James Hibberd has a post up that "Fox is readying a U.S. version of "Torchwood," but Mr. Hibberd sort of buried that FOX HAS NOT ACTUALLY ORDERED A PILOT. So, "readying US Version of Torchwood" is more like "we might consider ordering a pilot if we like the script.'
So it's still a long ways off from "Might John Barrowman, reprise his role Capt. Jack Harkness in the US version...
Torchwood is NOT one of those shows that is way too British for America – it’s a huge hit on BBC America This idea is resoundly made of stupid. As if American broadcast networks would allow the type of content the British Torchwood has in it anyway.
A US Version of Torchwood? No thanks. The BBC version is fine. Just show that one.
If they like the script, and order a script please keep Barrowman, but ditch the surviving rest of the cast.
If this flimsy hope was why Barrowman didn’t accept to do a stint in Shondaland, he might regret it though.
This would work….but syfy might be a better option.
Loved first 2 seasons of TW – I doubt Barrowman would come state side as he is so popular in UK. To get ratings they would need a pretty high profile actor…
“Huge Hit” is a stretch even by BBCA standards. “Torchwood: Children of The Earth” event on BBCA last summer averaged around 500K viewers. I am not a big Torchwood fan, but I really enjoyed “Children of Earth” for the most part.
I doubt Fox would let it be like the real Torchwood … since it is too edgy for Americans.
Just ask Joss Whedan , seems like everything he does has to be toned down before Fox will show it. Torchwood is way more out there than anything I have seen from Whedan.
I never got into Torchwood until the Children of Earth miniseries —— which was outstanding, btw. I do not want Fox to touch Torchwood or Doctor Who or anything I love, since they will undoubtedly massacre the show. Just look at the differences between Kitchen Nightmares on the BBC (A good show) and on Fox (where I just could not stand it). I wouldn’t call it ‘americanizing’ it though. I’d call it ‘crappifying’, since americans can definitely do good television. Just not fox.
Please God not another sci-fi show doomed to failure before it starts because it’s on fox.
I don’t get the fascination of remaking British shows, just show the damn original. Being Human being one example, the show has barely started and it’s being turned into a show over here when nothing is wrong with the British one.
I am British but living in California for almost 20 years. I don’t understand why American networks insist on creating their own versions of British shows. Usually Americans watching the originals do so because of the inherent character and soul of shows like Torchwood (The Office, Absolutely fabulous, etc.) then the US networks make diluted, watery, turnkey, wooden versions of the original and wonder why it doesn’t work…..
Ha, even in the UK, TW airs after the watershed! There is no way an American TW on a broadcast network would have nearly the same graphic content that the original version does. Not that I think that’s a bad thing… is that much sex really necessary? No. And I am a TW fan. I just don’t think some of the content needed to be in the show.
They might want John Barrowman in an American version, since he already uses an American accent, but the rest of the cast? Could they do believable American accents? No, they wouldn’t bring the whole cast over. It makes no sense. Might as well just air the original in that case. Although Gareth David-Lloyd was looking for work here during pilot season… Actually, I think they’d recast the entire thing, if it even happened.
Robert, I thought Children of Earth did better numbers than that when it aired here?
I 100% agree with those who say there’s no reason to bastardize British tv with bad American remakes but then British tv is more or less all I watch now so I’m biased. But some shows are meant to be British and don’t translate well here at all.
I know Barrowman has already signed on to do the 4th season of the British Torchwood for 13 episodes so when exactly are they planning to have him do the American version? I think Lisa is right – they’d have to forget Barrowman and recast the entire show.
Too edgy?!? Besides the homosexual aspect, there is nothing edgy about that show. You people need to get over yourselves.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
First ‘Being Human’ (which I’m actually more upset about) and now this!??!
Can they just stop please? Air the UK versions on US stations, fine, but can they just leave well enough alone? Make your own shows and stop bastardizing already awesome shows. I know it’s been said before, millions of times, but that doesn’t make it any less true: are they completely out of origional ideas?
Just STOP!!!
One problem everyone’s missed about importing British shows: episode orders. British shows can have ridiculously short seasons of 6-13 episodes. American network shows run 20-24 eps a year. The only place that such short seasons work is on cable.
And –for the record–the American version of the Office is way better than the over-rated original. The characters have had time to develop and become fleshed out.
And, for the record, I don’t necessarily think that it’s too edgy for the US (though the characters swinging the way the wind blows may be a bit much for some) but I do think that some things can’t be replicated. Sometimes all the factors align is such a way that everything just works – chemistry of the cast; balance between silly and serious; the symbiosis of writing, production, and acting. I don’t think a US version will work, I don’t think you can make that magic again. Redouble that sentiment for ‘Being Human,’ the season was just hitting on all levels and I will not even consider checking out the US version.
Rant’s over and done…just wanted to float that on out there.
I agree with everyone else who has said that we don’t need anymore BBC shows Americanized. Torchwood, Being Human, Dragon’s Den, and Kitchen Nightmares are perfect the way they are. Shark Tank isn’t nearly as popular as Dragon’s Den. American Kitchen Nightmares isn’t as good. As much as I love Torchwood and Being Human, I don’t think I could bring myself to watch a watered-down, superficial American version. Why mess with a good thing?
As for Being Human, SyFy is just trying to capitalize on the current vampire trend. If they want more vampires, just pick up Moonlight. Alex O’Loughlin is currently out of work. If Moonlight had happened just a year or so later, it’d be one of the most popular shows on television because of the vampire aspect.
I also agree about the Joss Whedon comments. If Joss is too much an original thinker for Fox, Torchwood would never make it. Or if it does, it’ll be in name alone. The show won’t be recognizable.
Okay, off my soap box…
Obviously (from my name) I live in the UK and I watch Torchwood. What I don’t understand is why instead of remaking British shows, just air the originals, or a more toned-down version. For series 3 of Torchwood, and even series 2 I think, the BBC aired a toned-down version of each episode which was aired at like 5pm for younger viewers.
The BBC version has not been renewed yet and its been 6 months sine Torchwood last aired, so getting John Barrowman should be easy
John Barrowman is quite possibly one of the most annoying human beings on the planet, so if he is cast in the proposed remake, I will make every effort to avoid seeing it.
I say, ‘Bring it, Fox, and we will watch!’ I love Torchwood, but there are not enough episodes and one never knows when to anticipate the series to play. I like to be able to know that in the fall XYZ will start their season, or in the spring GEF will start their season – and, here is the important part – play weekly until the series completes. This 2 to 3 month hiatus in the middle of ANY series is just plain crap.