Series 3 (Torchwood)

Overview

The Third series of Torchwood aired on BBC One in June 2009. It consisted of a single, five-episode story arc entitled Torchwood: Children of Earth, broadcast over five consecutive nights. The series had a new Producer, Peter Bennett and was directed by Euros Lyn, who had considerable experience on the revived Doctor Who.

The first and fifth episodes were written by Russell T Davies, who also wrote the story arc. The third episode was co-written by Davies and James Moran whilst the second and fourth were by newcomer John Fay, though according to Moran's blog, all three writers had input into the storyline. Freema Agyeman and Noel Clarke were originally scheduled to appear as Martha Jones and Mickey Smith, Agyeman appearing throughout the story arc and Clarke in the final two episodes. When Agyeman was signed to co-star in Law & Order: UK, her appearance was whittled down to a one-scene cameo, which was ultimately cut when she became completely unavailable. Clarke was forced to pull out at a later stage due to film commitments. (REF: Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter) and Nicholas Briggs, who has written and acted in many licensed-by-BBC and unlicensed Doctor Who franchise spinoffs since the 1980s, and who is the revived Doctor Who series' resident alien voiceover artist, makes his first on-screen appearance in a televised Who-franchise production. An appearance by the Tenth Doctor was speculated on but did not occur, although references to the character are made in dialogue (including a reference in Day Five that serves to cover the issue of why he isn't on Earth to combat the 456).

Production on this series began in August 2008. It was broadcast in July 2009 on BBC One. The Series aired from Monday 6 July to Friday 10th.

In 2010 the Television Critics Association nominated the series for Best TV movie, Miniseries and Special.

This season starred John Barrowman as Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones (in the first four episodes of the season) and Kai Owen as Rhys Williams.

Television stories

Episode Number	Title	Writer(s)	Director	Notes
1	Children of Earth: Day One	Russell T Davies	Euros Lyn	First appearance of Clem, Lois Habiba, John Frobisher, Brian Green, Rhiannon Davies, Johnny Davies, Mr. Dekker, Alice Carter, Steven Carter and Johnson. Destruction of the Torchwood Hub
2	Children of Earth: Day Two	John Fay	Euros Lyn
3	Children of Earth: Day Three	Russell T Davies & James Moran	Euros Lyn	First appearance of The 456
4	Children of Earth: Day Four	John Fay	Euros Lyn	Death of Ianto Jones and Clem
5	Children of Earth: Day Five	Russell T Davies	Euros Lyn	Final appearance of the 456. Death of Steven Carter and John Frobisher. Jack Harkness leaves Torchwood.

Cast

Main cast

From left to right: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper.

File:Children of earth.jpg

A promotional image for the series.

• Captain Jack Harkness - John Barrowman
• Gwen Cooper - Eve Myles
• Ianto Jones - Gareth David-Lloyd
• Rhys Williams - Kai Owen
• Lois Habiba - Cush Jumbo
• John Frobisher - Peter Capaldi
• Clem McDonald - Paul Copley
• Johnson - Liz May Brice
• Rhiannon Davies - Katy Wix
• Alice Carter - Lucy Cohu
• Mr. Dekker - Ian Gelder
• Prime Minister Green - Nicholas Farrell
• Bridget Spears - Susan Brown

Secondary cast

• Steven Carter - Bear McCausland
• Johnny Davies - Rhodri Lewis
• Andy Davidson - Tom Price
• Voice of the The 456- Simon Poland

Guest cast

• Dr. Rupesh Patanjali - Rik Makarem
• Denise Riley - Deborah Findlay
• Rick Yates - Nicholas Briggs

Aliens and enemies

• The 456
• John Frobisher
• Brian Green
• Johnson
• Rupesh Patanjali
• Hitchhiker

Radio

• Asylum
• Golden Age
• The Dead Line

Notes

• The audio stories were broadcast in early July on Radio 4 prior to the broadcast of Children of Earth, the CD was later released in September 2009

External links

• Season 3 preview.
• Praise for the mini-series on The Three Rs.