±«Óãtv

±«Óãtv Cymru Wales, ±«Óãtv Worldwide and US premium entertainment network Starz Entertainment have today announced a three-way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit ±«Óãtv sci-fi drama Torchwood. ±«Óãtv Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.

The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator Russell T Davies and produced by ±«Óãtv Worldwide productions.

Davies and ±«Óãtv Worldwide Productions' SVP Scripted, Julie Gardner, return as executive producers with ±«Óãtv Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The series has been commissioned by Controller ±«Óãtv One, Jay Hunt, Controller ±«Óãtv Drama, Ben Stephenson and Starz President and CEO, Chris Albrecht.

While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the US and around the world.

John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces.

Announcing the commission, Ben Stephenson, Controller, ±«Óãtv Drama Commissioning, said: "We have a long history of working with many US networks, but it is incredibly exciting to be working with Starz for the first time, as well as to be reunited with the best of British in Russell, Jane and Julie.

"Torchwood will burst back onto the screen with a shocking and moving story with global stakes and locations that will make it feel bigger and bolder than ever."

Jane Tranter, EVP, ±«Óãtv Worldwide Productions, added: "Torchwood has attracted remarkable attention and loyalty in both the UK and US, and in this new partnership with Starz, the next chapter will not only reward our current fans, but also introduce new viewers to the most impressive instalment yet.

"We're committed to programming exceptional television that is entertaining, imaginative and provides a premium TV experience, and by any measure the new concept for Torchwood fits that mandate."

Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht, said: "I've been part of successful partnerships with Jane Tranter and the ±«Óãtv previously, and I'm very much looking forward to working with them again."

Torchwood is a drama that puts extraterrestrial threats into a very real world, and asks how humanity deals with the danger – while fighting mankind's darkest instincts. The series was originally commissioned and produced in 2006 by ±«Óãtv Cymru Wales, with the latest high octane series capturing UK audiences of more than 6million.

±«Óãtv Worldwide has distributed previous Torchwood series around the world to territories such as Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, Russia and across Latin America.

About ±«Óãtv Worldwide

±«Óãtv Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (±«Óãtv). The company exists to maximise the value of the ±«Óãtv's assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights.

The company has six core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Magazines, ±«Óãtv Entertainment and Global Brands.

In 2008/09, ±«Óãtv Worldwide generated profits of £102.6 million (before exceptionals) on sales of over £1 billion.

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