James Marsters ita-fan-english

Marsters, who has appeared at a number of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel conventions, says he expects The Rift to have its own identity. “Buffy conventions have their own flavor. Back when I was young and [an attendee at] conventions for Star Trek, they had their own character. I suspect that a Torchwood event will have its own character. I suspect it’s going to be pretty cool, pretty intelligent and pretty randy.

“Frankly, we have three of the best writers from Torchwood and I think that the writers usually come up with the nastiest jokes during conventions and the most truthful comments. The fans get to learn more of what’s really going on behind the scenes.”

Some of the guests will be new to the convention scene, but Marsters says he doesn’t foresee having to act as a guide. “No, they’re Welsh!” he laughs. “They know what’s up. I think Eve’s going to take to it like a duck to water. Gareth has a very dry sense of humour…He’s going to do very well.”

This will be Marsters’ first convention appearance since the airing of his first Torchwood episode, which saw him in a passionate smooch with John Barrowman’s Captain Jack. Is he looking forward to the Q & As? “Hell, yeah!” he exclaims. “I can’t wait!”

Event organiser Steve Himber, who is producing The Rift with JM Live, says all the guests are really looking forward to it. “Eve Myles has been talking it up quite a bit, I understand, and James Moran is just downright giddy on his blog about the whole thing and being part of it. They’ve all been really supportive. I think they’ve been looking for something like this, to satisfy the hunger of the fandom.”