Torchwood (audio drama series)
Torchwood is a series of audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions based on the British television programme of the same name. Like its TV counterpart, the dramas follow the exploits of the operatives who work for the Torchwood Institute – a secret organisation that defends Earth against extraterrestrial threats.
| Torchwood | |
|---|---|
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| Big Finish Productions audio drama | |
| Series | Torchwood |
| Produced by | James Goss |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Release date | 15 September 2015 – present |
The series premiered on 15 September 2015. James Goss acts as producer, with Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery serving as executive producers.
Background
The original television programme Torchwood (2006–11), an adult-oriented spin-off of the long-running British science fiction drama Doctor Who, ran for four series before entering an indefinite hiatus due to the other commitments of creator and executive producer Russell T Davies.
In January 2015, John Barrowman, who plays series lead Captain Jack Harkness, stated that there were plans for Torchwood to return as several audio plays that could potentially lead into a fifth television series, with Davies and co-executive producer Julie Gardner in discussion of the project.[1] Torchwood previously featured in the form of radio plays that aired on BBC Radio 4 between 2008 and 2011.
In May 2015, Big Finish Productions announced plans to produce Torchwood audio plays[2][3] after receiving the license to use characters and concepts from the revived series of Doctor Who and its associated spin-offs in future audio productions.[4] The company was previously only permitted elements from the show's classic run and TV film. The project received the blessing of Davies,[4] who had been working with Gardner and former Big Finish producer Gary Russell to bring Torchwood to the company since 2013.[5]
The series premiered on 15 September 2015. Plays making up the first two series were released once-a-month up until August 2016 with succeeding series followed similar suite; Series 3 was released between March–August 2017, Series 4 in March–August 2018 and Series 5 in March 2019–February 2020, with a sixth series planned for release between April 2020–March 2021.[6] Story-wise, each play centres on one or more members of Torchwood and their associates.
In addition to the main range, specials featuring ensemble casts are released infrequently. The first, The Torchwood Archive, was released in October 2016 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Torchwood's TV debut.[7] It was followed by the boxsets Outbreak and Believe in November 2016 and April 2018, respectively, while another boxset, Torchwood One, spun out into its own series. The three-part series Aliens Among Us (2017–18) and its follow-up God Among Us (2018–19) were released as successors to the original TV programme, while the boxsets The Sins of Captain John and Torchwood Soho - Parasite are scheduled for release in 2020.[8]
Premise
Torchwood follows the exploits of the agents who work for the fictional institute of the same name: a clandestine British organisation that defends Earth against supernatural and extraterrestrial threats and salvages alien technology that arrives on the planet. Like the television series, the audio dramas primarily focus on a team of operatives based at the organisation's Cardiff division, Torchwood Three, while occasionally fixating on their associates and agents from other branches of the institute.
A story arc central to the series revolves around a group of aliens called the Committee, who appear to have been secretly manipulating humanity since the turn of the 20th century. Despite their existence being perceived as a conspiracy, Torchwood have made efforts to foil their schemes, while it appears the Committee have larger plans in force.
Time period-wise, each play is set at a different point in Torchwood's history, ranging from its founding in the Victorian Era to the early 21st century and beyond. Certain plays also take place during events from the TV series.
Cast
Main
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Recurring
Notable guests
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Production
The series is produced by James Goss, with Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs serving as executive producers. Scott Handcock and Blair Mowat respectively direct and compose the score on a regular basis, other directors and composers contribute infrequently. Scripts were initially edited by Steve Tribe before the duty passed to David Llewellyn and Handcock. All cover art is designed by Lee Binding.
Plays have been recorded in studios across the UK and the United States, including Rancho Mirage Music, Bang Post Production, The Moat Studios, The Roundhouse Studios and Ladbroke Audio. Typically, one play is recorded in 1–2 days and released within six months, with post production taking place in the time between. They debut through Big Finish's website for digital download and physical purchase before becoming commercially available three months later, as usual with other Big Finish releases.
Releases
Main Range
Series 1 (2015–16)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Conspiracy" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness | September 2015 |
| 2 | "Fall to Earth" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Ianto Jones | October 2015 |
| 3 | "Forgotten Lives" | Scott Handcock | Emma Reeves | Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams | November 2015 |
| 4 | "One Rule" | Barnaby Edwards | Joseph Lidster | Yvonne Hartman | December 2015 |
| 5 | "Uncanny Valley" | Neil Gardner | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness | January 2016 |
| 6 | "More Than This" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Gwen Cooper | February 2016 |
Series 2 (2016)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "The Victorian Age" | Scott Handcock | AK Benedict | Jack Harkness, Queen Victoria | March 2016 |
| 8 | "Zone 10" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Toshiko Sato | April 2016 |
| 9 | "Ghost Mission" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Andy Davidson, Norton Folgate | May 2016 |
| 10 | "Moving Target" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Suzie Costello | June 2016 |
| 11 | "Broken" | Scott Handcock | Joseph Lidster | Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones | July 2016 |
| 12 | "Made You Look" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Gwen Cooper | August 2016 |
Series 3 (2017)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | "Visiting Hours" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Rhys Williams | March 2017 |
| 14 | "The Dollhouse" | Lisa Bowerman | Juno Dawson | Marlow Sweet, Charley Du Bujeau, Gabi Martinez | April 2017 |
| 15 | "Corpse Day" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Owen Harper, Andy Davidson | May 2017 |
| 16 | "torchwood_cascade_CDrip.tor" | Scott Handcock | Scott Handcock | Toshiko Sato | June 2017 |
| 17 | "The Office of Never Was" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Ianto Jones | July 2017 |
| 18 | "The Dying Room" | Scott Handcock | Lizzie Hopley | M LeDuc, Herr Grau | August 2017 |
Series 4 (2018)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | "The Death of Captain Jack" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness, John Hart | March 2018 |
| 20 | "The Last Beacon" | Scott Handcock | Gareth David-Lloyd | Owen Harper, Ianto Jones | April 2018 |
| 21 | "We Always Get Out Alive" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams | May 2018 |
| 22 | "Goodbye Piccadilly" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Andy Davidson, Norton Folgate | June 2018 |
| 23 | "Instant Karma" | Lisa Bowerman | David Llewellyn James Goss Jonathan Morris | Toshiko Sato | July 2018 |
| 24 | "Deadbeat Escape" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Bilis Manger | August 2018 |
Series 5 (2019–20)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | "Night of the Fendahl" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Gwen Cooper, Fendahl | March 2019 |
| 26 | "The Green Life" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness, Jo Jones | April 2019 |
| 27 | "Sync" | Scott Handcock | Lisa McMullin | Suzie Costello, Margaret Blaine | May 2019 |
| 28 | "Sargasso" | Scott Handcock | Christopher Cooper | Rhys Williams, Autons | June 2019 |
| 29 | "Serenity" | Scott Handcock | James Moran | Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones | July 2019 |
| 30 | "The Hope" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Owen Harper, Andy Davidson | August 2019 |
| 31 | "The Vigil" | Lisa Bowerman | Lou Morgan | Toshiko Sato | September 2019 |
| 32 | "Smashed" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Gwen Cooper | October 2019 |
| 33 | "Dead Man's Switch" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Bilis Manger | November 2019 |
| 34 | "Expectant" | Scott Handcock | Xanna Eve Chown | Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones | December 2019 |
| 35 | "Fortitude" | Lisa Bowerman | James Goss | Queen Victoria | January 2020 |
| 36 | "Dissected" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Martha Jones, Gwen Cooper | February 2020 |
Series 6 (2020)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | "Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | The Voice | April 2020 |
| 38 | "Iceberg" | Scott Handcock | Grace Knight | Owen Harper | May 2020 |
| 39 | "Dinner and a Show" | Scott Handcock | Gareth David-Lloyd | Ianto Jones, Toshiko Sato | June 2020 |
| 40 | "Save Our Souls" | Lisa Bowerman | Scott Handcock | Queen Victoria | July 2020 |
| 41 | "Red Base"[9] | Lisa Bowerman | James Goss | Andy Davidson | August 2020 |
| 42 | "Ex Machina"[9] | TBA | Alfie Shaw | Ianto Jones | September 2020 |
| 43 | "The Three Monkeys"[9] | TBA | James Goss | Owen Harper, Andy Davidson | October 2020 |
| 44 | "Rhys and Ianto's Excellent Barbeque"[9] | TBA | Tim Foley | Ianto Jones, Rhys Williams | November 2020 |
| 45 | "The Crown"[9] | TBA | Jonathan Barnes | Queen Victoria | December 2020 |
| 46 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | January 2021[9] |
| 47 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | February 2021[9] |
| 48 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | March 2021[9] |
Specials
Singular stories (2016–18)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Torchwood Archive" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Tosh, Suzie, Rhys, Andy, Yvonne, Norton, Colchester, Alex, Queen Victoria | October 2016 |
| 2 | "Outbreak" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams, Emma Reeves, AK Benedict | Jack, Gwen, Ianto | November 2016 |
| 3 | "Believe" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen, Tosh | April 2018 |
The Sins of Captain John (2020)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Restored" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | King Charles II, Jack Harkness | January 2020 |
| 2 | "Escape from Nebazz" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness | January 2020 |
| 3 | "Peach Blossom Heights" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness | January 2020 |
| 4 | "Darker Purposes" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack Harkness | January 2020 |
Torchwood Soho - Parasite
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Man from Room 13"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
| 2 | "Meet Mr Lyme"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
| 3 | "The Mould"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
| 4 | "The Spread"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
| 5 | "The Dead Hand"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
| 6 | "The Liberty of Norton Folgate"[10] | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Norton, Andy | August 2020 |
Torchwood One
Series 1: Before the Fall (2017)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "New Girl" | Barnaby Edwards | Joseph Lidster | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | January 2017 |
| 2 | "Through the Ruins" | Barnaby Edwards | Jenny T Colgan | Yvonne, Ianto | January 2017 |
| 3 | "Uprising" | Barnaby Edwards | Matt Fitton | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | January 2017 |
Series 2: Machines (2018)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Law Machines" | Barnaby Edwards | Matt Fitton | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | July 2018 |
| 2 | "Blind Summit" | Barnaby Edwards | Gareth David-Lloyd | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | July 2018 |
| 3 | "9 to 5" | Barnaby Edwards | Tim Foley | Yvonne, Ianto | July 2018 |
Series 3: Latter Days (2019)
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Retirement Plan" | Barnaby Edwards | Gareth David-Lloyd | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | September 2019 |
| 2 | "Locker 15" | Barnaby Edwards | Matt Fitton | Yvonne, Ianto, Tommy | September 2019 |
| 3 | "The Rockery" | Barnaby Edwards | Tim Foley | Yvonne, Ianto | September 2019 |
The Story Continues
Aliens Among Us (2017–18)
Marketed as the fifth series of Torchwood.[11]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | "Changes Everything" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | August 2017 | |||||||
| 2 | "Aliens & Sex & Chips & Gravy" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | August 2017 | |||||||
| 3 | "Orr" | Scott Handcock | Juno Dawson | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | August 2017 | |||||||
| 4 | "Superiority Complex" | Scott Handcock | AK Benedict | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | August 2017 | |||||||
| Part 2 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | "Love Rat" | Scott Handcock | Christopher Cooper | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix, Bilis Manger | October 2017 | |||||||
| 6 | "A Kill to a View" | Scott Handcock | Mac Rogers | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix, Bilis Manger | October 2017 | |||||||
| 7 | "Zero Hour" | Scott Handcock | Janine H Jones | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix, Bilis Manger | October 2017 | |||||||
| 8 | "The Empty Hand" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix, Bilis Manger | October 2017 | |||||||
| Part 3 | ||||||||||||
| 9 | "Poker Face" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | February 2018 | |||||||
| 10 | "Tagged" | Scott Handcock | Joseph Lidster | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | February 2018 | |||||||
| 11 | "Escape Room" | Scott Handcock | Helen Goldwyn | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | February 2018 | |||||||
| 12 | "Herald of the Dawn" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Jack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix | February 2018 | |||||||
God Among Us (2018–19)
Marketed as the sixth series of Torchwood.[12]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Featuring | Released | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | "Future Pain" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Jack, Tyler, Yvonne, Orr, Colin, Mr Colchester, Ro-Jedda, Ng, Andy, Gwen, Rhys, God | October 2018 | |||||||
| 2 | "The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood" | Scott Handcock | Guy Adams | Tyler, Jack, Yvonne, Orr, Ng, Mr Colchester, God | October 2018 | |||||||
| 3 | "See No Evil" | Scott Handcock | John Dorney | Jack, Yvonne, Andy, Colin, Orr, Ng, Mr Colchester, God | October 2018 | |||||||
| 4 | "Night Watch" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Orr, Jack, Yvonne, Colin, Mr Colchester, Tyler, Ng, God, Andy, Norton | October 2018 | |||||||
| Part 2 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | "Flight 405" | Scott Handcock | Lou Morgan | Yvonne, Andy, Norton | February 2019 | |||||||
| 6 | "Hostile Environment" | Scott Handcock | Ash Darby | Tyler, Mr Colchester, Ng, God | February 2019 | |||||||
| 7 | "Another Man's Shoes" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Yvonne, Andy, Norton, Tyler, Jack, Ng, Colin, the Committee | February 2019 | |||||||
| 8 | "Eye of the Storm" | Scott Handcock | David Llewellyn | Jack, Mr Colchester, Norton, Ng, Yvonne, Tyler, God, the Committee | February 2019 | |||||||
| Part 3 | ||||||||||||
| 9 | "A Mother's Son" | Scott Handcock | Alexandria Riley | Yvonne, Jack, Tyler, Colin, God, Andy | June 2019 | |||||||
| 10 | "ScrapeJane" | Scott Handcock | Robin Bell | Mr Colchester, Ng, Tyler, Orr, Colin, Jeff, Niamh | June 2019 | |||||||
| 11 | "Day Zero" | Scott Handcock | Tim Foley | Yvonne, Jack, Tyler, Orr, Mr Colchester, Ng, Colin, Andy, God | June 2019 | |||||||
| 12 | "Thoughts and Prayers" | Scott Handcock | James Goss | Yvonne, Jack, Tyler, Orr, Mr Colchester, Ng, Colin, Andy, God | June 2019 | |||||||
References
- Owen, Rob. "PRESS TOUR: More 'Torchwood' in the works". Post-Gazette.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- http://sciencefiction.com/2015/05/05/john-barrowman-announces-torchwood-return-audio-drama-series/
- https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-07-21/this-is-how-the-torchwood-radio-plays-are-going-to-work/
- "Torchwood". Big Finish Productions. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- "Relighting Torchwood, Vortex #79". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- "Torchwood returns in 2020 (and also sometime in the 1800s)". www.BigFinish.com. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/50805/exclusive-special-preview-torchwood-tenth-anniversary-special/
- "Torchwood: The Sins of Captain John". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- "Torchwood - Monthly Range". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- "News Updates: week commencing 17th June 2019". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- "New Series 5 Of Torchwood: Aliens Among Us!". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- "God Is Coming In Torchwood Series 6". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
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