SEXY ALIEN ENCOUNTERS AND THE RETURN OF A FORMER TORCHWOOD MEMBER AS BBC AMERICA'S HIT SCI-FI SERIES CONTINUES

It's the highest rated series in BBC America's history but the premiere season of Torchwood is just heating up. The action-packed, adrenalin-fuelled new sci-fi series, from Russell T Davies (writer of Doctor Who, Queer as Folk), follows the adventures of a team of investigators who use alien technology to solve crime. Over 1.6 million people have watched the first episode and there are still seven more to come. Torchwood premieres on Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The team, led by the enigmatic, ever-watchful Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman, Doctor Who, De-Lovely), uses scavenged alien technology to solve present day crime - both alien and human. They're separate from the government, outside the police and beyond the United Nations. Torchwood sets its own rules, delving into the unknown and fighting the impossible.

While threats from the outside world loom, conflicts within the team may prove to be the most dangerous. Reserved computer tech, Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori), is seduced by a beautiful woman, Mary (Daniella Denby-Ashe), an alien in disguise who gives her a pendant enabling her to hear other people's thoughts. While at first it's a voyeuristic thrill, she's devastated by the discovery of a lustful relationship within the team and begins to question her commitment to Torchwood.

Before the season ends, the team responds to many alien threats � but it will also be haunted by the past. First it resurrects a former member of Torchwood to help solve a series of brutal murders, then two of the members are stranded in the year 1941 and, in the gripping finale, all team members face fragments of their pasts and terrifying visions of their futures. You can't change the past, but can Captain Jack and Torchwood secure the future?

The bold and passionate team is anchored by ex-cop Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), the newest recruit, whose inquisitive nature and innate ability to connect with people has made her a vital addition. She is joined by young hedonistic medic Owen Harper (Burn Gorman), and handsome yet mysterious receptionist Ianto Jones (Gareth David Lloyd.)

Part X-Files, part Angel, Torchwood is the team we'd all love to be part of, where excitement comes before morality and the rules are made as you go along�

The fans' commitment has made it BBC America's highest rated series, now they can get creatively involved with the Torchwood: The Complete First Season DVD release by voting for their favorite cover artwork. From October 15 through October 26, fans can go to a special voting page on BBCAmerica.com (www.bbcamerica.com/torchwooddvdvote) and vote for the cover they want to see on the box set that hits stores on January 22.

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode seven: Greeks Bearing Gifts

Toshiko is given an alien pendant which enables her to hear other people's thoughts. As the rest of the Torchwood team puzzle over a centuries-old skeleton, the pendant forces Toshiko to question her commitment to Torchwood: is her new-found ability a blessing or a curse?

Premieres Saturday, October 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode eight: They Keep Killing Suzie

Torchwood is linked to a series of brutal murders around the city. As Jack and the team investigate further, it becomes clear somebody wants their attention. What is Pilgrim? And how is it connected to a figure from Torchwood's past? The resurrection days are far from over.

Premieres Saturday, October 27 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode nine: Random Shoes

When Eugene (Paul Chequer, Sinchronicity) wakes to find himself (a) dead and (b) invisible to the rest of the world, he knows something has gone wrong. Eugene knows there is one person he can rely on to discover the truth behind his death: Gwen Cooper.

Premieres Saturday, November 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode ten: Out of Time

When a plane from 1953 makes an unexpected landing in present-day Cardiff, its three passengers are shocked to learn they can never go back to their own time. Torchwood helps them to settle into contemporary society, but this simple task has painful emotional consequences.

Premieres Saturday, November 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode eleven: Combat

Savage aliens are being kidnapped from the streets of Cardiff and Torchwood wants to know why. Owen is sent undercover to find out who is behind it and soon befriends the charismatic Mark Lynch (Alex Hassell). Beneath the veneer of normal city life, Owen discovers a shocking subculture. Can he avoid being sucked in?

Premieres Saturday, November 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode twelve: Captain Jack Harkness

While investigating reports of ghostly music, Jack and Toshiko find themselves stranded in a packed dance hall � in 1941. As Gwen, Owen and Ianto work to rescue their colleagues, Jack and Toshiko meet a handsome young American squadron leader by the name of� Captain Jack Harkness.

Premieres Saturday, November 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode thirteen: End of Days

The rift has been opened, and time is splintering all over the world. As events spiral out of control, the Torchwood team members are faced with fragments of their pasts � and terrifying visions of their futures. Can Captain Jack save the world?

Premieres Saturday, December 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring razor-sharp comedies, provocative dramas, life-changing makeovers and news with a uniquely global perspective. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV.

For more information about BBC AMERICA visit www.bbcamerica.com.