THE DWM INTERVIEW

“You missed me, right?” 2020 saw the long-awaited return of Captain Jack Harkness to Doctor Who.JOHN BARROWMAN talks to EMILY COOKabout keeping secrets - and keeping his famous character alive.

JOHN BARROWMAJOHN BARROWMAN

John Barrowman returns as Captain Jack Harkness.

“‘When is Captain Jack coming back?’ That’s the first question I’m always asked at the many conventions I’ve done around the world,” says John Barrowman. John has inhabited the role of Captain Jack Harkness - a Time Agent from the 51st century - since 2005. Prior to Fugitive of the Judoon (2020), Jack’s last on-screen Doctor Who appearance was in 2010, in Part Two of The End of Time, while Jack’s last on-screen appearance, full stop, was the following year, in the final episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day.

But this is a character that can never die. “The fan base for Captain Jack Harkness has never stopped,” says John. “I’ve worked hard to keep Jack alive. That’s why I never say no to Big Finish [who produce Torchwood audio dramas]. That’s why my sister and I wrote a Torchwood novel and did the Torchwood comic books. I’ve never wanted to escape Jack because he’s just so good.

“This is why he’s so good: back in 2005 he was an omnisexual, LGBTQ hero, played by an openly gay man. It was groundbreaking. The fans have been waiting for his return for a long time. Of course, that decision is not up to me. But I’ve always said, if I’m asked I will be back at the drop of a hat.”

When the call finally came, John was “standing on the corner by the Old Vic Theatre in central London. I got a phone call from my manager saying, ‘Chris Chibnall needs to speak to you.’ I was like, ‘WHAT?’ Chris called and said, ‘We want to bring Jack back.’ I didn’t even ask about stories, plots, anything. I said, ‘Absolutely, yes!’ I called Russell T Davies to tell him and then I had to keep my mouth shut about it. For a year. FOR. A. YEAR!”