Summary
Despite the character Ianto Jones giving his life inTorchwood’s “Children of Earth"storyline in 2009, Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto) is still open to returning toDoctor Who’s main series. Making his debut in theDoctor Whospinoffseason 1 in 2006, Ianto was a Cardiff-based Torchwood Three team member and began as the by-the-book, no-nonsense member of the group who would open up about his past and feelings towards leader Jack Harkness. Ianto also appeared in theDoctor Whoseason 4 finale “The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End” to help defend Earth from the Daleks.
Fifteen years after Ianto gave his life to attempt to save the world inTorchwood: Children of Earth - Day Four, David-Lloyd opened up toRadioTimes.comabout whether he would consider returning to theDoctor Whoworld. While Ianto has remained dead for fifteen years,David-Lloyd is eager to return on screenshould there be some reason to resurrect the character, highlighting his involvement in the series as one that remains special to him. Check out David-Lloyd’s explanation below:
“I’d jump at the chance to go back to Torchwood. Don’t know how that would work, but it’s sci-fi so anything could happen! I think I’d owe Torchwood that, to go back to it. It’s changed my life, it’s a gift that still keeps giving today. I’m still writing stuff for it, it’s still very much part of my life and I owe it a lot so yeah, I’d definitely go back.”
Why Ianto Jones Is One Of Whoniverse’s Most Impactful Figures
Initial Reactions To Ianto’s Death Included Scrutiny TowardsDoctor Who’s Creative Team.
While some viewers may still bear grudges, critiques have become less heated and instead turned to celebrations of the character, with a shrine dedicated to Ianto atTorchwood’s Mermaid Bay filming location being maintained to this day.
Ianto’s impact onDoctor Who’sfandom duringTorchwood’s run cannot be underestimated. Not only was Ianto a firm fan favorite in the early season with his quick wit, exploration of bisexuality, and budding romance with Jack, but his loss left an incredible impact on how sudden and swift it was, making the character’s fate tragic due to him being killed as he and his love were finding themselves. As such,Ianto’sdeath remains one ofDoctor Who’smost heartbreaking moments.
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Torchwood: Children of Earth may not star the Doctor, but with new aliens, a global crisis and shocking twist, it’s the best modern Doctor Who story.
While initial reactions were incredibly volatile at first and critical of the decision to kill a major queer character, the discourse has settled for the most part as the outcry and vitriol directed towards Russell T Davies and otherDoctor Whocrew members has simmered down. While some viewers may still bear grudges, critiques have become less heated and instead turned to celebrations of the character, witha shrine dedicated to Ianto atTorchwood’s Mermaid Bay filming locationbeing maintained to this day. Few fictional characters have made such an impact, leaving Ianto as a surprisingDoctor Whoicon.
David-Lloyd has kept Ianto alive for many years since his last on-screen appearance in theDoctor Whouniverse through audio dramas in Big Finish’sTorchwoodrange. As such, with Davies hoping to work alongside David-Lloyd’sTorchwoodco-star Eve Myles in the near future, there is hope that the invite could be extended to David-Lloyd given his recent comments. While the showrunner has never backed down from his decision to killed Ianto,Doctor Who’s timey-wimey mechanics could open up the universe for a brief Ianto return.
Doctor Who
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Doctor Who: Released on August 21, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
