Series 4 (Torchwood): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Series
|image            = Series 4 (Torchwood) title card.jpg
|image2          = Series 4 (Torchwood) cast.jpg
|broadcast year  = 2011
|broadcast year2  =
|ep count        = 10
|story count      = 1
|first ep        = The New World (TV story)
|main character  = Jack Harkness
|starring        = Gwen Cooper
|starring2        = Rex Matheson
|starring3        = Esther Drummond
|starring4        = Rhys Williams
|starring5        = Oswald Danes
|producer        = Richard Stokes
|exec prod        = Russell T Davies
|exec prod2      = Julie Gardner
|start date      = [[8 July (releases)|8 July]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]]
|end date        = [[9 September (releases)|9 September]] 2011
|network          = Starz
|runtime          = 52'
|DWM              = DWM 436
|DWM2            = DWM 437
|DWM3            = DWM 438
|DWM4            = DWM 442
|DWI              = DWI 6
|prev            = Series 3 (Torchwood)
|next            = Series 5 (Torchwood)
|trailer          =
|trailer2        =
|clip            =
|clip2            =
|clip3            =
|bts              =
|bts2            =
|bts3            =
}}{{you may|Miracle Day (trailer)|n1 = the trailer for this series|Miracle Day|n2 = period in human history}}
'''Series 4''' of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'', also known under the umbrella title '''''Miracle Day''''', ran between [[8 July (releases)|8 July]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]] and [[9 September (releases)|9 September]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]]. It starred [[John Barrowman]] as [[Jack Harkness]], [[Eve Myles]] as [[Gwen Cooper]], [[Kai Owen]] as [[Rhys Williams]], [[Mekhi Phifer]] as [[Rex Matheson]], [[Alexa Havins]] as [[Esther Drummond]] and [[Bill Pullman]] as [[Oswald Danes]]. The series opened with ''[[The New World (TV story)|The New World]]'' and concluded with ''[[The Blood Line (TV story)|The Blood Line]]''.


[[Image:Torchwood_title_logo.jpg|350px|centre]]
== Overview ==
A fourth series of ''[[Torchwood]]'' has been "greenlit" according to interviews given by [[John Barrowman]] in late November 2009.<ref name="denofgeekTS4">[http://www.denofgeek.com/television/372907/torchwood_season_4_happening_will_definitely_be_13_episodes.html Den of Geek! - Torchwood: season 4 happening, will definitely be 13 episodes] <small>accessed 2nd December 2009</small></ref><ref name="dwnewsbarrowman4">[http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2009/11/barrowman-signed-up-for-torchwood-4.html The Doctor Who News Page: Barrowman signed up for Torchwood 4] <small>accessed 2nd December 2009</small></ref> It will be 10 episodes long and produced by the BBC and US premium cable network Starz. It will feature storylines set in the United States and around the world. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return, joined by new characters. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/torchwood_new_series/]
It consisted of ten episodes broadcast like [[Series 3 (Torchwood)|series 3]], carrying an umbrella title — ''Miracle Day''. This season marked a major departure from past ''Doctor Who''-franchise productions, as it was a co-production of [[BBC Wales]] and the American cable network [[Starz]], and was filmed in both Wales and Hollywood. The episodes of ''Miracle Day'' were broadcast on Starz in the US several days before their broadcast on BBC One in the UK.


==Cast==
Production occurred after an aborted attempt to interest the Fox network (which had aired the [[1996 (releases)|1996]] [[Doctor Who (TV story)|''Doctor Who'' tele-movie]]) in mounting a fully Americanised remake. The Starz/BBC production is a continuation of the existing continuity, set two years after the events of [[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Five (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Five]]'' and featuring several returning cast members, primarily [[John Barrowman]], [[Eve Myles]] and [[Kai Owen]], along with several scripted references to [[the Doctor]] and creatures from both ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''.


===Primary Cast===
A [[Miracle Day (trailer)|trailer]] for the series was released.
*[[Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]<ref name="dwnewsbarrowman4"/>
*[[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/torchwood_new_series/]


== Synopsis ==
When C.I.A. agent [[Rex Matheson]] investigates a global conspiracy, he finds himself unearthing a threat which challenges the entire [[human|human race]].


===Secondary Cast===
One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next. People keep ageing. They get hurt and sick, but they never die. The populace of the planet dub this "Miracle Day" for the [[immortality]] they now seem to have. However, this leads to a negative result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people unable to die and continuing births, resources have become limited. It's suggested that in four months' time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can't be a natural event – someone must have caused "Miracle Day". It's a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?", he's drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.
''To be Added''


===Guest Stars===
The answers seem to lie within [[Torchwood Three|Torchwood]] itself. But Torchwood (3rd branch) was destroyed, years ago, and the keys to the institute are held by its only two surviving agents: former Police Officer [[Gwen Cooper]], who has long since disappeared along with [[Rhys Williams|her husband]] and [[Anwen Williams|child]], and the mysterious [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]], a man whose history seems to stretch back for centuries and has disappeared off the face of the Earth.
''To Be Added''


==Episodes==
Things become even more complicated as Rex soon becomes one of the people continuing to live thanks to "Miracle Day". Luckily, Gwen comes out of hiding and Jack returns to Earth to help. Combining their experience with bizarre situations and information gathered from one of Rex's contacts, a new Torchwood team takes shape.
*According to Barrowman, Series 4 will be a "full 13 episodes" in length.<ref name="denofgeekTS4"/>


==Production==
Adding to the bizarre circumstances, Jack has lost his immortality. While some pharmaceutical companies take advantage of the people needing pain killers, Jack begins to think that something from his past may be causing "Miracle Day".<ref>http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2011/01/dwn080111003008-torchwood-miracle-day.html</ref>
===Writers===
''To Be Added''
====Notes====
* [[Andrew Cartmel]] has stated that he will be writing an episode for season 4, calling it "The Jinx" and for it to be broadcast on BBC one. This is yet to be confirmed <ref>http://www.janetfillingham.com/writersdirect/documents/AndrewCartmelcv_001.pdf</ref>


==Broadcast Dates==
== Cast ==
The BBC has not, as of April 2010, announced a broadcast date for the series. Given that the BBC tends not to make such announcements until soon before broadcast, any statements suggesting a 2010 or 2011 broadcast must be taken as speculative for the time being.
[[File:Torchwood-miracle-day-jack.jpg|thumb|right|The BBC poster for the series]]
[[File:Torchwood-Miracle-Day-poster.jpg|thumb|right|Promotional poster for the series]]
* [[Jack Harkness]] - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]] - [[Eve Myles]]
* [[Rhys Williams]] - [[Kai Owen]]
* [[Rex Matheson]] - [[Mekhi Phifer]]
* [[Esther Drummond]] - [[Alexa Havins]]
* [[Oswald Danes]] - [[Bill Pullman]]


==Rumours==
=== Recurring ===
'''Series 4 itself is still, at the moment, unconfirmed.'''
* Dr. [[Vera Juarez]] - [[Arlene Tur]]
* [[Gwen Cooper]], [[Rhys Williams]] and [[Andy Davidson]] will return.
* [[Jilly Kitzinger]] - [[Lauren Ambrose]]
* [[Lois Habiba]], [[Dekker]], [[John Hart]] and [[Johnson (Children of Earth) |Johnson]] may return. {{fact}}
* [[Andy Davidson]] - [[Tom Price]]
* [[Martha Jones]] and [[Mickey Smith]] may appear. {{Fact}}
* [[Geraint Cooper]] - [[William Thomas]]
* The [[Weevil]]s return. {{fact}}
* [[Mary Cooper]] - [[Sharon Morgan]]
* Midshipman [[Alonso Frame]] from [[DW]]: ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', could appear, but as of early [[2010]], nothing as being confirmed <ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/torchwood/news/a194870/russell-tovey-to-join-torchwood-team.html]</ref>
* [[Brian Friedkin]] - [[Wayne Knight]]
* Gwen Cooper may be working 'freelance' with Martha and Mickey before recruiting them to Torchwood on Jack's return {{fact}}
* [[Olivia Colasanto]] - [[Nana Visitor]]
* Several requests have been made that Ianto will somehow be revived to return in the show. ''Russell T Davies has confirmed Ianto is staying dead, and that is just the way it is: Torchwood is a drama.''
* Agent [[Allen Shapiro]] - [[John de Lancie]]
* Johnny and Rhiannon may appear. {{fact}}
* [[Torchwood Three]] will not retrieve the [[Torchwood S.U.V.|SUV]], strengthened by the fact that the SUV used for filming was sold at an auction at Bonhams on 24/02/10 for £18,000.''


==Footnotes==
=== Guest ===
{{reflist}}
* [[Lyn Peterfield]] - [[Dichen Lachman]]
{{torchwood series}}
* Dr. [[Alicia Patel]] - [[Lena Kaur]]
* [[Stuart Owens]] - [[Ernie Hudson]]
* [[The Gentleman (Escape to LA)|The Gentleman]] - [[C Thomas Howell]]


=== Casting notes ===
* Prior to the US co-production being announced, [[James Marsters]] stated he would like to return as [[John Hart]] for the new series<ref>http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/torchwood/news/a256963/james-marsters-wants-torchwood-return.html</ref> and [[Freema Agyeman]] stated there was still a possibility for her to return as [[Martha Jones]].<ref>http://news.whoviannet.co.uk/2011/03/freema-says-the-door-is-always-open-for-her-to-return/</ref> Neither character appeared during the ''Miracle Day'' arc.
* This series features a whole new cast of characters, with only four original characters returning ([[Gwen Cooper]], [[Jack Harkness]], [[Rhys Williams]], and [[Andy Davidson]]) and only two of the original members of the Torchwood team returning (Gwen Cooper and Jack Harkness). However, [[Sharon Morgan]] and [[William Thomas]] reprise their roles as [[Mary Cooper]] and [[Geraint Cooper]] from [[Series 2 (Torchwood)|series 2]] respectively.
* The baby portraying [[Anwen Williams]] is uncredited.


{|class="browser"
== Episodes ==
|class="prev"|'''Previous season''':<br />[[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Torchwood Series 3]]<br />
:''Note: for the first time in a ''Doctor Who'' franchise series, individual episode titles were not displayed on screen.''
|class="next"|'''Next season''':<br />TBA
{| {{prettytable}}
! '''#''' || '''Title'''  || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
|-
|1
|''[[The New World (TV story)|The New World]]''
|[[Russell T Davies]]
|[[Bharat Nalluri]]
|Return of [[Jack Harkness]]. Introduction of [[Rex Matheson]], [[Esther Drummond]], [[Charlotte Willis]], [[Noah Vickers]], [[Oswald Danes]] and [[Vera Juarez]]. First televised appearance of [[Anwen Williams]]. Beginning of "[[Miracle Day]]". Jack's [[immortality]] is undone.
|-
|2
|''[[Rendition (TV story)|Rendition]]''
|[[Doris Egan]]
|rowspan=3|[[Billy Gierhart]]
|Introduction of [[Jilly Kitzinger]]. First appearance of [[Brian Friedkin]].
|-
|3
|''[[Dead of Night (TV story)|Dead of Night]]''
|[[Jane Espenson]]
|Formation of a new [[Torchwood (team)|Torchwood team]].
|-
|4
|''[[Escape to LA (TV story)|Escape to LA]]''
|[[Jim Gray]], [[John Shiban]]
|Introduction of [[the Three Families]], and first appearance of [[the Cousin]].
|-
|5
|''[[The Categories of Life (TV story)|The Categories of Life]]''
|Jane Espenson
|rowspan=2|[[Guy Ferland]]
|"Death" of [[Vera Juarez]].
|-
|6
|''[[The Middle Men (TV story)|The Middle Men]]''
|John Shiban
|
|-
|7
|''[[Immortal Sins (TV story)|Immortal Sins]]''
|Jane Espenson
|rowspan=2|[[Gwyneth Horder-Payton]]
|Introduction of [[Angelo Colasanto]]. First appearance of [[Olivia Colasanto]].
|-
|8
|''[[End of the Road (TV story)|End of the Road]]''
|Jane Espenson, [[Ryan Scott (writer)|Ryan Scott]]
|Introduction of [[Allen Shapiro]]. Death of [[Angelo Colasanto]]. "Deaths" of [[Brian Friedkin]] and [[Olivia Colasanto]].
|-
|9
|''[[The Gathering (TV story)|The Gathering]]''
|[[John Fay]]
|Guy Ferland
|First appearance of [[the Mother]]. Reveal of [[the Blessing]].
|-
|10
|''[[The Blood Line (TV story)|The Blood Line]]''
|Russell T Davies, Jane Espenson
|Billy Gierhart
|Death of [[Noah Vickers]], [[Allen Shapiro]], [[the Cousin]], [[Geraint Cooper]], [[Esther Drummond]],  [[Oswald Danes]], [[the Mother]] and [[Charlotte Wills]]. End of "Miracle Day". Jack's immortality is restored, while Rex also becomes immortal.
|}
|}
== Aliens and enemies ==
* [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
* [[Brian Friedkin]]
* [[Lyn Peterfield]]
* [[Oswald Danes]]
* [[Jillian Kitzinger]]
* [[The Gentleman (Escape to LA)|The Gentleman]]
* [[Three Families]]
* [[Blue-eyed man|Blue-Eyed Man]]
* [[Colin Maloney]]
* [[Trickster's Brigade]]
* [[Brainspawn]]
* [[Charlotte Wills]]
* [[Ralph Finch]]
* [[The Mother]]
* [[The Cousin]]
* [[The Blessing]]
== Digital availability ==
Series 4 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,
* [[BBC iPlayer]] in the UK
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:iTunes_TorchwoodS4_cover.jpg|[[iTunes]] store cover
</gallery>
== Tie-in media ==
=== Novels ===
* ''[[First Born (novel)|First Born]]''
* ''[[Long Time Dead (novel)|Long Time Dead]]''
* ''[[The Men Who Sold the World (novel)|The Men Who Sold the World]]''
=== Other releases ===
* ''[[Web of Lies (webcast)|Web of Lies]]''
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{TWTV}}
{{Torchwood Series 4 aliens}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Seasons]]
[[Category:Torchwood series]]
[[Category:Torchwood series]]

Latest revision as of 20:16, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Series 4 of Torchwood, also known under the umbrella title Miracle Day, ran between 8 July 2011 and 9 September 2011. It starred John Barrowman as Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Kai Owen as Rhys Williams, Mekhi Phifer as Rex Matheson, Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond and Bill Pullman as Oswald Danes. The series opened with The New World and concluded with The Blood Line.

Overview[[edit] | [edit source]]

It consisted of ten episodes broadcast like series 3, carrying an umbrella title — Miracle Day. This season marked a major departure from past Doctor Who-franchise productions, as it was a co-production of BBC Wales and the American cable network Starz, and was filmed in both Wales and Hollywood. The episodes of Miracle Day were broadcast on Starz in the US several days before their broadcast on BBC One in the UK.

Production occurred after an aborted attempt to interest the Fox network (which had aired the 1996 Doctor Who tele-movie) in mounting a fully Americanised remake. The Starz/BBC production is a continuation of the existing continuity, set two years after the events of TV: Children of Earth: Day Five and featuring several returning cast members, primarily John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Kai Owen, along with several scripted references to the Doctor and creatures from both Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

A trailer for the series was released.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

When C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy, he finds himself unearthing a threat which challenges the entire human race.

One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next. People keep ageing. They get hurt and sick, but they never die. The populace of the planet dub this "Miracle Day" for the immortality they now seem to have. However, this leads to a negative result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people unable to die and continuing births, resources have become limited. It's suggested that in four months' time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can't be a natural event – someone must have caused "Miracle Day". It's a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?", he's drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

The answers seem to lie within Torchwood itself. But Torchwood (3rd branch) was destroyed, years ago, and the keys to the institute are held by its only two surviving agents: former Police Officer Gwen Cooper, who has long since disappeared along with her husband and child, and the mysterious Captain Jack Harkness, a man whose history seems to stretch back for centuries and has disappeared off the face of the Earth.

Things become even more complicated as Rex soon becomes one of the people continuing to live thanks to "Miracle Day". Luckily, Gwen comes out of hiding and Jack returns to Earth to help. Combining their experience with bizarre situations and information gathered from one of Rex's contacts, a new Torchwood team takes shape.

Adding to the bizarre circumstances, Jack has lost his immortality. While some pharmaceutical companies take advantage of the people needing pain killers, Jack begins to think that something from his past may be causing "Miracle Day".[1]

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

The BBC poster for the series
Promotional poster for the series

Recurring[[edit] | [edit source]]

Guest[[edit] | [edit source]]

Casting notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Episodes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Note: for the first time in a Doctor Who franchise series, individual episode titles were not displayed on screen.
# Title Writer Director Notes
1 The New World Russell T Davies Bharat Nalluri Return of Jack Harkness. Introduction of Rex Matheson, Esther Drummond, Charlotte Willis, Noah Vickers, Oswald Danes and Vera Juarez. First televised appearance of Anwen Williams. Beginning of "Miracle Day". Jack's immortality is undone.
2 Rendition Doris Egan Billy Gierhart Introduction of Jilly Kitzinger. First appearance of Brian Friedkin.
3 Dead of Night Jane Espenson Formation of a new Torchwood team.
4 Escape to LA Jim Gray, John Shiban Introduction of the Three Families, and first appearance of the Cousin.
5 The Categories of Life Jane Espenson Guy Ferland "Death" of Vera Juarez.
6 The Middle Men John Shiban
7 Immortal Sins Jane Espenson Gwyneth Horder-Payton Introduction of Angelo Colasanto. First appearance of Olivia Colasanto.
8 End of the Road Jane Espenson, Ryan Scott Introduction of Allen Shapiro. Death of Angelo Colasanto. "Deaths" of Brian Friedkin and Olivia Colasanto.
9 The Gathering John Fay Guy Ferland First appearance of the Mother. Reveal of the Blessing.
10 The Blood Line Russell T Davies, Jane Espenson Billy Gierhart Death of Noah Vickers, Allen Shapiro, the Cousin, Geraint Cooper, Esther Drummond, Oswald Danes, the Mother and Charlotte Wills. End of "Miracle Day". Jack's immortality is restored, while Rex also becomes immortal.

Aliens and enemies[[edit] | [edit source]]

Digital availability[[edit] | [edit source]]

Series 4 of Torchwood is available for purchase and/or as part of a subscription on:

Tie-in media[[edit] | [edit source]]

Novels[[edit] | [edit source]]

Other releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]