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Torchwood: Miracle Day

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Torchwood: Miracle Day
File:TorchwoodMD poster.jpg
Promotional Poster
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkStarz (US)
BBC One (UK)
Original releaseJuly 8, 2011 (2011-07-08) (Starz)[1]
14 July 2011 (2011-07-14) (BBC)[2]
Season chronology
← Previous
Children of Earth
List of episodes

Torchwood: Miracle Day[3] (previously titled Torchwood: The New World)[4][5][6] is the title of the American-British fourth series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running show Doctor Who. The series, a co-production between US premium network Starz and the BBC's drama production house BBC Cymru Wales for BBC Worldwide, will be b,roadcast over ten episodes beginning July 8, 2011 (US).[5][7] The majority of the filming took place in Los Angeles, California with two weeks additional shooting in Wales.[8]

Early development rumours suggested that the fourth series would be a reboot of the show, and that it would air on the Fox network in the United States. However, the deal with Fox did not go through and a new co-production deal with Starz was officially announced. Creator and executive producer Russell T Davies clarified the focus of the series, stating "it's very much the next step. It's not a new version, it's not a reboot. We're simply moving countries."[9] The second executive producer, Julie Gardner, described the new series as being "absolutely rebooted to welcome in a new audience".[10] Series writer Jane Espenson clarified further, describing the series as strictly "a continuation of the UK show".[11]

Writers for the series have been confirmed as Russell T Davies, John Shiban, Doris Egan, Jane Espenson and John Fay.[12] Espenson will write four episodes.[13] Kelly Manners will be producing in the US, and Brian Minchin will do this job in the UK.[14] The central plot is that suddenly, no one on Earth dies, and this provokes increasingly mixed reactions as the population soars.

Production

Casting

The show's remaining three regulars return to the series. Lead actor John Barrowman returns as Captain Jack Harkness, the immortal ex con-man from the 51st century. In the first three series of Torchwood, Jack ran the Cardiff remnant of the British organisation the Torchwood Institute, and was "the happiest he'd ever been". After the destruction of Torchwood and the deaths of his brother, grandson, his friends - Owen Harper and Toshiko Sato , and his lover Ianto Jones in the third series, the only thing that could bring Jack back to Earth is "his unstated love for Gwen Cooper".[15] Gwen, portrayed by Eve Myles, became pregnant in the third series by her husband Rhys Williams (Kai Owen), the third returning star. Since the fall of Torchwood, they have begun a quiet life living in seclusion with their baby, Anwen. Secretly, she is bored since the fall of Torchwood and pines for her former, extraordinary life; though she loves her husband and child, she retains feelings for Captain Jack Harkness.[15] Other returning characters include Gwen's former police partner PC Andy (Tom Price), now a sergeant,[16] and parents, Geraint (William Thomas) and Mary Cooper (Sharon Morgan),[17] who previously appeared in the series two episode "Something Borrowed" (2008). Thomas' online CV intimates that he will be a 'regular' character.[18]

Mekhi Phifer is to join the show as Rex Matheson,[19] the CIA's "golden boy" operative, fast-tracked for career stardom from Harvard, both highly intelligent and conventionally heroic. When "Miracle Day" happens, he must team up with Jack and Gwen to solve the mystery.[20] Alexa Havins will join the show as Esther Drummond,[20] a CIA Watch analyst with an optimistic faith in mankind.[21] Arlene Tur has been cast as surgeon Vera Juarez,[22] whilst Bill Pullman is to play Oswald Danes,[20] a dangerous convicted murderer who turns a prison release into celebrity status.[23] Oswald faces lethal injection, but becomes swept up in the story's plot thread when he — like the rest of the world — simply does not die.[3] Lauren Ambrose has been cast as Jilly Kitzinger in seven of the ten episodes. She will play "a sweet-talking PR genius with a heart of stone who's just cornered the most important client of her career … and maybe of all time."[24] Lena Kaur joins the UK cast as Dr. Alicia Patel.[25] Dichen Lachman,[21] Wayne Knight, Ernie Hudson, C. Thomas Howell,[26] and John de Lancie,[27] all have guest starring roles. Dillon Casey will play Brad, a one night stand of Captain Jack's.[28] Small parts have been given to Danny Szam and Daniel Adegboyega. Szam will play a character named Surveillance while Adegboyega will be a guard.[13]

Casting calls differed from the final press release. Pullman and Havins' characters' surnames were originally Jones and Katusi, respectively. Additionally, calls originally specified that Matheson was to be played by a Caucasian actor and Katusi by a non-Caucasian actress.[29] One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray and Dollhouse's Enver Gjokaj both auditioned for the part of Matheson.[30] Greek star Amber Stevens also auditioned for the part of Katusi/Drummond.[30] Actor James Marsters expressed strong interest in returning for the fourth series as his season two character Captain John Hart,[31] though neither he nor Russell Tovey (whose Doctor Who character appeared alongside Jack in Doctor Who special The End of Time) were approached by Davies about the possibility of appearing in series four.[32]

Main cast and guest stars

Actor Character Notes
John Barrowman Captain Jack Harkness [33]
Elisabeth Sladen Sarah Jane Smith [34]
Eve Myles Gwen Cooper [35]
Kai Owen Rhys Williams [36]
Mekhi Phifer Rex Matheson [37]
Alexa Havins Esther Drummond [38]
Arlene Tur Dr. Vera Juarez [39][40]
Bill Pullman Oswald Danes [41]
Lauren Ambrose Jilly Kitzinger [42]
Tom Price Sergeant Andy [43]
William Thomas Geraint Cooper [43]
Sharon Morgan Mary Cooper [43]
Paul James Noah Vickers [44]
Dillon Casey Brad
Dichen Lachman Lyn [45]
Lena Kaur Dr. Alicia Patel
Wayne Knight Brian Friedkin [45]
Ernie Hudson TBA
C. Thomas Howell TBA
John de Lancie TBA
Nana Visitor TBA [46]
Mare Winningham TBA [46]
Frances Fisher TBA [46]

Locations

As of January 2011, filming is taking place in Los Angeles, California. Locations used in the US so far have included the Sybil Brand Institute, Linda Vista Community Hospital and Los Angeles City Hall.[47] It has been reported that the location for Torchwood's new base of operations will be Bruce Willis' LA compound.[20] Locations being used in Wales include Cardiff International Airport and the National Trust's Old Rectory cottage in Rhossili Bay.[13][48][49] On 1 February 2011 filming returned to the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay.[49] The Coal Exchange was last used for John Frobisher's offices in Children of Earth. A pharmacy in Swansea has been used for a scene which sees Gwen Cooper crash a car into the front of the shop.[50][51]

Music

Torchwood and Doctor Who composer Murray Gold composed music for the fourth series.[52] This is the first time Gold has composed more than just the theme tune in Torchwood.

Promotion

A teaser trailer was released on 1 April 2011, featuring the earth stylized as a giant bomb after a news reporter announces that "At 10:36pm, the last death on the planet Earth was recorded." The Song Perfect Day by Lou Reed is used as a backing soundtrack to the trailer.[53] A promotional poster had earlier been released, featuring the same bomb motif.[54] Actors John Barrowman and Bill Pullman, alongside Executive Producer Julie Gardner, attended the 2011 MIPTV event in Cannes to promote the series.[55] Speaking of the new series, Gardner comments that "[Torchwood are] taking the Welsh global - retaining the best of British drama while learning all about US production values". John Barrowman spoke of how the new series will be "bigger and better" because of the increased opportunities of the American co-production.[56] Promotional pictures of the Torchwood: Miracle Day Cast, along with character biographies, were released in May 2011.[57] Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper feature on the front cover of Radio Times magazine for 9–15 July 2011.[58] The pair are also on the front cover of TV & Satellite Week for the same week.[59] Starz organised a 'March of The Soulless' on Thursday 7 July 2011 to promote the new series.[60]

Broadcast

Miracle Day was first shown on Starz on July 8, 2011 in the US. On 9 July 2011 it was shown on Space in Canada,[61] and on UKTV Australia in Australia.[62] The first broadcast in the UK is scheduled for 14 July 2011 on BBC One.

Episodes

Episodes are allotted to particular writers. Gardner and Davies spent four weeks alongside their writing staff working through the complete story. Writers subsequently elected to write those episodes which reflected their particular interests in certain themes or characters.[63] The writing team chose to rewrite and redraft every episode before the first scene would be shot; writer Jane Espenson felt this would give the series a much tighter feel and greater overall unity.[64] In writing Children of Earth and Miracle Day, Davies found his preference for the mini-series format and has stated Torchwood will not return to the "monster-of-the-week" stories which characterised the show's first two series, found in both Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures, finding the new format "more ambitious and intelligent".[63]

Episode list

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"The New World"[65]Bharat Nalluri[13]Russell T Davies[13]July 8, 2011 (2011-07-08) [66]101
2"Rendition"[65]Billy Gierhart[13]Doris Egan[13]July 15, 2011 (2011-07-15)[67]102
3"Dead of Night"[65]Billy Gierhart[13]Jane Espenson[13]July 22, 2011 (2011-07-22)[68]103
4"Escape to L.A."[65]Billy Gierhart[13]Jim Gray & John Shiban[13]July 29, 2011 (2011-07-29)[69]104
5"The Categories of Life"[65]Guy Ferland[13]Jane Espenson[13]August 5, 2011 (2011-08-05) [70]105
6"The Middle Men"[65]Guy Ferland[13]John Shiban[13]August 12, 2011 (2011-08-12) [71]106
7"Immortal Sins"[65]Gwyneth Horder-Payton[13]Jane Espenson[13]August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19) [72]107
8"End of the Road"[65]Gwyneth Horder-Payton[13]Jane Espenson & Ryan Scott[13]August 26, 2011 (2011-08-26) [73]108
9"The Gathering"[65]Guy Ferland[13]John FaySeptember 2, 2011 (2011-09-02) [74]109
10"The Blood Line"[65]Billy Gierhart[13]Russell T Davies & Jane Espenson[75]September 9, 2011 (2011-09-09)[76]110

Broadcast

References

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  2. ^ "Torchwood: Miracle Day Premiere UK airdate confirmed". denofgeek.com. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
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  69. ^ "Ep 104 - Escape To LA". Starz. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  70. ^ "*Ep 105 - The Categories Of Life". Starz. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  71. ^ "*Ep 106 - The Middle Men". Starz. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  72. ^ "*Ep 107 - Immortal Sins". Starz. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  73. ^ "Ep 108 - End Of The Road". Starz. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  74. ^ "Ep 109 - The Gathering". Starz. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  75. ^ "Jane Espenson on Twitter". April 19, 2011.
  76. ^ "Ep 110 - The Blood Line". Starz. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
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