'Torchwood' relaunch is more global

"Torchwood: The New World" isn't a John Smith-Pocahontas homage, but does set a significant amount of storytelling in the U.S. In fact, the show will visit many shores beyond Cardiff.

"It has this global sweep to it which is justified by the story," creator Russell T. Davies says Saturday (Aug. 7) during the final day of summer press tour. "I hate to say 'international in scope' because it usually means a scene set in Berlin for no reason."

Davies hadn't automatically planned to continue "Torchwood," but then changed his mind after "Children of Earth" aired.

"[It] got phenomenal figures in Britain and did beautifully over here on BBC America," he says. "There was just a buzz about it. 'Children of Earth' was a new form of 'Torchwood' and something clicked. It just inspired me. The story of the new 'Torchwood' is something that's been ticking away in the back of my head for a long while."

"Torchwood" picks up a while after the events of "Children of Earth," but still deals with Capt. Jack Harkness' (John Barrowman) state of mind after those devastating events that left him dispirted. Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) will also be back. A new character, CIA agent Rex Matheson -- who's yet to be cast -- will serve to introduce new audiences to the world of "Torchwood."

"Rex has no idea what Torchwood is and has to investigate," explains Davies. "Torchwood has been destroyed. It's ike a legend now, it's almost ceased to exist a long time ago and is spoken only of in whispers. We also have a watch analyst at the CIA called Esther. The two of them become embroiled in the Torchwood legend and investigate what Torchwood is or was and they find themselves on the run and meeting Captain Jack and Gwen, having to decide whether they're friends, whether they're enemies. It's a decision that takes a long time to be decided. That's part of the 10 episodes is the two teams coming together, a lot of sparks, a lot of excitement."

Despite the global scope, "Torchwood" won't abandon its Welsh roots.

"The Welsh setting still features in a really significant way as we move forwards so when we start filming in January, we will start filming in Wales," confirms executive producer Julie Gardner. "There will be beautiful landscapes. Gwen Cooper is still that character. She's still Welsh. Her story will take place in the U.S. but also very much in the UK, so that flavor of Wales will be very apparent."

Since filming has not yet begun, Davies has few details to share, but we also learn:

• Rhys Williams (Kai Owen) will be back with their baby.
• Sorry Capt. John Hart fans, but James Marsters is not going to be in this 10-episode season, but he's still in good with Davies for possible future participation.
• The new series continuous and very arced.
• Scheduling of the new "Torchwood" will be "very close" on both sides of the pond.
• Since the show is on a premium cable network, "Torchwood" can have nudity in sex scenes, but Davies is only sold on that if the story demands it. "There's nothing worse than a great big global international thriller that stops for a sex scene. Get on with it please."

"Torchwood" will run in Summer 2011 on Starz

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Photo credits: Getty Images, Starz