Torchwood

What It's About: An independent team of investigators uses scavenged alien technology to solve modern crime -- both human and alien. They're led by the former time-traveling con man Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and the passionate truth-hunting ex-cop Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles).

Origins: Torchwood was created by Russell T. Davies as a spin-off from his hit revival of the long-running British sci-fi institution Doctor Who. Jack and the Torchwood Institute both originated in Doctor Who, as did the character of Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori). (Originally founded by Queen Victoria to face alien threats to the British Empire, Torchwood was part of a season-long story arc in Doctor Who's second season.) Myles also played a role in another Doctor Who story, and it may be that the two characters are related. Torchwood is a BBC production and airs on BBC America after its British run is completed.

Popular Characters: Jack himself is sexy and charming, as he'll be the first to tell you; he was established as bisexual (and in fact sexually omnivorous) during his original five-episode run as a companion on Doctor Who, and his easygoing sexuality is carried through here. Attention has also been paid to Ianto (Gareth David Lloyd), whose role in the team is more complex than you'd expect the receptionist's would be. Season 2 in 2008 will feature Freema Agyeman (as Martha Jones, the Doctor Who companion in season 3).

Flavor: Torchwood is darker and more action-oriented than Doctor Who; British critics, observing its melding of alien investigation and kicking the monsters' butts, have tended to call it a cross between The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But Davies's attunement to the delicacy of personal relationships in crisis, honed to a sharp edge in the original British Queer as Folk and in Doctor Who, is central to Torchwood as well.

Network: Torchwood is shown on BBC America starting Saturday, Sept. 8.