The TARDISblend returns for the premiere of the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day, where the world is facing perhaps its most unusual threat ever: global human immortality. Without explanation, dying ceases to occur among humans on Planet Earth, causing everyone to be immortal – threatening global peace, access to resources, and additional population explosion problems.

When the Miracle Day begins, the CIA is tipped off to a single word: Torchwood – bringing forth a sequence of events that reunite Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) to investigate the cause of the miracle. Along the way, they meet Rex Matheson (Mekhi Pfifer) and Esther Drummond (Alexa Havins), in which it seems inevitable that Torchwood is destined for resurrection…

During TARDISblend 30, we review the events of The New World, the beginning of the 4th series of Torchwood, this time crossing the globe from the UK and into the United States. We discuss what the events of Miracle Day hold for our main hero, Captain Jack Harkness, in a twist that the character will find quite challenging.

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The BBC has released a lot of new information concerning the upcoming fourth series of Torchwood, which has been renamed from Torchwood: The New World to the new title of Torchwood: Miracle Day. Some of the information included could be seen as spoilers, so bear this in mind if you’re trying to remain spoiler-free for the new season!

Along with new cast member Mekhi Phifer who will be acting as CIA operative Rex Matheson, John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) have been joined by Bill Pullman (Independence Day) portraying protagonist Oswald Danes, Arlene Tur (Crash) portraying Dr. Vera Juarez, and Alexa Havins portraying Agent Esther Drummond.

As indicated by the character descriptions released by the BBC, the events that bring Captain Jack back to Earth and draw Gwen Cooper back into the world of Torchwood surround a mysterious event that would become known as Miracle Day — forcing the heroes, notably Gwen, to make some very challenging and “terrible decisions” for humankind. Essentially, Miracle Day ties into a global conspiracy being scrutinized by Rex Matheson and Esther Drummond.

The Torchwood news continues to trickle onto the web, with the announcement that Mekhi Phifer from the series Lie To Me, will be joining the cast of Torchwood: The New World. He will be set as a lead character to act opposite John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) in the upcoming fourth series.

Phifer will be playing a CIA agent named Rex Matheson, who Deadline points out is “a fast-tracked high-flyer with a lethal sense of humor who starts to feel his mortality when his life is put in danger.” It is unclear at this point whether he is allied with Torchwood or otherwise.

Torchwood: The New World is a joint venture between BBC and Starz USA that will see the series move out from its Cardiff, Wales, setting into a more international focus. Filming and production is said to include the UK, the United States, and Canada, under direction from showrunner Russell T. Davies.