Starz have released a full-length trailer for Torchwood: Miracle Day, their co-production with BBC Wales and BBC Worldwide. The ten-part series reunites John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Kai Owen from the original British show, joined by newcomers Mekhi Phifer (ER), Bill Pullman (Independence Day), Alexa Havins (All My Children) and Arlene Tur (Eat Pray Love.) Guest stars include Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Wayne Knight (Seinfeld), C. Thomas Howell (ET), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) and John De Lancie (Star Trek.)
What do you make of this trailer? Is certainly looks bigger and bolder than anything creator Russell T. Davies could have achieved on a BBC budget, but it also looks worryingly devoid of its unique personality. The last sci-fi drama that tackled a global high-concept event like this was FlashForward, and look how that turned out. Of course, Miracle Day has the benefit of beloved ready-made characters and a self-contained story to tell, so I'm hopeful this trailer's "wham-bang" aesthetic is just a concession to the American market.
Maybe the BBC will pull their finger out and release a more persuasive, intelligent trailer soon. Or is Torchwood: Miracle Day going to be nothing more than an Americanized 24-esque romp, with everyone under the misapprehension Eve Myles doesn't look ridiculous brandishing a bazooka?
Torchwood Miracle Day premieres 8 July on Starz. The BBC have not yet announced their schedule.
