San Diego Comic-Con 2011: Torchwood Miracle Day

By Dianne Garcia Sat., Jul. 23 2011 at 12:26 PM

Dianne Garcia

Torchwood: Miracle Day is about a day when people keep aging or getting hurt but no one on Earth dies.

Having already established itself through its Doctor Who following and growing as its own show, Torchwood is taking this unique sci-fi series from the BBC to the United States' Starz Network. John Barrowman and Eve Myles return as Torchwood's most famous duo, Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper. They are joined by a new American cast which includes Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson), Alexa Havins (Esther Drummond) and Bill Pullman (Oswald Danes). Popular sci-fi writer, Jane Espenson (Buffy and Battlestar Galactica) was also there to share her insights about writing for the show.

"The thing I love about this show that you can contain so many tones at once and you can go from funny to incredibly dark at the same time," Espenson comments at the panel, adding a little teaser. "If you were feeling hungry for dark chocolate and you have been getting milk chocolate, wait for episode five."

Dianne Garcia

In the press room, Espenson revealed the one thing she can't wait for fans to see in the future.

"I'm just saying that there's some Jack/Gwen conversation coming out that I'm really proud of that lays out their whole relationship... I'm so proud of it."

The biggest treat was the chance to sit with Pullman during the press conference, who discusses working for British television series that has made the move to America.

"I have a love for the BBC...they have some of the most intelligent and creative shows," Pullman said. "We went to Wales to promote it [the show] and you know, you don't get the cars the way you do in American production. You don't get the perks...BBC, they don't like to have a lot of splash and have it look like you're spending the citizen's money. I like the aesthetic though. I think it has evolved without doing it with all that excess."

Dianne Garcia

John Barrowman

Barrowman, who is an openly gay actor, goes into depth about the sexuality of his character. "He's mortal [now], he has never experienced that kind of feeling before. He's always been very hard and cold. And you know, he can sleep, he can get drunk, he can lay next to someone and really be passionate about it so he's going out to get laid...This relationship that Jack gets involved in, I'm really proud of it because if I were a young man growing up and watching a TV series like that and having networks like Starz that were showing how people actually do have sex and not pretending it doesn't happen. I have a relationship with this man and it's a truly passionate love."

"If they would have changed Jack's omnisexuality or his bisexuality, whatever you want to call it, I probably wouldn't have been a part of it," Barrowman said as he compliments the Starz network for letting them stay true to the show.

As for those who are wondering if Captain Jack will ever return to Doctor Who, Barrowman can't confirm any details but he says he would love to go back and work with Matt Smith, the current eleventh Doctor. For now, fans have plenty to look forward to with Torchwood: Miracle Day and its new American twist.

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Tags:

bill pullman, eve myles, jane espensen, john barrownman, san diego comic-con 2011, torchwood, torchwood miracle day

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Gravitule

I don't watch this show anymore since they killed Ianto Jones. I don't like Gwen and captain Jack is not the same since COE. Hence no reason to watch. And what's the point getting attached to new characters who will die for no reason?

Smithy

Well I love it! This series seems very Torchwood to me - much more than COE - and in line with the humour and craziness of the first two series. I'm British, and I say thank you America for coughing up the funding for this, because the UK wasn't prepared to!

Pop

It has become a souless version of what it used to be, Torchwood was a quirky, unique show which had strong characters at the heart of it. Now apart from Bill Pullman they are all characatures of themselves, and as for the C.I.A staff and doctor characters, well they are so awful it's like paint by number acting. This has become style over substance and because of that has lost what made it great. Torchwood is gone and replaced by an American attempt at it and it just doesn't work

Renopica

Watching it now...Very dissapointed. Bring back the old Torchwood gang. The reason that series worked was because of the unique relationships between the team members and the very strong acting. Besides Pullman, of course, these huffing and puffing Yanks (and, YES...I am one!) seem to be auditioning for their own reality shows. They are, at best irritating and at worst boring. I recorded the first episodes and have been fast-forwarding through the Yanks. The only time the show comes alive is when the two remaining Torchies are left to carry the story line. Whenever the americans appear, they seem to be fretting about paying bridge tolls or their hairstyles. Pathetic.Bottom line: Great storyline; pathetic performances from my side of the ocean. Send the Yanks back to their own soaps. Apologies from America!