On the Set of "Torchwood: Miracle Day" With Eve Myles, Kai Owen and Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen

The Torchwood universe sees a lot of changes in its new season, Miracle Day, which premieres on Starz July 8. For veteran cast members, it’s the first time that the series has filmed in Hollywood, half a world away from its original Cardiff setting. And with a new location comes new American cast members joining the show -- and new expectations from viewers.

During production, AfterElton had the opportunity to visit the famed Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif., where returning stars Eve Myles (who plays the Torchwood Institute’s Gwen Cooper) and Kai Owen (Gwen’s adoring husband Rhys) talked about the delightful culture shock of coming to sunny L.A., while newbie Bill Pullman (cast as infamous murderer and child-molester Oswald Danes) discussed becoming a part of this worldwide hit.

Eve Myles

AfterElton: Is this your first time working in the States?
Eve Myles: No, my second time. I worked in Washington, D.C., I was with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Kennedy Center. It’s been amazing.

AE: So John Barrowman says that if there’s ever a musical episode of Torchwood, you’ll have to be dubbed. Is this true?
EM: I would be the best shade-thrower in the back. Yes, I’m afraid it is true. I tend to sing after a few glasses of wine, and I think I sound like Barbra Streisand, but actually I sound like Bob Hope. I’m dreadful. But you can’t beat a tryer.

AE: The history of the show has been, in a lot of ways, the history of you and Gwen. The show began through your character’s eyes, and as the show itself has become a global phenomenon, so have you. What’s the ride been like?
EM: Well, first of all, thank you very much – I think that’s very generous of you. But god, it’s been incredible, and it still is. I’ve had my family over here to do the show this year, and I have a 17-month-old child, and my dog, and my partner [Bradley Freegard], and we’ve all had to come over together, and it’s strange, because I feel like it’s just about to begin. It’s been a huge journey in the UK, you know, we’ve worked really hard to get the show to Hollywood, we’ve worked our asses off. We’ve had the gift and the payoff to take it to the hub of the industry that we’re in, and we’re making it the best that Torchwood could possibly be. We’re on a very exciting journey.

AE: And starting from BBC Three and moving up to BBC Two and then BBC One, when you get started, did you ever imagine it would be such a smash?
EM: It’s ridiculous. BBC Three, I mean, I couldn’t have been more excited. And then when we realized it was a smash hit, we moved to BBC Two, and my god, that was incredible. And then to have [Children of Earth] on BBC One was just superb. Then when the Hollywood thing came about? It got absurd. I’m still pinching myself. Literally. It’s only gonna sink in when I go back and I start working on another show, that’s when I’m going to realize, “I’ve been filming for seven months in Hollywood! That was amazing!” What a treat, what a dream come true.

AE: For some who have conjectured about how this saga might end, they’ve entertained the possibility that it could be you standing there with Jack. Is that something you think about?
EM: No, I just pray that every script that comes in, I don’t get [strangled noise]. [laughs] You know, I think whatever happens, happens.

AE: Coming off such a dark story, as we roll into Miracle Day, what’s happening with Gwen?
EM: We find Gwen absolutely bored out of her mind but constantly on alert, constantly looking over her shoulder. She will remain on alert for the rest of her life. She’s exhausted. You find her living, literally, on the edge of a cliff somewhere in the UK, overlooking the most fabulous beach.

They’re self-sufficient – they grow their own food, and they live in this cottage. And for Rhys, it’s wonderful; for Gwen, it’s hell.

AE: Having been involved with this from the beginning, and moving from shooting in Wales to working in L.A. with, I imagine a lot of new crew members, has the transition been comfortable? Do you feel like you’re starting something new?
EM: It has felt like starting something new, but with an old friend. It’s felt like coming to a new place with an old friend – Gwen – and thank god it feels new, because it still excites me to play the part. It still excites me to do the series. And every year it keeps getting bigger and better and better.

I think with any actor, as soon as you start getting into the third or fourth [season] of something, you start to get somewhat stale about what you’re playing and the kind of story you’re telling; that’s impossible with Torchwood. Every day when I come into work, I feel challenged by Gwen. Physically, I’m challenged by her, mentally – morally, I’m challenged by her. So yeah, there’s a change, there’s got to be. Because as soon as there stops being a change, I’ll stop playing Gwen Cooper.

AE: And I understand that even Russell’s no longer involved with Doctor Who, there’s still an acknowledgment of that universe in the series.
EM: Oh, absolutely. That was the mothership that borned Torchwood; we were the baby of that, but we’ve become very much our own entity. But oh, yes! We’ve got Doctor Who to thank for almost everything.

AE: And as far as the adjustment of bringing your family to the U.S., what’s that been like? Has there been a culture shock?
EM: Ooh – I have to say, moving my family over here was probably the most stressful time of my life outside of spending 73 hours in labor. It was hard going, but as soon as we were here, and I had the pleasure of coming to Warner Bros. for the first read-through, I mean, working every day, it’s been the best year of my life. It’s been incredible. California is the land of dreams. It’s beautiful, the people are great, the weather is fantastic, the facilities for our industry are just mind-blowing.

It’s why you become an actor, to work in these kinds of studios, with all this history. And my family has just melted into it, they love it. My little girl is just thriving here. We love it; we’d love to make it a permanent fixture. If there’s a second season here, we’re packed bag and parcel, and we’re here, full stop. You know, Friday night, we’re watching Camelot, just having a family evening at home, and a teaser comes up for Torchwood. It was only six seconds and we all – my daughter’s only 17 months, but I’m sure she did too – we all held our breath, and then we all started crying, with joy. There I was, watching the television in California, and there was my program, you know? I’ve never been so proud in all my life. So I’m here, and I’m proud, because we’ve got a great story to tell.