Torchwood News, Articles, Cast and Crew Interviews (Spoilers)

[Alan]

Mekhi Phifer Set As Lead On 'Torchwood'
By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday December 13, 2010 @ 6:46pm PST

EXCLUSIVE: Mekhi Phifer is set to star opposite John Barrowman and Eve Myles in the upcoming fourth season of sci-fi drama Torchwood, which Starz is co-producing with the BBC for a run on both networks. Phifer joins original Torchwood stars Barrowman, who plays time agent/con man Captain Jack Harkness, and Myles, who plays ex-police officer Gwen Cooper. The Lie to Me alum will play the third lead, Rex Matheson, a CIA agent, a fast-tracked high-flyer with a lethal sense of humor who starts to feel his mortality when his life is put in danger. In addition to his co-starring turn on Fox's Lie to Me last season, Phifer, repped by WME and Brookside, was a regular on NBC's ER. He also recently signed on for the Lifetime action film Close Quarters. Torchwood recently cast Crash actress Arlene Tur in a recurring role.

Link to original article here: http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/mekh...-on-torchwood/

[Alan]

Bill Pullman Joins 'Torchwood' as Regular
By MICHAEL AUSIELLO, TV Columnist | Wednesday December 15, 2010 @ 12:48pm PST

EXCLUSIVE: Bill Pullman (Ruthless People, Independence Day) has signed on to star in the upcoming fourth season of Torchwood as a regular. Pullman — who joins series stars John Barrowman, Eve Myles and the just-cast Mekhi Phifer — will play Oswald Jones, a dangerously clever convicted murderer who escapes his lifelong prison sentence on a technicality and quickly becomes a media sensation. Genuinely repentant yet boiling with lust and rage, Oswald gets caught up in a terrifying worldwide crisis. Torchwood's fourth season will air stateside on Starz in a co-production deal with the BBC. Pullman's only major previous primetime gig was on NBC's 2005 limited series Revelations.

Link to original article here: http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/bill...od-as-regular/

[Replicator Todd]

Bill Pullman! Holy cow!

[SaberBlade]

Well my interest just shot up now that Pullman is involved. Wasn't too bothered by the other American cast, but this is definitely a plus.

[Replicator Todd]

Well my interest just shot up now that Pullman is involved. Wasn't too bothered by the other American cast, but this is definitely a plus.

Lone Star on Torchwood, pretty awesome.

[Alan]

'Torchwood' writer: 'New series not a fix'
Monday, December 20 2010, 9:34am EST
By Morgan Jeffery, TV Reporter

Torchwood writer Jane Espenson has promised that the upcoming fourth run will be a "continuation" of the series.

It was announced in August that the former Buffy scribe had joined the writing team for new ten-part series, The New World.

She wrote on her Twitter account: "We have a number of American characters, but please note we're not a total American drama. [It's a] continuation of [the] UK show, [with] UK scenes and [characters]!"

Espenson went on to say that the new run will be a "continuation" and not "a fix".

"The new season is very much in [the] same world as [the last]," she continued. "I think you'll like it."

Torchwood: The New World will star John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Mekhi Phifer and Bill Pullman and is expected to air next summer in the UK and US.

Link to original article here: http://www.digitalspy.com/cult/s8/to...not-a-fix.html

[Alan]

7 YEARS MORE OF TORCHWOOD according to John Barrowman in this interview here: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scot...Barrowman.html

[Alan]

Torchwood Taps All My Children Star and Dollhouse Alum
Jan 5, 2011 07:25 PM ET
by Gina DiNunno

All My Children star Alexa Havins has been cast as a series regular on the upcoming fourth season of Torchwood, reports TVLine.

Havins, who will also guest-star in an upcoming episode of Grey's Anatomy, will play Esther Katusi, a CIA analyst who puts a lot of faith in human nature and has a huge crush on colleague Rex (Mekhi Phifer).

Dollhouse alum Dichen Lachman has been tapped to guest-star in the première, also playing a CIA worker.

Bill Pullman and Arlene Tur will also appear in the new season.

Link to original article here: http://www.tvguide.com/News/Alexa-Ha...t-1027356.aspx

IMDb info on Alexa Havins here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1473159/

IMDb info on Dichen Lachman here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1901842/

[Alan]

Torchwood: broadcast confirmation
Friday, January 07, 2011 - Posted by Chuck Foster

The BBC's official Torchwood channel on Facebook and Twitter has confirmed that Torchwood: The New World will broadcast in both the United Kingdom and United States on 1st July 2011.

The UK broadcast time has been listed as 9:00pm on BBC1/BBC1HD.

As well as the social networking links, further coverage of the show is expected to appear on the BBC's Torchwood website and dedicated YouTube channel, torchwoodofficial.

Meanwhile, the production shifts into gear to start filming next week, with members of the production team recently confirmed in the latest Torchwood Magazine - all of which have established sci-fi credentials! Production designer is Greg Melton (whose previous work includes the Zombie series The Walking Dead) and within the UK is joined by the original designer for Torchwood, Ed Thomas. Costumes are being handled by Shawna Trpcic (who has worked on shows like Angel and Firefly), and Makeup by Todd McIntosh (Pushing Daisies, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The Director of Photography is Nate Goodman (whose credentials include Heroes).

The series will be produced by Kelly Manners (who worked on Angel and co-produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer); he will be joined in the UK by the producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, Brian Minchin. The first episode is due to be directed by Bharat Nalluri (whose credits include directing the first episodes of BBC successes Life on Mars, Spooks and Hustle).

As previously reported, the writers for the series are Jane Espensen, John Shiban, Doris Egan, and John Fay, and of course executively produced by series creator Russell T Davies alongside Julie Gardner.

Link to original article here: http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.co...broadcast.html

[Blencathra]

BBC confirms 'Torchwood' airdate

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/...d-airdate.html

The BBC has confirmed that the new series of Torchwood will premiere on July 1.

A post on the show's official Facebook page confirms that the first episode of The New World will air on the same day in the UK and US.

The show's BBC One time-slot is currently set as 9pm, while a slot for US cable channel Starz is yet to be announced.

Torchwood Magazine also confirms that filming on the ten-part series will begin next week, with former Angel showrunner Kelly Manners producing in the US and The Sarah Jane Adventures producer Brian Minchin fulfilling the same role in the UK.

The first episode, which will feature a guest appearance from Dollhouse star Dichen Lachman, will be directed by Bharat Nalluri. His past credits include the first episodes of Life On Mars, Spooks and Hustle.

Torchwood: The New World will star series regulars John Barrowman and Eve Myles, as well as new cast additions Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer, Alexa Havins and Arlene Tur.

[Alan]

Torchwood: production details
Friday, January 07, 2011 - Posted by Chuck Foster

Production shifts into gear to start filming next week, with members of the production team recently confirmed in the latest Torchwood Magazine - all of which have established sci-fi credentials!

Production designer is Greg Melton (whose previous work includes the Zombie series The Walking Dead) and within the UK is joined by the original designer for Torchwood, Ed Thomas. Costumes are being handled by Shawna Trpcic (who has worked on shows like Angel and Firefly), and Makeup by Todd McIntosh (Pushing Daisies, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The Director of Photography is Nate Goodman (whose credentials include Heroes).

The series will be produced by Kelly Manners (who worked on Angel and co-produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer); he will be joined in the UK by the producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, Brian Minchin. The first episode is due to be directed by Bharat Nalluri (whose credits include directing the first episodes of BBC successes Life on Mars, Spooks and Hustle).

As previously reported, the writers for the series are Jane Espensen, John Shiban, Doris Egan, and John Fay, and of course executively produced by series creator Russell T Davies alongside Julie Gardner.

You can view all of our recent articles on casting and the development of The New World here.

An earlier version of this article (see here) cited a launch date for The New World - this has been reported by BBC Marketing as incorrect and has been removed. More news soon!

[Alan]

Torchwood: transmission date still to be announced
Friday, January 07, 2011 - Posted by Chuck Foster

A number of news-sites (including ourselves) had reported in the last day or so that the transmission date for the forthcoming Torchwood has been revealed for BBC1 in the UK and Starz in the US.

BBC Marketing have informed us, however, that the "Torchwood" Facebook Page which purported to 'announce' the series premier date is not an official site as claimed, and has no links to the BBC itself.

The transmission date will be officially announced by the BBC and Starz later in the year.

Link to original article here: http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.co...nsmission.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

'Torchwood' gets new title, mad brilliant plot
by James Hibberd
Jan 7 2011 05:50 PM ET

At TCA press tour, Torchwood creator Russell T. Davies just spilled that the international version of the show is getting a new title, and revealed the show’s plot.

The storyline is genius. Really.

First, the title. Gone is Torchwood: The New World. Now it’s Torchwood: Miracle Day.

I know. Sort of like the first time you heard “The Phantom Menace,” isn’t it?

But wait ’til you hear what it’s about…

“The premise is a miracle happens in the world,” Davies says. “One day, on Earth, no one dies. The next day, no one dies. The day after that, no one dies. The [people who are] dying, keep dying … but don’t actually die. The possibility of death ceases to exist. Which is great for some people. But it’s an instant overnight population boom. The earth relies on people dying … What is society going to do now? Some of the answers are beautiful and brave. Some of the reactions are terrifying.”

Naturally, the Torchwood team is called in to try and tackle this very unusual problem (btw, if you haven’t seen Children of Earth yet, rent it ASAP). The series will air on Starz in July.

Link to original article here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/07/to...t-miracle-day/

[Alan]

"Torchwood: Miracle Day" revealed
Saturday, January 08, 2011 - Posted by Chuck Foster

The BBC have released details on the new series of Torchwood - which has now been renamed from The New World to Miracle Day.

The release introduces the plot of the new story, plus cast and character details.

The principal guest stars which have been mentioned in the news over the last couple of months are now formally confirmed, with a couple of character name changes. As reported last month, the principle role of CIA operative Rex Matheson will be played by Mekhi Phifer (most recently seen as FBI agent Ben Reynolds in Lie to Me), whilst protagonist Oswald Danes will be played by Bill Pullman (Independence Day). Alexa Havins (One Life to Live) will play field agent Esther Drummond, whilst Arlene Tur (Crash) plays Doctor Vera Jaurez.

Character Bios:

Spoiler:

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

REX MATHESON (Mekhi Phifer)

He’s the golden boy. The embodiment of the American dream and has been all his life. Harvard education, Rex is destined for success and could make a fortune in Wall Street or Hollywood, but he chose the C.I.A. because he believes in justice and will fight for it. He can talk his way into anything, then charm his way out, fast. This may be just what he needs as he joins forces with Jack and Gwen to fight a global mystery behind “Miracle Day” that has them racing from one crisis to another, dodging assassins, blackmail, corruption and conspiracy, from Washington to Wales and the slums of Shanghai.


CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS (John Barrowman)

Jack looks like a hero. He's handsome, witty and subversive with a killer smile. But there's a reason for that glint in his eye. His dashing style hides a secret. Truth is Jack Harkness is immortal, the only one of his kind. He once ran the Torchwood Institute, a British organization dedicated to fighting the strange and bizarre. But Torchwood closed down, and Jack disappeared, to start yet another of his many new lives. When a new, epic danger affects the whole planet, Jack finds himself back at the center of events, fighting not just for his own life, but for everyone on Earth.


GWEN COOPER (Eve Myles)

Gwen once lived the ultimate double life - the funny, salty, earthy woman who loves home and family, combined with the tough, ruthless warrior, who loves the thrill of the fight. She was the heart and soul of an organization called Torchwood. She was a defender of the human race. But now she lives in seclusion, with her devoted husband Rhys and baby Anwen, knowing that one day trouble would come calling again. When events surrounding “Miracle Day” push Gwen to the limit, she'll need to call on resources she never knew she had and make the most terrible decisions, on behalf of all mankind.


ESTHER DRUMMOND (Alexa Havins)

Esther is an innocent, in a world of assassins, liars and zealots. She got where she is with the C.I.A through diligence and application. Hard work keeps Esther focused but she still dreams of active duty as a field agent serving her country. The dream is going to happen faster than she thinks and in no time at all, Esther finds herself running alongside Jack, Gwen and Rex, living off the grid, gun in hand, fighting a global conspiracy against enemies ranging from big business to the state. It’s a tough, brutal, hard lifestyle where survival is hard won and life-changing choices have to be made.


OSWALD DANES (Bill Pullman)

Well-educated and a former school teacher, Oswald’s a convicted child killer, both guilty and unrepentant. But when Oswald survives his own execution, he’s given a whole new life. The most infamous man in the world, he becomes the most provocative figure in modern media. He’s a flare, reviled yet mesmerizing, whose very existence embodies how the world changed on “Miracle Day”.


DR. VERA JUAREZ (Arlene Tur)

An attending surgeon in Washington D.C., she’s smart, fast talking and hard working, Vera is on the frontline of medical care on “Miracle Day”. As the world crisis grows, Vera's surgical and ER experience sees her recruited to advise on government think-tanks until she has to make a moral choice of enormous consequence. Sexy, confident and passionate, Vera's life is soon inextricably tangled up with Rex's.

The plot of Torchwood: Miracle Day takes place over the course of the ten episodes of the series:

Series Introduction:

Spoiler:

One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep aging -- they get hurt and sick -- but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four months’ time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?", he’s drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

Though launching in the United Kingdom (BBC1) and the United States (Starz), BBC Worldwide plan to distribute the new series around the world. Torchwood has previously been seen in countries like Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, Russia and across Latin America.

Torchwood: Miracle Day will première in July.

Link to original article here: http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.co...racle-day.html

[DigiFluid]

Miracle Day? Ugh, how lame. The New World was a much better subtitle.

[Alan]

Miracle Day? Ugh, how lame. The New World was a much better subtitle.

I prefer Miracle Day. Series 4 is supposed to be a story that concerns the whole globe. The New World just says "America" to me.