JOHN BARROWMAN AND JAMES MARSTERS ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF BBC AMERICA'S HIT SCI-FI SERIES, TORCHWOOD

BBC America's top-rated series, Torchwood, returns for a highly-anticipated second season, with Captain Jack Harkness' (John Barrowman) team joined by guest star James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville) as charismatic-but-psychopathic Captain John Hart. "He is what Jack used to be," James explains. "Though I have a feeling that Jack was even meaner and nastier, if that's possible. I think it's my job to make that old life seem as seductive as I can, so it's a question of which path Jack will choose. He's just come back, and his team are mad at him. So is he going to be a responsible leader, or is he going to screw it up?" It's apparent these two Time Agents have history when they come face-to-face in a violent encounter with a snog that can now be watched at TVGuide.com.

Torchwood, second season premieres Saturday, January 26, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The high-octane first five episodes, premiering in the U.S. only days after the UK, begins with the return of Captain Jack as Torchwood reunite to fight rogue Time Agent Captain John Hart. The team faces alien sleeper cells that threaten the whole planet, Toshiko falls for a handsome soldier trapped out of his time, Gwen's boyfriend Rhys discovers the truth about Torchwood, and a memory thief infiltrates Torchwood and uncovers long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.

John Barrowman reveals, "In the first episode, Jack asks Ianto out on a date, so you'll just have to wait and see where that goes."

The second season is bigger, sexier and deadlier when Torchwood finds romance while flirting with dare-devil action, temptation, heartache and a life changing event. They will journey to the 51st Century and World War I, save a stranded creature from horrific abuse, and come face-to-face with an entity that may well be Death itself.

Doctor Who's Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) teams up with Torchwood for three episodes, plus guest appearances by Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The OC), Richard Briers (Hamlet, Monarch of the Glen), Ruth Jones (Saxondale, Gavin & Stacey) and Nerys Hughes (The Liver Birds, District Nurse).

BBCAmerica.com launches a new Torchwood site on January 11 with an exclusive premiere clip, behind-the-scenes with James Marsters photo gallery and a "Which Torchwood Member Are You?" quiz.

Before the second season premieres, fans can take Torchwood home with the release of Torchwood: The Complete First Season, on sale January 22. The 7-disc DVD set includes over 6 hours of bonus features including outtakes and cast interviews.

BBC America's new Supernatural Saturday line-up kicks off with back-to-back episodes of Doctor Who, season three, on Saturday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 PT, followed by the U.S. premiere of Torchwood, season two.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring razor-sharp comedies, provocative dramas, life-changing makeovers and news with a uniquely global perspective. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV.

For more information about BBC AMERICA visit www.bbcamerica.com.

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode One

Captain Jack returns, as the Torchwood team reunite to fight a rogue Time Agent. The mysterious Captain John Hart is determined to wreak havoc, and needs to find something hidden on Earth. But with Gwen's life in danger, and cluster bombs scattered across the city, whose side is Jack on?

Episode Two

When a burglary turns into a slaughter, Torchwood suspect alien involvement. Who is Beth, and can she be as innocent as she seems? But when the investigation escalates into a city-wide assault, Jack realizes that the whole planet is in danger.

Episode Three

Toshiko falls for a handsome soldier, trapped out of his time, who unwittingly holds the key to saving the world. When an old hospital haunted by ghosts from 1918, a crisis foreseen by Torchwood 90 years ago is about to reach its climax. Time zones are colliding and with life and death decisions to be made, will Torchwood be able to stop an explosive end for Cardiff?

Episode Four

Rhys discovers the truth about Torchwood and becomes part of the team as they investigate a mysterious alien meat supply. With Rhys in increasing danger Gwen is under pressure like never before. Will Rhys go too far? Will Jack ask too much of him? And can Torchwood save the alien from being used as cheap meat?

Episode Five

An alien with the power to change memories infiltrates Torchwood - can the team save themselves before it's too late? With Captain Jack caught up in memories of his lost family, and Gwen struggling to remember Rhys, it takes Jack's love of Ianto to reveal the truth. But there's always a price to pay.