Torchwood (audio drama series)

Torchwood is a sci-fi audio series 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
Big Finish Productions audio drama
SeriesTorchwood
Written byvarious
Directed by
  • Scott Handcock
  • Barnaby Edwards
  • Lisa Bowerman
Produced by
  • James Goss
  • David Richardson
  • Emily Cook
  • Scott Handcock
Executive producer(s)
Release date15 September 2015 (2015-09-15) – present

The series premiered on 15 September 2015. James Goss acts as range producer, David Richardson as senior 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 monthly up until August 2016, with succeeding series following similar suite; Series 3 between March–August 2017, Series 4 in March–August 2018 and Series 5 in March 2019–February 2020. A sixth series premiered in April 2020 and is due to conclude in March 2021,[6] ahead of a seventh set to run between April 2021–March 2022. Story-wise, each play centres on one or more members of Torchwood and their associates.

In addition to the monthly range, specials featuring ensemble casts have also been released. The first, The Torchwood Archive, was released in October 2016 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Torchwood's TV debut.[7] This was followed by the boxsets Outbreak and Believe in November 2016 and April 2018, respectively, while another, Torchwood One, spun out into its own series, with three sets released thus far. The three-part series Aliens Among Us (2017–18) and its follow-up God Among Us (2018–19) were published as successors to the TV programme, while the boxsets The Sins of Captain John and Torchwood Soho - Parasite were released in 2020.

Premise

Torchwood follows the exploits of the agents who work for the fictional institute of the same name: a covert British organisation that defends Earth against supernatural and extraterrestrial threats and salvages alien technology for their own use. 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, as well as 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, only to discover that 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 and characters

Regular cast

List indicator(s)

This section shows characters who will appear or have appeared in at least one season.

  •   A green cell indicates the actor is a main cast member.
  •   A red cell indicates the actor is a recurring cast member.
  •   A light blue cell indicates the actor is a guest or special guest cast member.
Actor Character Appearances
Monthly Range Specials Torchwood One The Story Continues
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 Individual SCJ TSP S1 S2 S3 S1 S2
John Barrowman Jack Harkness Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Eve Myles Gwen Cooper Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Gareth David-Lloyd Ianto Jones Does not appear Does not appear
Naoko Mori Toshiko Sato Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Burn Gorman Owen Harper Does not appear Does not appear
Kai Owen Rhys Williams Does not appear Does not appear
Tom Price Andy Davidson Does not appear Does not appear
Indira Varma Suzie Costello Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Tracy-Ann Oberman Yvonne Hartman Does not appear Does not appear
Samuel Barnett Norton Folgate Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Rowena Cooper Queen Victoria Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
James Marsters John Hart Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Murray Melvin Bilis Manger Does not appear Does not appear Does not appear
Alexandria Riley Ng Does not appear
Paul Clayton St John Colchester Does not appear Does not appear
Jonny Green Tyler Steele Does not appear
Samantha Béart Orr Does not appear
Ramon Tikaram Colin Colchester-Price Does not appear

Torchwood and Doctor Who characters

Other

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, while others contribute infrequently. Scripts were initially edited by Steve Tribe before the duty was 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 U.S., including Rancho Mirage Music, Bang Post Production, The Moat Studios, The Roundhouse Studios and Ladbroke Audio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, production was carried out remotely from cast and crew's homes. 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

Series 1 (2015–16)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"The Conspiracy"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJack HarknessSeptember 2015 (2015-09)
2"Fall to Earth"Scott HandcockJames GossIanto JonesOctober 2015 (2015-10)
3"Forgotten Lives"Scott HandcockEmma ReevesGwen Cooper, Rhys WilliamsNovember 2015 (2015-11)
4"One Rule"Barnaby EdwardsJoseph LidsterYvonne HartmanDecember 2015 (2015-12)
5"Uncanny Valley"Neil GardnerDavid LlewellynJack HarknessJanuary 2016 (2016-01)
6"More Than This"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsGwen CooperFebruary 2016 (2016-02)

Series 2 (2016)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
7"The Victorian Age"Scott HandcockAK BenedictJack Harkness, Queen VictoriaMarch 2016 (2016-03)
8"Zone 10"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynToshiko SatoApril 2016 (2016-04)
9"Ghost Mission"Scott HandcockJames GossAndy Davidson, Norton FolgateMay 2016 (2016-05)
10"Moving Target"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsSuzie CostelloJune 2016 (2016-06)
11"Broken"Scott HandcockJoseph LidsterJack Harkness, Ianto JonesJuly 2016 (2016-07)
12"Made You Look"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsGwen CooperAugust 2016 (2016-08)

Series 3 (2017)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
13"Visiting Hours"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynRhys WilliamsMarch 2017 (2017-03)
14"The Dollhouse"Lisa BowermanJuno DawsonMarlow Sweet, Charley Du Bujeau, Gabi MartinezApril 2017 (2017-04)
15"Corpse Day"Scott HandcockJames GossOwen Harper, Andy DavidsonMay 2017 (2017-05)
16"torchwood_cascade_CDrip.tor"Scott HandcockScott HandcockToshiko SatoJune 2017 (2017-06)
17"The Office of Never Was"Scott HandcockJames GossIanto JonesJuly 2017 (2017-07)
18"The Dying Room"Scott HandcockLizzie HopleyM LeDuc, Herr GrauAugust 2017 (2017-08)

Series 4 (2018)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
19"The Death of Captain Jack"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJack Harkness, John HartMarch 2018 (2018-03)
20"The Last Beacon"Scott HandcockGareth David-LloydOwen Harper, Ianto JonesApril 2018 (2018-04)
21"We Always Get Out Alive"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsGwen Cooper, Rhys WilliamsMay 2018 (2018-05)
22"Goodbye Piccadilly"Scott HandcockJames GossAndy Davidson, Norton FolgateJune 2018 (2018-06)
23"Instant Karma"Lisa BowermanDavid Llewellyn, James Goss, Jonathan MorrisToshiko SatoJuly 2018 (2018-07)
24"Deadbeat Escape"Scott HandcockJames GossBilis MangerAugust 2018 (2018-08)

Series 5 (2019–20)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
25"Night of the Fendahl"Scott HandcockTim FoleyGwen Cooper, FendahlMarch 2019 (2019-03)
26"The Green Life"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJack Harkness, Jo JonesApril 2019 (2019-04)
27"Sync"Scott HandcockLisa McMullinSuzie Costello, Margaret BlaineMay 2019 (2019-05)
28"Sargasso"Scott HandcockChristopher CooperRhys Williams, AutonsJune 2019 (2019-06)
29"Serenity"Scott HandcockJames MoranJack Harkness, Ianto JonesJuly 2019 (2019-07)
30"The Hope"Scott HandcockJames GossOwen Harper, Andy DavidsonAugust 2019 (2019-08)
31"The Vigil"Lisa BowermanLou MorganToshiko SatoSeptember 2019 (2019-09)
32"Smashed"Scott HandcockJames GossGwen CooperOctober 2019 (2019-10)
33"Dead Man's Switch"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynBilis MangerNovember 2019 (2019-11)
34"Expectant"Scott HandcockXanna Eve ChownJack Harkness, Ianto JonesDecember 2019 (2019-12)
35"Fortitude"Lisa BowermanJames GossQueen VictoriaJanuary 2020 (2020-01)
36"Dissected"Scott HandcockTim FoleyMartha Jones, Gwen CooperFebruary 2020 (2020-02)

Series 6 (2020–21)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
37"Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4"Scott HandcockTim FoleyThe VoiceApril 2020 (2020-04)
38"Iceberg"Scott HandcockGrace KnightOwen HarperMay 2020 (2020-05)
39"Dinner and a Show"Scott HandcockGareth David-LloydIanto Jones, Toshiko SatoJune 2020 (2020-06)
40"Save Our Souls"Lisa BowermanScott HandcockQueen VictoriaJuly 2020 (2020-07)
41"Red Base"Lisa BowermanJames GossAndy DavidsonAugust 2020 (2020-08)
42"Ex Machina"Scott HandcockAlfie ShawIanto JonesSeptember 2020 (2020-09)
43"The Three Monkeys"Scott HandcockJames GossOwen Harper, Andy DavidsonOctober 2020 (2020-10)
44"Rhys and Ianto's Excellent Barbecue"Scott HandcockTim FoleyIanto Jones, Rhys WilliamsNovember 2020 (2020-11)
45"The Crown"Lisa BowermanJonathan BarnesQueen VictoriaDecember 2020 (2020-12)
46"Coffee"Scott HandcockJames GossIanto JonesJanuary 2021 (2021-01)
47"Drive"[8]Lisa BowermanDavid LlewellynToshiko SatoFebruary 2021 (2021-02)
48"Lease of Life"[8]Scott HandcockAaron LamontOwen HarperMarch 2021 (2021-03)

Series 7

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
49"Gooseberry"[8]Scott HandcockJames GossOwen Harper, Andy DavidsonApril 2021 (2021-04)
50"Absent Friends"[8]Scott HandcockJames GossJack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Tenth DoctorMay 2021 (2021-05)
51TBATBATBATBAJune 2021 (2021-06)[8]
52TBATBATBATBAJuly 2021 (2021-07)[8]
53TBATBATBATBAAugust 2021 (2021-08)[8]
54TBATBATBATBASeptember 2021 (2021-09)[8]
55TBATBATBATBAOctober 2021 (2021-10)[8]
56TBATBATBATBANovember 2021 (2021-11)[8]
57TBATBATBATBADecember 2021 (2021-12)[8]
58TBATBATBATBAJanuary 2022 (2022-01)[8]
59TBATBATBATBAFebruary 2022 (2022-02)[8]
60TBATBATBATBAMarch 2022 (2022-03)[8]

Individual releases (2016–)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"The Torchwood Archive"Scott HandcockJames GossJack, Gwen, Ianto, Tosh, Suzie, Rhys, Andy, Yvonne, Norton, Colchester, Alex, Queen VictoriaOctober 2016 (2016-10)
2"Outbreak"Scott HandcockGuy Adams, Emma Reeves, AK BenedictJack, Gwen, IantoNovember 2016 (2016-11)
3"Believe"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsJack, Gwen, Ianto, Tosh, OwenApril 2018 (2018-04)

The Sins of Captain John (2020)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"The Restored"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJohn, King Charles IIJanuary 2020 (2020-01)
2"Escape from Nebazz"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJohnJanuary 2020 (2020-01)
3"Peach Blossom Heights"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJohn, JackJanuary 2020 (2020-01)
4"Darker Purposes"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJohnJanuary 2020 (2020-01)

Torchwood Soho - Parasite (2020)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"The Man from Room 13"Scott HandcockJames GossNortonAugust 2020 (2020-08)
2"Meet Mr Lyme"Scott HandcockJames GossNorton, AndyAugust 2020 (2020-08)
3"The Mould"Scott HandcockJames GossNorton, AndyAugust 2020 (2020-08)
4"The Spread"Scott HandcockJames GossNorton, AndyAugust 2020 (2020-08)
5"The Dead Hand"Scott HandcockJames GossNorton, AndyAugust 2020 (2020-08)
6"The Liberty of Norton Folgate"Scott HandcockJames GossNorton, AndyAugust 2020 (2020-08)

Series 1: Before the Fall (2017)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"New Girl"Barnaby EdwardsJoseph LidsterYvonne, Ianto, TommyJanuary 2017 (2017-01)
2"Through the Ruins"Barnaby EdwardsJenny T ColganYvonne, IantoJanuary 2017 (2017-01)
3"Uprising"Barnaby EdwardsMatt FittonYvonne, Ianto, TommyJanuary 2017 (2017-01)

Series 2: Machines (2018)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"The Law Machines"Barnaby EdwardsMatt FittonYvonne, Ianto, TommyJuly 2018 (2018-07)
2"Blind Summit"Barnaby EdwardsGareth David-LloydYvonne, Ianto, TommyJuly 2018 (2018-07)
3"9 to 5"Barnaby EdwardsTim FoleyYvonne, IantoJuly 2018 (2018-07)

Series 3: Latter Days (2019)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
1"Retirement Plan"Barnaby EdwardsGareth David-LloydYvonne, Ianto, TommySeptember 2019 (2019-09)
2"Locker 15"Barnaby EdwardsMatt FittonYvonne, Ianto, TommySeptember 2019 (2019-09)
3"The Rockery"Barnaby EdwardsTim FoleyYvonne, IantoSeptember 2019 (2019-09)

Aliens Among Us (2017–18)

Marketed as the fifth series of Torchwood.[9]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
Part 1
1"Changes Everything"Scott HandcockJames GossJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixAugust 2017 (2017-08)
2"Aliens & Sex & Chips & Gravy"Scott HandcockJames GossJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixAugust 2017 (2017-08)
3"Orr"Scott HandcockJuno DawsonJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixAugust 2017 (2017-08)
4"Superiority Complex"Scott HandcockAK BenedictJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixAugust 2017 (2017-08)
Part 2
5"Love Rat"Scott HandcockChristopher CooperJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixOctober 2017 (2017-10)
6"A Kill to a View"Scott HandcockMac RogersJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the Sorvix, Bilis MangerOctober 2017 (2017-10)
7"Zero Hour"Scott HandcockJanine H JonesJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixOctober 2017 (2017-10)
8"The Empty Hand"Scott HandcockTim FoleyJack, Gwen/Ng, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixOctober 2017 (2017-10)
Part 3
9"Poker Face"Scott HandcockTim FoleyJack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
10"Tagged"Scott HandcockJoseph LidsterJack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
11"Escape Room"Scott HandcockHelen GoldwynJack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
12"Herald of the Dawn"Scott HandcockJames GossJack, Gwen/Ng, Yvonne Hartman, Rhys, Andy, St John Colchester, Tyler, Orr, Ro-Jedda, the SorvixFebruary 2018 (2018-02)

God Among Us (2018–19)

Marketed as the sixth series of Torchwood.[10]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byFeaturingReleased
Part 1
1"Future Pain"Scott HandcockJames GossJack, Tyler, Yvonne, Orr, Colin, Mr Colchester, Ro-Jedda, Ng, Andy, Gwen, Rhys, GodOctober 2018 (2018-10)
2"The Man Who Destroyed Torchwood"Scott HandcockGuy AdamsTyler, Jack, Yvonne, Orr, Ng, Mr Colchester, GodOctober 2018 (2018-10)
3"See No Evil"Scott HandcockJohn DorneyJack, Yvonne, Andy, Colin, Orr, Ng, Mr Colchester, GodOctober 2018 (2018-10)
4"Night Watch"Scott HandcockTim FoleyOrr, Jack, Yvonne, Colin, Mr Colchester, Tyler, Ng, God, Andy, NortonOctober 2018 (2018-10)
Part 2
5"Flight 405"Scott HandcockLou MorganYvonne, Andy, NortonFebruary 2019 (2019-02)
6"Hostile Environment"Scott HandcockAsh DarbyTyler, Mr Colchester, Ng, GodFebruary 2019 (2019-02)
7"Another Man's Shoes"Scott HandcockTim FoleyYvonne, Andy, Norton, Tyler, Jack, Ng, Colin, the CommitteeFebruary 2019 (2019-02)
8"Eye of the Storm"Scott HandcockDavid LlewellynJack, Mr Colchester, Norton, Ng, Yvonne, Tyler, God, the CommitteeFebruary 2019 (2019-02)
Part 3
9"A Mother's Son"Scott HandcockAlexandria RileyYvonne, Jack, Tyler, Colin, God, AndyJune 2019 (2019-06)
10"ScrapeJane"Scott HandcockRobin BellMr Colchester, Ng, Tyler, Orr, Colin, Jeff, NiamhJune 2019 (2019-06)
11"Day Zero"Scott HandcockTim FoleyYvonne, Jack, Tyler, Orr, Mr Colchester, Ng, Colin, Andy, GodJune 2019 (2019-06)
12"Thoughts and Prayers"Scott HandcockJames GossYvonne, Jack, Tyler, Orr, Mr Colchester, Ng, Colin, Andy, GodJune 2019 (2019-06)

References

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