A 'more mature actor to play The Doctor?

He's a fossil, but we love him! It's Sir Brucy!

With Matt Smith thought primed & ready to flee the Cardiff coup any time soon, the search is on for new Who, and the BBC in Cardiff Bay are said to be reacting to fan pressure after criticism that The Doctor keeps getting younger & younger!

Production staff are said to be secretly seeking out 'more mature' actors, perhaps to step in to the role for a single season, the sole intention of which 'could be' to 'sort out game-changing events' expected to occur during the show's 50th Anniversary, to air in November this year. 

Matt Smith. Heading off forever?

Speculation began to build when Matt Smith (right), who insists he's returning to film Series 8 after a 'filming break' in the US, appeared on TV sporting a savage hair cut, and spoke about his 'love' of America, and his wish to 'do movies in New York'. 

Fans have always been highly vocal about the choice of Doctor, and with the Anniversary just 6 months away, have expressed concern about the titular Time lord getting ever younger. Cerys Huws, a production assistant at Porth Teigr said that she understood the concerns of 'seasoned' fans, and it was not 'a given' that any replacement for Matt would be 'a Harry Potteresque teen'. "In fact", she added, "The Doctor has been around for about a thousand years, and maybe it's time for his appearance to reflect that".

Speaking to GW TV, Brian Minchin, only recently appointed as the show's Executive Producer would not be drawn on the choice of Doctor, saying that "Matt will be around for a long while yet", before coughing and continuing to suck on a throat lozenge. 

The Whovian rumour mill began to turn just last Friday when, speaking 'off the record' at a photo-shoot for Saga Magazine, antediluvian actor, singer and one-time ubiquitous TV host, Bruce Forsyth referred to the show in a tongue in cheek manner. When asked what he was next going to do as he was now perhaps to old to host 'Strictly Come Dancing' in the UK, Forsyth smiled wryly, adding "You never know, dear.. I may even turn up on Doctor Who... I'd love a dressing room like the TARDIS!" At this point, he was quickly escorted away from the press pack by his agent, who seemed less than impressed!

At 85, some may say that Forsyth (whose wife is thirty years his junior) is too old to be up to the pace of a hectic filming schedule required of Doctor Who, but speaking earlier, on another matter, he did say that at 85, he was "as fit as many people twice his age", adding that he could "tango like the best", and his cha-cha-cha was "something to marvel at".

The lovely Mrs. Forsyth... 30 years younger!

Tom Wilshire, a fan of Doctor Who since the first episode was aired in 1963 said he'd love for Sir Bruce to 'have a romp in the TARDIS" - and felt that this would be a great ploy to bring original fans back into the Whovian fold...

The BBC were not available to comment on the matter, though a rather portly doorman at Roath Lock did say, enigmatically, that 'time will tell. Indeed it will!

(c) Cenwyn Tiwdor-Jones, GW TV.

David Duchovny to lead in US Torchwood movie - Our April 1st spoof for 2012!

Did we catch you out? Apart from the ridiculous story line, the major clue was that 'FOX' were considering Anthony Perkins (Psycho) for a main role. Sadly, Anthony died back in 1992. 


Did we catch you?


Here's the story we ran!


___________________________________________________________


Following Jeff McDonnell's earlier - and unexpected comments about 20th Century TV & FOX's 'interest' in producing a wholly US-based Torchwood movie, the rumour mill has been working overtime, with lots of mumblings appearing to give weight that the idea is at least under initial consideration.

FOX, who initially ditched Torchwood as a TV series, leaving Starz to pick up the reins, now appears to see a movie as a potential money-spinner. The latest high-flyer to throw his hat into the ring is Sherman Marshall, CEO & public spokesman for 20th Century's affiliate, 'FOX Perspective'. 

Sherman Marshall, FOX

Speaking off the record following March's production & commissioning meeting in Atlanta, Marshall announced that there was a 'distinct lack' of 'hard hitting Sci Fi' output from 20th Century stages, and a 'great movie' could help 'kick something off'. He later referred to Torchwood Miracle Day, suggesting it had been a 'great idea, poorly executed' - adding that 'FOX could do something with a show like Torchwood', adding to the current round of speculation.

Earlier this month, Chris Carter spoke in interview with Canada's CJON radio that his future projects included 'a movie, connected to British smash, 'Doctor Who'. Carter then quickly added 'but this won't be Doctor Who'! 

Expanding on his vision for a 'perfect SciFi movie', Carter referred to a tale involving treachery, a secret organisation - based in New York - dealing with alien threats, living in an underground base & hunted by the authorities. Carter added that aliens would work for the team, one member would be 'immortal' and it would be impossible to work out who the good guys were! 

Chris Carter - Prolific!

Torchwood fans will probably recognise the format - but could this be a coincidence? Carter is a prolific writer - the X Files being one of his most famous & sturdy of en-genre shows. He's long been looking for 'a development' to enable an X-files-like show to get the green light, and a version of Torchwood would seem to fit the bill. But what could we expect in a Torchwood movie from him - and who would 20th Century & FOX approach as cast members?

Jeff McDonnell, 'Screenplay'

20th Century's publicist, Jeff McDonnell (left) believes Carter's project needs familiar, known faces to bring an American audience immediately on board. 

Both David (Mulder) Duchovny & Anthony (Psycho) Perkins have been suggested to play the lead character, described by Carter as 'an immortal, timeless Captain, lost & out of his own time zone'.  Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) has been suggested as his 'partner & soul mate - a character who keeps the Captain's feet firmly planted on Earth'. Hmm... What can we add?

Sherman Marshall added that any movie would need to be fast paced - but with many lighter moments 'and jokes', and would feature aliens, trapped on Earth. Asked about Torchwood, he is said to have smiled, and replied 'What?"

UK fans and Torchwood purists would no doubt be horrified by the prospect of a Torchwood, again away from Wales - and this time, without the effervescent Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) & the gorgeous Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles). They'll also be shocked that there's no Russell T. Davies, apparently, at the helm. The prospect of an X-Files / Buffy crossover will, of course not appeal to all - but could it be a winner?

David Duchovny:From Mulder to 'Harkness'?

We have to add that there's been no official announcement of a Torchwood movie, and we're not convinced there'll be one. 

GWTV are merely analysing & conflating a number of (perhaps) disconnected facts. It may just be a huge coincidence - Marshall, McDonnell & Carter could all be talking of totally unrelated projects - but it could be that there really are plans for a US-based Torchwood movie, and those plans could be well advanced!

We'll keep you informed as the plot unfolds, or collapses!

(c) Great Welsh TV, March 2012

Being Human - It's a winner!

BBC Cymru Wales' 'Being Human' - The crew!

Loyal fans of BBC Cymru Wales' superlative supernatural saga, Being Human were left reeling at the end of Series 3 when the popular 'Mitchell', played by Aidan Turner was dramatically killed off, allowing the actor to hop over to New Zealand, to become a Hobbit.

Things went from bad to worse when during the opening episode of the highly-anticipated Series 4, Nina (Sinead Keenan) failed to show, or even be mentioned - and boyfriend, werewolf George (Russell Tovey) died too, as a result of a forced change into wolf form. Things looked more than a little grim.

It was a delightful change - and for many a surprise, when Series 4, complete with new vampire Hal & a returning Tom, together with a re-energised & strengthened story line & superb writing from Toby Whithouse worked, instantly, completely - and perhaps 'felt' better than ever before. 

We still had our dark, but sexy vampire in Hal, our youthful, exuberant werewolf, Tom - and at least for now, our gorgeous ghost, Annie. A host of special guests & some really nasty baddies made the season rock - and audience figures soar!

The result? Fantastic reviews from all & sundry & a recommission even before the finale was aired. It's great news we'll be seeing more Being Human - it's a great Welsh institution - and a great window on Barry!

(c) Great Welsh TV, March 2012

Will Merlin magic up a miracle?

Colin Morgan & the Merlin cast

With the excellent Merlin due to return to our screens later this year, it's hard to realise that we're already up to series 5 of this magical romp. 

Some fans will remember Richard 'Victor Meldrew' Wilson saying that the show's producers had a five-year plan for Merlin, and that the current series should therefore be the last!

With Merlin remaining as popular as ever, and with viewing figures - and international distribution rising, not falling, I'd be very surprised if this really was going to be the last we'd see of the show. Our spies are already hearing rumblings of negotiations amongst the cast with regards to the show's continuation - and we're hopeful to be spending our Saturday evenings in Camelot for quite a while to come!

(c) Great Welsh TV March, 2012

A full move to the US on the cards?

20th Century TV's Jeff McDonnell

It seems quite paradoxical that whilst the future of Torchwood is in considerable doubt, with Starz appearing to favour other projects & Welsh TV supremo, Russell T. Davies rumoured to be in discussions about 'another adult drama', there's mounting speculation about a 'Torchwood related movie'.

Jeff McDonnell from 20th Century TV's internal broadsheet, 'Screenplay' commented today that a potential movie came a step or two closer, with Californian director Chris Carter (X Files, Millennium, Invasion) said to be in the frame as possible 'showrunner'.

McDonnell had earlier revealed that 20th Century, along with FOX were 'interested in theory' in an all-US spin-off, but that no further details were as yet available. He was also unwilling to say whether the project under consideration was a made-for-TV special, or a movie aimed at general cinema release.

Russell T. Davies - Wales' Number 1 show-runner!

GWTV tried to contact Russell T. Davies for comment, but he was unavailable.






GWTV will keep you posted!

(c) Great Welsh TV, March 2012

Torchwood - Where next?

As Torchwood sits in limbo, somewhere in between cancellation & a slightly begrudged reappearance, it's announced on ITV 'This Morning' that the show has been 'axed'. Incorrect, perhaps - but did ITV let slip something not yet quite meant to be in the public domain? 

Time will tell: but what are the realistic options for Torchwood?

Torchwood, the cast from Series 1 on set in Cardiff.

Fans appear to be divided. At one end of the scale, some say Torchwood should have been laid to rest at the ed of 'Children of Earth'. The Earth - saved, largely in tact. 

Jack, broken - but free to travel with the Doctor. Gwen - safe with Rhys & baby Anwen on the way. Torchwood - a fading memory, a mere fleeting reference in future episodes of 'Doctor Who'.

Others ask for a return to pre-CoE Torchwood, with a new series focusing on Jack's missing years, and the reappearance of the much-missed 'Monster of the week'. 

Eve Myles and Kai Owen have both publicly called for a Torchwood 'movie' to give some kind of closure to the show for fans. Though this is unlikely due to the high cost of film production - it is a valid suggestion, one which in some form or other, could one day bear fruit. The question is, were 'Torchwood - The Movie' to become a reality, would this be a UK, or a US production, and if a co-production, who would press the buttons? Would the movie resemble 'real' Torchwood - or would we once again be forced to delve into unfamiliar - and generally unwanted territory?

Starz have not quite ruled out more Torchwood, but have hinted if there is more, it may be a long way off. However, should Starz remain involved in the show, at best, we'd get more 'Miracle Day' - and fans are not entirely convinced that's what they'd want.

Perhaps the reins could be returned to BBC Cymru Wales, and the show, to its roots. Indeed, the most popular option, by far!

(c) Great Welsh TV, March 2012

Torchwood - What went wrong?

John Barrowman, filming of 'Miracle Day' in Cardiff in Feb, 2011.

Torchwood is currently 'in limbo' and networks seem in not too urgent a hurry to revive it. 

Starz seem to have quietly forgotten it, at least for now; BBC Wales are up to their necks in cuts & other projects - and show-runner Russell T. Davies, supposedly taking time out with his seriously-ill partner, Andrew - is actually hard at work in Cardiff, attending to his new & highly anticipated CBBC blockbuster, 'Wizards vs. Aliens'. 

For him, too, Torchwood seems not the most pressing of priorities. It's not hard to see why things have gone so quiet right now. 

After the fun & japes of Series 1, the hard-hitting stories from Series 2 - and the dizzy heights and very acceptable viewing figures of the chilling 'Children of Earth' we had 'Miracle Day' - a transatlantic romp about as closely related to Torchwood as the Jerry Springer Show - where characters were about as real & genuine as a stash of Polish printed £7 banknotes. 

'Miracle Day' reduced the once masterful alpha-male Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) to a weakened, barely-visible character playing a very definite second fiddle to an unconvincing Rex Matheson (Mekhi Pfifer), whilst 'family wife' and ex Cardiff policewoman Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) suddenly became a Welsh Lara Croft, complete with Hollywood designer clothing & unbelievable new confidence - even when out of Wales!

The unwelcome move away from South Wales to LA; a whole host of faux-pas including some excruciatingly bad (and unnecessary) seduction scenes and the poorly-judged insistence that a primarily-American audience needed to constantly be reminded of Jack Harkness' sexuality caused irritation to UK viewers - and led to a total collapse of viewing figures in Australia & New Zealand. 

A disappointing, over-explained storyline with more red herrings than the reject freezer at an Icelandic trawler convention & more false starts than a hyperactive relay racer further turned all but hardened fans away from the show, and what promised to be a valiant return ultimately became little more than a damp squib.

It later transpired that Starz, the US network which partnered BBC Wales was not exactly the neutral co-funder we were initially told to expect. Indeed - they took an active interest in the storyline, and insisted on subtle changes and re-takes. Russell T. Davies was said to be 'cross' when Starz insisted CIA agent Rex Matheson not only survive Miracle Day, but end up an immortal character, like Jack Harkness.

Chris Albrecht, Starz' CEO.

It's believed Starz wanted to maintain an option on their own version of Torchwood, with Matheson as their 'key Immortal', should the show take the States by storm, and should the BBC not wish to continue with the series. However, with viewing figures in the US mediocre at best - and with newer, fresher projects having taken Albrecht's eye, it's not difficult why Starz may have had a change of heart. 

In Britain, it's clear 'Miracle Day' didn't hit the right note for mass appeal, and there's no general clamour for a new series. It would take something special to put Torchwood back on the right tracks!

(c) Great Welsh TV March, 2012