Ianto Jones

Lore & Background

Ianto's narrative arc is deeply rooted in his backstory as a former employee of Torchwood One in London. In the episode "Cyberwoman," it is revealed that he was keeping his girlfriend, Lisa, alive after she was partially converted into a Cyberman, concealing her in the Hub basement. When she eventually broke loose and killed two civilians, Ianto was forced to confront Captain Jack Harkness. Although Jack revived him with a kiss after Lisa knocked him unconscious, the rest of the team had to kill Lisa. Mid-series, despite his lingering concern for Lisa, Ianto began developing a sexual relationship with Jack. By the penultimate episode, he was willing to shoot colleague Owen Harper to protect Jack, refuting claims that he was merely a "part time shag." In the series finale, an image of what appeared to be Lisa's ghost brought Ianto to mutiny against Jack, yet upon Jack's return from death, they immediately kissed. Throughout the second and third series, their relationship deepened, with Ianto becoming less burdened by secrets and more confident.

In Their Own Story

The stakes for Ianto Jones reached their peak during Torchwood's third series, a five-part miniseries called Children of Earth broadcast over one week in 2009. In part one, Ianto expressed insecurity about his status as a couple with Jack to his sister Rhiannon and brother-in-law Johnny Davies, eventually admitting he was involved but unsure where he stood. When aliens called the 456 returned and demanded 10% of Earth's children, John Frobisher ordered a hit on Torchwood's lives. In part two, Ianto and Gwen survived a Hub explosion that obliterated Jack; once regenerated, Jack was sealed in cement by agent Johnson until Ianto rescued him with a forklift truck. By part four, the pair stormed Thames House to confront the 456, refusing to sacrifice any lives to alien demands. In response, the aliens released a fatal virus into the atmosphere. As Thames House locked down, Ianto died in Jack's arms, telling him that he loved him and begging Jack never to forget about him, to which Jack replied he never could.

Reader's Guide

Ianto Jones serves as the operational spine of Torchwood Three, evolving from a mild-mannered administrator into a confident field operative. Initially introduced as the regular character with the least screen time, his role expanded to include frequent field missions when Captain Jack departed in series two. His utility is vast: he manages the Hub's logistics, maintains defenses, and acts as a proficient combatant. A pivotal moment occurred in the episode "Fragments," which explored how Ianto was recruited into Torchwood Three two years prior; he persisted until he aided Jack in capturing a stray pterodactyl. His character is also defined by his exploration of human sexuality, with Expanded Universe material describing him as bisexual and his feelings for Jack as genuine love. While creator Russell T Davies chose to kill off Ianto in the third series to maximize viewer grief, fans have since created shrines and petitioned for his resurrection. Actor Gareth David-Lloyd later penned a Torchwood comic book where an alternative universe sees Ianto survive.

Did You Know?

• Ianto appeared in every episode of Torchwood's first three series except the finale of series 3.
• In the episode 'Cyberwoman,' Ianto was revealed to have been keeping his partially Cyberman-converted girlfriend, Lisa, alive in the Hub basement.
• The character's creator Russell T Davies killed off Ianto specifically because the relationship's unexplored potential maximized the viewer's sense of grief.
• Gareth David-Lloyd wrote a Torchwood comic book titled 'Shrouded' depicting an alternative universe where Ianto survives.
• Ianto was mentioned in the Doctor Who episode 'Turn Left' as having been killed alongside Gwen Cooper while attempting to stop Sontarans.