Torchwood: Children of Earth

Children of Earth is the banner title of the third series of the British television science fiction television series Torchwood, broadcast for five episodes on BBC One from 6 to 10 July 2009. Directed by Euros Lyn, who had considerable experience on the revived Doctor Who (of which Torchwood is a spin-off), the series follows an organization known as Torchwood which defends the Earth against alien threats. Children of Earth's plot involves aliens demanding 10% of the Earth's children, as such, Torchwood is pitted against the British government when it attempts to accede to the present-day aliens' demands and conceal a related conspiracy from 40 years prior. The first, third, and fifth episodes of the serial were written by executive producer Russell T Davies, who also conceived its overall storyline. The third episode was co-written by James Moran whilst the second and fourth were penned by newcomer John Fay.

Children of Earth was shown on BBC One on consecutive weeknights in July 2009. Despite the move from BBC Three, the show was cut from a standard thirteen-episode run to just five, something that lead actor John Barrowman felt was almost like a "punishment" from the BBC. Production on the mini-series began in August 2008, with Barrowman along with actors Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Kai Owen all reprising their roles as Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper, Ianto Jones and Rhys Williams, respectively.

Upon premiere, the series defied expectations by achieving more than six million viewers during mid-summer evenings, a period which is generally considered a graveyard slot for drama. The series also received critical acclaim, particularly in comparison to the programme's previous two series, receiving a BAFTA Cymru Award, a Saturn Award and Celtic Media Festival Award, all for best serial. The success of the series led to a fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day, which was commissioned in conjunction with the US premium cable network Starz.