U.S. Remake Of "Torchwood" Planned?

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

Fox and BBC Worldwide Productions are developing an American remake of the U.K. hit sci-fi series "Torchwood," says The Live Feed.

According to Live Feed: “Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series “Torchwood,” which will be written by original series creator Russell Davies.”

A more adult-targeted spin-off from "Doctor Who," the story follows a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity led by the immortal adventurer Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman). Two series aired on BBC America as well as last year’s well-reviewed miniseries, “Children of Earth,” which broke ratings records for the network.

They key difference here is that unlike some previous UK-to-US TV series adaptations, this one will keep the original UK production team on it--namely, series creator Russell Davies, as well as his producing partners.

Davies’ pilot will contain a global-targeted story line as compared to the more localized Wales-setting of the first two seasons of the show. Davies has previously been working as show runner on both "Torchwood" and "Doctor Who" along with writing many episodes for both franchises.

The fact that the UK production will stay attached to the project is really an unprecedented move for television adaptations. That rarely happens, and for the most part, UK to US adaptations haven’t been so great. For every success, like “The Office,” there is a bomb, like “Coupling.”

Hopefully this adaptation will be one that works.