Fans of Doctor Who's spin-off series, Torchwood, should tune in tonight, as not only is the second season premiering, it will also feature Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum James Marsters as a guest star.

The second season opener is called “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,” in which Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) returns from a mysterious absence, leaving the team with plenty of questions.  However, they prioritize the task at hand, which is the arrival of Jack's old partner, Captain John Hart (Marsters), whose agenda is unclear.

James Marsters said in an interview last year that his Torchwood character has a quality that is distinct from Spike, the vicious British vampire he portrayed on Buffy and the role that he became most known for.

“The nice thing was that there is a difference to the two characters that was central; Spike was a romantic, he would only date one person at a time, whereas this new character, Captain John, will do anything that moves,” he told Boston Now with a laugh.  “I'm introduced and kiss the hell out of the male lead and then kick his ass.  Or maybe he kicks my ass.  We kick each other's ass.”

The “male lead” James Marsters was talking about was, of course, John Barrowman, who told the Associated Press in a more recent interview that his character is still the same when he comes back, but is “a little more lighthearted.”

“He's resolved a lot of his issues,” Barrowman said of Jack, a time-traveling, alien-hunting hero who can heal back instantly from any injury.  “He's got a new sparkle in his eye.”

Also appearing in Torchwood's second season premiere are Burn Gorman (Dr. Owen Harper), Naoko Mori (Toshiko Sato), Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto Jones) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), all of whom make up the team with John Barrowman's Jack.

Barrowman said that he and his costars have a great time working on Torchwood.

“It's one of the best playpens ever,” he said.  “I get to go to work and play with gadgets and drive really big, fast cars.  I get to shoot aliens and fly spaceships.”

He added, “And I get to kiss everybody.”

Catch Torchwood's second season premiere tonight at 9pm on BBC America.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: BBC America, Boston Now, Associated Press
(Image Courtesy of www.whedon.info)