One of Torchwood’s most terrifying villains is about to return…but is he now one of the good guys?
Murray Melvin returns as Bilis Manger in his very own tale in Big Finish’s latest Torchwood release, Deadbeat Escape.
“Welcome to the Traveller’s Halt. You’re in luck – we have one room left. My name is Bilis Manger. Let me show you to your room.”
Manger first appeared in episode 12 of the first series of Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness but would go on to play a much bigger part in the finale of that series, End of Days, where his true nature was revelled.
Explaining why Manger is such a compelling character and what makes this stand-alone adventure so intriguing, producer and writer James Goss told Big Finish:
“He’s such a great character and it’s lovely that his creator, Cath Tregenna, is letting us play with him.
“It’s fascinating having him as a central character – if you look carefully he’s actually always honest and straightforward. But everything he says is hidden under so many layers…
“Deadbeat Escape is a bit different from normal. I love Sapphire & Steel – we’ve already done Sapphire & Steel But Starring Jack Harkness & Jackie Tyler (The Lives of Captain Jack). This is basically Sapphire & Steel But Starring Bilis Manger! He’s sort of – and I hate to say it – but he could just be the hero in this.”
In other Torchwood news, the monthly range is set to take a hiatus to clear the way for the next series of Torchwood: God Among Us – but, don’t fret, the monthly range will return in March 2019 and run all the way through to February 2020.
Producer James Goss added:
“Jack and Ianto discover domestic bliss, we’ve Gwen Cooper as you’ve never seen her before, Dr Owen Harper’s in prison and there’s something nasty out at sea. We’ll meet the person who joined Torchwood at the same time as Tosh (whatever became of him?), Jack Harkness goes down a mine with a national treasure, and there’s a town where you have to drink or die. Plus, which Torchwood character is a massive fan of opera?”
Torchwood: Deadbeat Escape is available now on CD or download for £7.99 and £9.99 respectively from Big Finish.
