Torchwood @ Big Finish: Starter Guide

In 2015, Big Finish began producing full cast audio dramas for Torchwood. Beginning with the monthly range (or main range depending on who you talk to!), before expanding into other ranges. Whether you are new to Torchwood, or a fan of the TV series wanting to explore the plethora of audios Big Finish have made, this is the guide for you!

Monthly Range

The Monthly/Main range consists of almost 100 releases at the time of writing. Each episode focuses on one, or two members of Torchwood, at various points in its timeline. There are a plethora of Big Finish original characters who originate from this range, or other ranges and have been brought into the main range. 

This is a great place to start with Big Finish Torchwood, for a variety of reasons. You could start with a character, or duo, that you are particularly fond of from the TV run. Alternatively, you could try out an audio original character or pairing, such as Roberta Craven or Norton Folgate. Due to licensing issues surrounding Miracle Day, none of the characters introduced in this series are allowed to be in any audios. 

The stories in the Monthly Range vary, from stories set during S1, S2 and inbetween series of TV Torchwood. There are a variety of stories set between (S4) Miracle Day and (S5) Aliens Among Us, showing how Gwen rebuilt Torchwood. There are also stories featuring characters from the Whoniverse, such as Ace, Jo Grant and a trio of characters from The Satan Pit.

The first 12 stories in the Monthly Range form a loose arc, which is concluded in The Torchwood Archive, a special release which is covered later in this guide. It is also brought up in Series 6 of Torchwood (God Among Us).

If you would like specific recommendations on which monthlies to hear tailored to you, feel free to ask on this thread in the TARDIS Guide Forum!

Torchwood: The Story Continues

The Story Continues essentially just does what it says on the tin, really. It doesn’t necessarily continue the narrative we were left with for Miracle Day, but is set several years after those events and is barely referenced. Instead, we’re treated with a new cast of characters as well as Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper, with Mr Colchester (an ex-civil servant), Tyler Steele (a disgraced journalist) and Orr (a sexual psychomorph).

For the first series, Aliens Among Us, we meet the Sorvix: an alien species who play a major part in the series itself. There are a lot of triggering themes throughout, mainly heavy racism, so please listen with caution if you find such topics distressing.

Following onto the second series, God Among Us, we carry on some of the themes of the last series. Jacqueline King, actress of Sylvia Noble herself, stars in this as the titular God. And, as introduced in the latter half of the previous series, we now have Yvonne Hartman (listen and find out how!) leading our team after some particularly groundbreaking truths emerge. There’s a lot of stakes and emotional drama in this series, which gives a lot of these new characters even more depth and causes more devastating consequences.

Now, we move onto what is the most recent series of this range, Torchwood Among Us, which centres around a mostly scattered Torchwood group as a sinister artificial threat begins to take form. It’s less a series woven with a particular storyline, but rather just a set of somewhat (rather oddly) unconnected stories. In it, we’re treated to the likes of a Bilis Manger reappearance though!

While this range doesn’t necessarily have any prerequisites, there are a variety of stories which would enhance your enjoyment. Going into Aliens Among Us, there are a few stories set post-Miracle Day with Gwen rebuilding Torchwood, as follows: More Than This, Made You Look, We Always Get Out Alive, Night of the Fendahl, Smashed.

Following on from this, a general knowledge of The Committee arc from the monthly range/Torchwood Archive would enhance your enjoyment of God Among Us. As would Ghost Mission and Goodbye Piccadilly. Once again, these are not required listening, but they would enhance your enjoyment/better your understanding of certain developments.

Torchwood One

Torchwood One builds upon the history of the organisation we met in Army of Ghosts/Doomsday, with Yvonne Hartman leading this particular branch. As mentioned in the televised episodes of Torchwood, Ianto Jones was a part of this branch and as such, is present in these audios. Alongside them is Tommy Pierce, a Big Finish original character who works alongside them creating our core characters for this range.

As well as the core trio, we’re treated to a whole other array of characters as well. It really does flesh out the whole concept of Torchwood One itself, and makes it feel more realistic in some ways. There’s also, of course, the tragedy that comes with it as well, in the way that we as the audience know the fate of this Torchwood branch, making the events of the Series 2 finale feel all the more heartbreaking.

While not exactly mandatory, there is one audio from the Monthly Range, One Rule, which acts as a sort of precursor to the Torchwood One content with Yvonne. None of the series has any particularly required stories, barring the obvious. If you really wanted to, you could start your journey into the Torchwood audios here with two recognisable faces, one brand new core team member and a very solid set of recurring secondary characters.

As a whole, the series does tend to jump around a lot in terms of where it takes place in the timeline, with even sets as a whole not remaining consistent. While this might sound a little daunting to think about, it still obviously makes narrative sense when you listen in order of release.

Torchwood Soho

Soho introduces us to a brand new era of Torchwood, the 1950’s! Norton Folgate, a Big Finish original character introduced in the Monthly Range, is the lead character of this spin-off, alongside Andy Davidson from TV Torchwood. Also featuring, are Lizbeth Hayhoe and Gideon Lyme, both Big Finish original characters who are just wonderful.

This series features a unique format for Torchwood; each set consisting of 6 x 30 minute episodes, in a format attempting to emulate that of Quatermass. Each series tends to be one big overarching story, while still having bottle episodes and developments between the main cast members.

As mentioned, Norton is introduced in the Monthly Range, specifically Ghost Mission. This story, alongside Goodbye Piccadilly (also in the Monthly Range) are highly recommended listening before delving into Soho. These stories introduce you to Norton, get you reacquainted with Andy Davidson, and set the tone for Soho.

Special Releases

There are numerous special releases from Big Finish, set across various points in the Torchwood timeline. Generally, these can be listened to whenever, however there are a few recommended prerequisites for some as listed below

Outbreak is a boxset set between Series 2 and 3 of TV Torchwood, with Jack, Ianto and Gwen. The main plotline of this 3 part story is a pandemic, with this story predating COVID-19. Before listening to this story, it is strongly recommended to have heard Ghost Mission from the Monthly Range.

Believe is a boxset set during Series 2 of TV Torchwood, and the only release to feature every member of the TV team together. This story, consisting of three parts, sees the team taking on an enemy which believes that mankind is about to evolve and reach out into the stars. As always with Torchwood, things are not quite as they seem. This story does not have any prerequisites, and can be enjoyed at any point in your Torchwood audio journey.

The Torchwood Archive was a story celebrating 10 years of Torchwood. It features a variety of characters from both TV and Big Finish Torchwood. This can be listened to without having heard any prior audios, however having heard some of the Committee arc stories, and The Story Continues, will be beneficial and enhance your enjoyment of the story.

The Sins of Captain John was a series with Captain John Hart as the central character, and can be enjoyed without having heard any previous audio stories. Being an anthology, this is a great set to get a feel of the variety of stories Big Finish can cover in the audio medium. From Zombies in London, to gatecrashing a funeral, there’s lots of chaos to be found in this set! Also, a cameo by none other than Captain Jack!