Dragon*Con 2009: ‘Torchwood’ New Full Season ‘Very Likely’ But No Ianto [Updated With Video]
By Tom Cheredar
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Monday, September 7th, 2009 at 11:13 am
[UPDATE: See our video here below from this panel with Gareth David-Lloyd and James Marsters.]
Ianto Jones will not return in future episodes of the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood television show, should it return for a third season, according to actor Gareth David-Lloyd in a panel at Dragon*Con 2009.
“It looks very likely that they’ll get a full season, but all we know is that they’re in talks,” David-Lloyd said. “As far as Ianto is concerned, he won’t [be returning]…”
“But, there’s always a chance,” David-Lloyd said, perhaps giving fans a spark of hope. “I really don’t know.”
Ianto met his untimely demise in the Torchwood Children of Earth special, which evoked outrage from fans of the series and several campaigns to rally the show’s writers to change their minds.
“I felt I was leaving the show satisfied,” David-Lloyd said of the character’s death, adding that he didn’t like the first version of the script where Ianto dies. “I intentionally read it horribly” so they would frame it differently.
The original scripting allowed Ianto’s love interest Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) the chance to say “I love you” before dying.
David-Lloyd also spoke about his post-Torchwood plans, which include work on a six-part web series called Girl Number 9 that was described as a cross between Saw and CSI. “It is dark,” he said. Each part will be about five minutes in length and available on the Internet.
“Based on it’s popularity, will decide whether or not the show gets made into a full part series. So watch it!,” he said.
He’ll also be working on Casimir Effect, a 45-minute film that seeks to follow the same path District 9 did to becoming a full feature.
Sorry, I really don’t understand your review. Gareth say “But, there’s always a chance,†David-Lloyd said, perhaps giving fans a spark of hope. “I really don’t know.†but you say Ianto Jones will not return in future episodes. The season 4 is not confirmed yet so how you know that. It’S just RTD who confirm but not BBC. BBC have not confirm yet.
After, it’s not season 3 but season 4.
It’s not Children of Men but Children of Earth.
Well, I very much doubt he said he won’t be in the third season, since the third season has already aired. It was called Children of *Earth*, by the way, not Children of *Men*. And the BBC has said nothing about a fourth season, especially whether or not it would be a thirteen episode season or a shorter one like the third.
Personally, if Ianto isn’t in a fourth season, I won’t be watching it anyway. What would be the point?
You know, I’m getting tired of obvious BS being reported as fact where Torchwood is concerned. If Ianto won’t be returning, how would Gareth David-Lloyd know that they’re in talks? Do they make a habit of informing actors who won’t be appearing that the show might continue? Or is GDL just guessing/making stuff up for the benefit of the fans?
Yeah, so, uh, Americans need to stop reporting on things they do not know about at all. Torchwood already had their third series. It was awesome. It was about two months ago? Three? And there are plans, at least in RTD’s mind, for at least a few more seasons worth of Torchwood.
Comment by Gonzobot — September 7, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
These are direct quotes from Gareth David-Lloyd at the panel at Dragon*Con. As far as the season 3/4 issue goes, in America, Children of Earth isn’t considered a ‘season’ really, since it was only a few episodes – Gareth David-Lloyd says “full season” which would imply that if it continues, it would be continuing the third season.
The point is not about the number of the season, it’s about the show coming back for a “FULL season”, let’s not focus on the petty issues.
If it makes you feel any better, we’ll cop to sucking at British math.
This is not “obvious BS.” Ianto is not returning as far as he knows, but this is sci-fi and there’s always a chance — that’s basically what he was trying to get at but I wasn’t going to put words into his mouth.
Also, no I don’t think he was making things up for the benefit of fans in regards to making the short season a long season i.e. season 3/4 – (sorry that I mislabeled it because I was confused. See Eve’s comment). Gareth is working with a writer from Torchwood on some of his future gigs so if I had to guess, he probably knows from keeping in contact with people who are still working on the show.
TO ALL THE COMMENTERS:
Relax folks. I’m human and I’m just trying to give you some fan info that you didn’t know. I didn’t go to Journalism school to spew sensationalistic misinformation. If I’m wrong, please let me know so I can fix it.
To TechGOnzo, what I heard from Dragon Con 2009, he say Anything can happen. Not he can’t come back. He don’t know what going to happen to him. He always say “anything can happen”.
If I am wrong, please post the video who he say Ianto can’t come back.
I was there at DragonCon, attended all three panels with Mr. David-Lloyd, and not once, let me repeat that, not ONCE did he say, “Ianto will not be returning to Torchwood”.
What he did say, when asked about Series 4, was that, yes, Ianto is dead at the moment, but, you know, “Anything can happen.” That’s it. Nothing else.
In fact, there was very little talk about Series 4 at all. Most people wished to concentrate on Children of EARTH, Gareth’s upcoming projects and his band, Blue Gillespie.
As to aforementioned TW4, the BBC has not commissioned anything yet. Anyone who says they have is wrong. Nothing solid, nothing concrete, on TW4 basically nothing. What we do have is Mr. Davies telling everyone that he could write the first ten scenes, and then a number of episodes for TW4. But, since they’ve not even talked about it’s return yet, which probably won’t happen until the fall, Mr. Davies is only advertizing for a job.
Oh, and since the writers, directors, actors and broadcast network consider Children of Earth as Torchwood’s Series 3, doesn’t matter what side of the pond you’re on, so should everyone else.
B
Comment by Beatriceorme — September 8, 2009 @ 12:07 am
@Wolf
He definitely didn’t say he couldn’t come back, just that he isn’t coming back (as of right now). As is common in other Sci-fi, someone could come up with an incredible idea that would bring his character Ianto back into the show.
And if you were in the same panel I was in (Friday morning with James Marsters and a few others), he talked about how Russell T Davies wrote him a letter thanking him for his great work and such. I was under the impression that someone wouldn’t do that unless they were leaving the production entirely.
I think he used the example of Star Trek, but dead characters come back on a near weekly basis in the comic book world (which you probably know).
Sorry I am really confuse now. Why he say there is always a chance and anything can happen to the people who was there when he know he won’t come back on season 4?
He say too Jack can’t be a hero without Ianto. So what is the point to make a season 4 and say all that?
Thanks Beatrice – I think that sums it up pretty well. I hope it does come back. I’m a bit in awe of what Davies can do with a limited cast and budget – at least as good as anything we have in the USA. Torchwood is quality sci-fi drama, a rare thing in any season.
I have to defend the guy who wrote this article for a second. Now, I love Torchwood, not as much as my wife does, but I am a fan. As far as I’m concerned Children Of Earth was the best mini-series I’ve seen in ages. But still, it was just that; a mini-series. You see, here in THIS country, five episodes does not a season make. Just like when a band puts out a recording with only five songs on it. That isn’t an LP. It is an EP. Now, where the writer himself is concerned, I was with him at the con in question. And even though we both drank a lot of apple-pie moonshine, and even though Tom ditched us to go hunting for skanky-dressed “nerd-pussy,” he managed to hand in this article on time-and really, isn’t that more important than being factual?
Comment by Doug E. Karate — September 8, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
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Just pointing out… there’s been a third season already. If Torchwood returns, it would be for a fourth season. :)
The third series, Children of Earth, was a five-parter shown over five days.
Comment by Foxy — September 7, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Sorry, I really don’t understand your review. Gareth say “But, there’s always a chance,†David-Lloyd said, perhaps giving fans a spark of hope. “I really don’t know.†but you say Ianto Jones will not return in future episodes. The season 4 is not confirmed yet so how you know that. It’S just RTD who confirm but not BBC. BBC have not confirm yet.
After, it’s not season 3 but season 4.
It’s not Children of Men but Children of Earth.
Are you sure your source is correct?
Comment by Wolf — September 7, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Well, I very much doubt he said he won’t be in the third season, since the third season has already aired. It was called Children of *Earth*, by the way, not Children of *Men*. And the BBC has said nothing about a fourth season, especially whether or not it would be a thirteen episode season or a shorter one like the third.
Personally, if Ianto isn’t in a fourth season, I won’t be watching it anyway. What would be the point?
Comment by Chrys — September 7, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
You know, I’m getting tired of obvious BS being reported as fact where Torchwood is concerned. If Ianto won’t be returning, how would Gareth David-Lloyd know that they’re in talks? Do they make a habit of informing actors who won’t be appearing that the show might continue? Or is GDL just guessing/making stuff up for the benefit of the fans?
Comment by shiver — September 7, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Yeah, so, uh, Americans need to stop reporting on things they do not know about at all. Torchwood already had their third series. It was awesome. It was about two months ago? Three? And there are plans, at least in RTD’s mind, for at least a few more seasons worth of Torchwood.
Comment by Gonzobot — September 7, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
These are direct quotes from Gareth David-Lloyd at the panel at Dragon*Con. As far as the season 3/4 issue goes, in America, Children of Earth isn’t considered a ‘season’ really, since it was only a few episodes – Gareth David-Lloyd says “full season” which would imply that if it continues, it would be continuing the third season.
The point is not about the number of the season, it’s about the show coming back for a “FULL season”, let’s not focus on the petty issues.
If it makes you feel any better, we’ll cop to sucking at British math.
Comment by Empress Eve — September 7, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
@Shiver
This is not “obvious BS.” Ianto is not returning as far as he knows, but this is sci-fi and there’s always a chance — that’s basically what he was trying to get at but I wasn’t going to put words into his mouth.
Also, no I don’t think he was making things up for the benefit of fans in regards to making the short season a long season i.e. season 3/4 – (sorry that I mislabeled it because I was confused. See Eve’s comment). Gareth is working with a writer from Torchwood on some of his future gigs so if I had to guess, he probably knows from keeping in contact with people who are still working on the show.
TO ALL THE COMMENTERS:
Relax folks. I’m human and I’m just trying to give you some fan info that you didn’t know. I didn’t go to Journalism school to spew sensationalistic misinformation. If I’m wrong, please let me know so I can fix it.
Thank you for caring enough to comment.
Comment by TechGOnzo — September 7, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
To TechGOnzo, what I heard from Dragon Con 2009, he say Anything can happen. Not he can’t come back. He don’t know what going to happen to him. He always say “anything can happen”.
If I am wrong, please post the video who he say Ianto can’t come back.
Comment by Wolf — September 7, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
I was there at DragonCon, attended all three panels with Mr. David-Lloyd, and not once, let me repeat that, not ONCE did he say, “Ianto will not be returning to Torchwood”.
What he did say, when asked about Series 4, was that, yes, Ianto is dead at the moment, but, you know, “Anything can happen.” That’s it. Nothing else.
In fact, there was very little talk about Series 4 at all. Most people wished to concentrate on Children of EARTH, Gareth’s upcoming projects and his band, Blue Gillespie.
As to aforementioned TW4, the BBC has not commissioned anything yet. Anyone who says they have is wrong. Nothing solid, nothing concrete, on TW4 basically nothing. What we do have is Mr. Davies telling everyone that he could write the first ten scenes, and then a number of episodes for TW4. But, since they’ve not even talked about it’s return yet, which probably won’t happen until the fall, Mr. Davies is only advertizing for a job.
Oh, and since the writers, directors, actors and broadcast network consider Children of Earth as Torchwood’s Series 3, doesn’t matter what side of the pond you’re on, so should everyone else.
B
Comment by Beatriceorme — September 8, 2009 @ 12:07 am
@Wolf
He definitely didn’t say he couldn’t come back, just that he isn’t coming back (as of right now). As is common in other Sci-fi, someone could come up with an incredible idea that would bring his character Ianto back into the show.
And if you were in the same panel I was in (Friday morning with James Marsters and a few others), he talked about how Russell T Davies wrote him a letter thanking him for his great work and such. I was under the impression that someone wouldn’t do that unless they were leaving the production entirely.
I think he used the example of Star Trek, but dead characters come back on a near weekly basis in the comic book world (which you probably know).
Thanks for commenting.
Comment by Tom Cheredar — September 8, 2009 @ 12:15 am
To Tom Cheredar
Sorry I am really confuse now. Why he say there is always a chance and anything can happen to the people who was there when he know he won’t come back on season 4?
He say too Jack can’t be a hero without Ianto. So what is the point to make a season 4 and say all that?
Thank you!
Comment by Wolf — September 8, 2009 @ 12:57 am
Thanks Beatrice – I think that sums it up pretty well. I hope it does come back. I’m a bit in awe of what Davies can do with a limited cast and budget – at least as good as anything we have in the USA. Torchwood is quality sci-fi drama, a rare thing in any season.
Comment by Torrey — September 8, 2009 @ 7:21 am
I have to defend the guy who wrote this article for a second. Now, I love Torchwood, not as much as my wife does, but I am a fan. As far as I’m concerned Children Of Earth was the best mini-series I’ve seen in ages. But still, it was just that; a mini-series. You see, here in THIS country, five episodes does not a season make. Just like when a band puts out a recording with only five songs on it. That isn’t an LP. It is an EP. Now, where the writer himself is concerned, I was with him at the con in question. And even though we both drank a lot of apple-pie moonshine, and even though Tom ditched us to go hunting for skanky-dressed “nerd-pussy,” he managed to hand in this article on time-and really, isn’t that more important than being factual?
Comment by Doug E. Karate — September 8, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
Just a quick hi, I’m the Producer of Casimir Effect and for anyone who is interested you can follow our exploits in development and production here.
http://www.bebo.com/Casimirfilm
Comment by Gabriel Strange — September 9, 2009 @ 7:59 pm