Davies: 'Rhys important to Torchwood'

Torchwood creator Russell T. Davies has revealed that Gwen Cooper’s husband Rhys will play a prominent role in the show's fourth season.

Rhys (Kai Owen) spent the first three seasons of the sci-fi series as a sidekick to wife Gwen (Eve Myles) as she led the mysterious Torchwood organisation in battles against aliens. However, Davies told After Elton that Rhys will be an integral part of the Torchwood team as the story becomes more globalised.

''I can't imagine Gwen without [Rhys]," said Davies. “Rhys is now ahead of the game, as it were. There's no secrets. He's part - they're a team.''

Davies added that the news of Rhys's increased role in Torchwood comes on the heels of a big event in actor Kai Owen's personal life.

''He's just had a baby himself in real life, so he's very happy.''

The fourth series of Torchwood is to premiere on US network Starz in summer 2011.