventures in the Torchwood audio universe.

The rambunctious, deadly and ever-so charming captain will be back at the helm in a new four-story box set, The Sins of Captain John, created by Big Finish Productions in association with BBC Studios.

Captain John Hart made his audio debut in The Death of Captain Jack, released in March 2018. In this story he killed the entire Torchwood team – including John Barrowman’s supposedly immortal Captain Jack Harkness. He also married Queen Victoria and had no less than three ‘relationships’ with characters from history.

James Marsters told us about returning to the role, and the world of Torchwood.

Doing The Death of Captain Jack was incredible! I have missed doing Torchwood so much. Beyond being proud of playing a part in it, the character itself is a blast to play, and those two episodes just weren’t enough.

Set for release in January 2020, The Sins of Captain John will see Captain John Hart leading the universe into rack and ruin in four new adventures…

The Restored
Escape from Nebazz
Peach Blossom Heights
Darker Purposes

In these stories we’ll find the villainous anti-hero thriving in Restoration London, exploring gas planets, playing ‘Stepford wife' and kissing (then killing) countless victims… Just a day in the life of a rogue Time Agent!

Writer, David Llewellyn, tells us what to expect

Writing The Death of Captain Jack was a total blast, and both James Goss (producer of the Torchwood range) and I realised we could have a lot more fun with Captain John Hart, providing James Marsters was happy to return.

Captain John is this chaotic, disruptive, insubordinate force of nature; completely amoral and unpredictable, so that gave me a lot of freedom! Writing is often a case of knowing when to hold back, when to tread a more subtle line, but with Captain John it’s the complete opposite. And setting it before Torchwood on television meant we were able to go to places where Torchwood can’t.

Torchwood fans will also find answers to many of the questions and plot points that have so far been left hanging from the beginning of the television show. More details on what in the future.

The Sins of Captain John, out for release in January 2020, is available for pre-order from Big Finish at £28 on CD or £25 on download, rising to £35 on CD and £30 on download at general release

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

What the Fans Think: Torchwood

Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus

Pencil Tip Publishing is taking submissions for their new review book, What the Fans Think: Torchwood.

What the Fans Think is a new series of books where the fans will review and assess their favourite television series. Each volume will concentrate on a specific show and will feature original reviews and analyses of every episode of that particular series. The fans will have their say on what they think are the best, worst, and merely average, episodes of a series.

The first book in the series, What the Fans Think: Torchwood, will concentrate on the 2006-11 Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to the Vancouver branch of The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Submission guidelines can be found on the Pencil Tip Publishing blog

FILTER: - Books - Torchwood

New Torchwood Season from Big Finish

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood - Series 6 (Credit: Big Finish)

Big Finish has announced Torchwood is returning in a new series of audio plays, but is the team ready for its greatest threat to date…? They’ll be fighting an alien god in the fiery start to series 6 of Torchwood – God Among Us.

Torchwood, the cult television show created by Russell T Davies, ran from 2006–2011 as a spin-off from Doctor Who, with Big Finish continuing their adventures on audio.

In Series 5 - Aliens Among Us, Torchwood returned to Cardiff. The team dealt with an alien occupation, terrorists, and the surprising resurrection of Yvonne Hartman. This year they face an alien god.

God Among Us kicks off a few days after the Aliens Among Us finale, but not everyone has made it out alive...

John Barrowman returns as Captain Jack Harkness, joined by Tracy-Ann Oberman as Yvonne Hartman, Paul Clayton as Mr Colchester, Alexandria Riley as Ng, Samantha Béart as Oor, Jonny Green as Tyler Steele and Tom Price as Sergeant Andy Davison. Leading the Sorvix is Rachel Atkins returning as Ro-Jedda.

Four new episodes of the sixth series of Torchwood will be available from October 2018.

When a god comes to Cardiff, the world goes to Hell.

6.1 Future Pain by James Goss
6.2 The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood by Guy Adams
6.3 See No Evil by John Dorney
6.4 Night Watch by Tim Foley

Producer of the series and episode one writer, James Goss, tells us more about the return of the Torchwood team:

We had such a great reaction to Series 5, it’s been a delight getting the cast back together to do more. Now things are established the stories are more standalone, seeing Torchwood face some tough challenges – a plague of sleep, a city that goes blind, organising a funeral, and then there's an alien god to deal with!

John Barrowman shared in the studio his thoughts on Torchwood and Series 6,

They are really great stories in Series 6, they really move the narrative forward. I find all over the world, from Puerto Rico to Paris, from London to Pensacola Florida to South America, there are huge Torchwood fans and the audience is always growing.

Executive producer, Jason Haigh-Ellery, adds:

Torchwood quickly became one of my favourite audio series from Big Finish, the work James and director Scott Handcock have done with the wonderful guidance of Russell T Davies has made the adventures of Captain Jack and his team compulsive listening. I can’t wait for series six to be released!

Torchwood Series 6 Part 1 kicks off this next set of adventures in October 2018. Part 2 will follow in February 2019, and part 3 will complete the season in June 2019.

All three parts can be pre-ordered today individually for £25 on download or £28 on CD, or you can save money in a specially-priced Torchwood series 6 bundle with all three parts at £60 on download or £75 on CD.

FILTER: - Big Finish - Torchwood

Torchwood #3

Wednesday, 20 December 2017 - Reported by Marcus

This week sees the release in the third of Titan's Torchwood Comic Series

Torchwood #3

Writer: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman
Artist: Neil Edwards
Cover A: Wellington Diaz Cover B: Will Brooks

Cleaning up the explosive aftermath of the Navigator/ Vervoid plot to take over the world, Jack and Gwen received some unexpected news... Captain John Hart revealed that the Vervoids had created a clone hybrid from both of their DNA! This creature’s name is Sladen, and she has the terrifying ability to speed up the life cycle of any living thing. With old enemy Docilis ‘helping’ her, the Torchwood duo must race against the clock to stop her from reducing the world to ashes! That is, if they can survive their helicopter cras