Torchwood Remake, Equals Bi-Erasure?

American Verison

Some of the most influential shows have come from overseas as a re-imagined version of a successful show in the United Kingdom (UK). The Office is a prime example of this. Every week, millions tune in to watch the inept management style of Michael Scott—manager of the Scranton branch of Dunder-Mifflin paper company. Steptoe and Son is known as Sanford and Son on our televisions, Til Death Do Us Part is known as All in the Family—the list goes on. There is also—an arguably much larger—list of shows that are better with their British flavor intact. Coupling, and Red Dwarf spring to mind—and if you don’t remember them on American television, then you’re sort of proving my point. The latest addition to this list of UK imports is the Science Fiction series Torchwood.

Torchwood is everything that good Science Fiction should be. Aliens every week, gadgets and special effects, intrigue and suspense, it has it all. No wonder then, that after having run for two seasons on the coat-tails of its parent show Doctor Who, and with its popularity soaring during the airing of the 5 part miniseries Torchwood: Children of Earth—that Fox has commissioned a pilot script for an American version of the show from creator Russell T. Davies.

One of the biggest draws to any show is the sexy leading man or woman. Torchwood is not exception. Played by British actor John Barrowman—recently named one of the 20 most influential people in UK theatre—Captain Jack, is the quintessential leader in a science fiction show. Dashing, daring, bold, commanding—though he does have one quality that you don’t see often on television. He is bisexual—well, Barrowman refers to the Captain as “omnisexual” in that he doesn’t discriminate based on anything, including being human—however, the Captain is very much attracted to and involved with both men and women on Torchwood. In fact a fluid sexuality is common on the show and on many other shows broadcast on the BBC. It is part of Captain Jack’s personality—part of who he is to be bisexual. Why then, would the script commissioned by Fox want to nix that part of the good Captain’s psyche?

Touchwood - British Version

Fortunately, one of the 20 most influential people in UK theatre is not behind the decision and since John Barrowman is Captain Jack, this bit of bi-erasure might not come to pass. Barrowman—who is openly gay—has said: “I hope wherever [the franchise] goes that the show stays the same,” Which is a beacon of hope for fans everywhere, including those that agree with Barrowman when he says: “The last thing I would want would be for Jack to become this heterosexual, straight hero. He’s an omnisexual guy. He likes men, women, aliens, whatever. I think we should continue going down that route.”

With bisexual female stories happening on every major network, it would be a breath of fresh air to see a bisexual male story take the lead. Torchwood stands poised to be the harbinger of its own tag “The 21st century is when everything changes . . . and you’ve gotta be ready.” Let’s hope Fox doesn’t pull the plug before the juices get flowing.