The BBC has angered fans of television program Torchwood by cutting a gay sex scene featuring lead character Captain Jack. Australian viewers however will get to see the un-edited version of the show. A representative for UKTV, who screen the program in Australia, confirmed to OUTinPerth that they had no intention of cutting the controversial content.
The decision to cut the scene from the UK broadcast comes after a report backed by Prime Minister David Cameron suggested same sex kissing should not be shown on British television in the early evening. The cut however is more likely to do with the different platforms the show is being delivered on, in Australia and the US it screens on pay-TV services while the BBC is a free to air channel.
Torchwood, a spin off from the BBC’s popular Doctor Who program, focuses on gay actor John Barrowman’s pansexual character Captain Jack Harkness. Captain Jack leads a team of government agents who protect the world from alien invaders at Torchwood, a secret government agency in the United Kingdom.
The show has had two successful seasons and a short miniseries prior to its current season. Unlike the BBC’s long running Doctor Who, the show has always had a more adult focus on sci-fi storytelling. The current season which is a co-production with American cable network Starz sees the show’s characters and action relocating to USA.
Torchwood: Miracle Day sees Captain Jack and his sidekick Gwen Cooper, played by Eva Miles, brought back out of hiding and retirement to help the FBI when everyone in the world loses the ability to die.
Torchwood Miracle Day screens on UK on Saturday and is repeated throughout the week.
Graeme Watson
