We live in a world where TV cancellation is rarely the end for fan-favorite shows — though Doctor Who’s most famous spinoff is getting a new lease on life in an old-school way.

Most canned shows with a fervent fan base eventually resurface as comic books, which is a medium that’s a whole lot cheaper to work in than television. Another option, albeit one you don’t hear about too much these days? Radio plays.

Former Torchwood star John Barrowman revealed that the BBC is working on a handful of new radio plays set in the Torchwood world, and he’s expected to return (assuming they can work out the schedule with Arrow). Torchwood is a more adult-themed spinoff from Doctor Who, and most recently sputtered out with the so-so miniseries Miracle Day.

Here are Barrowman’s comments from a recent press tour, via The Post-Gazette:

“I do know that we're doing three or four radio plays for the BBC for Torchwood. My sister and I are discussing the possibility of writing one of them and whether or not that leads to something [on TV] ... But I'm full-time with Arrow now. It's not a question of me not wanting to do it, it's a question of the BBC wanting to do it or others wanting to do Torchwood. I know the fans are out there so I think they'd be silly not to.”

Though Miracle Day wasn’t pretty, the Torchwood brand is still a beloved sci-fi property. The first two seasons were solid, and the season-three miniseries Children of Earth was an absolute masterpiece. The radio plays concept at least shows the BBC is interested in exploring a continuation, and if it proves to be a major hit, it sounds like a new TV season could at least be a possibility.

It’s nice to see the BBC keeping the radio plays alive and well, and here’s hoping Torchwood is a worthy addition to stand beside the extremely fun Doctor Who radio plays from recent years.

Would you want to see more Torchwood, even if it's only as a radio play?

(Via Post-Gazette)