Torchwood returns

Popular Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood is set to return for a fourth series the BBC announced this week.

The 10 episode series is to be written by Torchwood’s creator Russell T Davies and his team and will be produced by BBC Worldwide productions. In a three way partnership with BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US cable network Starz Entertainment, the new storylines will include locations in the US and around the world for a more “international flavour” the BBC said.

John Barrowman will return as Captain Jack Harkness and Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, along with new cast members. No word on whether the Save Ianto Jones campaign has been successful in bringing back Captain Jack’s colleague and lover back after being killed in the five part series The Children of Earth.

This new version of Torchwood is expected to air during the summer of 2011 on BBC One in the U.K and on Starz in the U.S.

Official BBC Press release:

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 human’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.