Update: FOX Halts American Version of "Doctor Who" Spin-off "Torchwood" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 01-19-2010, 09:11 PM

Fox developing U.S. version of "Torchwood"

Original producing team on board to adapt U.K. series
By James Hibberd
Jan 19, 2010

Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series "Torchwood."

The project is from BBC Worldwide Prods., with original series creator Russell Davies writing the script.

A more straight-faced spinoff of "Doctor Who," "Torchwood" is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity.

Two series aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year's well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, "Children of Earth," which broke all ratings records for the network.

Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, "Torchwood" fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board.

In addition to Davies, exec producers include Davies' producing partner Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show's first season) and Jane Tranter (another BBC vet, now exec vp programming and production at BBC Worldwide Prods. in the U.S.).

Also, some of the current cast -- most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness -- might star if Fox orders "Torchwood" to pilot.

As for the new show's plot, the U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the first two BBC seasons.

Tranter might try to reboot "Doctor Who" for U.S. audiences while departing "Doctor Who" star David Tennant stars in NBC's pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer."

"Torchwood" (which is an anagram of "Doctor Who") debuted in 2006 on BBC 3 and set ratings records, then was moved to BBC 1.

Russell also reinvented "Doctor Who" in 2003 and was writer-creator of the series "Queer as Folk."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...6102a3f94da557

JamesG · 06-07-2010, 03:54 PM

It was reported back in April 2010 that FOX had decided to halt production of the American "Torchwood".

A statement was releaed: "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."

http://tv.ign.com/articles/108/1085260p1.html

In other "Torchwood" news it was recently annouced that STARZ has picked up "Torchwood" and will air its new season Summer 2011.

01-19-2010, 09:11 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,179	Update: FOX Halts American Version of "Doctor Who" Spin-off "Torchwood" *Fox developing U.S. version of "Torchwood"* *Original producing team on board to adapt U.K. series* By James Hibberd Jan 19, 2010 Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series "Torchwood." The project is from BBC Worldwide Prods., with original series creator Russell Davies writing the script. A more straight-faced spinoff of "Doctor Who," "Torchwood" is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity. Two series aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year's well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, "Children of Earth," which broke all ratings records for the network. Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, "Torchwood" fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Davies' producing partner Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show's first season) and Jane Tranter (another BBC vet, now exec vp programming and production at BBC Worldwide Prods. in the U.S.). Also, some of the current cast -- most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness -- might star if Fox orders "Torchwood" to pilot. As for the new show's plot, the U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the first two BBC seasons. Tranter might try to reboot "Doctor Who" for U.S. audiences while departing "Doctor Who" star David Tennant stars in NBC's pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer." "Torchwood" (which is an anagram of "Doctor Who") debuted in 2006 on BBC 3 and set ratings records, then was moved to BBC 1. Russell also reinvented "Doctor Who" in 2003 and was writer-creator of the series "Queer as Folk." http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...6102a3f94da557 Attached Images
	Last edited by JamesG; 06-07-2010 at 03:51 PM.

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06-07-2010, 03:54 PM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,179	It was reported back in April 2010 that FOX had decided to halt production of the American "Torchwood". A statement was releaed: "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." http://tv.ign.com/articles/108/1085260p1.html In other "Torchwood" news it was recently annouced that STARZ has picked up "Torchwood" and will air its new season Summer 2011.