Big Finish’s acclaimed audio spin-off series, Torchwood, has come to an end with its 100th story, titled Fare Well.
Torchwood began life in Doctor Who Series 2 (though was mentioned in Series 1) and became a TV spin-off; it found its legs on audio, in a series of monthly dramas. The 100th episode in the range is out now, and it brings the story full circle. Gareth David-Lloyd stars as the young Torchwood recruit Ianto Jones, alongside Timothy Bentinck as the veteran agent Tommy Pierce, in a story which deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Canary Wharf (Army of Ghosts/ Doomsday). The battle may be over, but it’s left lasting scars, and not every Cyberman has been defeated…
Here’s what to expect:
Ianto Jones and Tommy Pierce have fought many alien invaders together. They’re more than work colleagues, they’re friends. But their friendship is about to be put to the test as they prepare to face a Cyberman.
A Cyberman in a cellar.
In the village of Wetwang.
The guest cast of Fare Well also includes Devante Fleming as Jason and Alistair Toovey as George.
Producer James Goss said:
“Ianto finds his old friend Tommy is still alive and harbouring a deadly secret. And there’s a Cyberman in it. It’s such a great way to go out. Joe Lidster pitched the idea of Fare Well a couple of years ago and I instantly went ‘how clever!’
“We had to end on a Ianto story, as Ianto is the heart of Torchwood. And we had to end on a Cyberman story, as the Cybermen cast a long shadow over Torchwood. And and and, it makes sense to end on a story about Ianto and his friend Tommy, as Tim Bentinck’s Tommy represents all that is good about the Big Finish Torchwood range – a character created for it by Joe Lidster, who was never actually in the TV show but feels as though he was all along.
“Tommy’s a massive fan favourite, and it’s kind of insane that Joe’s developed this incredible backstory for Ianto from a stray detail or two on TV. It’s the perfect way to say, this is what Big Finish Torchwood is, this is what we did, and weren’t we grand?“And, as it was the last Torchwood, we had to record it in Wales – in our gorgeous Newport studio, a place that’s full of so many happy memories. And also the only recording studio in the UK above a scaffolding warehouse. No soundproofing in the world can stand up to two dozen scaffolding poles falling over in the middle of a take. Again, that’s Torchwood for you. Utter chaos in Wales.”
Director Scott Handcock added:
“Originally conceived as a bookend to 100 releases, rather than the ending it’s become, Fare Well is Torchwood in its purest form. It pays tribute to the core of the television series while embracing so much of the audio range, and Joseph Lidster does an amazing job. I remember Joe getting commissioned for Torchwood almost 20 years ago – it was his first ever TV script – and it’s a delight to see how much he adores the whole series. It’s dark, it’s bizarre, it’s human, and now it’s all over…”
Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.
Torchwood: Fare Well, written by Joseph Lidster, is now available for £8.99 (download to own) or £13.99 (download and a collector’s edition CD). The CD is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and will not be re-pressed.
The regular range may have ended, but Torchwood will return in 2027 with the brand-new miniseries called Legacy.
