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Torchwood

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The Doctor Who Spin Off series

Jack and Gwen will return for Torchwood Season 4: The New World, screening in 2011! Stay tuned for more news...

Torchwood

Torchwood is an anagram of Doctor Who, and like an anagram is a remix of some of the ideas from its sister show, but it's edgier, scarier, techier, and for adults only.

Indeed, Torchwood has been billed as "Doctor Who for adults", but that's a lazy summary. To me, it's The (se)X-Files set in Wales. You have your Mulder believer in Captain Jack Harkness, and your Scully sceptic in WPC Gwen Cooper. But unlike The X-Files, Captain Jack is able to prove to Gwen that the truth is out there.

And unlike The X-Files, Torchwood has no problems with beaurocracy. They call the shots. There's no one to stop them. And Captain Jack has three more expert staff members to provide back up. Not that he needs anyone to watch his back.



(Torchwood promotional images and stills are copyright © BBC. Fair use presumed for a lens about Torchwood.)

Torchwood Season Four

* * * SPOILER WARNING * * *

Torchwood Reborn
When the last Torchwood series ended, viewers certainly could have assumed that the end was permanent. Most of the "Torchwood" group was dead, the organization had been disbanded, and the leader - John Barrowman's Captain Jack - was dispirited, to say the least. Yet here comes Jack again, in the ten-part Starz adventure Torchwood: The New World.
Torchwood Season 4 to Air on Starz in the US
The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies. While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the U.S. and around the world. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces.
TORCHWOOD Season 4 To Premiere on BBC One and Starz in Summer 2011
In unbelievably good news of the day, TORCHWOOD is coming back in the Summer of 2011 with John Barrowman (Capt. Jack) and Eve Myles (Gwen) returning along with some new faces reflecting the more international scope of the series.
Will ABC Soap Derail Torchwood Season 4?
Russell T Davies has been quoted as saying that the Torchwood that returns next season may not be the one people are expecting to see... But is that because John Barrowman may be jumping ship to star in Desperate Housewives?
New Torchwood is more ambitious
Torchwood writer John Fay has claimed that the upcoming fourth season will be the most ambitious yet.

He told Syfylove that creator Russell T. Davies was keen to move the series forward with new ten-part saga The New World.

"Like anything in life, you can rest on your laurels or you can try to push on again and achieve something new," he said. "That is what Russell has done. On Children of Earth he had a very clear and defined vision, but what he has outlined for The New World is equally, if not more ambitious than before."
Eve Myles returns to the Torchwood team
"Torchwood" actress Eve Myles talks about upcoming Russell T. Davies miniseries "Torchwood: Miracle Day" and her character, Gwen.

News of U.S. Torchwood

Have they found the illusive Torchwood 4?

Fox developing U.S. version of Torchwood
Fox is developing a version of the hit British sci-fi series Torchwood.A more straight-faced spin-off of Doctor Who, Torchwood is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity.
Will a US version of Torchwood work?
Russell T Davies has relocated to Los Angeles, and Torchwood looks to be going with him. It makes all kinds of sense, too.

...from docTor who to torchWooD

My introduction to Doctor Who was with the 1996 movie starring Paul McGann as the eighth incarnation of the Doctor. I couldn't get into the old cult shows, much as I tried, because they just seemed too cardboard. Which is their charm, I know, but I'm from the generation where really top quality, realistic-looking special effects are the ones that wow me.

I then tried the new Doctor Who series, but it didn't hook me enough to make me remember which day of the week it was on.

Torchwood, on the other hand, had me interested by about halfway through the pilot episode. By the very end of the episode I was hooked. Sure, it's corn cheese most of the time, but it's cooler than Doctor Who, and it's fun, and it's just a tiny bit scary.

What is Torchwood?

Torchwood is an elite team of investigators into the unknown. They are outside the jurisdiction of every authority - police, government, and UN. They have the power to alter crime scenes, producing a suitable corpse where no body was found, or removing strange and unusual technology that would generate too many questions.

It's a huge responsibility, and alien technology is so very intriguing. What would you do if you were allowed to break the rules?

Torchwood in the 21st Century

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Where is Torchwood?

Torchwood 1 was located in Canary Wharf in London, but was destroyed in the Battle of Canary Wharf when the Cybermen attacked.

Torchwood 2 is in Glasgow, Scotland, and Torchwood 3 is in Cardiff, Wales, where a huge space-time rift runs straight through the city, and, as Captain Jack explains to Gwen, spits up the garbage of space into Cardiff as if it is a sewer.

And also according to Captain Jack, Torchwood 4 has apparently vanished. But they will find it.

Torchwood 3 is the main focus of the show. Roald Dahl Plass, shown here, is where the entrance to the Torchwood Hub can be found. Maybe. If you're clever.

(Image of Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff by James Allen, 2005.)

Torchwood?

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Who is Torchwood?

The Torchwood team consists of a core team, headed by Captain Jack Harkness, a character who first appeared in Doctor Who, as well as the occasional guest who is called in to assist the team.

And here's an interesting stat for you: Within the first 7 episodes of season one, every one of the five main characters shares a kiss with a member of the same gender. But only two out of the five Torchwood teamsters get to kiss the opposite sex.

A tribute to former Torchwood team members

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Captain Jack Harkness

John Barrowman

There's something strange about Captain Jack. If you're a Doctor Who junky, you probably already know what that is.

If you haven't watched much Doctor Who, I suggest you don't go digging just yet. The first episode of Torchwood is a kicker, and the second reveals a little more detail.

You'll enjoy it more if you don't know. Promise.

WPC Gwen Cooper

Eve Myles

The first episode is Torchwood's test for Gwen Cooper. Until this day, she's never even heard of Torchwood. Now she's allowed to witness a few things that make no sense, and to start a personal investigation into the matter. Is she going mad? Or is she the perfect person for the job?

Gwen brings a human element to Torchwood - a perspective that the others, steeped in technology, isolation, and knowledge of alien cultures, sometimes forget.

Owen Harper

Burn Gorman

A former doctor and brilliant scientist, but with some "bedside manner" issues, Owen acts as Torchwood's pathologist, anthropologist, medic, and laboratory analyst.

Owen gets to experience a completely different perspective when he empathetically lives the final moments of a murdered woman's life.

Toshiko Sato

Naoko Mori

Tosh is Torchwood's resident computer analyst, programmer, decrypter, and hacker. Need to make someone disappear from all records? Tosh is your go-to girl. She's also boasted that she can escape from any room once she's found its weak points.

Toshiko's brush with an alien implement allows her a brief period of being able to read other people's minds, with a little concentration.

Ianto Jones

Gareth David-Lloyd

Receptionist, security guard, driver? Oh, no. Ianto is much more than that.

This Quentin Tarantino look-alike with the Welsh accent is the ultimate clean-up crew of one. Bodies? Gone. Crime scene? Where? Ianto has what you need ready for you before you even realise you need it. He's "taken the liberty..." shall we say?

No wonder Torchwood 1 couldn't do without him.

(What does Gareth David-Lloyd look like with blond hair? Have a look...)

Who is the hottest Torchwood team member?

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Torchwood Cast Photos

Torchwood Cast at Convention in October 08
A lot of fun, some stripping, and plenty of kissing at the request of the audience. John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd, Naoko Mori, Kai Owen. Language and adult content warning.
Torchwood Cast at The Rift convention - April 08
Plenty of singing for some reason. James Marsden, Kai Owen, and Gareth David-Lloyd.

Eve Myles is pregnant

And, no, it's not an alien this time....

Torchwood star Eve Myles is pregnant
Eve Myles has announced that she is expecting her first child. The 31-year-old Welsh actress decided to try for a baby after filming a new five-part special of the Doctor Who spin-off, Children of the Earth, which airs on BBC1 later this year.

Q&A with Burn Gorman

An Exclusive Q&A With 'Torchwood' Star Burn Gorman
Interview with Torchwood's Burn Gorman.

Answers to some frequently pondered questions

  • What is a WPC?

    WPC stands for "Woman Police Constable" in the British Police Force. Gwen Cooper has a successful career as a WPC before she meets Torchwood.
  • Do I need to catch up on my Doctor Who viewing first, in order to follow what's happening in Torchwood?

    No. Torchwood is a standalone series. In fact, Doctor Who contains a few spoilers for Torchwood, so you might want to be careful if you don't want to spoil your fun.

    Update: I (accidentally) happened to catch the final episode of Doctor Who season 4 before I watched the final episode of Torchwood season 1, and I found these episodes referenced each other quite a bit. The final Torchwood episode is the first time Jack mentions the "Doctor", and could be a little oblique and even confusing without the knowledge of Jack's involvement towards the end of Doctor Who.

    But don't watch Doctor Who until you've seen at least the first two episodes of Torchwood.
  • What does "Torchwood" mean?

    In real life: Torchwood was a security anagram written on Doctor Who tapes, probably to prevent casual theft.

    In the Doctor Who/Torchwood universe: We can speculate as to which name came first. Queen Victoria's first encounter with the Doctor was at Torchwood Estate. Perhaps the Doctor made the anagram from Torchwood.

    The Torchwood Institute was named after Torchwood Estate, but since it was set up as an response to the visit from the Doctor, perhaps the anagram came from there.

    Or perhaps it's silly to speculate. After all, Doctor Who never really calls himself "Doctor Who". Perhaps it's just a coincidence that Torchwood contains the word Doctor.
  • You referred to Torchwood as "Doctor Who for adults". Does that mean I shouldn't allow my 10-year-old to watch it?

    Update: Season Two of Torchwood will be screened in two versions: adult and family-friendly. The family-friendly version will have some of the violence, sex, and language cut out of it. It's likely the themes will still be quite mature, so a younger child might not understand some of the deeper threads. The action will still be good though.

    The first season of Torchwood contains some scenes that you might not want to have to try to explain to a 10-year-old. It also has enough blood, gore, and violence to cause a few nightmares in young children, although it's not overly scary.

    In addition, Torchwood is ethically confronting, dealing with issues such as human/alien rights abuses, privacy violations, and the risks of limited accountability - in other words, complex themes that are difficult to explain satisfactorily for the very reason the writers have chosen them. Mature teenagers should find it a good starting point for discussing social issues. Australian TV has rated it PG-15.
  • How do you pronounce "Ianto"?

    Yunto (Y-uh-n-to). (Gwen pronounces it "Yuntor".)
  • How do you pronounce "Rhys"?

    Reece

Huh?

Learning to understand Welsh accents

Had enough fun with the Manchester accents in Life on Mars yet?

Let me introduce: the Welsh accent.

Luckily I spent 6 months living in Wales so I can sometimes understand what they are saying in Torchwood. Which can be useful.

Here are some pointers.

Extra vowels: Eg, "Wallesh" rather than "Welsh"
"Harkeness" rather than "Harkness"
"Sallef" rather than "self"

A, as in "cat" is pronounced uh, as in "cut"
U, as in "cut" is pronounced oo, as in "coot" (but with a shorter oo)
O, as in "coat" is pronounced or, as in "court" (but without sounding the r)
I, as in "like" is pronounced "ay" as in "lake"
E, as in "well" is pronounced "a" as in "at"

AY, as in "face" is pronounced "eh" as in "fair"
AR, as in "Harkness" is pronounced uh, but a longer sound than "cut" - very similar to the way we Aussies would pronounce it.

D, is pronounced "T" ("Torchwoot")
R, is rolled, similar to French.
L, is pronounced with the tongue further back on the palate than in English accents.

Learn some Welsh

I haven't heard any Welsh spoken on Torchwood yet, which is strange. And also strange is the lack of shots of sign posts in dual English-Welsh languages.

But have a look at the image above right. It's a shot taken inside a school and that board at the back has two Welsh words on it.

Bwyd Iechyd

which means "Food Health"

Bwyd (food) is pronounced boo-eet

Iechyd (health) is pronounced ee-ya-keet (sometimes when you hear it quickly, it sounds more like "yucky").

Watch out for this scene in Episode 5 and see if you can impress someone with your newly learnt Welsh. (Unless, of course, you are Welsh. In which case, "Iechyd da!")

Own the Torchwood series on DVD

Torchwood Seasons 1 & 2

US and Canada - The first and second season of Torchwood is available through Amazon.com (Region 1).

Or search eBay (US) or Canada.

Australians can buy the full first series of Torchwood (Region 4) through the ABC Shop and Atlantic DVD.

The second season of Torchwood (Region 4) is also now available through the ABC Shop.

Or have a look for Torchwood on eBay AU.

UK Viewers can purchase the first and second series through the BBC Shop:

Torchwood Series 1 (Region 2)

Torchwood Series 2 (Region 2)

Or try eBay UK.

Torchwood Region 1

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Torchwood on iTunes

Torchwood on iTunes
The BBC will be releasing Torchwood episodes for US iTunes users. Sorry Australia, we have to wait for that too.

Torchwood breaks records

We all love the Hub

The September 2007 US premiere of Torchwood on BBC America delivered 496,000 total viewers, a record for the channel, ahead of last year's screening of Robin Hood.

The Australian premiere of Torchwood in June 2007 reached an amazing 1 million viewers.

More Torchwood and Doctor Who

Torchwood at the BBC
The official Torchwood site at the BBC.
Torchwood on Channel Ten
Channel Ten, Australia's Torchwood pages.
The Doctor Who Wiki
The Wiki for Doctor Who, which also contains entries for Torchwood. Read with caution for spoilers.
Welsh-English Online Dictionary
Brush up on your Welsh.
BBC British-American TV Dictionary
Stuck on the meaning of a phrase used in a British TV show? Look it up here.
Torchwood Fan Club of Australia
Chat Torchwood with other Aussie fans.
John Barrowman's official site
Website of actor John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood and Doctor Who.
Torchwood TV Blog
Keep up to date with Torchwood news.
Gareth David-Lloyd's official site
Website of actor Gareth David-Lloyd, who plays Ianto Jones in Torchwood.
Totally Torchwood
News and comments about Torchwood and Doctor Who.
Interview with Russell Davies
Graham Kibble-White chatting to Russell Davies, creator of Torchwood. We're just back from the press launch of the Doctor Who Christmas special - a fantastic festive offering which ends on a lovely lowkey note...

Catch up on Doctor Who


The Doctor Who and Torchwood storylines are becoming increasingly entwined as Captain Jack and Martha Jones make guest appearances in their respective sister shows.

The Doctor and Torchwood join forces in Doctor Who Season 4, with Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd also making guest appearances.
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Can't wait for the next episode?

Read some Torchwood books

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Torchwood Declassified

Caution: Spoilers
Torchwood Declassified
Watch the behind the scenes mini-documentaries on each episode as well as an extended promo (with spoilers).

Are you watching Torchwood?

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  • Reply
    Dawn Sep 29, 2011 @ 2:31 pm | delete
    Torchwood Miracle Day had me on the edge of my seat and begging and craving more!!! I have Doctor Who addiction, loved the Sarah Jane Adventures. :( ( no more, sad) But I wish that Torchwood would contine right where The Miracle series left off. (Or is there already in production that I don't know of???) A litlle more heterosex going on would be fair? Though I have to say some same sex action answered a few things !! lol I love them all and want Torchwood to continue and continue, the same for Dr. Who.
  • Reply
    Jul 13, 2011 @ 4:47 am | delete
    didn't really have the time to see the series but the rumors are on a good direction
  • Reply
    SusanVillasLewis Jul 8, 2011 @ 6:06 pm | delete
    I was all stoked that Torchwood was starting tonight. And going to be on here in the States. And on a channel I had heard of. But ... apparently don't have. Argh!!!!
  • Reply
    MONALISA Jun 9, 2011 @ 7:05 pm | delete
    yes waiting 4 new shows
  • Reply
    cuteordeath Apr 28, 2011 @ 2:13 pm | delete
    Such a great show. ♥
  • Reply
    PipPipHooray Apr 3, 2011 @ 9:33 am | delete
    Once I finally found the genius and coolness that is Dr Who then I found Torchwood and loooved it! Can't wait to see the new season. In fact... think it's time to check to see how it's progressing and whether I can get to watch it yet. thanks for the reminder :)
  • Reply
    fanfreluche Apr 1, 2011 @ 2:41 pm | delete
    Blessed by this Torchwood fan and squidoo Angel (no April's Fool!).
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Keep reading:

Torchwood Season 3

Torchwood Season 2

Torchwood Alumni - Tribute to Deceased Torchwood Staff Members

Do Aliens Have Rights? Join the debate!

John Barrowman fans

Gareth David-Lloyd fans

Lens content copyright © Elsa Neal, 2007-2011. All rights reserved.

Torchwood Season 3

They went too far this time, in my opinion. If future Torchwood episodes feature Jack Harkness I won't be watching.

*** SPOILER WARNING ***

Torchwood Season 3 Trailer

Torchwood : Children of Earth

Torchwood : Children of Earth is a five-hour epic single-story arc.
powered by Youtube

News on Torchwood Season Three

Torchwood Season 3 Coming in 2009
***Major SPOILERS for Torchwood and Doctor Who***
Major changes in Torchwood and Doctor Who
***SPOILERS*** More mention of Torchwood Season 3, some replacements (temporary or permanent) for much-loved characters, and a further change in the format.
'Torchwood' cut down for third season?
Torchwood will reportedly have a shorter week-long run for its third season.
Torchwood Season 3 casting hints
Executive producer Julie Gardner confirms John Barrowman's return, and hints that fans will approve of the casting decisions.

Jack and his grandson...

At the very least Jack should have had an earnest chat with his grandson and let him make the decision to sacrifice himself.

Did Jack go too far this time?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yes. I'm appalled at his actions.

Nah. Kid had it coming.

brevvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv says:

the many out way the few or in this case one. They were lucky he was able to make the hard choice now the choices below suck the kid didnt have it coming but what else was there to do go find some other mums kid

Posted March 23, 2011

 

Torchwood Season 2

This season of Torchwood has a fabulous story arc with plenty of twists and surprises. And a tissue box requirement.

Torchwood Season Two

Only very minor spoilers

Torchwood season two was screened on BBC2 in the UK and on BBC America in the US from January 2008.

(Aussies and Canadians - If you were wanting to, I hope you were quick to watch the YouTube videos of Torchwood Season 2, as they have now been removed. However, the good news is that Torchwood Season 2 is now available on Region 4 DVD. Aussies - Torchwood Season21 is being shown on ABC 2 on Fridays at 8.30PM.)

Jack and Ianto dating

We love this pairing. There's a certain sweetness to their working relationship turned life saving romance. All indications are much more to follow.

Rhys and Gwen

Rhys gets a little more information out of Gwen this season when he's let in on what her secret job is about, but can their relationship survive?

Friends forever

The writers have decided to cut down on the jibes and nastiness that developed between the characters last season. This time round, everyone gets to be likeable and pleasant.

A few laughs

More humour has been written into the show too. It is, after all, very much a tongue-in-cheek show, so Torchwood is not afraid to share in the laughs and spoofs that have been doing the rounds of the Internet. Go on, poke fun, I dare you.

Paging Doctor Jones

Doctor Martha Jones (yes, she passed her medical exams) joins the Torchwood team for a while this season when Jack asks for her help.

Heart to heart

Captain John Hart is a time agent from the 51st century, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters. He's an old friend of Jack's, and we all know what that means.

New neighbours

Neighbours/Ugly Betty/24/OC/Star Trek : Nemesis star Alan Dale joins in for one episode.

Torchwood Junior

Yup. They're missing out on all the Doctor Who fans under the age of 16 who aren't allowed to watch Torchwood. And with the next cross-over character, Martha Jones, joining the fun, young fans will want to move with her.

Enter the age of alteration. A slightly edited, family-friendly version of Torchwood will be screened as a pre-watershed repeat of the previous week's episode. But Russell Davies insists that none of the same-sex kissing scenes will be cut. Gay relationships are an accepted part of our culture, and if heterosexual kissing can be screened pre-watershed, then so can homosexual kissing.

What will go is the language (different lines were shot at the same time), some of the violence, and the sex scenes will cut away much sooner.

Alienation

Fresh new alien life to play with - we can't wait!

- Eve Myles on Freema Agyeman (guest starring as Martha Jones) -

"Within a minute it was as if she'd always been there. I hope she comes back. I loved working with her. She's so friendly and kind. I'd only ever met Freema in passing before, as she was on her way to the Tardis to pop into some parallel universe or other, and I was off to the Hub to snog a Weevil or something, but she's just lovely. Bloody lovely."

Torchwood Season 2 Reviewed

IGN: Torchwood : Season 2 Review
Torchwood: Season 2 reviewed in-depth by IGN.

The phones don't work

"Mobiles, landlines, tin cans with bits of string, everything! Absolutely everything! No phones, phones all broken. Hello, anyone there? No, cause the phones aren't working!"
Torchwood Ianto Quote Mousepad

Torchwood Ianto Quote Mousepad

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For John Barrowman fans only

John Barrowman is openly gay, and has been with his partner, architect Scott Gill for 16 years. The couple married last year.

For those wondering what Scott Gill looks like, the first video is a clip of the public kiss between John Barrowman and Scott Gill on stage at London Pride.

The second is a slideshow of still images of John Barrowman and Scott Gill.

The third clip is one of John Barrowman singing the Doctor Who theme tune, accompanied by David Tennant. The impromptu performance was on a Doctor Who special of The Weakest Link.
John Barrowman at London Pride - THE KISS
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1,291 ratings | 297,542 views
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Get your John Barrowman fix

Calendars, Captain Jack action figure, John Barrowman autobiography and CDs

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John Barrowman's antics

Torchwood BBC TV: The John Barrowman (Capt Jack) Interview
John Barrowman talks about playing the character of Captain Jack Harkness and how the character differs between Doctor Who and Torchwood.
For John Barrowman fans
Keep scrolling down this lens (or click here) for more information about John Barrowman, Scott Gill, and sing a certain theme tune.
More goodies for John Barrowman fans
Get your own John Barrowman calendar for 2009. Or a Captain Jack Harkness action figure for your desk...
Torchwood Guys Make Out for Their Fans
Torchwood stars John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd gave their gay fans their money worth at a Torchwood fan convention this week when they started making out and strip for the audience.

Talk about knowing your audience.

Are you a John Barrowman fan?

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For Gareth David-Lloyd fans only

Gareth David-Lloyd has a great chameleonic quality as shown in these screenshots:

Going blond in Absolute Power

Looking gorgeous with a goatie in The Bill

Going blond in Absolute Power

(Image courtesy Gareth David-Lloyd website, Absolute Power © BBC)

Looking gorgeous with a goatie in The Bill

(Image courtesy Gareth David-Lloyd website, The Bill © BBC)

Show you care

I (Heart) Ianto Dark T-Shirt

I (Heart) Ianto Dark T-Shirt

From: Epic Love - TV and Movie T-Shirt Shop

Price: Buy Now

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Are you a Gareth David-Lloyd fan?

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daoine

Daoine (aka Elle Neal) has been a fan of Torchwood since the first episode. She is annoyed with Australian TV for treating Torchwood fans so badly... more »

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