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Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead

Simon Brew


Fox has pulled out of plans to make a US version of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. Is this the end for Captain Jack Harkness, or is there still a future for the show?

Published on Apr 22, 2010

So, where does this all leave Torchwood now? Back at the launch of Doctor Who in Cardiff, we reported that the show had been left off the list of productions that were set to be housed at the BBC's new drama centre in Wales. We reported on it here.

The thinking was that the planned American take on the show was proving to be the future for Torchwood, with Russell T Davies reportedly writing a script for an American pilot of the show. The likelihood is that John Barrowman would have joined up with the US version of the show, and it was Fox who was looking to explore the idea of a Stateside take on it.

However, it seems that it is not to be.

BBC Worldwide has now released a statement confirming that the Fox version of the show is dead in the water before it's even begun. The statement reads: "BBC Worldwide Productions and the FOX Broadcasting Company have mutually agreed not to progress together with a 13-episode serialized 'Torchwood' format. We are currently in discussion with several interested networks."

Who those interested networks are is open for debate, but you have to say that, for all the criticism Fox has attracted over the way it treats some of its shows (and much of it is utterly justified), it is the one network that's consistently taking chances on sci-fi programmes. Aside from the Syfy Channel, we can't see where the BBC is likely to take Torchwood US now, and it does pose a big question over the future of the Doctor Who spin-off.

There seems little sign of a full fourth series being filmed by the BBC in the UK anytime soon, especially if negotiations really are ongoing with various other US networks.

The Hollywood Reporter quotes Jane Tranter of the BBC as saying that "It's very much ongoing and very much alive," and we dearly hope she's right. However, you can't help thinking, though, that we might have seen the last of Torchwood right now.

We hope we're wrong...

The Hollywood Reporter

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Tags
Torchwood | Torchwood series 4 | Russell T Davies | John Barrowman | Simon Brew

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Users Comments

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By Deggsy 1 April 22, 2010 07:53:02 AM

"Mutually agreed?" Translation: Fox said, "Remove all signs of Jack's bisexuality, give him a proper girlfriend so we don't offend Middle America. But you can throw in a lesbian character, so long as she's hot. Oh, and cut out all that Dr Who fanboy shit, make it like Fringe or X-Files." BBC: "We're okay about the girlfriend for Jack. But no tie-in merchandising revenue for us? Fuck off."

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By Interference 1 April 22, 2010 08:01:21 AM

Amusingly, this is almost exactly what happened to doctor who in 89! For the next 18 years there'll be talk of a TW Movie with a variety of actors playing Jack, rumours of a rapping torchwood hub set, a one off Movie and then a huge revival with the BBC pretending they didn't treat it badly at all.

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By cordas2 1 April 22, 2010 08:32:59 AM

I have a feeling you might be right (both of you), but I hope not. I am just glad that Fox ain't involved because they would jump the shark in every way conceivable whilst destroying the show. Auntie should just bring the show home and do it properly, TW came of age with CoE and deserves to treated as a proper adult show on BBC1, and then sold off around the world to make money for the Beeb.

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By DamonD 1 April 22, 2010 09:08:03 AM

I think the comments are pretty dead-on, I didn't think Torchwood would really fly in the States. The problem with CoE, as good as it was, was that it's also an extremely convenient scenario to end the show! They 'scorched the earth' a little too well. I was not a fan of the two actual series but CoE offered the highest note Torchwood ever hit. Going out on top isn't such a bad idea...

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By cptjackharkness 1 April 22, 2010 09:56:18 AM

so glad to hear this because over the weekend a friend of mine who works in Hollywood had called and told me that rumors he was hear was fox wanted to move forward with a entire new USA cast sounded to him like a teen or young cast make it something it was not spoused to be. i know i only give mine or his word but i trust him her enough to tell me straight knowing i was a huge TW fan. so this might be epic news then that fox is out i hope BBC or BBC America do something with it i feel BBC America would be great to pull this off if they want to film it in the US or Canada

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By stuxmusic 1 April 22, 2010 12:21:47 PM

Don't get yer knickers in a twist, Torchwood WILL return to BBC. Rest assured.

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By Name1ess 1 April 22, 2010 12:48:30 PM

Hopefully it will come back with a whole new cast and new writers. Oh and a new premise and new settings and while we're at it a new name wouldn't hurt. That would be perfect!

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By geekmom 1 April 22, 2010 01:30:34 PM

Can't say I'm really disappointed by the news. Some shows translate well to America, others don't. There's too much background to TW to translate well. Imagine a Bollywood company trying to do The Clone Wars. It's just not gonna work in that zeitgeist. (Of course, now I'm re-imagining the whole Star Wars saga as a Bollywood musical and I'm loving it...)

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By jason_helton 1 April 22, 2010 01:53:22 PM

I'm actually quite relieved to hear that Fox will not be involved. This sounds like a perfect opportunity for the BBC to re-partner with HBO, and make an edgy, hardcore, uncensored sci-fi program. Here in the States, we get a watered down version of the program...language edited and such. I just think of the production values of HBO's Rome, and I think the BBC and HBO could seriously have a big hit on their hands, without compromising the integrity of the program like Fox would.

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By DavidFullam 1 April 22, 2010 03:51:39 PM

Well that's one hurdle overcome. Now if they will do the right thing and bring it back to where it really belongs.

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By edip1976 1 April 22, 2010 04:18:26 PM

As an American in love with British telly, I am thrilled that this project is DOA. American television would mutilate this just like it did to Life on Mars,Blackpool,Coupling, etc.. Fox is the worst of the American lot as well, they've killed more Sci-Fi shows in the past 15 years than most networks ever greenlight. RTD - Get your procrastinating* self back to Wales and get started on series 4. (*read "The Writer's Tale." RTD writes scripts like he's a teenager and they're all term paper's due in a month. There's plenty of time...until there isn't. It explains a lot.)

Re: Fox’s US version of Torchwood is dead
Posted By Slacker 1 April 22, 2010 04:45:19 PM

Along with the rest of the throng, I don't see this as bad news. Torchwood would have been seriously overhauled for the American market and I doubt it would have worked.
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