Torchwood is going global for its next ten episode series. In a first for the production, US network Starz – gaining steam recently with its original series Spartacus: Blood And Sand – will be part-funding the show, which will return with stars Eve Myles and John Barrowman in summer 2011.
The series will vacate its Cardiff hub during this fourth series, telling stories that span the globe. Russell T Davies will return to steer the show behind the scenes, while new cast members are expected to join the show, given that pretty much everyone on Torchwood has been bumped off, minus Captain Jack and Gwen.
The move to Starz comes as that network is making a name for itself in original programming. In the US, Torchwood rivals Doctor Who in terms of popularity, rating highly for BBC America over its past few seasons.
This is exciting news for Torchwood fans, then. We’re expecting the productions values on the show – which have, in our minds, been somewhat ropey since the show’s inception – to exponentially increase with Starz behind the drama.
So, now we have to wonder if the show’s links to the Who universe will be maintained at all, given this new state of affairs. What do you reckon? Will Torchwood benefit from a US network’s participation? Who would you like to see become part of the team?
