Up until Children of Earth, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of Torchwood. However, that miniseries was nothing short of fantastic, and although it would make for a perfect ending, it'd also be a shame to just leave it there.

yupii !can't wait for 4th season even 5th season.torchwood is one of the best scifi's tv show.maybe they will resurect the old characters and will bring new ones

if the studio execs could not SEE and FEEL the Torchwood love at SDCC they would have to be as blind deaf and dumb as rumoured!

SO GLAD its back and Im not even a fan!
a show that loved and successful deserves to live
and we must support all things sci fi fantasy!

This isn't news. Russell T Davies said right after Children of Earth that he knew where he wanted to take season 4 and that he hoped to keep the miniseries format.

Season 1 & 2 of Torchwood were fun with both strong and weak episodes, but Children of Earth was one of the best pieces of sci-fi TV ever.

@Fedaykin - it's not news that Davies wanted to continue the series, but the revelation that the BBC is backing him and wants to push ahead is very encouraging. Children of Earth was devastatingly good and I can't wait to see where they take the series. I do feel like this mini-series format is ideal for Torchwood, but I'm also greedy and would love to see a full 13 episode run again, even it means an occasional weak episode.

I loce Torchwood but I hated Children of Earth. That mini-series left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was pointlessly hopeless and bleak and Jack having a grandkid that just happened to never get mentioned before came right out of left field. I don't know how the franchise can continue considering what happened in Children of Earth. They would have to get a whole new cast (save for maybe Jack).

Typo = Love

Excellent news! First Primeval gets another season and now Torchwood. I can hardly wait to see where it will go.

I really like this show and the mini series was near perfect...

I hope Martha Jones comes back... I love her...

More Torchwood please...

Primeval got another season? When did that happen?

LONG LIVE TORCHWOOD!

I was very upset about blowing up "the Hub" in the mini series. They put so much into making that set it seems a waste to trash it.

I liked the first season the most, so far. The characters were, IMO, a very good mix. Now we not only have Toshiko and Owen to mourn, but also Ianto has gone to the big hole in the sky.

QDonQ:

Ditto with the Martha love -- but I suspect she'll be fully occupied with Law and Order: UK. I'm sort of p***ed off that Martha is the only companion who reportedly won't be back for David Tennant's swan song as the Tenth Doctor -- though part of me hopes that's just misinformation from the BBC. OTOH, I can hardly grudge someone as talented as Frema having a steady acting gig in the middle of a depression. Plenty of actors would kill to be so lucky.

Primeval is coming back? That hot mess? I hope Torchwood gets a full season with Lois included too!

I liked 'Children of Earth,' but was really turned off by all the gay stuff. That miniseries would have been just fine without any of that being stuck in the face of the viewers. I really don't care about the Barrowman's sexual orientation or of his character, but that aspect of 'Torchwood' has me contemplating not tuning it in anymore.

I liked Torchwood from the begining and will miss the loss of most of the cast of the show not so much owen I have to be honest.I hope the new set is good with a new good mix for the cast.Should prove interesting when Captain Jack comes back not much of a warm welcome I do,nt think

Starfury
You must not have watched the 1st and 2nd season if this is a surprise to you... or Doctor Who for that matter... I can understand saying that about the 1st season (which I thought was too much sex) but after that you should know what is (or who is) coming.

Craig
Thanks for the update... I'm happy that she is working...

StarFuryG7, Not me. Torchwood is sensual for heterosexual and homosexual viewers. You can't be squeamish about sexuality if you want to appreciate the nature of Torchwood.

Want to know something funny? When Torchwood aired over in the UK for the first time there was no American carrier yet. I asked why the Scifi Channel wasn't going to carry it as they had Doctor Who and someone told me "America isn't ready for a gay scifi hero." How ironic that it became BBC America's biggest show.

I wish it was easier to see in the states that is for sure, Netflix is my only real option, and even that has a lot of waiting involved, I hate waiting.

Torchwood is the most ground-breaking SF series since Star Trek or Doctor Who, and it's a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic! Another series is well deserved, even if it's just a 5-part miniseries.

Torchwood is Awesome, and "Children of Earth" Was some fantastic Storytelling!

Ianto's Death had me in tears.

Jack has to Come Back..He just has too!

I hope RTD bring Torchwood back! Also, If they Don't bring "Mickey Smith" or "Martha Jones" into the team, I hope they find a way to Bring Lois Habeba into the Team. She was fantastic, and I think she would be a great asset.

(Spoiler Space....)

Warning..Spoilers Ahead....

I warned you.....

Turn back Now...

Ok, You Asked or it....

We Do get to see "Jack", in some capacity somewhere in the last two 2009 Specials

(Spoiler Space)

Happy news!! I think this is a great show, glad to see it will continue. We are lucky to get a show that is mature and doesn't need to be juvenile to entertain.

Mandy, Jack isn't homosexual, he's omnisexeual.

Back in the first epsiode they said that Torchwood 1 was destroyed (as we saw on Doctor Who), Torchwood 2 was a creepy old guy, Torchwood 3 is the cast we know, but then they said Torchwood 4 went missing and that they would find them someday. I want the first episode to be them being found and then becoming the new cast along with Jack. I would love to see Martha on the show too but Lois would also be awesome.

I'd been putting off watching Children of Earth since I'd only ever seen the pilot of Torchwood and had no interest in watching more. With such a positive response to CoE though, I eventually got around to watching a few eps of Torchwood recently and then saw CoE when I felt more prepared.

And it blew my damn mind. If it somehow managed to be any more amazing than it already was, it probably would have destroyed me. I had never seen anything like that on television before.

My only question about a new season is not what are they going to do after something like that, but what is there LEFT to do? How can you possibly follow an act like that?

So what they do is clone all the dead team.
Download their memories & stuff into them & we have the band back again.
Who's against that?

Omen, I'm against bringing back dead characters. For one thing it's been done too much, from Star Trek, on. I loved those characters, too, and wish they hadn't been bumped off for effect, but now they're dead LEAVE THEM THERE.

Now that others opened this Pandora's Box, I feel free to express my point of view sex issues in TORCHWOOD and DOCTOR WHO.

I think Russell Davies has sex on the brain. He's a brilliant writer and extremely creative but I truly wish he wouldn't campaign for Homosexuality all the time. He wears his sexual identity on his sleeve and in your face.

I don't wear my sex preference on my sleeve so why am I forced to endure Homosexual promos in the middle of otherwise good TV?

This endless introduction of Homosexual themes are ESPECIALLY out of place in Doctor Who! The original Doctor's were a-sexual - they had no interest in sex (or religion) AT ALL. Remember the USA TV Movie? Remember the controversy when The Doctor kissed a woman? Shock waves in Whodoom!

For what it's worth, I do not consider myself "Homophobic". I also don't think there can be such a thing as "Homosexual 'RIGHTS'". Does this stuff truly belong in childrens programming? You don't see men and women have gratuitous sexual relations in other shows ALL THE TIME.

And don't give me any grief about this being the 21st century.

I liked the character of Captain Jack and the cast and the show did have some very good writing but what ruined i show for me, was they killed almost everyone off. The Mini series was huge disappointment, but I will tune in for the new season and hope they don't kill off the next group of characters as quickly.

Torchwood is anything but childrens TV. It's the adult flipside of Dr Who which to my knowledge has never had any kind of sexual relationship onscreen. Hetro or homo.

Plus the Dr is in love with a woman who unfortunately happens to be stuck in another dimension.

to Starfury and Oldmaninohio: this IS the 21st century. Heterosexual sex is EVERYWHERE on television, therefore reinforcing it. So why not gay sexuality? You better start getting used to it I'm afraid because it won't be going away.

And as for US television not being ready for a gay SF&F hero....what the hell was Willow Rosenberg? And she was around LONG before Russell T. Davies had anything to do with Dr Who or Torchwood.

YES! I want to have Torchwood back. Children of the Earth was AWESOME. I originally watched Series 2 first and wasn't sure it was for me. Got my hands on Series 1 which was better and got addicted. S2 was much better to re-watch after S1.

I must say that Children of the Earth brought it to a whole new level of greatness. Hopefully that momentum will carry through to the new series.

For the person asking about Primeval Renewal. It was done with ITV and several other companies financing it for Season four and five(by UK standards about 14 episodes me thinks). Unfortunately IMO, for it to get back to it's core I think you need Douglas Henshall back as Nick Cutter. He and Helen were like foils to each other and that's what kept the stories moving. Also he did the background stuff quite often. I know they introduced that new gal, but maybe too much too soon? and trying to place it on andrew potts and the girl is a bit much. Unfortunately, Douglas Henshall is a busy man so I doubt he's coming back. But all in all at least some sci-fi is still around

Ah thanks a lot - you could've warmed us about the spoiler...some of us have not seen the miniseries yet.

'Mandy, Jack isn't homosexual, he's omnisexeual.'

I never said he was, I was stating what was said to me. I just said Torchwood is sensual for heterosexuals, and homosexuals. This should also include bisexuals / omnisexuals.

OldManInOhio, I don't think Torchwood 'promotes' being gay. It just happens to have a bisexual hero. That's it. No one says Spiderman promotes heterosexuality just because you see him kiss Mary Jane.

But then again you are the same one who completely misinterpreted what I said about the history of the scifi channel and took my mentioning the first show of Scifi being the sixties Dark Shadows RERUN to mean I think the network began in the sixties.

You don't have a good history of interpreting things for what they really are.

@starfury & OldmaninOhio: Of course Torchwood promotes being gay, as it SHOULD. There's nothing wrong with being gay, it isn't something to be ashamed of, and if you get to press your heterosexual stuff in my face with the 99% of the rest of television, I think you two can man up enough to watch two men being in love and intimate on the other 1%. The portrayal of Jack and Ianto's relationship on Torchwood is one of the high points of promoting those in the GLBTQ community as postive and affirming rather than as asexual nonentities, whacky sidekicks, or manwhores.

Well, Mandy and Gilveron, it seems we do not agree on a number of points. I suggest we all stop insulting one another and try discussing this subject rationally.

Question: Who converted Ianto from a normal sexual orientation suddenly to homosexual? It's not a switch that one can simply throw for entertainments sake.

I have known, as a classical musician, many good friends in the homosexual community. I very much enjoyed those friendships. None of my friends aggressively flaunted their sexual choices. There is a huge difference from being homosexual to shouting about it and making it more important than any other aspect of one's character.

I doubt we can agree on this subject and I see no point in continued name calling.

My point of view is "traditional" or "conservative" although these terms mean nothing in our time. Both can and do raise red flags for people who put different meanings on them than the original.

I recognize Captain Jack's sexual preferences and I respect the actor who plays that part. Actually, the subject can add some good humor on occasion and for the most part it's done tastefully. I simply do not enjoy seeing any sexual preferences introduced OUT OF CONTEXT in a dramatic setting. When sex becomes more important than the story, the story suffers...IMO.

On another subject, I very much agree with those who say bringing back the dead is not such a great idea. (Am I tactful enough here?). I miss Owen, Toshiko, and now Ianto but they are dead. Dead means they are gone unless one wants to start an argument about religious beliefs (I DO NOT!). New characters must be created if the show is to involve interaction between more than Captain Jack, Gwen, and Reese. Sorry, I'm not familiar with Welsh names and likely mis-spelled his name.

"OldManInOhio: I do not consider myself "Homophobic"."

Well, I hate to be the one to you tell you but you are. You really, really are.

"Question: Who converted Ianto from a normal sexual orientation suddenly to homosexual?"

I'm sorry, a NORMAL sexual orientation? So being gay is abnormal? Anyway, when was it ever stated that Ianto was straight? Maybe he's bi?

And, just for the sake of arguement, maybe I don't much appreciate having, say, Gwen's heterosexuality thrown in my face, what with all that stuff about her having a boyfriend and loving him and kissing him and stuff! Ever think about that? Or does that not bother you because it's "normal?"

It fascinates me to read about the difficulty that some sci-fi fans have with homosexual characters or themes. The genre specializes in showing us alternative social structures; moreover, it has been exploring alternative sexuality since at least 1969 (with Ursula Le Guin's phenomenal "The Left Hand of Darkness."

Torchwood's opening voice-over made its agenda crystal clear: "The 21st century is when everything changes." Davies chose to foreground alternative sexuality because he can see where the wind is blowing; by the end of the century, bisexual and homosexual protagonists will be commonplace in all sorts of media and genres.

OldManOhio's language reveals his homophobia: "Who converted Ianto from a normal sexual orientation suddenly to homosexual?" By positioning heterosexuality as the norm, you're implying that any other models of sexuality are unnatural. If you believe that, then Torchwood isn't going to change your opinion; but I'm afraid the world will continue to change without you.

Also, Ianto's sexual persuation wasn't changed by any outside force. He was in love with a woman; then he fell in love with a man. It happens.

@OldManinOhio - I certainly respect your point of view and appreciate that you want to keep this discussion civil, as it should be. At one point you ask, "Who converted Ianto from a "normal" sexual orientation suddenly to homosexual?" I think one of the points of Jack's omnisexual preferences is that in the larger universe beyond our tiny world, there is no defined "normal" when it comes to sex. Jack appears human to us, but he's really much more than that, isn't he? When Ianto's explaining his feelings for Jack to his sister, he doesn't talk about himself being gay - he's simply in love with the strange, amazing creature that is Captain Jack.

Consider this: Star Trek was the first American show to feature an interracial kiss between Uruha and Kirk. Think that didn't turn some heads and upset some people? Jack is just a more open-minded Kirk. Whereas Kirk doesn't discriminate on the basis on color, Jack refuses to discriminate on the basis of genitalia. It's all rather democratic.

Science fiction should be at the forefront of challenging our very notions of what is "normal." Sex is a biological function. Biology is a science. Davies is completely within his domain to explore this subject in Torchwood and I believe it's part of what makes Torchwood one of the most compelling and innovative shows on television.

*whoops - Uhura

That's true, Virgil. And when Ianto's sister ask if he's gay, doesn't Ianto reply "No. It's just him." or words to that affect?

I believe you're right, Necronomic. I could be way off base, but I think Davies is trying to show us a world where we move beyond labels. Love is love - let's stop putting it into pre-labeled boxes.

While I loved Children Of Men, I was disappointed that they decided to go with the standard slimey aliens. I was hoping they would just keep them as shadowy images in the box. I'd still like to see another series, though!

The BBC has not officially commissioned a 4th series have they?, till an announcement is made by the Beeb, this is not official, its just Davis saying they want to make it.

re: You don't see men and women have gratuitous sexual relations in other shows ALL THE TIME.

Do you only watch Saturday morning TV?

OldManInOhio:

Torchwood is far from a child's show. It is meant for a mature audience, and it is also meant for a British audience, which is far more tolerant of sexuality than the American audience is. If it bothers you so much, just don't watch it.

your kidding me - that was the worst ending since Quantum Leap - and you never got a great look at the aliens ad to make them nothing less than addicted drug heads was insulting to the concept of Torchwood all together, then Jack just balils out and done - what BS

Before I begin my comments, I need to protest "CAPTCHA" - IT DOESN'T WORK HALF THE TIME! - This is my SIXTH TRY!

=================================================================

How can I set this right? I very much enjoy the company of my friends who happen to be homosexual. I respect them as individuals and appreciate everything they bring to the world. After all, a great many of the best artists of all genres happen to be homosexual.

Placing the term "Homosexual" or "Gay" IN FRONT of the persons name or occupation certainly distracts from their real persona - - their accomplishments and skills.

A few years ago there was a CD released of music written by homosexual composers called "Gay American composers". Why not just say "American Composers" and leave their orientation out of the discussion? Leaving the word "Gay" out of the title does nothing to detract from the achievements of those talented musicians. But we ALL live in a society sharply divided on this issue. Many people won't listen to that music because of the title, and THAT is a terrible shame!

For those who are offended by my beliefs, I offer a sincere apology. I can accept you as you are, just don't shout about your sex life in my face, please.

@OldManInOhio - It’s called freedom, and everyone deserves to have it, and utilize it in any way they want. Perhaps Gay people have a certain taste, and this CD was intended for that community, or maybe a shout out to the community to let people know that Gay's are succeeding in the composing business; encouraging others to stride for it as well.

But as far as the show is concerned. Torchwood is a scifi show. It is too challenge beliefs and views.

When Jack was first introduced in the “empty child”, I think it was called, it was a part of the plot, that he was omnisexual. The Doctor told Rose that the human race goes out and "mingles". He was going to use his relationship with the soldier to get them inside the closed off area.

At the end of Doctor Who, season 3, when they are stranded at the end of the universe, Jack flirts with the Malmooth blue girl.

Jack has always been like this, it is a part of his character. This provides comedic relief, as well as intense drama, with his relationship with Ianto.

It is Jack's character which makes the show. It is not being flaunted, just to throw homosexuality into your face; it is a part of this particular story.

If you ever watched Doctor Who, you should already know this about Jack, therefore if you don't want to see it, don't watch Torchwood.

I hate when people complain about stuff, they have the power to NOT WATCH.

OldManInOhio
I have found this works when posting here. Copy your post after writing it. If the Captcha does not work the first time refresh the page re-enter your name and email and paste in your post.
So far every time I've done this it post on the next try...

(let's see if it works again)

Wow it worked on the first shot this time... I better not push my luck...

'Torchwood' was best as a subplot for the 2nd season of the new Doctor Who series. That's really as far as it should have went.

"For those who are offended by my beliefs, I offer a sincere apology. I can accept you as you are, just don't shout about your sex life in my face, please."

But don't you see, we're not doing that! All we're doing is saying that we exist and have just as much right to see characters we can relate to in our fiction as you do.

Saying "well, I don't mind that you're gay but for God's sake don't kiss in public or put gay characters on tv" is incredibly hypocritical and a sign that maybe you're not as ok with gays as you claim to be.

"'Torchwood' was best as a subplot for the 2nd season of the new Doctor Who series. That's really as far as it should have went."
Oh, come on. Have you watched any of the Torchwood series? That one where they bring one of the old team members back from the dead was incredible. The scene of her and Gwen driving down the dark road discussing what it's like to be dead was amazing.

'Torchwood' was best as a subplot for the 2nd season of the new Doctor Who series. That's really as far as it should have went."

Ok, I get that some people just don't like Torchwood and that it has a very different tone from Who, which might turn some people off, but this statement's a little hard to swallow. It sounds like you're calling Torchwood the "Joey" of "Friends." @Necronic points out just one of the amazing story lines they've pulled off over the past three seasons. Love it or hate, this is not a shallowly drawn spin-off, but a show that lives and breathes on its own independent of its parent. Now, let's see if I can make it past the Captcha on the first try...

@OldManInOhio

Russel T Davies produced three "Who" based shows aimed at different agegroups

1. The Sarah Jane Adventures - produced primarily for childrens TV and aired at teatime (between 3pm and 6pm) in the UK, the traditional childrens slot. The Doctors former assistant and her "son" investigating mysterious occurrences on earth and featuring sme "Who" enemies such as the Slitheen

2. Doctor Who - aimed as all round family viewing but with stronger themes including, often quite frightening for younger viewers (e.g. Blink)

3 Torchwood - aimed as adult viewing and shown in the UK only afer the 9pm "watershed" to indicate it is unsuitable for young viewers. It was advertised from the beginning to contain strong sexual and violent themes that might offend

Anyone that had seen Captain Jack in Doctor Who knew he saw no difference in species or gender when flirting. This was carried through into Torchwood and we see glimpses of his past, involving both male and female partners.

For one thing, I believe when OldManInOhio was talking about seeing homosexuality undertones in a children's show, he was talking about Doctor Who, not Torchwood. I think he knows quite well that Torchwood is an adult-oriented show. I think he was also talking about homosexuality being put in his face during the programs, not the posters on here being in his face about it.

As far as the homosexual innuendo that Davies has laced throughout Doctor Who during his tenure, and he has, I agree that it has no place in Doctor Who. But, to be fair, I also think that it's totally unnecessary to have any sexual innuendo of any persuasion in Doctor Who. While it's not going to make me stop watching the show and continue to enjoy it, because I think Davies is a very good story-teller, I really think Doctor Who would be just fine without any of the sexual innuendo. It did just fine in the past. I mean really, did Captain Jack need to kiss Eccleston's Doctor in the first season? Couldn't he have hugged him? I know, I know, the Doctor kissed Rose, too. I know the Doctor has kissed Madame Du Pompadour. I know he kissed Astrid Peth. They probably didn't need any of those heterosexual interactions either.

I understand that times have changed and maybe new Doctor Who wouldn't work without sexual tension of some sort. But, as a heterosexual man who has enjoyed Doctor Who for just short of 30 years, I'm naturally going to cringe at the homosexual innuendo and you can't expect most men to not cringe, as well. No matter how much any of you think any of us should just "stop watching" or "get over it". We have the right to feel more traditional about relationships on TV, just as you say you have the right to feel more open about relationships on TV.

Just please have Capt John/James Marsters in season 4, those are the best eps to me. I enjoyed Children of the Earth, but missed Capt John.

Captain John could come in to 'fill Captain Jack's shoes'. That should entice Captain Jack back!!

I'm sorry, but Jack killing his own grandson was way too far over the line for me to remain sympathetic to the character. Also, Ianto's death was the dumbest, most pointless way for a character to go. I think I'm done with the show for good.

Instead of Jack sacrificing his grandson, which was totally heinous, they should have written it so the old man uses his curse/ability of being in tune with the aliens in a way of getting back at the aliens for all of the trouble they put him through during his lifetime. They had a easy solution with the old man, but instead Davies made Jack look like a monster.

I think the whole point of this series was to show that sometimes deaths are not always heroic or meaningful and that there is not always an easy solution. As Star Trek put it "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - or the one". Sometimes people face very diffcult descisions and sometimes they must make painful sacrifices.

I think one of the best aspects of the Children Of Earth series was to show how people react under pressure and do things that would not be acceptable under other circumstances. I can not in any way condone Jack sacruficing his grandson but it makes us look at what someone might do under such extreme pressure. I think the writers need some credit for not taking the easy route.