very minor spoilers: 'Torchwood' Star Eager For American Premiere

'Torchwood' Star Eager For American Premiere

John Barrowman also discusses return to 'Doctor Who'

By ALAN STANLEY BLAIR
Source: Sci-Fi Pulse
May-08-2007

The first "Doctor Who" spinoff "Torchwood" (the science-fiction series aimed at an adult audience) is ready to make its debut in the United States on BBC America, with star John Barrowman just as eager about the American debut as the fans.

Barrowman talked recently with Starburst magazine about why Capt. Jack made a major change in character from the first season finale of "Doctor Who" to "Torchwood."

"We discussed that and we took it from when Capt. Jack was left behind on Satellite Five," Barrowman said, according to a transcript by Sci-Fi Pulse. "He was angry, he was gutted and that’s why he didn’t become involved with people so much because he had detached himself. He has also come back to a point of time [in the past] where he has to live through everything again, and you’ll find out more about that in [Season 3] of 'Doctor Who' and [Season 2] of 'Torchwood.' He’s a bit angry, so that’s why he doesn’t show much warmth or humor. But that’s gonna come around, that’s all I will say."

But when "Torchwood" finishes its final episode of the season, American fans still have Capt. Jack's much-anticipated return to "Doctor Who" to look forward to. In October, Barrowman confirmed to SyFy Portal that he would indeed return to "Doctor Who" for three episodes, and now that those episodes have been completed, the most exciting thing for the actor about returning to the mother series is that it wasn’t his show.

"It was weird because I was there with Billie [Piper] and Chris [Eccleston], and part of that team that brought it back and created the beginning," he said. "I am the only one left from the beginning. With 'Torchwood' that is my show, and with 'Doctor Who' it is David’s [Tennant] – or whoever plays The Doctor, and I know that. So I came back as one of three, but that was kind of nice because he got to say all the big blurb! The responsibility of saying all the big words and the exposition was taken away from me, which was wonderful. I could just say, ‘Yes Doctor!’ ‘OK, Doctor!’ ‘What do you mean, Doctor?’"

To read more of the interview with John Barrowman see below.

"Torchwood" joins the Supernatural Saturday lineup on BBC America in June.

Who would you like to see nominated in the 2007 SyFy Genre Awards? Make your suggestions count go http://www.syfyportal.com/news423601.html.
source: http://www.syfyportal.com/news423613.html

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John Barrowman Gives Some Hints About The Future Of Captain Jack
Source SciFi Pulse
8 May 2007

By Ian M. Cullen

With only a matter of weeks until Captain Jack Harkness makes his heroic return to Doctor Who, the excitement for fans of the character are at fever pitch and John Barrowman who portrays the role is as enthusiastic as the many Doctor Who and Torchwood fans who await his return to the series with baited breath.

At present there are more questions about Captain Jack than there are answers. Questions such as: How did he get to the 21st century after being abandoned on Satellite Five? And: Why was he less of a flirtatious character on Torchwood than he was on Doctor Who? While talking to Starburst John Barrowman gave some of his insights about the role, which has made him a household name.

"We discussed that and we took it from when Captain Jack was left behind on Satellite Five. He was angry, he was gutted and that's why he didn't become involved with people so much because he had detached himself. He has also come back to a point of time [in the past] where he has to live through everything again, and you'll find out more about that in series three of Doctor Who and series two of Torchwood. He's a bit angry, so that's why he doesn't show much warmth or humour. But that's gonna come around, that all I will say."

While at present Captain Jack does not show a great deal of warmth, the same cannot be said for John Barrowman whose sense of fun and playful nature has given him a reputation for being somewhat of a wildcard on the set of Torchwood, and Barrowman is fast to admit that he does like keep his co stars on their toes so to speak.

"Last time I answered questions like this honestly one person complained that it wasn't Gay Times and your people should not be reading it. One of our National Newspapers picked up on it and I got blamed when the editor was the one at fault, so I won't tell you exactly what I did. All I'll say is that... things come out."

Of course Jack is returning to Doctor Who and his first episode 'Utopia' which is number 11 in the running order is only a matter of weeks away. That last time we saw Jack on Doctor Who was when Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper still had the two lead roles, and Barrowman is quick to point out that it was a little different for him acting alongside David Tennant due to the fact that a new chemistry needed to be established.

"It was weird because I was there with Billie and Chris, and part of that team that brought it back and created the beginning. I am the only one left from the beginning. With Torchwood that is my show, and with Doctor Who it is David's – or whoever plays the Doctor, and I know that. So I came back as one of three, but that was kind of nice because he got to say all the big blurb! The responsibility of saying all the big words and the exposition was taken away from me, which was wonderful. I could just say, 'Yes Doctor!' 'OK Doctor!' 'What do you mean Doctor?'"

"But it was also finding the dynamic again, because you have two actors who have never worked together as these two characters who we firmly established with each other. I've watched Doctor Who with David, he has watched Torchwood, so it was a neat experience, but weird. But towards the end it was good fun. I learned again that Jack still has something to add to it, so who knows."

As to the future for Captain Jack, Barrowman couldn't be happier with the role and truly enjoys the character to such an extent that he is open to portraying the role as long as he is needed to do so.

"As long as I can do something like 'Any Dream Will Do' and fit in some other things, I am happy to play Jack for the next five or 10 years if the audience wants it. I just think he is great."

You can read much more of this interview in the 350Th edition of Starburst Magazine which is out now in all-good news agencies.

http://scifipulse.net/Dr_Who/J_BarrowmanOnJackHarkness.html