The first season of Torchwood was fascinating – not least for the wildly different responses that people had to the show. In terms of ratings, the show proved so successful that it has been promoted from BBC Three to BBC Two for its second series. At a recent Q & A session, it became clear that Torchwood is both a very different show this year and in some ways, a far happier one. Words: Alasdair Stuart

With the production staff, chief writer Chris Chibnall and the entire cast bar Burn Gorman in attendance, the Q & A began with a screening of Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, the second season’s opening episode. As a result the initial questions revolved around both that and the logistics of getting James Marsters, the episode’s guest star, on board.

To the surprise of many there, Russell T. Davies revealed that Marsters had actually approached them. Several months earlier, he had received a message saying that Marsters had seen the show, was a fan and would like to be considered for the role. Unsurprisingly, Davies said, they jumped at the chance.

Questions then turned to the rest of the season, with John Barrowman revealing that there is no overall arc in series two, but a series of character arcs. He also mentioned that a fleeting comment at the end of episode one, a reference to a character named ‘Gray’ will prove very important as the season progresses.

Davies and Chibnall were asked whether there was a deliberate shift in tone this season. Davies, with disarming honesty, compared the team on screen last year to the team backstage. He admitted that the demands of writing the first season in such a compressed time frame had led to a certain amount of stress, which had in turn appeared on screen. He said there was a real camaraderie this season, although several episodes were very dark in tone. Davies cited episode 11, a Gwen solo story written by Chris Chibnall, as both the darkest of the season and also as one of the best pieces of writing he’s ever seen.

The news that Andy the plod, Gwen’s put upon ex-partner is back and gets to save the day was greeted with cheers, as was the revelation that Rhys, Gwen’s boyfriend, not only finds out about her job but they also get married. Or, at the very least, have a wedding. The cast were surprisingly coy about the outcome, although Eve Myles joked that fighting at a wedding was a Welsh tradition. Gareth David-Lloyd revealed that Ianto rides to the rescue in that episode - although he wouldn’t be drawn on whether it was to rescue the wedding or the planet.

The sense of pride amongst the cast and crew was palpable. David-Lloyd obviously relished being given more to do, while Kai Owen enjoyed playing Rhys as a “confidant, someone to share the burden with."

The Torchwood team are back, and it seems they’ve never been happier.

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