Friday 14 May 2021

Torchwood: Absent Friends cancelled by Big Finish

 













It's not often I order releases from the Torchwood range of Doctor Who universe related stories but opted to do so with Absent Friends as it featured both David Tennant and John Barrowman so promised to be more interesting than the rest of the range. However this morning I received an e-mail from Big Finish to say the release had been cancelled and I needed to apply for a refund for my pre-order.

No explanation was given though the recent reports in the media about John Barrowman's behaviour were obviously the cause. The Radio Times says:

Doctor Who audio producers Big Finish have announced they will not be moving forward with the release of the story Torchwood: Absent Friends.

Originally set for release this month, the story would have reunited John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness with David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor.

In a statement, Big Finish said: “Big Finish has taken the decision to remove Torchwood: Absent Friends from the Monthly Range release schedule and has no plans to publish this title at this time.”

The news comes following allegations of Barrowman having exposed himself on the Doctor Who set during his time on the BBC sci-fi series – though Big Finish did not directly state that this was the reason for the removal.

Barrowman's behaviour was inappropriate and in most workplaces woud have led to an immediate dismissal. As it was the BBC have seemingly given him a warning and the actor has issued an apology.

This case came to light after multiple and much more serious allegations about Noel Clarke another Doctor Who star. Clarke appeared in a whole tranche of episodes which puts the possibility of there being repeated in question which is a shame for fans and the other actors. I do not know at the time of writing whether Clarke will be prosecuted.

Whether John Barrowman's exclusion will be permanent given the less serious but not excusable nature of his actions remain to be seen. 

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