Series 3 (Torchwood): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Series
{{Template:Infobox Torchwood|
|image            = Torchwood ChildrenofEarth logo.png
story name = Children of Earth|
|image2          = Ep00 CoE torchwood team.jpg
image = [[file:Children of earth.jpg|250px]] |
|broadcast year  = 2009
series= [[Torchwood]] - [[List of Torchwood television stories|TV Stories]] |
|broadcast year2  =
series number=[[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Series 3]]|
|ep count        = 5
number= 27 |
|story count      = 1
enemy= [[The 456]]<br>[[Johnson (Children of Earth)|Johnson]]|
|first ep        = Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)
writer= [[Russell T Davies]]''(Parts 1, 4 & 5)''<br>[[John Fay]] ''(Part 2)''<br>[[James Moran]] ''(Part 3)''|
|main character  = Jack Harkness
director = [[Euros Lyn]] |
|starring        = Gwen Cooper
producer = [[Peter Bennett]] |
|starring2        = Ianto Jones
broadcast date= 6th July 2009 to 10th July 2009<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2009/wk27/unplaced.shtml#unplaced_torchwood1 BBC Press Office - Torchwood – Children Of The Earth: Day One] <small>accessed 20 June 2009</small></ref>|Could be Monday 6th July 2009 [http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=92&programmeId=99228175&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp TBC] |
|starring3        = Rhys Williams
previous story = [[TW]]: ''[[Exit Wounds]]|
|starring4        = Lois Habiba
next story = '''''Series 4'''''
|main enemy      = [[The 456]]
|}}
|producer        = Peter Bennett
|exec prod        = Russell T Davies
|exec prod2      = Julie Gardner
|start date      = [[6 July (releases)|6 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]
|end date        = [[10 July (releases)|10 July]] 2009
|network          = BBC One
|runtime          = 52'
|DWM              = DWM 410
|DWM2            = DWM 412
|DWM3            = DWM 413
|DWM4            = DWM 484
|prev            = Series 2 (Torchwood)
|next            = Series 4 (Torchwood)
|trailer          = Torchwood Children of Earth Trailer - BBC One
|trailer2        =  
|clip            = The Torchwood Hub is Destroyed! Day One Torchwood Children of Earth
|clip2            = We want the children - Torchwood - BBC
|clip3            = Jack makes the ultimate sacrifice - Torchwood - BBC
|bts              =
|bts2            =
|bts3            =  
}}{{you may|Series 3 (BFTW)|n1=the audio series}}
'''Series 3''' of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'', also known under the umbrella title '''''Children of Earth''''', ran between [[6 July (releases)|6 July]] and [[10 July (releases)|10 July]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]]. It starred [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]], [[Eve Myles]] as [[Gwen Cooper]], [[Kai Owen]] as [[Rhys Williams]] and [[Gareth David-Lloyd]] as [[Ianto Jones]]. The series opened with ''[[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day One]]'' and concluded with ''[[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Five]]''.


==Synopsis ==
== Overview ==
[[Captain Jack Harkness]] ([[John Barrowman]]), [[Gwen Cooper]] ([[Eve Myles]]) and [[Ianto Jones]] ([[Gareth David-Lloyd]]) are still coming to terms with the death of two of their closest friends. Despite their pain, they have a job to do.
It consisted of a single, five-episode story arc titled ''Torchwood: Children of Earth'', broadcast over five consecutive nights. The series had a new [[producer]], [[Peter Bennett]], and was [[Director (crew)|directed]] by [[Euros Lyn]], who had considerable experience on the revived ''[[Doctor Who]]''.


This time they are faced with their fiercest threat to date - one which throws the future of [[Torchwood]] and the entire human race spiralling into danger. They battle against the odds but do they stand a chance of saving mankind?
The [[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|first]] and [[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|final episodes]] were [[Writer|written]] by [[Russell T Davies]], who also wrote the story arc. The [[Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)|third episode]] was co-written by Davies and [[James Moran]] whilst the [[Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)|second]] and [[Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)|fourth]] were by newcomer [[John Fay]], though, according to Moran's blog, all three writers had an input into the storyline.


==Plot==
[[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 {{wi|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|Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter]]'')


The plot involves aliens called [[The 456]] and a deal the [[Government]] made in the [[1960s]] which has come back to haunt them, as well as the efforts of a cynical government agent named Johnson to expose [[Torchwood]].
Also, [[Nicholas Briggs]], who has written and acted in many licensed-by-BBC and unlicensed ''Doctor Who'' franchise spin-offs since the 1980s, and who is the revived ''Doctor Who'' series' resident alien voice-over artist, makes his first on-screen appearance in a televised Who-franchise production.


==Overview==
Production on this series began in [[August (production)|August]] [[2008 (production)|2008]].
The series, subtitled ''Children of Earth'' will consist of one continuous story, delivered over 5 consecutive nights. The series will have a new producer: [[Peter Bennett]]. Veteran ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[Director]] [[Euros Lyn]] will direct the entire series. The first, fourth, and fifth episodes have been written by [[Russell T Davies]], who is also writing the overall story arc. The third episode has been written by [[James Moran]] and the second episode by newcomer [[John Fay]].


Production on this series will started in August [[2008]] for expected broadcast in Spring [[2009]], when it will air on [[BBC 1]] in a post-watershed slot. The Series will air from Monday the 6th of July to the 10th. <ref>[http://www.gallifreyone.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?id=EkuEVEyZFEYLfvgBAE&tmpl=newsrss&style=feedstyle Outpost Gallifrey - Watch's Schedule Suggested UK Airdate for Children Of Earth (But Not Anymore)] <small>accessed 20 June 2009</small></ref> This is consistent with the announcement that the first episode of the series will be shown by the British Film Institute on 12 June.<ref>[http://www.gallifreyone.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?id=EkupAulZluYWPzBLkJ&tmpl=newsrss&style=feedstyle Outpost Gallifrey - aTorchwood: Children of Earth teaser and preview screening] <small>accessed 20 June 2009</small></ref>
In [[2010 (production)|2010]] the [[Television Critics Association]] nominated the series for ''Best TV Movie, Miniseries and Special''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/109/1095038p1.html|title=Modern Family, Glee, Lost and Clone Wars Get TV Critics Love|date of source=June 5, 2010|website name=IGN|accessdate=11th February 2012}}</ref>


The names of the five part series was revealed in ''[[Torchwood Magazine]]'' as ''[[Children of Earth]]''. The episodes will have individual titles entiled:
== Cast ==
*[[Day One (Children of Earth)|Day One]] - ''Episode One''
[[File:COEpromotionalposter1.jpg|thumb|A promotional image for the series.]]
*[[Day Two (Children of Earth)|Day Two]] - ''Episode Two''
* [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
*[[Day Three (Children of Earth)|Day Three]] - ''Episode Three''
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
*[[Day Four (Children of Earth)|Day Four]] - ''Episode Four''
* [[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
*[[Day Five (Children of Earth)|Day Five]] - ''Episode Five''
* [[Rhys Williams]] - [[Kai Owen]]
* [[Lois Habiba]] - [[Cush Jumbo]]
* [[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Clem McDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]
* [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]
* [[Rhiannon Davies]] - [[Katy Wix]]
* [[Alice Carter]] - [[Lucy Cohu]]
* Mr [[Dekker]] - [[Ian Gelder]]
* [[Brian Green|Prime Minister Green]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
* [[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]
* [[Steven Carter]] - [[Bear McCausland]]
* [[Johnny Davies]] - [[Rhodri Lewis]]
* [[Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]
* Voice of the [[The 456]] - [[Simon Poland]]


==Story Notes==
=== Recurring ===
*[[Toshiko Sato]] and [[Owen Harper]] will not appear, as confirmed by [[Julie Gardner]]
* [[Dr]] [[Rupesh Patanjali]] - [[Rik Makarem]]
*Children of Earth was orginally planned to air in the second week in June, but was changed to July
* [[Denise Riley]] - [[Deborah Findlay]]
*The only confirmed main cast members for Series 3 John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, [[Tom Price]], and [[Kai Owen]]. <!--Do not add Freema Agyeman or Noel Clark.  They are NOT confirmed--> <!--Even though in The Writer's Tale, Davies mentioned that he promised Noel Clarke that he could appear in Series 3 which is why he (Davies) scrapped an ending for Journey's End that involved Voidstuff-->
* [[Trinity Wells]] - [[Lachele Carl]]
*The story is likely to bet set around [[2010]] or [[2011]]
* [[French newsreader]] - [[Anthony Debaeck]]


==Cast==
=== Guest ===
===Returning Cast===
* [[Rick Yates]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
*[[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] -[[John Barrowman]]
*[[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]] <!--Do not use the character name Gwen Williams here unless it is confirmed that she is using a married name in the new season-->
*[[Ianto Jones]] - [[Gareth David-Lloyd]]
*[[Rhys Williams]] - [[Kai Owen]]
*[[Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]
 
===New Cast===
*[[Lois Habiba]] - [[Cush Jumbo]]
*[[Rupesh Patanjali|Dr. Rupesh Patanjali]] - [[Rik Makarem]]
*[[Alice Carter]] - [[Lucy Cohu]]
*[[Bridget Spears]] - [[Susan Brown]]
*[[Johnson (Children of Earth)|Johnson]] - [[Liz May Brice]]
*[[John Frobisher]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
*[[Clem MacDonald]] - [[Paul Copley]]
*[[Dekker|Mr. Dekker]] - [[Ian Gelder]]
*[[Brian Green|Brian Green PM]] - [[Nicholas Farrell]]
*[[Rhiannon Davies]] - [[Katy Wix]]
*[[Rick Yates]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]


== Episodes ==
{| {{prettytable}}
!width="2%"| '''#''' || width=10%| '''Title'''  || '''Writer(s)''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
|-
|1
|'' [[Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)|Day One]]''
|[[Russell T Davies]]
|rowspan=5|[[Euros Lyn]]
|First appearance of [[Clement McDonald]], [[Lois Habiba]], [[John Frobisher]], [[Brian Green]], [[Rhiannon Davies]], [[Johnny Davies]], Mr. [[Dekker]], [[Alice Carter]], [[Steven Carter]] and [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Agent Johnson]]. Gwen learns she is [[pregnant]]. Destruction of the [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood Hub]].
|-
|2
|'' [[Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)|Day Two]]''
|[[John Fay]]
|
|-
|3
|'' [[Children of Earth: Day Three (TV story)|Day Three]]''
|Russell T Davies, [[James Moran]]
|First appearance of [[the 456]].
|-
|4
|'' [[Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)|Day Four]]''
|John Fay
|Death of [[Ianto Jones]] and [[Clement McDonald]].
|-
|5
|'' [[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|Day Five]]''
|Russell T Davies
|Final appearance of the 456. Death of Steven Carter and John Frobisher. [[Jack Harkness]] leaves Earth. Torchwood Three disbands.
|}


== Aliens and enemies ==
* [[The 456]] ambassador
* [[John Frobisher]]
* [[Brian Green]]
* [[Johnson (Children of Earth: Day One)|Johnson]]
* [[Rupesh Patanjali]]
* [[Hitchhiker (species)|Hitchhiker]]


==International Broadcast==
== Digital availability ==
Early in 2009, several sources including ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' reported that [[BBC One]] and [[BBC America]] were planning to coincide their broadcasts, allowing ''Children of Earth'' to be broadcast in the UK and US on the same days. This ultimately did not occur, with the UK now scheduled to see the miniseries the week of 6th July, followed by BBC America the week of 20th July 2009.
Series 3 of ''Torchwood'' is available for purchase and/or as part of a subscription on:
* [[iTunes]] in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], the UK and [[US]],
* [[Amazon (service)|Amazon Video]] in [[Austria]], Germany, the UK and US,
* [[Netflix]] in 70 countries, which do not include Austria, Canada, France, Germany or the UK.
* Stan in Australia which includes the rest of the series
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:iTunes_TorchwoodS3_cover.jpg|[[iTunes]] store cover
</gallery>


A Canadian broadcast on [[Space (TV channel)|Space]] of ''Children of Earth'' is expected in July 2009, as well, but the exact airdates have yet to be announced as of mid-June.
== Radio ==
* ''[[Asylum (audio story)|Asylum]]''
* ''[[Golden Age (audio story)|Golden Age]]''
* ''[[The Dead Line (audio story)|The Dead Line]]''


==DVD/Blu Ray Release==
=== Notes ===
''Children of Earth'' is scheduled for release on both DVD and Blu-Ray in Region 1 (North America) on 28th July, but on the 13th of July for the UK.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Torchwood-Children-Of-Earth/12007 TVshowsOnDVD.com - Torchwood - Correct release date & package art for ''Children of Earth'' on DVD & Blu-ray] <small>accessed 20 June 2009</small></ref>
* The audio stories were broadcast in early [[July (releases)|July]] on [[Radio 4]] prior to the broadcast of ''Children of Earth'', the CD was later released in [[September (releases)|September]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]].


==External Links==
== External links ==
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/ Season 3 preview.]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/ Season 3 preview.]
* [http://www.reviewsrantsrandomness.com/2009/07/torchwood-children-of-earth.html Praise for the mini-series on The Three Rs.]


==Footnotes==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Torchwood series 3}}
{{Torchwood Series 3 aliens}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[Category:Seasons]]
[[Category:Torchwood series]]


{| class="browser"
[[cy:Cyfres 3 (Torchwood)]]
|-
| class="prev"|'''Previous season''':<br />[[Series 2 (Torchwood)|Torchwood Series 2]]
| class="next"|'''Next season''':<br /> Series 4
|}
[[Category:Torchwood episodes|*]]
[[Category:Torchwood seasons]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for the audio series.

Series 3 of Torchwood, also known under the umbrella title Children of Earth, ran between 6 July and 10 July 2009. It starred John Barrowman as Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Kai Owen as Rhys Williams and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones. The series opened with Children of Earth: Day One and concluded with Children of Earth: Day Five.

Overview[[edit]]

It consisted of a single, five-episode story arc titled 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 final 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 an 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)

Also, Nicholas Briggs, who has written and acted in many licensed-by-BBC and unlicensed Doctor Who franchise spin-offs since the 1980s, and who is the revived Doctor Who series' resident alien voice-over artist, makes his first on-screen appearance in a televised Who-franchise production.

Production on this series began in August 2008.

In 2010 the Television Critics Association nominated the series for Best TV Movie, Miniseries and Special.[1]

Cast[[edit]]

A promotional image for the series.

Recurring[[edit]]

Guest[[edit]]

Episodes[[edit]]

# Title Writer(s) Director Notes
1 Day One Russell T Davies Euros Lyn First appearance of Clement McDonald, Lois Habiba, John Frobisher, Brian Green, Rhiannon Davies, Johnny Davies, Mr. Dekker, Alice Carter, Steven Carter and Agent Johnson. Gwen learns she is pregnant. Destruction of the Torchwood Hub.
2 Day Two John Fay
3 Day Three Russell T Davies, James Moran First appearance of the 456.
4 Day Four John Fay Death of Ianto Jones and Clement McDonald.
5 Day Five Russell T Davies Final appearance of the 456. Death of Steven Carter and John Frobisher. Jack Harkness leaves Earth. Torchwood Three disbands.

Aliens and enemies[[edit]]

Digital availability[[edit]]

Series 3 of Torchwood is available for purchase and/or as part of a subscription on:

Radio[[edit]]

Notes[[edit]]

  • 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[[edit]]

Footnotes[[edit]]

  1. Modern Family, Glee, Lost and Clone Wars Get TV Critics Love. IGN (June 5, 2010). Retrieved on 11th February 2012.