Rejoice, Torchwood fans — Ianto Jones is back! Big Finish announced today that actor Gareth David-Lloyd will return to voice Ianto in the second of their upcoming Torchwood audio productions.
In May, Big Finish first revealed their plans to resurrect Torchwood as a new six-part series, with each release focusing on a different member of the Torchwood team. First up is Torchwood: The Conspiracy, with John Barrowman returning to voice Captain Jack Harkness, scheduled for release this September.
Related: Torchwood Coming to Big Finish With John Barrowman
Now we know the second release will be Torchwood: Fall to Earth with Ianto Jones, and it will be released the following month in October.
Ianto Jones returns in Torchwood: Fall to Earth this October! (Credit: Big Finish)
Here’s Big Finish producer James Goss:
"“There was originally going to be a gap after the first release, but we soon realised that everyone we spoke to was being so helpful, we’d be in studio a lot earlier. Actors, writers, agents, BBC Worldwide have all been amazing – ‘Well, since it’s Torchwood’ everyone kept saying. So it’s coming out early. Since it’s Torchwood.”"
Ianto was a fan favorite character, appearing in the first three series of Torchwood before *SPOILERS* his gut-wrenching death in 2009’s Children of Earth. He started out as more of an office assistant to the Torchwood team, but eventually became an active member and started a romantic relationship with team leader Jack Harkness. Ianto also appeared on Doctor Who in the two-part Series 4 conclusion, ‘The Stolen Earth’/’Journey’s End.’ Just this week it was reported that a real-life shrine to Ianto in Cardiff is still going strong even six year after the character’s death.
Here’s Goss again:
"“Well, how could we not? Ianto’s such a brilliant character, and if we kept people on tenterhooks any longer, we’d be fools. Of course he’s in it and as soon as possible. We recorded with him literally the first day after he finished a theatre tour. Did he want to put his feet up? Nope. He wanted to be Ianto.”"
‘Torchwood: The Conspiracy’ coming September 2015
(Credit: Big Finish)
Torchwood: Fall to Earth will see Ianto continuing to investigate the worldwide conspiracy unearthed in Torchwood: The Conspiracy, taking a seat “on the first privately-funded spaceflight; just as it’s plunging out of the sky!” Director Scott Handcock says Gareth was ecstatic to return to the role:
"“Seeing Gareth in studio was an absolute delight. He clearly loves the part and had a great time. And can’t wait to be back.”"
Although it still hasn’t been explicitly stated, Ianto’s return would seem to indicate the new Big Finish series takes place during the early seasons of Torchwood and not after the most recent (and disastrous) Starz series, Torchwood: Miracle Day.
Following Torchwood: Fall to Earth, four additional stories will be released in monthly intervals, each focusing on an as-yet unannounced Torchwood team member. You can pre-order Torchwood: Fall to Earth now or subscribe to all six releases.
Related: Comic-Con 2015: John Barrowman Sings the Doctor Who Theme Song!
This is super exciting news; I’m among the millions who love Ianto and was devastated by his loss. It may not be a true return from the dead (something Russell T. Davies refuses to do), but at least we’ll get one more chance to spend some time with the beloved character.
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