Ghost Machine, is the
episode where Captain Jack Harkness teaches Gwen Cooper, how to arm herself
against the enemy, and the shooting range is quite an intense scene to the
point, it’s almost foreplay. The rest of the story builds around the Ghost
Machine, a two handed alien device that when split, allows you to see a memory
and when joined, to see a possible future. When Bernie Harris sees the future,
he can’t sleep at night, for fear of the man about to snuff his out.
Ghost Machine introduces
us to a cast of many, including a few one scene actors, and those who have come
from well-known previous roles. I’m sure everyone cheered when Gareth ‘Roj’
Thomas appeared on the scene as Ed Morgan, and let’s not forget John
Normington, in a more sedate role than as Morgus in ‘The Caves of Androzani’
Bernie Harris, a pain in
the arse to all that know him, and to Torchwood, the ‘Scarlet Pimpernel of
Splott’ is a ‘slippery little bastard’, according to his Mother, and it takes
Owen a fair bit of chasing across housing back yards to catch him.
In a local pub, the team
discover that Bernie is in possession of the Ghost Machine, and Bernie’s
future, if Karma has anything to do with it, will find him dead outside his
flat, by one of the people he’s been blackmailing. Gwen, who takes possession
of the Ghost Machine sees herself holding the knife, and for much of the
episode is left wondering if Owen stabbed someone, given his discovery of the
murder of Lizzie Lewis at the hands of the very young Ed Morgan. Owen,
persistently seeks the truth, and at the end of the episode is holding the
knife, taken from Ed Morgan, outside Bernie’s flat. Of course, the turn of
events shows Gwen that, not all is as it seems, and that the future is not set
in stone.
Gareth Thomas
‘Ed Morgan, the elder’
Born
February 12th, 1945, died April 13th, 2016, age 71.
“I
knew you’d find me in the end. I knew you’d come for me.
I’ve
been waiting for years.”
Ed Morgan lived at 46,
Pryce Avenue, Cardiff. He was plagued by guilt for the rape and murder of
Lizzie Lewis, when he was in his late teens. He was paranoid that anyone would
link him to it, as he was certain people knew. When Owen confronted him after
introducing himself as a gas man, to gain access, Morgan flew into a rage,
chasing Owen out of the house. Owen wasn’t aware that Bernie Harris had already
tried to blackmail Morgan some time previous.
Gareth Thomas is probably
better known to many as Roj Blake, in Blake’s 7, a series that that he starred
in for 28 episodes from the late 1970s till 1981. Prior to 2006, and his
Torchwood role, Gareth had appeared in many popular television shows,
including, Sherlock Holmes, Bergerac, Coronation Street, Z Cars, The Avengers,
Sutherland’s Law, Taggart, Casualty and Heartbeat.
Since his role in
Torchwood back in 2006 as Ed Morgan, Gareth appeared as Huw Mostyn in Midsomer
Murders a year later, in the episode Death and Dust. When he wasn’t appearing
on television in small roles, he was on stage in productions such as Twelfth
Night, Othello, Henry IV, Part 1 & 2, Educating Rita, Cat on a Hot Tin
Roof, Déjà vu, Equus to name but a few. In 2010, he played the acclaimed
performance of Ephraim Cabot in Desire Under the Elms at the New Vic
Theatre.
In 2001, he appeared in
the Big Finish Productions audio drama Storm Warning, a Doctor Who story. He’s
also played the role of Kalendorf in another BF production – Dalek Empires. He reprised
his role of Roj Blake for yet another BF audio – Blake’s 7 – The Liberator
Chronicles, which are a series of dramatic readings taking place during Series
One before the death of Olag Gan.
Thomas was nominated twice for a BAFTA for his performances in Stocker’s Copper (a BBC Play for Today) in 1972, and as the fated farmer in Morgan’s Boy in 1984 – which is one of my favourite dramas starring Gareth, and one for which I cried so much at the end.
It is said that Gareth
Thomas rated Morgan’s Boy his favourite television role, despite Blake’s 7
having the larger audience rating.
Gareth Thomas’ television
and film career began in the late 60s, and came to an end in 2011. His stage
and audio drama career continued for a few years more before his death in 2016.
He died due to heart failure.
Ben McKay
‘Bernie Harris’
‘Don’t
hurt me, please. I got asthma!’
Bernie Harris ‘the Scarlet Pimpernel of Splott’ bit off
more than he could chew when he stole a biscuit tin of coins and strange rock,
and the Ghost Machine from a lock up in Moira Street. Seeing his future come to
a sticky end outside of his flat, at the hands of Ed Morgan, drove the young
lad almost insane.
Having given up on the
IMDB search for character actor roles that Ben has been involved in, I
discovered so much more details elsewhere, and found so much more about the
young man who played Bernie Harris back in 2006. Such as for instance, realising
that he can play many different accents from the Black Country to Geordie, to
Chinese, to Danish, and not just Welsh.
That as well as acting, he
is also a Musician, Entertainer, Presenter and Artist. He’s worked in films
such as Hot Fuzz, Pierrepoint, Wilderness, Brothers of the Head, Kidulthood as
just mentioned, Watch Over Me. In television, he’s appeared in Dustbin Baby, a
Jacqueline Wilson story for CBBC, Blue Murder, City Lights, as well as
Torchwood, Casualty, The Bill and Trollied, a hilarious view of the working
life of a supermarket. Prior to Torchwood he also appeared in Holby City.
Ben has worked on stage
from 1989 to 2003 in performances such as Hiawatha, Pinocchio, The Life and
Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Romeo and Juliet. In 2003 he played the lead
role of Joe Maloney in 12 yrs, Secret Heart at the Manchester Royal Exchange.
On radio, he’s played
characters for Radio 4 plays from 2006 – 2007.
Music – Ben wrote the
title track for Kidulthood plus numerous DVD extras including the music video
for SUPO MUNGAM which he also wrote with Adam Lewis. He has written, produced
and performed on two albums with the band Arkane. Written and produced and
performed in several collaborations with various artists, including a track
that won the 1Extra unsigned artist of the month award in 2006.
As a teaching assistant,
he worked as playground patrol co-ordinating football practice. Has worked as
an assistant in Drama Workshops and Parties from 2008/2009.
His Artwork has seen
collections of paintings sold at Thames Gallery, since 2009. Has continuous
commissioned work from private customers since then also.
Has created mural
paintings for a play for Three Bird Theatre Company, in 2007. Created the
official logo design for Bish Bash Bosh Productions in 2008 and created a shop
sign for Into the Fuscia (Flowers) a year before his role in Torchwood.
I think it’s fair to say
that Ben is a very versatile young man who can turn his hand to a multitude of
creative roles. I’d really love to see his murals! No, no seriously, I would.
John Normington
(Born January 28, 1937
– Died July 26, 2007, aged 70)
‘Thomas Erasmus Flanagan’
When Gwen saw the boy on
the station from touching the Ghost Machine, she was under no illusion that the
boy was a ghost. When Owen discovers that Thomas Erasmus Flanagan is in the
phone book, Gwen has to find out more, and both go for a visit. Thomas tells
her all about the journey to Cardiff, how he was lost, and wandered up and down
the station until someone found him. He stayed in Cardiff long after the War,
especially when it was discovered that his Mum and sister had been killed
during the Blitz.
John Normington was born
in Dukinfield, Cheshire, and trained as an opera singer before he did his
national service. He joined the Repertory Theatre in Oldham in the 1950s,
joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in the early 60s, playing many
Shakespearean roles. He would frequently tread the boards throughout his acting
career.
In 1963, he began his
career in television, and appeared on the small screen until the year he died.
He appeared in many of the popular programmes of the 1970s such as Softly
Softly, The Edwardians, Crown Court, Upstairs, Downstairs, Nearest and Dearest
and ITV Playhouse. He appeared in many popular films of their time, during the
70s and 80s, such as Stardust, Rollerball, The Medusa Touch, The Thirty Nine
Steps (1978), A Private Function, Jack the Ripper and Wilt. In the 1980s his
busy career continued, with appearances in Yes, Prime Minister, My Family and
Other Animals, Poirot, Peak Practice, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Coronation
Street, The Bill and David Copperfield. John perhaps may be remembered for his
role as Morgus in the Doctor Who story The Caves of Androzani in 1984, and as
Trevor Sigma in The Happiness Patrol in 1988.
He developed pancreatic cancer in
2004, during his time in the King Lear play in Stratford. When the production
moved to the West End he had to step down from the role, in order to recover.
He took on further roles including his Torchwood appearance as Thomas Erasmus
Flanagan.
On 26th July
2007, John Normington died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 70.
Llinos Daniel
‘Eleri’
Eleri met Owen and Gwen on
her dad’s doorstep. Gwen’s vision of the boy lost at the railway station during
the Blitz, was laid to rest, when Eleri, introduced them to her Dad, Thomas
Erasmus Flanagan.
Since her Torchwood
appearance, Llinos’ career didn’t pick up again until 2012. It may have been
due to having a family but we don’t know this for sure. Llinos played Paula for
the episode Tale of Two Cities in the television series Stepping Up. Two years
later she played Luchina Monleon in The Ends of the Earth episode of Da Vinci’s
Demons. In 2015, she played Eluned Roberts for the second episode of the second
series of Hinterland, she appeared in the short film All My Happy Friends in
2016, and is currently filming Chariot this year (2017).
Emily Evans
‘Lizzie Lewis’
‘You’re
a bad one, Ed Morgan.’
Lizzie Lewis was the
victim of a rape and murder on 29th March, 1963, under the bridge on
Penfro Street. It’s a crime that still haunts Ed Morgan to this day. She was
the only daughter of Mabel Ann Lewis of Hafod Street.
Despite a thorough search
of the internet, there are no more listing credits for Emily Evans, other than
her appearance in Torchwood as Lizzie Lewis, and prior to that, her appearance
in Neighbours, the Australian soap opera.
Chris Elson
‘Ed Morgan’ (youth)
The youthful Ed Morgan
seemed to care little for the way he behaved around those too vulnerable to
defend themselves, and Lizzie Lewis, despite her bravado under the bridge on
Penfro Street, paid the price. Brandishing a knife, meant that there was little
the poor girl could do but comply and hope her life was spared.
Chris Elson began his
acting career in 2006, the same year as his role in Torchwood. He also appeared
in the television movie, Nice Day for a Welsh Wedding as Gareth Morgan in the
same year.
Since Torchwood, Chris has
appeared in the film Doghouse, as Graham’s Boyfriend – it’s a crazy zombie
movie also starring Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith). Aside from his television
appearances in High Hopes, Material Girl and Da Vinci’s Demons, Chris is also a
fashion model, and you should see him now!!!
Since January 2014 to
January 2016, Chris has appeared as a model for Dolce & Gabbana, 2morrow
Models and Giorgio Armani.
Christopher Greene
‘Young Thomas Erasmus Flanagan’
When Gwen first sees the
young Thomas Flanagan, she’s convinced she’s seen a ghost, but she soon
discovers that the elder Mr Flanagan still resides in Cardiff as Owen finds him
in the phone book.
Finding information about
actors who are no longer listed as actors, is a hard task and I’m afraid to
say, that after 2008 when Christopher Greene appeared in Miracle at St. Anna,
as a Buffalo Soldier, there is nothing else written about him. He is also
nowhere on social media. The name Christopher Greene refers to another actor
these days, from America, and not the same as the boy walking along the railway
station in Torchwood. So, if you’re out there Christopher, it would be great to
catch up.
Julie Gibbs
‘Bernie’s Mum’
Bernie’s Mum seems a little annoyed at having
anyone knocking on her door enquiring after her wayward son, Bernie.
Julie’s career seems
shortlived, with small roles from 1985 in Bowen A’I Bartner, to Torchwood, with
a film short as Partygoer #2 in the middle. Looking up Julie Gibbs, brings
nothing to the table online, nor on social media.
Ian Kay
‘Snwcer Player’
‘He’s
banned.’
In one small scene, the
snwcer player, just as Bernie’s Mum, has nothing good to say about Bernie
Harris.
Ian Kay, began his acting
career in 2006 playing Edward Evans in See No Evil: The Moors Murders. After
his Torchwood appearance, he played Noisy Boy 4 in the episode Saving Grace of
Demons, a mini series in 2009, since then, absolutely nothing is mentioned.
There are several Ian Kay’s on social media, none of which look anything like
the Ian Kay from Torchwood. There is nothing online about his career outside of
acting. If we do locate more info in the future, we will be sure to update this
portion of the article.
Ryan Conway
‘Kid in the Arcade’
‘Said
he’d get me an iPod and
he
never…and he nicked me fags!’
Another one of Bernie’s
‘fans’, the Kid in the Arcade has little good to say about young Harris.
Ryan Lee Conway, born 22nd February 1992 has always had
a love of acting and theatre. Ryan has been involved in theatre and film acting since the age of nine.He grew up in Tremorfa, Cardiff, from a less than
fortunate background, but his love of the arts kept him driven to succeed in
his acting career. He went to school at St Illtyds, where he learnt drama,
music and art, taking them to GCSE level.
Ryan got involved in the
musical productions of Annie, and High School Musical. After
completing Level 2 he went on to study Level 3 extended Diploma in Performing Arts in
Cardiff and Vale College, where he studied for two years.
For the Final Major
Project, he played Clogger in their own adapted version of the Children's
historical novel Machine Gunners by Robert Westall, and Jack's Dad, although he
found Clogger to be a challenge as he had to adapt to playing a character far
removed from himself.
In 2007, he played Mugsy
in the film Summer Scars which also starred Ciaran Joyce (Tracy Beaker,
Torchwood) and a few other familiar faces. It's a coming of age film about a
group of youngsters and the events that unfold when a vagrant joins the group.
The trailer available on YouTube is quite shocking.
In the documentary you can
learn a little more about Ryan from 4:37 onwards.
Ryan now teaches at the
same acting agency that he’d attended when he was first starting out in the
acting profession. When he’s not there, he’s working as social secretary for
the Cardiff Dragons, Wales’ only LGBT football team. Check out our interview
with Ryan this month on our Interviews Page.
Ryan looks completely different to how he did in the Ghost Machine episode - he blames that on the carbs!!!
 |
| Courtesy of Ryan Lee Conway |
Kathryn Howard
‘Woman in Shop’
‘I
wouldn’t piss on him if he were on fire.’
Kathryn has the best quote
to come from the group of ‘Bernie fans’ and the look on her face sums up that
sentiment – she means it.
You know, it’s very
difficult to find more research on Kathryn when you’re staring at the search
engine results ‘Kathryn Howard, wife to Henry VIII’ so obviously, and the
images bar some creepy ass clown from IT (why that’s there, I have no clue),
information regarding the actress are extremely thin on the ground. I’m also a
little unsure about the role as Specialty Dancer in The Hellfire Club from
1961, on her IMDB listing which would make her a lot older than she looks in this photo. Hmmm! Unless she
was a wee bairn at the time!!!
Deo Simcox
‘Voice of lost boy at
railway station’
Interesting how you think
that Christopher Greene provided his own voice over, when in fact it came from
someone else.
Deo Simcox has been
providing voices for characters since Torchwood in 2006, but has appeared in
television shows, dramas and television movies since 2005 when he appeared as a
Mini Paul Daniels for The Xtra Factor in 2005 and in Children In Need’s Great
Big Bid as a Judge of a Shopping Spree. In 2008 – 2010 he played Chris D’Amato
in the Inbetweeners series for two episodes, was Jasper the Wasp in the tv
series The Hive from 2010 – 2011, and appeared in two episodes of Casualty from
2008 – 2011 as two separate characters. Much of his voices have been provided
for children’s programmes such as Wibbly Pig and The Hive, but has also lent
his voice to Video Games such as Dragon Age: Origins as Oren Cousland, Little
Boy and Redcliffe Child, and the voice of Children for Fable II.
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