From the people who brought you Flight Through Entirety.
On 26 August 2008, the BBC issued a press release announcing that filming was underway on Series 3 of Torchwood. This new series would premiere over five nights on BBC One some time in 2009. “[T]he series – called Torchwood: Children Of Earth – sees the team embarking on a single action-packed adventure as they battle for the future of the human race against the fiercest force they have encountered.”
Torchwood had always been wildly uneven — funny and scary at times, but often bleak, messy and unpleasant. But for one week in 2009, it became a massive television event, with about six million people tuning in for five consecutive nights in the middle of summer. And what they saw was a single complex story, played out on a global scale, with a massive guest cast. It was still funny and scary, but also clever, ambitious and well-acted. Angry and bleak as well — even downright upsetting.
In 500 Year Diary Season 4, we’ll be watching Torchwood: Children of Earth again. How does it land nearly seventeen years later?
Monday 6 July 2009
Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day One
Unearthly Children,
Episode 1
Sunday 15 March 2026
After 44 years, the 456 are coming back, but before they get here there’s a fair amount of setting up to do. First, remind us how scary and weird children are; second, introduce us to a troupe of amazing new actors; and third, blow up the entire show. Should be fun.
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Two
Unearthly Children,
Episode 2
Sunday 22 March 2026
The 456 said they’d drop round some time this evening, so while they wait, Simon and Nathan chat with Johnny Spandrell and Melvin Peña about villains, childlessness, the Home Office onboarding process, how great Eve Myles is, and whether Torchwood really is appropriate viewing for grownups.
Wednesday 8 July 2009
Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Three
Unearthly Children,
Episode 3
Sunday 29 March 2026
Tonight, Jack finally works out why everyone wants to kill him (and it’s not the reason you might expect), while mere miles away the 456 arrive in Thames House and immediately run up an upsettingly large cleaning bill. Adam Richard and Kevin Burnard join us to discuss Day Three.
Thursday 9 July 2009
Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Four
Unearthly Children,
Episode 4
Sunday 5 April 2026
Tonight, John Frobisher’s relationship with the 456 turns from sour to ugly, while Captain Jack Harkness’s day starts with humiliation and ends in death. In contrast, the British PM and his advisors are being uncharacteristically dynamic and productive, which doesn’t bode well for anyone really.