Torchwood: Russell T Davies Tells Why He Killed Ianto Jones
Russell T Davies has been speaking about the recent mini-series ‘Torchwood – Children Of Earth’ and explaining why he decided to kill off Ianto Jones.
Fans have expressed their fury at the loss of one of the show’s most popular characters, but Davies insisted that it was necessary to kill Ianto off.
In a chat with EW.com Davies explained:
“The threat to the world was just so great it simply would have been unlikely if everyone had survived. Torchwood is an adult show. We have killed off leading members of the cast before. Those have always been the stakes. Poor Ianto was defeated by a greater evil, I’m afraid.”
When asked if it was a risk to kill off such a central character, Davies said:
“Absolutely. There’s a risk that some people won’t come back to watch now that Ianto’s gone. I thank them for watching the show and I recommend they go watch Supernatural, because those boys are beautiful. And don’t tell me they’re brothers. [Laughs] Not in my mind.”
In response to the reported backlash against Ianto’s departure Davies said:
“It’s not particularly a backlash. What’s actually happening is, well, nothing really to be honest. It’s a few people posting online and getting fans upset. Which is marvelous. It just goes to prove how much they love the character and the actor. People often say, ‘Fans have got their knives out!’ They haven’t got any knives. I haven’t been stabbed. Nothing’s happened. It’s simply a few people typing. I’m glad they’re typing because they’re that involved. But if you can’t handle drama you shouldn’t watch it. Find something else. Go look at poetry. Poetry’s wonderful.”
So are you with Russell on this, or like thousands of others are you furious that he killed off Ianto? Leave your comments below.
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Why would I watch Supernatural? Is Mr Davies trying to be offensive to fans, or is he just oblivious at how much more than a “pretty boy” was Ianto for the fans of the show? Werther he noticed or not, Ianto Jones became the one character in Torchwood that many people could relate to. Besides, Ianto was interesting, smart, resourceful, loyal, oh so loyal! Yes, he did look good in those suits, but that would be last in the list of his many fascinating qualities.
Yes, his relationship with Captain Jack had the potential to be something really good, truly ground breaking, it’s not the fans’ fault that Mr Davies and his team of writers decided all a male/male relationship in a sci-fi show was worth of was a joke about “quickies” and putting labels on “the queer” all the way until (and after) he’s killed in a most ridiculous set up, one in which the man posing as Captain Harkness is stupid beyond belief, out of the blue, just because of “the story’s needs”.
The old Torchwood was far smarter, far more modern and people weren’t applied labels based on the gender of the person they loved, it even went as far as given the audience glimpses of something real, more than just “horny guys” for Jack and Ianto. We had beautiful scenes between them in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, To the Last Man and Adam, relationship as well as characters’ development and truly touching moments. What a pity that CoE simply retconned everything.
It’s sad will never get a real, truthful answer as to why Mr Davies decided to do a remake of Quatermass and throw the Torchwood characters in it, and destroy characters and the show itself. Unlike Mr Davies, I really loved Torchwood, with people coming back from the death by “Risen Mitten” or by a shake in the Rift in Rhys’ case, I loved Torchwood with all of those quirks, it was far more honest and touching than anything in the forced shocking bleakness of Children of Earth.
As for the backslash, Mr Davies’ replies actually make it sound like there’s really one and making noise, otherwise why would Mr Davies lash out in this childishly offensive way?
The money I would have spend in CoE’s DVD, had it been Torchwood, will go now to Children in Need: http://www.justgiving.com/iantojones
CoE gave added depth to Ianto’s character. The scenes with his sister’s family were especially well done. Why paint such a memorable picture and then destroy it so quickly? I have not been able to develop interest in the other characters, including Jack. I understand why he keeps himself aloof – outside of relationships, but it does not make me want to watch the show.
To kill of 3 characters in the span of 5 episodes is a bold move. It leads me to believe that this is the end of Torchwood. And if it is not, then they want to change their fan base. But Ianto — why not Gwen or better yet Rheyes! That would have been better. But to kill the one guy who had everyone’s back is bad. Plus, they killed the hub and the car. I think it is over and if not, I think I will hate it. Way too many character changes . . . this is Sci-Fi they could of at least made some of these characters have a way back in instead of death. It would have been better if the just took Ianto and Jack had to search the stars to get him back. Now that would have been cool!
Ianto was an amazing character. He was the heart of Torchwood. He seemed to be the one that kept the group together… that kept Jack there. Losing another cast member is hard. I will miss Ianto…
But the reason I have decided to stop watching both Torchwood and Doctor Who is because of the quotes above. Without fans for his “adult dramas” the shows get cancelled. Davies might think he has a never ending fan base, but that isn’t true… if you go about acting arrogant, self-righteous, and superior you usually end up alone.
Fine. I guess I’ll read poetry if it is between that and watching a Torchwood without Ianto. Russell is good at killing off couples possibly because he seems to be completely in love with himself.
So he killed off Ianto because there was a great evil and it is unlikely that three people in the thick of things would all survive. So one of them had to die simple because in “real life” it would be unlikely for them all to survive. Otherwise it wouldn’t be drama? I’m glad J.K. Rowling didn’t get that memo.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded them killing off Ianto if they hadn’t JUST killed off Tosh and Owen. They don’t need to kill so many loved Torchwood members so close together. Yes, I understand how it would be unlikely all of them would survive and all that, but, really, did they have to put it so close to the death of two other characters? It’s only three episodes in between! That’s just plain stupid. Yes, it’s drama. Yes, it’s an adult show. Yes, people are going to die. But there is a lot more people than just the Torchwood members in the middle of that fiasco, and had it not been such a big thing about it being a five episode mini series within the series itself, chances are, they would have found some miracle to work with that let everyone survive. But, because these FIVE episodes are considered a season, they just HAVE to kill off one of the much-loved, important team members. -shakes head- What the hell were they thinking?
Why does Russell Davies feel a need to talk to his fans with such condescension. Dude, I love Torchwood and the characters you’ve given us. I would think you would be honored that I and many, many others have been so touched by your work, which includes Ianto Jones. I found him to be the one that I could best relate to. There was a something vulnerable in him, like so many of us. It was through him that I was able to connect with the show. Please consider the show and YOUR fans, we are with you for the long haul, please give more time with this rich character. Ianto offer so much more to be unveild, It’s like you teased us by hinting at much more than we had time to see. We want to continue watching as you bring us the new Torchwood. Of course we look forward to more of Jack, Ianto and Gwen, along with the new and exciting characters you are dreaming up. With your kind of talent you could meet the challenge of bringing Ianto back in a way that respects the integrity of the story while telling us viewers new and unexpected things. After all it’s those kind of things that make Torchwood the exciting ride it is. Come on, give your fans more Ianto.
Russell, you are a craftsman. Torchwood is amazing and thank you for great drama. As far as Ianto goes, he was the most interesting of the Torchwood team. His death hits us viewers pretty hard. I think one of the reasons so many people are having trouble with Ianto’s death is that we feel like the Character isn’t done. It feels like there was more to understand about him. Needless to say that wicked smile of his is worth another season with Ianto if nothing else. Seriously, Jack and Ianto are is romance like none we every seen on TV, not because of the gay element, but because Jack can’t die and his complexities match with Ianto’s subtle, faithful, wanting personality. It would be one the most memorable couples ever on TV. If Torchwood isn’t over then we say “More Ianto please!”
Russel T is not a craftsman or a creative genius, but a bumbling idiot that happened to get lucky by virtue of his underlings.
His writing is loathed by Doctor Who fans, who are glad he has left the show and given the helm to Steven Moffat.
Perhaps Torchwood fans will understand why now…
I for one hope Torchwood is dead and buried. I couldn’t handle another ‘Day Five’. Guess that makes me a poetry reader.
I guess Mr. Davies needs to learn the meaning of the word “gradually.” Many shows have changed characters – perhaps none more than the “Law and Order” franchise – and look how long it’s stayed on TV, and the “CSI” franchise is beginning to do the same. I don’t like losing Ianto any more than anyone else does, and I’m not happy with that decision. The reason given is, IMO, quite lame. If we’d lost one character in S1 and one character in S2, maybe losing Ianto wouldn’t be such a shock. However, losing Ianto at all sucks!!
At this very moment, I fail to understand why a man who created such a wonderful show – in many ways – with fans everywhere has decided to screw it up. I will be quite upset if we lost Torchwood entirely, but I will certainly understand if we do.
Mr. Davies, please think more before you leap.
I dont see why Ianto had to killed, this virus that released, what was it? No virus acts that quickly, it was poisonous gas, if it was a virus Jack could of found a cure and saved him.
And the fact that it is unlikely they all lived, umm…isnt that the same with EVERY OTHER EPISODE OF TORCHWOOD AND DOCTOR WHO? I dont see one of the cast dying every episode.
Furthermore what was the point of expanding Ianto’s character, to learn about him more if to just kill him a little while later? That was a waste. There are plenty of ways to bring Ianto back but oh no because they brought back Owen, no Owen died but some piece of technology kept him conscience, not resurrected him.
Ianto was the fans favourite as well as mine and the fact they just destroyed Torchwood shows they were probably bored of it, or god forbid change the cast like Skins did, and all people who watch/watched skins know how much the viewings went down for it.
And i hope Russell gets close to being stabbed (dont want to actually be stabbed) by a angry fan is not fans, then maybe he would see how he has ruined one of the best shows on tv by him getting trigger happy. They killed enough people in the show to show not everyone lives, the mp and his family, the doctor in episode 1. Jack’s grandson, the old man and so on but not Ianto.
After reading a spoiler… oop… I knew Ianto was facing the end of the line before watching CoE. When we were faced with Tosh’s tragic death and Owens corpse reanimation bit, I thought… “gee if Iantos going too then who will be left?” And I think Ianto had some great lines, he and Jack had wonderful chemistry, and god knows he was cute, but I guess what it all comes down to is accepting that in the end you may have to trust the writters and RTD and assume that if he was able to write characters as endearing as Ianto once then he can do it again. Happy romances do tend to be plot killers, after all. I just hope that we will see the introduction of some new, wonderful characters to the Torchwood Universe. As far as the queer relationship issue goes, I can only assume that there will be other queer characters and plot lines, but I one of the main reasons I like TW to start with is that the sexuality of the characters was always presented as fluid and never as central to their charecter… That us what u want to watch, I want shows where a character can be gay and not have that be all there character ends up being about.
How do you ever trust RTD after the quotes from him above? He doesn’t care about the people watching, or the show itself. He is an egotistical idiot.
I have just read these comments by Russell T. Davies and I am really offended. I loved Torchwood and inparticular the character of Ianto Jones and, from a purely shallow point of view, I did think Gareth David-Lloyd was lovely. It was great character writing and after the shock I appreciated how good the whole thing was from a dramatic viewpoint. The characters had changed and I thought I would not like it as much but I would be still watching if they made another series. Reading these comments have changed all that for me. Firstly, I do not want to watch Supernatural simply because the boys are good looking (I think that comment is offensive to those two fine actors in that series). He makes it sound that as a Sci-fi fan I do know about Poetry and drama! Gee – thanks!. It is a sign of great writing that people are getting involved. But his tone is so dismissive to the fans! I cannot believe it – does he think that fans will continue to support him if he continues to speak this way to them? I am afraid that I shall no longer finance him by buying the Torchwood series on dvd. He doesn’t appreciate me as fan so he will not now appreciate my money.
Ok people’s, I was just as upset when I watched Day Four but you have to admit that it was so unexpected that it was very emmotive. Don’t get me wrong I loved the character Ianto, but his death will not stop me watching Torchwood if there is indeed a fourth season. Yes RTD sounded like an arrogant ass in that interview but still, folks, it was an amazing stroy.
Ok I know RTD wont read these as he’s in his own world telling himself that its good that fans are tearing their hair out over this ok we get it, all for effect bla bla blaaa he thinks i repeat THINKS he know us but this is how it has worked out at the beggining with all the characters
killing of a great couple # :/ and finally this : ( I think russel should re-think all that he has written cause we don’t want new people = (
It may be true. It was necesary. Maybe.
We watch the show for the drama, the plot… but we also watch for the characters. Characters are important. They help us connect to the story and the people in it. Characters are the constant people expect and look for.
The constant and familiarity we create with the show has a lot to do with the characters.
I started watching the show for the characters. Ianto and Jack, more specifically.
I don’t know. We want action, drama, yes. But viewers also want to be “pampered”. We need to have our “losses” but also our “wins”.
I hope Mr. Davies reconsiders and finds a way to bring Ianto back.
Russell T Davies is a disgusting individual that should never have been given license to write for television.
In EVERYTHING he writes, theres some element of homosexuality, even pre-watershed programmes.
I’m glad he’s left D.W, hopefully he’ll take that american faggot with him, and thank god Torch-blokes-bumming-each-other-Wood is over!
If he wants to go thru life with another mans shit on his dick, then thats his business, dont let us in on it, you fucking freak of nature that should be exterminated at birth!
I think the “Supernatural” comment/crack was twofold. A.) He’s alluding to the fact that though the “Supernatural” boys are often killed off on the show, they *always* manage to come back unlike his characters … well, except for Jack (Susie and Owen perhaps don’t count because they eventually stayed dead … maybe.) B.) If you are looking for a hot male couple, here’s one you can still watch. (Hence, the “Don’t tell me they’re brothers. Not in my mind.”) So I don’t think he really meant those upset about Ianto just liked him because he was pretty; AND I don’t think he meant people just watch “Supernatural” just because the boys are pretty or just because they are a hot gay couple either. It was a joke though I can see how it can come off as condescending.
That said, no I don’t think I’ll watch if Ianto isn’t there. He was my favorite It doesn’t really matter if the character died or if he just decided to be a department store salesman. It’s just like “The X-Files” without Mulder (though he died and came back but then disappeared again until the finale) and then mostly without Scully. Phasing us into the new characters didn’t work either though they were played by perfectly good actors. Most people watch *television* dramas for the continuing stories of the established characters. Sometimes a show can pull off loss of certain characters with a true *ensemble* cast (eg. E.R.) but A.) They don’t usually dump several characters at once. B.) I’m not sure “Torchwood” was a true ensemble show anyway.
Now, i agree that you need shocks and unexpected surprises to keep the plot line going, but they didn’t have to re-write the whole of the team within three series. Fans like to familiarise theirselves with the characters and enjoy watching them as they grow into themselves. I think Russell made a huge mistake killing Ianto off. There was so much about him that we wanted to learn and love, especially with his relationship with Jack. The idea of Jack finding someone that he could properly love with his whole heart was an amazing concept especialy as he knows he will outlive anyone he comes into contact to appart from the doctor.
It wasn’t Ianto’s time to leave the team, and the way Russell dismissed his death made me rather angry. I am not going to buy the CoE series on Dvd and i hope that if another series is produced, he can find a way to bring Ianto back to us. I can sure think of a few if he needs some ideas.
I totally agree with Russell. I think that it was unlikely that everyone would survive something that big but its still upsetting that Ianto’s gone. The show seems to be loosing all of its main characters now and i want to know how, if it ever does, the Torchwood team get back to what they do best. I dont think that jack should ever find anyone else though. Him and Ianto got on so well, and his reaction to his death was just perfect. I will miss Ianto obviously. I think everyone will tbh. I just hope that Torchwood returns someday.
I’ll miss you Ianto
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