Gwen Cooper

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Gwen Cooper
Torchwood character
First appearance"Everything Changes" (2006)
Last appearanceMiracle Day: "The Blood Line" (2011)
Portrayed byEve Myles
Shared universe appearancesDoctor Who (2008)
In-universe information
AliasPC Cooper
AffiliationSouth Wales Police
Torchwood Institute
Home eraEarly 21st century

Gwen Cooper is a

Expanded Universe material such as the Torchwood novels and audiobooks, comic books and radio plays
.

Within the series narrative, Gwen is a

(2011), after Torchwood is destroyed to conceal a government conspiracy, a much hardened Gwen operates under her own mandate as the world undergoes crises linked with unprecedented alien threats.

Gwen is introduced as an

audience surrogate, in the mould of the "girl next door" archetype, much like the perennial "companion
" character in Doctor Who. However, as the series progressed, the production team chose to emphasise contradictory aspects to her character by having Gwen make ethically dubious decisions. As the show progresses, and even after becoming a mother, Gwen evolves into a more militant action heroine and finds herself willing to make tough decisions to protect those closest to her.

Reviewers have generally responded positively to the complexity of Gwen's character and Eve Myles' portrayal, though critics found fault with her more prosaic characterisation earlier on. Eve Myles' portrayal of Gwen has been cited as effective in both promoting the country of Wales and combating a perceived prejudice against the Welsh accent. Myles received a

Welsh BAFTA
for the first series of the show and was nominated for several other acting awards across each of Torchwood's four series'.

Appearances

Television

Gwen is introduced in the

Doctor" from his past.[6]

In 2008, as series two begins, Gwen has replaced Jack as team leader. When Jack returns to lead Torchwood, Gwen displays anger towards him for abandoning the team, and surprises him with the news she has become engaged.

Sontarans
' invasion of Earth with ATMOs devices, whilst Jack is imprisoned on their homeworld.

In Children of Earth, a five-part serial broadcast in 2009, Gwen is a more militant heroine shaped by the increased responsibilities and pressures of her job.

dénouement of the final part, Gwen is six months pregnant when she returns Jack's vortex manipulator to him. She insists he stay; he leaves her behind and abandons Earth.[19]

Fourth series

morphic field. As Geraint and other "Miracle Day" survivors pass away peacefully, Jack's immortality is restored. Gwen is shocked to discover at Esther's funeral that Rex is now immortal too.[27]

In the 2021 New Year's Special "

boxing gloves
during the recent invasion, revealing that she has had another child in the years that have passed since the end of Miracle Day.

Literature

Look, Rhys, will you stop a minute? Thanks. It's just ...' She paused, took a breath. 'It's just I've been thinking, love, and I've decided I'll be keeping my own name.

Gwen appears in all Torchwood novels published by BBC Books to date. The first wave, Another Life, Border Princes, and Slow Decay, set between the series one episodes of Torchwood, were published in January 2007.[29][30][31] These novels expand on the difficult period in Gwen and Rhys' relationship. In Border Princes she engages in an affair with the mysterious James Mayer, while Rhys is endangering himself for her in Slow Decay by taking an alien diet pill to impress her.[30][31] Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Gwen appears in the novels Trace Memory, The Twilight Streets, and Something in the Water.[32][33][34] Gwen's first day with Andy Davidson as her beat partner is portrayed in a flashback in Trace Memory.[32] In The Twilight Streets an alternate-future Torchwood is depicted; headed by Gwen and Rhys, after the demise of Tosh, Owen, Ianto and Jack.[33] Three more Torchwood books were released in October 2008: Pack Animals, SkyPoint, and Almost Perfect.[28][35][36] These novels maintain the series chronology: Pack Animals depicts Gwen attempting to plan for her wedding alongside her Torchwood mission.[35] SkyPoint, in which Gwen and Rhys discover an alien threat whilst flathunting, is set soon after their wedding in "Something Borrowed". Gwen's continued use of her maiden name is not specifically addressed in the TV show, but SkyPoint sees her consciously reject the name "Mrs Williams", after the unfamiliarity and awkwardness of hearing Jack address her this way.[28] The novel Almost Perfect is the first to be set after the episode Exit Wounds in which Tosh and Owen are killed; Gwen becomes concerned at Rhys' increasing role in her investigations.[36] The May 2009 wave of books consisted of Into the Silence, Bay of the Dead, and The House that Jack Built.[37][38][39] Later novels published in October 2009 include Risk Assessment, The Undertaker's Gift, and Consequences, all set between "Exit Wounds" and Children of Earth.[40][41][42] Gwen appears in three Torchwood: Miracle Day prequel novels released in Summer 2011. In First Born Gwen and Rhys encounter sinister forces in rural Wales whilst adjusting to parenthood and life in hiding.[43] Gwen appears briefly in flashback material in Long Time Dead and The Men Who Sold the World, novels which explore the aftermath of the destruction of Torchwood's headquarters and the technology left behind.[44][45] Written by John and Carole Barrowman and published in September 2012, the novel Exodus Code unites Gwen and Jack in a transatlantic mission following the events of Miracle Day.[46]

First published in January 2008, the monthly Torchwood Magazine included Torchwood comic strips in which Gwen appeared. Gareth David-Lloyd's comic, "Shrouded", includes a scene set after Children in Earth, which shows Gwen cradling her young child. As Gwen is busy, Rhys is required to team up with Captain John Hart to save the timeline.[47] During series two, the Torchwood website hosted an interactive online game written by series writer Phil Ford. Eve Myles makes a brief appearance as Gwen towards the end of the game, alongside Gareth David-Lloyd, when her character and Ianto shut down a broadcast from the fictitious Dark Talk studio.[48] Throughout both series one and two, the interactive websites co-written by James Goss featured electronic literature content (such as fictitious internet messaging conversations and letters) which depict aspects of Gwen and the other Torchwood characters' work and personal lives.[49] The Torchwood Archives by Gary Russell — an insider's look into Torchwood — collects much of this ancillary online literature in hardback form, along with new material, some of which expands on Gwen's background and life before Torchwood. Details are given of Gwen's university attendance, a previous boyfriend named Bruce, and her time with Andy in the police force. Photographs are provided of Gwen and Rhys, which were used as set dressing in the TV series, and fictitious in-universe documents such as Gwen's personnel form and her Torchwood case reports.[50] In a similar vein to The Torchwood Archives, from a real-world perspective, Gary Russell's The Torchwood Encyclopedia (2009) expands on "every fact and figure" for Gwen and the Torchwood world.[51]

Audio drama

Gwen appeared in four original

The Sin Eaters, narrated by Gareth David-Lloyd — were released in September.[52][53][54][55] Two additional original audiobooks set following the events of the second series—Ghost Train and Department X—were published in March 2011 and narrated by Kai Owen.[56][57] In Ghost Train Gwen is killed: as Jack is missing Rhys has to work alone to reverse his wife's fate.[56] Gwen's investigations after Miracle Day are depicted in 2012 audio books. In Army of One, released in March, written by Ian Edginton and narrated by Kai Owen, Gwen and Rhys are drawn into the investigation of an alien serial killer in Washington DC.[58] In Fallout, released April, written by David Llewellyn and read by Tom Price, Andy has an extraterrestrial investigation of his own in the UK and requires assistance from Gwen by telephone.[59] In May's release, Red Skies written by Joseph Lidster and narrated by John Telfer, Jack has a premonition that Gwen has been ostensibly shot in the chest.[60] However, in the following instalment, Mr Invincible, a brief appearance from Rhys and Gwen reveal that the characters have returned to Wales safely following their time in the United States.[61]

Joseph Lidster wrote a Torchwood radio drama, "

the doomsday scenario some warned it might cause, and the team's mourning of Toshiko and Owen's recent deaths.[62] Between 1 and 3 July 2009, Radio 4 aired three further audio dramas in the Afternoon Play time-slot, titled "Asylum", "Golden Age" and "The Dead Line", bridging the gap between Series 2 and 3.[63][64][65] "The Dead Line" depicts Gwen working together with Rhys to investigate a mysterious case; she identifies him as a member of Torchwood during the mission.[65] To tie in with the show's fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day, the BBC produced three more radio plays, airing between 11 and 13 July 2011. Titled "The Devil and Miss Carew", "Submission" and "House of the Dead", these plays fill narrative gaps between "Exit Wounds" and Miracle Day and feature the voices of Myles, Barrowman and David-Lloyd.[66][67][68]

Myles reprised the role of Gwen in a series of full cast audio dramas as part of an ongoing

Torchwood series from Big Finish Productions. The third release of the series, Forgotten Lives, co-stars Kai Owen as Rhys and re-introduces the characters four years after the events of Miracle Day.[69]

Casting and initial characterisation

Russell T Davies created Gwen specifically for Eve Myles.

Lead writer and

Oscar".[72] Part of the attraction of playing Gwen for Myles was that she had the opportunity to play an action hero with her own accent.[73] Speaking on the casting of Welsh actors on Torchwood, Davies commented that it was deliberately intended, to make the Welsh accent mainstream, "to make it as acceptable as Scottish or Irish".[74] In an analysis of Welsh mythology in Torchwood, Lynette Porter observes that Gwen's national consciousness forms part of her characterisation: her knowledge of local myths "highlights her Welsh heritage and common knowledge from her experience and formal education."[75] Discussing the international co-production behind series four, executive producer Julie Gardner commented that Myles' continued involvement helped ensure that the "flavour of Wales" remained evident.[76]

In the first series of Torchwood, Gwen functioned as an audience surrogate. Russell T Davies likened her character type to that of 2005–06 Doctor Who lead female

social worker" who can "run and fight and stand in her own corner and win".[82] Gaining insight into Torchwood through curiosity,[83] Gwen becomes part of Torchwood because they need her, just as she needs them.[84] Gwen's friendship with former colleague Andy is used by the production team to juxtapose her extraordinary life with a mundane one, as well as highlighting her transformation into a harder woman.[85] Andy is present immediately before Gwen first encounters Torchwood, and Myles feels his later appearances "takes you right back to the beginning, it reminds you where she came from, how Jack found Gwen". Myles observed that Gwen's many facets prevent her from getting bored; she feels constantly challenged "physically", "mentally" and "morally" through portraying the character.[86]

Eve Myles previously appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Unquiet Dead" as Gwyneth, a 19th-century clairvoyant. Gwyneth had a connection to the Cardiff Rift, which later became a central plot device in Torchwood. In response to questions about the similarity of the characters' names, Russell T Davies denied they were connected, stating they are "just two names beginning with "G"."[87] Subsequently however, Davies' 2008 Doctor Who episode "Journey's End" alluded to a familial relationship between the characters (with the Doctor specifically asking if Gwen was a family name and Gwen replying that it was), explaining their physical resemblance as the result of "spatial genetic multiplicity".[13] Eve Myles said of the two characters, "it was never on the cards as such, but something in the back of my head always said that they were going to be connected somehow."[88] Davies explained that the relationship between the characters is not literal, stating that "It's not familial as we understand it" instead characterising spatial genetic multiplicity as "an echo and repetition of physical traits across a Time Rift."[89]

Development

Morality

It was completely out of character for Gwen. But that's what good drama is all about. You don't want to spoon-feed a sci-fi audience. You want to challenge them. So none of these characters are safe.

— Actress Eve Myles, comments on Gwen's affair in series one.[90]

Despite being promoted as the show's heart and moral conscience, the flaws in Gwen's own morality are explored throughout the series; a press release noted that she is both selfless and selfish.

Retcon so he won't remember.[85]

Linnie Blake felt that Gwen's had a passive role in her own affair; as with her lesbian clinch with an alien and her forceable impregnation; she argues that the Gothic situations in Torchwood continually parallels in the "invasion" of her sexuality.

literary foil). Suzie's actions, and parallels with Gwen, help to illuminate some of Gwen's own ethically ambiguous decisions in the first series. Gwen must constantly fight against Suzie, and Suzie's example, "if she is to be proved worthy of working alongside Captain Jack".[95] According to Frankel Gwen's confrontation with Suzie mirrored her confrontation with her "inner self"; her literal journey into death gave her "the wisdom and duality of both worlds, life and death, mundane and magical" and allowed her to become stronger.[94]

Mary Magdalene, painted by Ary Scheffer, in a dramatic display of penitence. Gwen has been described as the Mary Magdalene to Jack's Jesus.[96]

Whilst Lynette Porter thought that Gwen became a "fallen woman" through her affair with Owen, she observed that this made Gwen's role in relation to Jack in "End of Days", analogous to that of Mary Magdalene to Jesus, reinforcing a prevalent biblical subtext. Gwen keeps a vigil at Jack's "Torchwood tomb" and like Magdalene is rewarded for her loyalty by being the first to lay eyes upon the risen saviour.[96] Valerie Frankel surmised that "Gwen's journey is one we all face [...] she discovers the dominant intuition within, and then embraces it within the darkest caves of her inner self".[94] David Cornelius stated that Gwen's Torchwood adventures take her to the brink, and additionally show "she's strong enough to pull herself back".[97] Stephen James Walker also felt that Gwen is still a redeemable character because she recognises her own moral failings, as seen in "Combat" where she sits alone sobbing over pizza, before picking herself up and trying to do better in the future.[85] On this track, Torchwood actor Kai Owen justified Gwen's treatment of Rhys in her darkest moments by arguing that Gwen's intentions always remained pure, no matter how badly she treated Rhys.[98]

Ahead of the fourth series, Russell T Davies acknowledged that the character of Gwen can be both loved and hated by the audience. He stated that as an actress Myles isn't preoccupied with her character being presented in a sympathetic light, being able "to take that extraordinary deep breath and not care".[99] io9's Charlie Jane Anders observed that the TV episode "The Categories of Life", written by Jane Espenson, exposed the character's "human vanity" by showing that she has "started to believe her own hype". In Anders' eyes, the character is responsible for her father's second heart attack because of her rash actions.[100] Anders felt that later episodes in the fourth series continued to illuminate flaws in Gwen's character, describing her as someone with an "addictive personality" who "treats her Torchwood adventures like a drug that she craves" though she knows they "ruin her relationships with her husband and child".[101]

Rhys and Jack

It would be a bridge too far — she wouldn't choose a job over (Rhys) in that circumstance... I'm glad that relationship is still intact. It's a show where you've got to contrast the ordinary everyday with the extraordinary.

— Executive Producer Julie Gardner, speaking in July 2008, explains why the production team chose not to kill off Rhys.[102]

Much of Gwen's characterisation centers on her developing relationship with her partner Rhys. Eve Myles describes the character as Gwen's "normality base".[14] The relationship is tested by Gwen's affair with colleague Owen Harper (Gorman), a betrayal which Myles believes to be "completely out of character" for Gwen,[90] explaining that the guilt experienced over her actions tears her to pieces.[103] The production team had originally planned for Rhys to die in the first series but he was given a reprieve. Producer Richard Stokes explains that Rhys' presence keeps Gwen from losing her "heart" and that without him "it simply becomes a sci-fi show about sci-fi people, running around and hunting aliens".[104] Julie Gardner adds that in the discussion, the writers had felt they could not have written Gwen as ever recovering from Rhys' loss, and so chose not to kill off the character.[102] In his analysis of Gwen, Daniel Rawcliffe opines that Rhys helps to keep her mental health intact, and argues that his presence prevents her from undergoing the same psychological deterioration as Suzie.[95]

Eve Myles pictured with onscreen partner Kai Owen in 2013. Myles stated that Owen's character Rhys made Gwen more of a "strong character".[72]

Despite her ongoing relationship with Rhys, the series explores possibilities of a romantic connection between Gwen and her boss Jack. In a 2007 interview, Eve Myles describes the relationship between Jack and Gwen as a "palpable love" and stated that "it's the real thing and they're going to make you wait for that."

AfterElton's Locksley Hall interprets Jack's attraction to Gwen as being influenced by "her warmth, her sense of justice, her very ordinariness and lack of glamour", whilst Myles states of Gwen's interest in Jack that "the most monogamous woman in the world would probably go for him".[72][80] Stephen James Walker quotes the firing range sequence in 2006 episode "Ghost Machine" as an example of romantic tension between the pair as well as the scene where Jack discovers Gwen engagement.[105] Gwen remains monogamous during the second series and "fights every day to be with [Rhys]" even though Jack remains "a huge temptation".[106] Her suspension between Jack and Rhys becomes a central theme; Valerie Frankel believes that Gwen is caught between "Rhys, the sweet, kind handsome prince, and Jack, the compelling trickster". She suggests that Jack is not mature enough to occupy the role of "steady prince" for Gwen.[94] John Barrowman feels that if Jack were to settle down with her "he'd have to commit completely"; this is why he does not act on his feelings, because though Gwen would let him flirt with other people, he could "never afford to do anything more".[107]

John Barrowman plays Gwen's boss, Jack Harkness, with whom she has a complicated relationship.

Stephen James Walker feels that Gwen's decision not to wipe Rhys' memory a second time in the episode "Meat" marks the end of any potential relationship between Gwen and Jack. As Davies felt it was essential that Rhys became enlightened to Gwen's true occupation, the episode "Meat" focused on Rhys discovering and coming to terms with Torchwood.[108] Richard Edwards of SFX magazine comments that this development allows their relationship to become the most convincing on the show and makes it clear why Gwen would want to marry him.[109] Ben Rawson-Jones of Digital Spy comments that overall, the relationship serves to create "a nice contrast with the fantastical elements of the show";[110] whilst Jason Hughes opines that their marriage is "handled in a painfully honest way" and serves as "a true definition of 'love' written with subtlety and perfection".[111] When asked about her character's complex relationship with both Jack and Rhys, Myles explains that Gwen wouldn't be as much of a "strong character" without her ordinary life with Rhys.[72] Davies felt that the relationship furthered the shows exploration of human sexuality stating that "open sexuality has to include everything" including "a husband/wife great big crime-fighting team ... happily in love".[112]

In 2009 Myles stated that to have Jack and Gwen act on their feelings would be "like feeding the baby when it's not hungry".[14] Reinforcing this view, Julie Gardner feels the love between Gwen and Jack to be self-evident and that it did not need to be spoken.[113] Lynette Porter argues that Gwen's apotheosis of Jack causes him to flee Earth, as hero is a role he cannot play because he feels responsible for the deaths of those he loved.[96] A press release ahead of the 2011 series stated that though Gwen retreats to a rural idyll with her family, she still retains feelings for Jack and misses the exciting life she once led alongside him.[91] Ahead of the fourth series Myles explains that Gwen and Jack's relationship is a "love-hate-love relationship", which she believes to be reminiscent of, concurrently, a sibling relationship, a husband and wife relationship and "the best friendship known to mankind". Myles feels that Gwen is not complete without Jack and that they are like "two missing parts of a jigsaw" and because the relationship works on so many different levels it cannot be labelled.[114] Episode seven of Miracle Day features a scene where Gwen states that she would have Jack killed to save her daughter. Writer Jane Espenson explains that the two characters' differing needs means that they inevitably "clash like steel blades".[115]

Action hero and mother

Original lead writer Chris Chibnall feels Gwen develops into a stronger character between series one and series two, becoming less "wide-eyed" over events happening around her.

Diesel and G-star which Holman describes as "sexy" and "practical". The overall effect is that Gwen's leathers "toughen her up a bit, but keep her stylish at the same time".[117] For fourth series Miracle Day, costume designer Shawna Trpcic declared her intention to take Eve Myles "out of the nunnery". Myles recalled vetoing a brassiere she was asked to wear because she felt it to be unnecessarily sexualised and impractical for action sequences. She added that she views Gwen as "a real woman" and "not about tits and arse".[118]

Children of Earth director Euros Lyn remarks that by the third series Gwen has grown so that "she now is on a par with Jack, in terms of having the knowledge and the experience to make decisions and to be a heroine".[14] Daniel Martin of The Guardian opines that her characterisation in the serial "shows just how far she's come",[119] whilst Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times feels that she is a "soulful leather-jacketed action heroine".[120] Myles states that Gwen becomes a harsher character, but she feels that, "if she wasn't, people would die".[82] David Cornelius observes that Gwen is no longer the kind-hearted outsider she was when she first joined Torchwood. By Children of Earth she has become "colder and much more aggressive".[97] Her horrific experiences turn her into "a biting cynic";[97] when both government and army betray the British people, Gwen claims to understand finally why the Doctor does not save humanity from world crises. She believes he "must look at this planet and turn away in shame".[19] A press release stated that Miracle Day had Gwen "make the most terrible decisions, on behalf of all mankind".[91] This is evident in "The Blood Line", where her character is shown to be willing to sacrifice the entire Torchwood team, in addition to her dying father, for the good of the world.[27] Commenting on Gwen's characterisation in this episode, Dan Martin notes that "Gwen sees transition into the Earth Mothering Tank Girl become complete, as she plays God and appears to love it."[121]

A promotional image of Gwen defending herself and her daughter in "The New World". The production team chose to feature this scene heavily in advertising the fourth series.

Press releases describe Gwen in light of contradictions between her heroic and conventionally feminine roles in the series; despite becoming a "tough, ruthless warrior, who loves the thrill of the fight" Gwen remains a "funny, salty, earthy woman who loves home and family".[91] Children of Earth sees Gwen become pregnant by husband Rhys;[15] a storyline which IGN writer Asham Haque thought provided "one of the few hope-giving threads" in the serial.[122] She gives birth to a baby girl, Anwen, between the third and fourth series.[91] Both Eve Myles and creator Russell T Davies have described this plot development as emblematic of a contradiction at the heart of Gwen's character. Myles, believing that motherhood gives Gwen a greater sense of responsibility, says it makes Gwen "even more human, and yet even more of a wonder woman".[81] Whilst talking about the show's fourth series, Davies suggested that it would be "irresistible" to use the image of "Gwen Cooper with baby in one arm and gun in the other" as promotion.[112] The production team have continued to emphasise this contradictory aspect to Gwen's character, which has proved popular with critics and viewers. For example, a promotional clip for Miracle Day features Gwen firing from her gun in one hand while protectively holding her baby in the other. Zap2it's Mikey O'Connell praised this as one of the trailer's best aspects, praising Gwen as "the coolest mum ever."[123] Reviewing the opening episodes of Miracle Day Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times identified "the dark humor" of the sequence as representative of "the top notes of the British Torchwood".[124] The Daily Telegraph's Catherine Gee praised the dichotomy between the character's two roles, stating that "Eve Myles's homely yet badass agent is incredibly charming".[125]

Critics have drawn comparisons with famous

Buffy the Vampire Slayer" when she shoots at a helicopter from her bazooka (recalling the sequence depicted in Buffy episode "Innocence").[123] Gwen has attracted implicit comparisons with Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider video game and film franchise. Commenting on the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day Den of Geek's Simon Brew states that "whoever Hollywood producers cast in the planned reboot of the Tomb Raider movie franchise, I'm fully confident that Myles could kick their ass. Twice. Before breakfast."[127] While critical of the typical portrayal of British female science fiction characters, The Guardian's Krystina Nellis singles out Gwen and Doctor Who's River Song (Alex Kingston) as positive depictions of strong female characters, stating, "It'd be difficult to find two superwomen in less need of a man to save them."[128]

Reception

Myles has won both awards and critical notice for her role as Gwen Cooper.

Eve Myles has enjoyed an increased profile since being cast as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood and is now considered one of Wales' greatest drama exports.

Wales on Sunday named Myles as its "Bachelorette of the Year".[135] In July 2011, The Scotsman's Aidan Smith described Gwen Cooper as "the sexiest woman in Wales".[136]

Dead Ringers, in which she displays a badge labelling her with what Jon Culshaw's Captain Jack describes as her sole characteristic: Welsh.[140] In November 2006 Jim Shelley from The Mirror stated Gwen to be "neither as interesting nor as sexy as she should be."[141] A plot development that saw Gwen respond to the advances of an alien sex-gas in another woman's body was described by Karman Kregloe of AfterEllen as characterising "nearly every negative lesbian stereotype imaginable". Kregloe considers Gwen's inability to satiate the alien as a "play on a traditional, sexist social construct", and the fact that Gwen never again mentions this experience is also criticised.[142]

The more assertive Gwen in Torchwood's third series attracted praise from reviewers: Paul Collins of Total Sci-Fi expressed the opinion that Children of Earth finally shows Gwen's heroic characteristics in a way that had been missing in the first two series,[143] while Daniel Martin from the Guardian stated that "it's great to see Gwen being so completely badass".[119] David Cornelius wrote that Gwen succeeds as a strongly written female character that does not pander to stereotypes because writers avoid defining her by any aspect of her adventures.[97] Reviewers commented on Myles' standing as a leading lady: Comic Book Resources' Remy Minnick describes Gwen as "the true heart of Torchwood",[144] while Scott Lewinski from Wired magazine described Myles' portrayal as the conscience of the Torchwood team, and the show itself.[145] Total Sci-Fi's Jonathan Wilkins felt that the five-part serial marked the emergence of Eve Myles as a star in her own right and opined that she could potentially carry the show without co-star Barrowman.[146] Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune stated her belief that the third series' climax showed that Eve Myles has "grown into the role" of Gwen, describing her performance as "outstanding".[147] Ryan later gave an "Honourable Mention" to Gwen when discussing Sci-Fi TV's Most Memorable Female Characters, making her the only Doctor Who franchise character to receive a mention.[148] Critical response to the character remained positive in the fourth series. Gavin Fuller of The Daily Telegraph felt Myles "took the acting honours with a bravura performance",[149] whilst Charlie Jane Anders stated Gwen to have the strongest moments in the finale which led to "a new appreciation for her character".[150]

Eve Myles won the 2007

Satellite Award in the Best Television Actress category,[156] and reached the shortlist for the 2012 UK National Television Awards.[157] She has also received a nomination for Best Actress in Television at the 38th Saturn Awards, held in June 2012.[158] Action figures of Gwen have been created in her likeness, which Myles' describes as "bizarre and wonderful" and at the same time "really kind of strange".[159] In a reader's awards poll in the sixth issue of Torchwood Magazine, Gwen was voted second favourite Torchwood character behind Captain Jack,[160] a ranking she received in a 2011 poll published by the Liverpool Daily Post as part of a live interview with writer John Fay.[161] Myles, describing her experiences at various science-fiction conventions, has praised the fan response as "incredible" and "just extraordinary".[162] Some fans have taken to blacking out their teeth at conventions to mimic her gap toothed appearance, which Myles finds particularly flattering.[163]

References

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External links