Exclusive Interview: Kai Owen Talks Torchwood’s Future And Much More!
On the 20th July, thousands of sci-fi fans and several special celebrity guests invaded Manchester for this year's MCM Comic Con!
As massive geeks ourselves, we couldn't resist going down and it really was a great day. Whilst we were there, we got chatting to the lovely Kai Owen who you may remember played Rhys Williams in Torchwood.Torchwood was one of our all time favourite TV shows and if we could bring back any programme, that'd definitely be it. If you're reading this Russell T Davies, please commission another series.
Kai was at the convention to meet and greet fans. We caught up with him to see what he's been up to since Torchwood and find out how he'd continue the story if he was the main man in charge.
Have you enjoyed your weekend at MCM Comic Con?
“Yeah, it’s been superb! It’s always good fun seeing the amount of people that turn up and the effort that they put into making their costumes, and their commitment to their shows and people that they like. It constantly overwhelms me; it’s brilliant.”
How does it feel having fans approach you even though Torchwood hasn’t been on in years?
“I know, it’s crazy, isn't it? I still can’t quite believe it; I’m always amazed that people turn up and say hello and come up and get signatures or photos and stuff. There’s still an audience out there for Torchwood and they love it. And the Torchwood fans are the best in the world, they’re so loyal and supportive and I’m very grateful to them. Everyone that comes up and says hello, it’s amazing.”
And it’s all over the world, isn’t it?
“All over the world mate, I’ve been to: Australia, America, Germany. Lots of places.”
Kai's definitely correct in saying that Torchwood has one of the most loyal fanbases in the universe. It's been more than three years since a new episode of Torchwood actually hit our screens but people are still constantly supporting and embracing the show all over the world today. Isn't that amazing?
Earlier this year, a new online 'Save Torchwood' campaign was created by fans. The petition has received over 7,000 signatures to date and while it may not work, it's worth a shot. We can't quite deal with the thought that Torchwood may never come back; especially as Miracle Day ended on such a cliffhanger.
Before looking into the future though, we asked Kai which his favourite Torchwood episode was to film. There was some incredible adventures over the years so it's no surprise that he found it quite a hard question.
Which was your favourite episode of Torchwood to film?
“To film? Oh crikey. Obviously season four was filmed in LA so most of that was brilliant because we were filming on the Warner Bros studios a lot in Los Angeles in the beautiful sunshine. The opening of season four I suppose, episode one of season four, on the beach in the car with the helicopter chase; that was outstanding. Lots of fun stuff in season one, season two, the wedding episode I suppose.”
The future of Torchwood is up in the air but if you could continue it, how would you?
Kai: “I would… ooh, good question this. You would think I would know this cause I get asked similar things. I’d bring Mekhi Phifer to Cardiff, plonk Mekhi in the centre of Cardiff and let the Weevils deal with him.”
Andrew-Lee Potts: "I forgot he was in it."
Kai: "Bring him over to Cardiff and give him a six month shoot in Cardiff, see how he deals with that."
For those of you wondering who Andrew-Lee Potts is, he was set next to us during the interview and used to play Connor Temple in ITV's hit sci-fi series Primeval. He couldn't help but join in our conversation about Mekhi Phifer; who was last seen playing a newly immortal Rex Matheson in Torchwood: Miracle Day.
Our next question for Kai was slightly less serious. In episode four of season two, Kai's character Rhys sang along to a short jingle on the radio for his company Harwoods. It was only very short but still managed to make most Torchwood fans laugh; we asked Kai if he could ever see it being released as a single.
Do you think we’ll ever see Rhys release 'Harwoods' as a full song?
"Yeah, I’m releasing an album and going on tour next year" Kai joked, "Has John Barrowman got an album out? You wouldn’t know, he needs to advertise it more. (laughs) I should be his support act, shouldn’t I?”
Do you still get chance to see John Barrowman, Eve Myles and everyone from Torchwood?
“Yeah, as much as I can. Me and Eve are very close, and we text often. And we always try and do as many conventions as we can together and have fun and a good catch-up. John, I’ve seen him over the years at conventions, I know he’s a very busy man. He’s a great man and he’s busy flying, he deserves all the success that comes his way.”
You’ve done a lot of theatre tours, how’ve you found those?
“ I’ve always done a lot of theatre. My first, sort of, job was in theatre and I’ve always gone back to it really. It’s a nice mix, I’ve done some: TV, some theatre. I’ve done a lot of theatre in the past 12 months so I’m ready for a bit of a break now from that.”
Just recently, Kai finished his run of Under Milk Wood. The production's opening night was at the Clwyd Theatr Cymru on the 6th February and its closing night followed on the 12th July at the Richmond Theatre.
Under Milk Wood received many fantastic reviews during its theatre run; earning five out of five stars from The Guardian and four out of five stars from The Times. We're sure Kai and everyone loved that.
How would you say performing on stage compares to being on screen?
“It’s just a different technique; also the money is so much better in TV. But yeahh, it's a different process, you get four weeks rehearsal. You're doing the same thing every night so having to keep it fresh and you know, on TV you’re doing different scenes on a different daily basis.”
And you’ve recently become a patron for Tenovus Cancer, can you tell us more about your involvement with them?
“I’ve only just become a patron, yeah. They’re Wales’ leading cancer charity so I’m very proud, I’m looking forward to continuing to work; maybe doing some runs, and half marathons for them to raise a bit of money and raise a bit of awareness. It's a phenomenal worthwhile charity based in Wales that bring cancer treatment to the community with mobile supports and mobile treatment centres. Any cancer charity I think is worth the support. And it’s based in Wales; so it’s important to me.”
Finally, what does the future hold for Kai Owen? Have you got any projects and conventions that you can tell us about?
“I’ve probably got a few conventions lined up, I can’t remember now. Where am I going? Yeahh, I’m going to a thing called Stars Of Time, a thing called Dimensions, I’m going to LA next year to do Gallifrey with Eve. And I’ve just finished a long tour of Under Milk Wood, seven months, and I’ve been away from home for such a long time. I think it’s only fair that I stay at home for a bit. I’ve got a few auditions coming up, as actors do, but I’m resting now and I really will be resting too.”
From fighting aliens to walking the stage every night, Kai has proven himself as a great actor many times. We can't wait to see what he does next and more details about Kai's career can be found here on his website.
You can read more about Tenovus and find out how to help the cancer charity here.
