John Barrowman, who finished third on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, once fronted a beloved BBC sci-fi drama that fans still rave about 15 years after it ended. The Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood, was created by Russell T Davies and takes place in the same world as the cherished sci-fi programme but features a considerably darker tone.
A darker Doctor Who spin-off
The series centres on Captain Jack Harkness, played by Barrowman, an unscrupulous conman from the future, and his Cardiff-based team as they tackle alien and paranormal dangers. Torchwood has been characterised as a programme targeted at grown-up audiences owing to its adult themes and intricate moral challenges.
Beyond Barrowman, the show features an ensemble cast including Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Naoko Mori, Peter Capaldi, Burn Gorman and Kai Owen. It launched in 2006 and ran for four seasons before wrapping up in 2011 with 10 episodes.
Record-breaking audience figures
Torchwood shattered a BBC Three record at the time when its opening episode pulled in 2.4 million viewers, with its second attracting 2.3 million, marking an unprecedented audience figure for the channel back then.
A synopsis of the programme reads: "The members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organisation founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats."
Set in Wales and praised by fans
The series, set in Wales, showcases iconic locations including Cardiff Bay, Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Castle, Queen Street and St Mary Street. Throughout its run, it has garnered widespread acclaim from devoted fans, with many arguing it surpasses the original programme.
One viewer on IMDb wrote: "Amazing! Dark, witty and entertaining. John Barrowman is amazing in this and is totally underappreciated. This guy deserves more work." Another posted: "It's better than Doctor Who and better than Buffy, plus it's more sophisticated and simpler in some ways. Love it. Love it. Love it!!"
A third enthusiast added: "This is good, better than good, this raises the bar for British Sci Fi. Ultraviolet made it dark and dangerous, Dr Who made it family fun, Torchwood does both and loses nothing in the process. 3 episodes in and I am hooked."
A fourth viewer chimed in: "Amazingly well-written show. Torchwood is, without a doubt, one of the most captivating TV shows I have ever watched." While another remarked: "Absolutely brilliant and well worth the wait. I wasn't at all sure what to expect when Torchwood started, but I have to say I love it!!!"
Torchwood is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
