Torchwood star reveals what "gory" episode of the Eve Myles-led show "had to be toned down"

Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd said that the Doctor Who spinoff originally pitched a different, much gorier version of a popular episode that had to be "toned down".

As Russell T Davies' show readies for its 20th anniversary, David-Lloyd, who played fan-favourite character Ianto Jones, weighed in on the Welsh cannibals episode, 'Countrycide', first aired in November 2006.

Written by future Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall, the episode centres on a group of Welsh villagers harvesting and butchering travellers every decade. The team led by Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) investigates as Ianto comes dangerously close to being cut open for the next harvest.

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"The original script was a lot more gory than what we did," David-Lloyd recalled in an interview with Radio Times.

"Ianto was supposed to be trussed up upside down, and the other kid next to him was supposed to have his throat cut like an animal – it was really quite gory, and it was toned down."

The actor said he "really enjoyed" as a fan of horror, adding that, even in its somewhat watered-down final version, the episode "was still definitely pushing the boundaries".

"But I did wonder how much they could get away with," he added.

He continued: "I just loved the fact that it was the first episode where there are no monsters, there are no aliens. It's just Welsh valley people who are cannibals!

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"It was so unexpected, and the script walked the line between comedy and horror so brilliantly. I remember reading the episodes with Eve Myles [who played Gwen Cooper], and we both burst out laughing reading: 'Torchwood. What's that then? A band?'

"It was this sheer horror, and then all of a sudden, just a little one-liner that would remind you that it was all okay."

Under showrunners Davies and Chibnall, Torchwood ran for four seasons aired between 2006 and 2011.

Torchwood is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).