Russell T. Davies Talks ‘Torchwood: Children of Earth’
Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen the entire Torchwood: Children of Earth series then avert your eyes if you don’t want major spoilers.
Torchwood boss Russell T. Davies has spoken with EW about the fan backlash to certain events that transpired in Torchwood: Children of Earth.
More specifically, Davies has fielded a few questions related to the outcry from a group of fans regarding the death of Gareth David-Lloyd’s character, Ianto.
In typical Davies style he’s in-your-face unapologetic, suggesting that anyone who is upset should go watch Supernatural or take up reading poetry.
Question: Why’d you kill Ianto?
RUSSELL T. DAVIES: The threat to the world was just so great it simply would have been unlikely if everyone had survived. Torchwood is an adult show. We have killed off leading members of the cast before. Those have always been the stakes. Poor Ianto was defeated by a greater evil, I’m afraid.
Question: So this wasn’t something that resulted from Gareth wanting to leave?
DAVIES: No, it was my decision.
Question: What do you make of the fan backlash?
DAVIES: It’s not particularly a backlash. What’s actually happening is, well, nothing really to be honest. It’s a few people posting online and getting fans upset. Which is marvelous. It just goes to prove how much they love the character and the actor. People often say, ‘Fans have got their knives out!’ They haven’t got any knives. I haven’t been stabbed. Nothing’s happened. It’s simply a few people typing. I’m glad they’re typing because they’re that involved. But if you can’t handle drama you shouldn’t watch it. Find something else. Go look at poetry. Poetry’s wonderful.
Question: Can you confirm that Ianto is, in fact, dead?
DAVIES: I’m afraid so. He’s a wonderful actor. I’ve worked with him before. I’m a big fan of his and I [look forward to] watching his career prosper. But death is death in this case. It would devalue the entire plot if we brought him back.
Question: But it’s a risky thing to kill off such a popular character.
DAVIES: Absolutely. There’s a risk that some people won’t come back to watch now that Ianto’s gone. I thank them for watching the show and I recommend they go watch Supernatural, because those boys are beautiful. And don’t tell me they’re brothers. [Laughs] Not in my mind.
Read the full interview at EW.
July 25th, 2009 at 4:02 am
I met Gareth David-Lloyd last year and all he had said about the third season was that he was excited about it. Now after watching it, I totally know why…hahaha….sad to see him go tho.