When we previously brought the news that series 5 of the BBC’s hit Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood was being placed on indefinite hold, we promised to keep fans updated on any info that might arise.
Now, according to showrunner Russell T. Davies, the news is… exactly the same.
Appearing last Saturday on comedian Graham Norton’s BBC radio show, Davies chatted mostly about his current television project Wizards vs Aliens, but also touched upon the status of Torchwood, saying that the fan favorite sci-fi drama, while not quite “dead,” is in television limbo:
“I loved making it over there [in the USA], and I would have carried on if circumstances hadn’t brought me back to this country, so it’s kind of in limbo for me at the moment. I’m not working on it at the moment, I’m only working on ‘Wizards VS. Aliens.’ When I get back to work one day, I don’t know, it’ll be old news to the BBC!
“It’s not officially [cancelled], it’s in a nice limbo where it can stew – those shows can come back in ten, twenty years time.”
On the one hand, Davies’ recent statement isn’t exactly the most reassuring thing for eager fans desperately waiting to see more of the continuing saga of the immortal Captain Jack Harkness – on the other hand, it’s also not a “no” as to whether or not series 5 will happen. Despite a few mixed reviews, last season’s Torchwood: Miracle Day – which took the series across the pond to the USA in a joint effort between the BBC and the Starz Network – was highly praised for its ambitious storyline and casting choices.
‘Torchwood’ creator Russell T. Davies
With the ever-growing popularity of parent show Doctor Who and Torchwood: Miracle Day’s strong ratings, Starz has maintained interest in making a series 5 whenever Davies is ready. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht added to Davies ‘maybe someday’ statement by saying:
“You know, Russell is so busy. Obviously, we’re in touch with the BBC all the time. We told them, we stand by ready for any news, but I think it would be a while before Russell came back to ‘Torchwood.’”
Even Captain Jack himself, actor John Barrowman, hasn’t given up hope on once again donning his trademark military peacoat. Currently starring on the CW’s superhero drama Arrow, Barrowman expressed interest in a Torchwood movie should a season 5 not happen. Barrowman said:
“I’m not going to talk about the future of ‘Torchwood’ beyond where we are, but if I said I wouldn’t love to have Captain Jack on the big screen, I’d be lying”
So there it is again: Everyone is down for a Torchwood series 5 if creator Russell T. Davies can find the time. While it may be some time before Torchwood comes back to earth, disappointed fans can hold on to the hope that Captain Jack Harkness will make an appearance in the big 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, which is expected to start filming next spring.
-
Source: Doctor Who News
Ryan Reynolds Drops Out of 'Highlander' Reboot 
No Loki in 'Avengers 2' 
'Man of Steel' Director & Writer on What Has to Happen in 'Man of Steel 2' 
Movie News Wrap Up: Arnold in 'Expendables 3', 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Movie & More 
I hope they do a 5th season before john becomes to big of a star, he seems to be slowly taking on bigger roles. i also hope they make torchwood become an organization again like in seasons 1-3. thats one thing i didnt really like about 4 is that they were always on the run and they were this little group that had no authority. they need to be more like the Fringe devision again. and it would be cool to have martha join torchwood like she was suppose to in 3.
TORCHWOOD, PLEASE COMEBACK!! HURRY!
TORCHWOOD, PLEASE COMEBACK!! HURRY!!
I love fringe! Great show, but i liked it better before the whole takeover of the observers in the future. That was just bad…
Too bad it ended…
I wonder if the BBC, or even Starz, would consider producing a fifth series if it were in the hands of someone other than Davies? Just because he ‘created’ Torchwood doesn’t mean that only he is allowed to continue it. If that rule were absolute, then Davies would never have been allowed to produce the new Doctor Who. After all, he didn’t create it. Would love to see someone take the reins who could return Torchwood to what it used to be – monster/alien of the week, with a collection of imperfect characters fighting in secret for the Earth. And please, stop killing off characters every time they become more popular than Gwen Cooper!
“Just because he ‘created’ Torchwood doesn’t mean that only he is allowed to continue it.”
Yeah, but:
IMO, the strength of the new Doctor Who series is that Russell “gets it” and is able to build a story that both, has broad appeal, and that fits in with the typical fan’s concept of the Doctor Who universe. In fact, I believe that the new series is much more cohesive, coherent and entertaining than the original series. I would be much more likely to buy an entire season of the new series than to try and dig up the tattered remnants of the old B&W version.
The original series was fun, but it suffered greatly from a revolving door policy with the writers, some of whom appeared to be intentionally trying to kill the show off. Of course, lack of vision on the part of the BBC bosses didn’t help much either.
I agree!
RTD killed Torchwood! Sorry but anyone who cannot see that is a nutter! Someone else needs to take it from him and bring it back to it’s once and former glory!!
idk, I kinda liked the major story arc concept of CotE & MD, but at the same time it was too abrupt of a change, and then it just became one major arc after another.
I’d really like for them to develope both Rex’s immortality & a stronger connection with UNIT, & ultimately Martha and Mickey.
Perhaps if they did it closer to how Who has it – an underlying major story arc that hides in the recesses of each episode, but doesn’t really do much more than foreshadow the season finale.
I haven’t seen John Barrowman on ARROW, and I haven’t seen him listed in the next episodes of the show. Can someone confirm if he will be there? Thanks.
He is on episode 4 at the end. I freaked out when I saw him, I hope he’s a regular.
He is on episode 4 at the end. I freaked out when I saw him, I hope he’s a regular. He did a really good job and I was impressed in his appearance on a random show like that. You should watch it and tell me what you think
He is on episode 4 of Arrow at the end. I freaked out when I saw him, I hope he’s a regular. He did a really good job and I was impressed in his appearance on a random show like that. You should watch it and tell me what you think
John Barrowman will be a re-occuring “guest star”. Only because he is playing “Merlyn.” DC fans know that Merlyn is the main enemy of Green Arrow, so he should make an appearence quite often. It is kinda like the situation with Walking Dead. How Norman Reedus was listed as a guest star, but now he is a main character.
20 years?! I hope Russell die slowly and painfully.
Guys… Be nice to russell. The only reason he stopped was because his partner/husband has brain cancer and they don’t know if he will make it. There are more important things in life than tv. Yes, someone could sub for him, but really, those of you who are saying tha you hope he dies a horrible death and that he’s really selfish need to understand that the only selfish thing here would be if he kept writing instead of being there for Andrew Smith, his spouse. I know that if that was me, I’d say, “screw it! I am not gonna sit around making all those obsessed geeks out there happy while my husband dies.” Have some sympathy, and figure out the facts before you run your mouth and disgrace a brave, loving guy who’s husband’s life is hanging in the balance.
the series wil come back in 10-20 years ? then evryone will be old! I hope they do a fifth season. i love it. and i hope jack appears in moore doctor who episodes <3
Ok.
I have just sat here and watched every episode Torchwood have just made.
And you left it on a cliffhanger…. CONTINUE WITH SERIES 5!!! xD
I think Davies is incredibly selfish. Finish Torchwood. Give us a finale. What a self serving jerk! Without fans, you’re a no one. And look how you treated said fans
Guys… Be nice to russell. The only reason he stopped was because his partner/husband has brain cancer and they don’t know if he will make it. There are more important things in life than tv. Yes, someone could sub for him, but really, those of you who are saying tha you hope he dies a horrible death and that he’s really selfish need to understand that the only selfish thing here would be if he kept writing instead of being there for Andrew Smith, his spouse. I know that if that was me, I’d say, “screw it! I am not gonna sit around making all those obsessed geeks out there happy while my husband dies.” Have some sympathy, and figure out the facts before you run your mouth and disgrace a brave, loving guy who’s husband’s life is hanging in the balance.
All right already. We understand that Davies the creator has gone through some horrid situations recently (death of his companion) but whatever happened to the old trooper saying “The show must go on”? If he is too busy or too distraught or too otherwise occupied to continue with the series, then release options to other equally qualified writers to continue the saga so that fans can stop sitting on their hands and getting gangrene-fingers.
That also gives recurring work to John Barrowman and the rest of the cast so they can plan their lives too.
torchwood should continue but not in 10 or 20 years but with in the next year or so not sat in limbo waiting untill the creater has some spare time to make a season 5 everyone has given the ok and said there ready so mabey they should just get another director to do it if Russell T. Davies is just going to hang around and let it lose all of its fans no offence to the man cause he great but i and others would just want another torchwood to come out within the next 4-5 years that would be great
(there is no personal offence ment in this message if you see it as offences then i send my greates appolages)
I hope to watch on live television with my laptop this summer. I hope things go well for the creator.
Please let there be a series 5! I don’t understand why he won’t consider this over his other projects. As much as I love RTD and hope his personal circumstances regarding his partner get better, as a professional I do think that he should at least let someone else take over. It’s not really fair on other people.
Honestly .. I think Miracle Day killed the series. One thing I LOVE about Torchwood/Doctor Who is how “UN-AMERICAN” it all is, and with Miracle Day .. it was like watching just another good ole American TV show that happened to throw some British actors in it and that really disappointed me. IF Barrowman wasn’t so SEXY I wouldn’t have watch the entire season, but he just is so good on the eyes.
season 4 should have never happened in the manner it did. them on the run was a horrible idea.. americanizing it was also horrible. bill pullman was horrible in it, shouldnt have been cast.
10 to 20 years too long, I understand Russell is busy but 10 to 20 years is a big ask for us to wait.The current stars of the show will be too old then, and with new ones it just will not be the same! Come on Russell, don’t make us wait that long PLEASE!
I agree. What are they thinking? Old Capt H? He’s immortal, how can he look old? And true, it would not be a season 5 if it has a different Capt H. Plus in 10 years I’ll be 63, and in 20 I’ll be 73. I don’t want to wait that long, and maybe Russell will be dead too. Someone is not seeing into the future right.
I have watch Doctor Who sense i was a little kid and I have always loved it. In my adult life they they brought it back and I was so happy. the thing is you can do that with doctor who it never need die because there can always be a new doctor that’s the science of the show. Torchwood does not work that way while Captain Jack Harkness Is immortal the actor is not. It can’t be brought back 10 years from now it is just not possible. There are many fans like me out there many are even writers of fan fictions. I purpose this have a contest for all the fans out there. let us write the next season of Torchwood who ever comes up with the best script gets to see it come to life. Surly Mr. I’m Too Busy has the time to at least read some scrips!
Perhaps Netflix could pick up Torchwood where the BBC won’t. John Barrowman (presently appearing in ‘Arrow’ as the ultimate bad guy, is keeping that show afloat, but how will that last? Eventually, they will have to kill him off and the show will die out – oh wait, he’s just been shot on the show as I’m writing this …).
Russell T. Davies needs to get on with it or move over and let someone else have a go
I understand that torchwood had to evolve to keep the ever growing audience amused… But I strongly disagree with the decision to kill both Owen and Tosh… If you wanted to kill one of them then It would be less of a blow to the fans who adore every character. Ultimately, killing Ianto in season 3 was a huge mistake… Stop killing off people please…
They really need to make a 5th season, or something! This was a great series, few of many, that deserved to be on T.V. I love how it’s always the same; taking good shows off the air by cancelling or ending them, and keeping the worse shows possible on the air. It can’t be that hard to continue a contract, can it?
I have just found torchwood and Ive almost finished it, it is an amazing series!! Please bring it back. Why is it they always do away with the good shows but keep the rubbish on tv?
Those comments calling him selfish are out of order. RTD came back to england because his partner had cancer and to be honest I can wait. His needs should come before the show.
hi , Rusell T Davis , i need torchwood back , it’s magnificient , i adore the show , #bringitback plzzzzzzx
Guys… Be nice to russell. The only reason he stopped was because his partner/husband has brain cancer and they don’t know if he will make it. There are more important things in life than tv. Yes, someone could sub for him, but really, those of you who are saying tha you hope he dies a horrible death and that he’s really selfish need to understand that the only selfish thing here would be if he kept writing instead of being there for Andrew Smith, his spouse. I know that if that was me, I’d say, “screw it! I am not gonna sit around making all those obsessed geeks out there happy while my husband dies.” Have some sympathy, and figure out the facts before you run your mouth and disgrace a brave, loving guy who’s husband’s life is hanging in the balance.