Steven Moffat
Writer Steven Moffat poses with his Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special award for the PBS/BBC miniseries "Sherlock" at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California August 25, 2014. Reuters/Mike Blake

“Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat appears to be angry with John Barrowman for claiming he was the reason “Torchwood” wasn’t renewed. The TV writer/producer has been receiving hate mail after the “Arrow” star hinted about Moffat’s alleged influence.

Last month, Barrowman said at the Honolulu Comic-Con that he was working on bringing “Torchwood” back, but “certain people involved with Doctor Who” have been holding back the show’s return.

“I don’t understand why one show has to have the approval of another in order to come back. But that might change when somebody leaves,” he said, emphasising on the last word.

It was previously announced that Moffat would step down from his show-running duties on “Doctor Who” for Chris Chibnall after season 10 airs in 2017. It’s why fans have assumed Barrowman was referring to Moffat.

However, Moffat has adamantly denied that he was the reason “Torchwood” is being held up. In a passionately worded statement sent to Doctor Who News, he said he didn’t even know the show was in talks of being revived.

“You may be aware that John Barrowman has been saying, publicly, that I’ve been blocking a new series of ‘Torchwood.’ To be very clear – I haven’t blocked it; I wouldn’t block it; I wouldn’t even be ABLE to block it. I didn’t even know a revival had been mooted till I read about it on the Internet,” Moffat said.

“As John perfectly well knows, it’s not my show and I could no more prevent it happening that he could cancel Sherlock. I am bewildered, and a little cross, even to be included in this conversation. For the record, I really liked the show (especially the third series) and would be very happy to see more – monsters and mayhem, why not? But the fact is it has nothing to do with me. Please pass this on to the anxious and angry – I’ve had enough hate mail now.”

“Torchwood” was created by former “Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T Davies in 2006 as a spin-off of the long-running sci-fi program. It starred Barrowman as the immortal Captain Jack Harkness, who first appeared in the “Doctor Who” episode “The Empty Child.” It only lasted four seasons after viewers ratings continued to decline.

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