Rumoured Changes for Doctor Who and Torchwood *SPOILERS*

[NIKIN]

I found a link about rumoured changes


THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE FUTURE OF BOTH DOCTOR WHO AND TORCHWOOD, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS HINTS AT POTENTIAL FUTURE STORY LINES

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

I was chatting to our friend Dr. Phibes today who has been a reliable source to SciFi Pulse over the years for Torchwood and Doctor Who and he has informed me that some pretty big changes are ahead for both shows.

First off on Torchwood things are going to change massively. Leaving the show are Burn Gorman [Owen Harper], Naoko Mori [Toshiko] and John Barrowman [Captain Jack Harkness], though it is likely that Barrowman will return now and then as Captain Jack in a recurring capacity.

Joining the team as a full time member as of season 3 will be Freema Agyeman who will step in as Martha Jones and take over the day to day running of Torchwood from Captain Jack. Remaining with the show will be Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper.

Another big change for Torchwood is the format of the show. Up until now the series has been aimed at a more grown up audience, and has been sold as a Science Fiction series for adults. This has allowed it plenty of latitude with regards to sexual innuendos and humour. Some of the humour may stay, but it will be dumbed down somewhat so as not to alienate the younger audience members.

A third season of Torchwood has indeed been commissioned, but thus far only for five episodes as apposed to the usual 13. Which is something, that has many in the industry somewhat puzzled, especially considering that the show is performing better than Doctor Who in the USA.

The above changes to Torchwoods format are so it can be shown in the Saturday evening slot that is usually occupied by Doctor Who. Producers at the BBC are looking to Torchwood to act as a buffer between seasons of Doctor Who.

So when Doctor Who isn’t on the air. Torchwood will be there to fill that void in time and space that fans have when waiting an entire six months for the DR. Who Christmas special.

While on the subject of Doctor Who there is a good reason why Catherine Tate is leaving after the one season. Much like Martha it was planned from the start. Though the big difference is Donna whom Tate plays in the series will turn out to be a pretty nasty piece of work. Which is why we have a series 4 finale that will include the return of Captain Jack, Sarah Jane Smith, Martha Jones and Rose Tyler.

In addition to this my source has informed me that David Tennant will be leaving the series and will regenerate during the last few minutes of the 2009 Christmas Special.

Apparently for the last few months filming has been underway on the four Doctor Who specials. The first of which will be the 2008 Christmas Special followed by two specials in the year and ending with the 2009 Christmas special which is in its final six weeks of production now. Tennant will officially have left the series in two weeks time when he finishes filming the final moments of the 2009 Christmas Special.

Tipped to take over from Tennant is Full Monty Actor Robert Carlyle though. One insider at the BBC claims that negotiations are currently underway with the actor.

Whilst these would be significant changes to the show, I am doubting this source for several reasons

1) This Dr Phibes doesn't work for BBC, he just analyses TV so how would he know?
2) Moving Torchwood to saturday evenings rather than night time would change the entire concept of a successful show, something I highly doubt
3) Both Tennant and Barrowman have stated they have no interest in leaving their respective shows


anyway, how would these torchwood characters leave? Jack and Owen can't be killed off (well I guess owen's "energy could run out") because when members quite they get retconned, although jack might get out of it, owen is dead and he would stand out in the real world, he couldn't even handle a couple of days off work while Martha ran some tests, I don't see him quiting


Personally I think they are rubbish rumours but thought it might be worth posting the link to see what you think

[seffy]

This isn't the first time this Phibes guy has come up with rumours that haven't paid out. He's done it with other shows as well.
I haven't heard anything about the changes that were mentioned above, but I can tell you that Robert Carlyle has indeed been tipped to take over once David Tennant hands in the keys for the Tardis. Then again, so has Robson Green and James Nesbitt, and Robson Green was rumoured to be taking over before Robert Carlyle.
As for the Torchwood rumours, this is the first 'I' have heard of any such changes. With Torchwood doing so well in John Barrowman's home country, it doesn't make sense that he would want to leave it after only two seasons. Burn Gorman wanting to leave may be a possabillity. He has made a few movies before Torchwood, so he may want to persue that side of his career. As for the others, I don't know.
If I find anything, I'll post it.

[NIKIN]

Thinking about Barrowman, I heard that he just bought a flat or something in Cardiff, which certainly makes it seem like he will be staying for a while, most probably because he is working there for Torchwood

[Hawkeye]

Nikin

remember put the facts or Spoilers for Doctor Who in the Doctor Who season 4 thread it already there and in a sense your making a clone

Arr.... It nice to feel like a modarator again even if it Nikin who I'm hazing

[NIKIN]

Nikin

remember put the facts or Spoilers for Doctor Who in the Doctor Who season 4 thread it already there and in a sense your making a clone

Arr.... It nice to feel like a modarator again even if it Nikin who I'm hazing

lol, I would have done, but there is info regarding Dr Who specials (not technically season 4) and torchwood season 3, which didn't really fit into either thread well, and I didn't want to post in 2 different threads

[Vern]

This has allowed it plenty of latitude with regards to sexual innuendos and humour. Some of the humour may stay, but it will be dumbed down somewhat so as not to alienate the younger audience members.

Thank god! I do hope this bit is true atleast . The innuendo in Torchwood is shockingly badly done ... makes me think i'm watching channel 5 or 4 rather than the bbc . Its tackier humour than Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which is the kind of stuff that should stay in sitcoms.

[NIKIN]

This has allowed it plenty of latitude with regards to sexual innuendos and humour. Some of the humour may stay, but it will be dumbed down somewhat so as not to alienate the younger audience members.

Thank god! I do hope this bit is true atleast . The innuendo in Torchwood is shockingly badly done ... makes me think i'm watching channel 5 or 4 rather than the bbc . Its tackier humour than Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which is the kind of stuff that should stay in sitcoms.

What do you mean? There is no innuendo in Torchwood, just a bit of "weevil hunting with Ianto" as Jack puts it


I agree with you on that, it's not right in a high cost BBC drama show

[seffy]

The latest rumour to surface is for Doctor Who and involves yet another star taking over after David Tennant leaves. Personally I'm really hoping this one turns out to be false, simply cos I don't like the guy, but the latest name to be linked to the Doc-spot is Eddie Izzard.
Eddie Izzard was linked to the role back in 2003, before the re-vamped series was aired in 2005. Back then it was the 4th Doctor, Tom Baker, who started the rumour mill turning. Fast forward to 2008 and it looks like he's up for it again.
Clicky

[Hawkeye]

For the love Of god I hope not

[seffy]

Amen brother

[NIKIN]

They can't do that, it makes me feel worse than when they announced Tate as a new companion. I don't like him, and he isn't the right kind of person to take on the role

[Hawkeye]

How many doc's have we got left?

[NIKIN]

not many, this is number 10, and they only get 12 regenerations, meaning a total of 13 doctors

[Hawkeye]

Hopefully the first doctor was the first doctor otherwise we're screwed

[seffy]

I believe he was the first, yes. I agree with Nik, Eddie Izzard just isn't the right kind of person to play the Doc. I've also heard whispers that Richard E. Grant wants to play the Doc on-screen. Richard E. has played the Doc in numerous audio productions for radio as well as cd and is well versed in the Whoverse. However, I hear that his version of the Doc is somewhat similar to Paul McGann's Doc (#7) from the tv movie.
Time will tell.