Interview with Torchwood’s Gareth David-Lloyd

AE: Do we find out exactly how Ianto became to be a part of the Torchwood team?
GDL: Yes you do, in this series. I don’t know if I was supposed to say that, but I said it!

AE: In series two?
GDL: In series two, you find that out, yeah.

AE: Can you give us any hints about it?
GDL: It involves a certain pet that Torchwood keeps.

AE: I think it’s the one we’re always commenting on and wondering why it’s there in the first place. Another question that many readers want answered had to do with your being a musical person outside of Torchwood, as is John. Since you're both singers, is there any reason to hope for a musical episode of Torchwood?
GDL: Um, [laughing] Buffy [the Vampire Slayer] did that, didn’t they? Maybe. Nothing’s being mentioned at the moment, but I’d love to do it. I think it would be great fun.

AE: Are you a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
GDL: Absolutely. I’ve been watching more of it since I met James Marsters because we got on so well when he came over that I watched it. I didn’t watch it religiously before, but I’ve seen a few episodes. I’m enjoying his performance.

AE: And you guys actually performed in a concert outside of the show as well, correct?
GDL: I got to sing one song with James, “Roadhouse Blues”, a Doors cover, when he came over the first time. The second time, he was gracious enough to ask if I’d like to do a support act with the band I’m involved in. It was great publicity and a lot of people liked it, so we’re putting on our own event in April.

AE: Fantastic. What is the name of the band again?
GDL: Blue Gillespie.

AE: There’s quite a crossover in terms of the fan base from Buffy to Torchwood, and the shows have some similar sensibilities and a similar situation, with this group of individuals sitting on this portal of awfulness and protecting the world from what comes through it. Do you think that the sensibilities are similar?
GDL: I’m not sure. I think there’s still a different tone with Buffy. I think there much more of a bleakness with Torchwood. There is a bit more harsh realism where I think Buffy was just sort of a tone above that. Like you said, a group of people guarding the horrible portal in outer space, that seems right. But I don’t watch it and think this is like Torchwood.

AE: Were you a Doctor Who fan before you came on the show?
GDL: Yes, I was actually, and again, I watched it a lot when I was a kid, I was getting into the new series when I got called up for an audition so I was thrilled.

AE: There has been a lot of crossover between the two shows. Do you think Ianto will ever appear on Doctor Who?
GDL: I can’t say anything like that.

AE: Oh, okay! I think I’m asking you some of the wrong questions. Moving on . . . . you were recently chosen the fifteenth sexiest man in Wales.
GDL: Yeah, I read that in the local paper and I thought that was quite flattering.

AE: What do you need to do to break the Top 10?
GDL: Probably an episode of Doctor Who.

Next page! John Barrowman's dirty pranks!