Torchwood to return in international coproduction

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[A-HK]

Russell T. Davies explains how the new Torchwood will continue the story!

http://io9.com/5557457/torchwoods-coming-back-at-last-++-and-this-time-its-an-international-affair

The elite alien-fighting squad of Torchwood — well, the two members who remain — will return at last. The BBC announced a co-production deal with U.S. cable network Starz. Update: Russell T. Davies speaks!

I think we can all heave a sigh of relief that the Fox version of Torchwood never came to pass. Instead, the show seems to be staying under the BBC's control, but with Starz fronting some money. Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht says the show "certainly will" have a larger budget thanks to the co-production deal. And Albrecht tells the Hollywood Reporter,

At the end of "Children of Earth," Torchwood was destroyed, so when we pick up in our world the need for Torchwood arises again. A lot of this story takes place in the U.S. as well with several characters that are in the U.S. intelligence forces and end up teaming up with Gwen and Captain Jack to deal with the situation at hand.

Adds creator Russell T. Davies:

It's very much the next step. It's not a new version, it's not a reboot. We're simply moving countries. The show was previously a format show — monster of the week. The breakthrough was "Children of Earth" and that it became one long story. It's not going to be 'Lost' and take 20 years to find out what's going on. It's going to have a most remarkable conclusion after 10 episodes.

He adds that the first episode is the same pilot he wrote for Fox seven months ago, and Fox graciously allowed him to take the project to Starz. And this will still be the same universe, where everybody knows aliens are real — but a new viewer will be able to jump in right away.

Here's the official press release:


INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP SECURES NEW SERIES OF TORCHWOOD
http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/torchwood_new_series/

Key cast - John Barrowman (Capt. Jack), Eve Myles (Gwen) – to return for the next installment, along with new faces
Monday 7th June 2010

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network, Starz Entertainment, have today announced a three way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit BBC sci-fi drama Torchwood. BBC Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.

The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Davies and BBC Worldwide Productions’ SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The series has been commissioned by Controller BBC ONE, Jay Hunt, Controller BBC Drama, Ben Stephenson, and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.

While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the U.S. and around the world. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces.

Announcing the commission, Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning said: "We have a long history of working with many U.S. networks but it is incredibly exciting to be working with Starz for the first time, as well as to be reunited with the best of British in Russell, Jane and Julie. Torchwood will burst back onto the screen with a shocking and moving story with global stakes and locations that will make it feel bigger and bolder than ever"

Jane Tranter, EVP, BBC Worldwide Productions, added: "Torchwood has attracted remarkable attention and loyalty in both the UK and U.S., and in this new partnership with Starz, the next chapter will not only reward our current fans, but also introduce new viewers to the most impressive instalment yet."

"We're committed to programming exceptional television that is entertaining, imaginative and provides a premium TV experience, and by any measure the new concept for Torchwood fits that mandate," Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht said. "I've been part of successful partnerships with Jane Tranter and the BBC previously, and I'm very much looking forward to working with them again."

Torchwood is a drama that puts extraterrestrial threats into a very real world, and asks how humanity deals with the danger - while fighting mankind's darkest instincts. The series was originally commissioned and produced in 2006 by BBC Cymru Wales, with the latest high octane series capturing UK audiences of more than 6 million.

BBC Worldwide has distributed previous Torchwood series around the world to territories such as Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, Russia and across Latin America.

[A-HK]

'Torchwood' interviews with Starz chief Chris Albrecht, creator Russell T. Davies

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/torchwood-interviews-with-starz-chief-chris-albrecht-creator-russell-t-davies-.html

Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht is creating a fanboy's dream of a development slate. In addition to ordering a prequel for "Spartacus," the network is readying a new version of "Camelot" and
just picked up the rights to BBC's alien-fighting favorite "Torchwood." Below, Albrecht talks about how "Torchwood" will evolve for U.S. audiences and more. Below that, "Torchwood" creator Russell T. Davies weighs in.

THR: What attracted you to "Torchwood"? Albrecht: It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Each season of the show, the show has evolved and "The Children of Earth" was terrific as evident in it was just named a Television Critics Press Awards nominee. I'm interested in doing sci-fi and what I like a lot about "Torchwood" is it's a very classic sci-fi entry. It's all about the story, it's not about big effects. I thought "Children of Earth" evolved the franchise to a place where it could continue to evolve on pay TV with an American partner that could bring more production resources.

THR: And by that you mean "Torchwood" will have a larger budget?

Albrecht: Yes, it certainly will.

THR: What changes are in store for fans?

Albrecht: Well at the end of "Children of Earth," Torchwood was destroyed, so when we pick up in our world the need for Torchwood arises again. A lot of this story takes place in the U.S. as well with several characters that are in the U.S. intelligence forces and end up teaming up with Gwen and Captain Jack to deal with the situation at hand.

THR: So it will take place in the UK and the US?

Albrecht: As well as other locations.

THR: With "Camelot" and "Spartacus" and now "Torchwood," Starz is carving out a niche as a  genre-friendly network.

Albrecht: It's on purpose. I actually think it's a good opportunity for pay TV. It puts us as an entry in the pay category that makes us different and it's something that will continue.

THR: Can you talk about "Camelot"? How will this version feel different?  

Albrecht: I don't believe we've ever seen a King Arthur story that takes it from virtually the very beginning of the story and tells it as a series. Arthur is 19 at the beginning. It's a fresh look at often thought of as history but is certainly mythology and a classic archetypal story and its very much about adventure and romance. And it's very much about the coming of age of young man who brings ideals to a position of king which had been handled differently before. That notion of leaders bringing a new vision has been visited frequently throughout history, including very recently in the U.S., and our story will emblematic of those stories.

THR: What's the latest on "Spartacus" star Andy Whitfield's treatment and the prequel?

Albrecht: We're very pleased at the news that's coming from Andy and his representatives and we are very optimistic about future of "Spartacus." The prequel is a great statement about our commitment to this show and the audience. People are going to be very pleased with the story that will evolve in the prequel and it will probably provide more enjoyment for when Andy returns.  

THR: Will "Party Down" see a third season?

Albrecht: We're not ready to make a decision. We're finishing up the last episodes of "Party Down" and "Gravity." We're going to sit down and look at our schedule. Certainly the critical response to the show has been terrific and we're proud to have it on.


And here's Davies:

THR: What's the new "Torchwood" like?

Davies: It's very much the next step. It's not a new version, it's not a reboot. We're simply moving countries. The show was previously a format show -- monster of the week. The breakthrough was "Children of Earth" and that it became one long story. It's not going to be 'Lost' and take 20 years to find out what's going on. It's going to have a most remarkable conclusion after 10 episodes.

THR: This was set up at Fox, what happened there?

Davies: We had a brilliant relationship with them. Thanks to them we were allowed to develop it and take it to Starz -- some networks don't allow you to do that, you know. They were very gracious. They have their new Steven Spielberg series ("Terra Nova"). Starz was waiting for us with open arms.


THR: Being on Starz would also allow you to have more grown-up content.

Davies: We're simply going to tell a good story. I wrote the pilot 7 months ago irregardless of network. BBC1 is a prime-time channel, but a brave channel. I don't worry about content.

THR: In "Torchwood" people know aliens exist. I take it that will be true in the United States as well?

Davies: Yes, in the "Torchwood" universe, you're in a place where aliens long ago went public. It's like with terrorists. We all know terrorists exist, but if you found yourself  in a room with one, you'd be in for a profound shock. You're never in a position where you take it for granted. I absolutely guarantee that you can leap in as a new viewer and be able to find everything.

[Archangel]

This is awesome I love torchwood and cant wait for this continuation of the series thanks for this bit of news