You might know him as Captain Jack Harkness from BBC’s “Dr. Who” spinoff “Torchwood.” Or maybe you recognized him belting out the first few bars of “Springtime for Hitler” in the movie version of Mel Brooks’ smash Broadway musical “The Producers.” But beginning Sunday night, you’ll remember him as “the most evil” person ever to set foot on Wisteria Lane.
Actor and singer John Barrowman joins the cast of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” this weekend for a six-episode arc as the villainous Patrick Logan, Angie Bolen’s (Drea De Matteo) “ex-boyfriend and the man she fears will find her, even above the police.”
Cherry told Entertainment Weekly Logan is the most truly evil character he’s ever written. So evil in fact, he was concerned that Barrowman would have a problem with playing him.
The writer/producer’s concerns were unfounded however, because the actor assured him that he thoroughly enjoyed playing bad guys, especially one who will affect the lives of everyone on Wisteria Lane.
Barrowman – who was born in Scotland but spent much of his life living in Joliet, Illinois, and has found most of his fame in the U.K. – has a lot on his plate these days.
In addition to a month-long concert tour of the U.K. that kicks off October 1 in Oxford, Fox is in talks with “Torchwood” creator Russell T. Davies and producing partner Julie Garner to develop an American version of the show.
As for whether Capt. Jack would lose one of his most interesting character traits – his pan-sexuality – the openly gay actor told EW’s Michael Ausiello he would prefer the network “not tinker with his character’s sexuality.”
“I hope wherever [the franchise] goes that the show stays the same,” Barrowman said. “The last thing I would want would be for Jack to become this heterosexual, straight hero. He’s an omnisexual guy. He likes men, women, aliens, whatever. I think we should continue going down that route.”
However the U.S. version of the show develops, one thing is certain – there’s only one person who can play the lead role.
“Julie has said, as has Russell, that there will be no ‘Torchwood’ without John Barrowman as Capt. Jack,” the actor explained. “If I am asked to do ‘Torchwood’ again, I will do it at the drop of a hat – whether it’s in America or back in Britain or if it’s for a film. I absolutely love Capt. Jack.”
Also on the horizon for the busy actor – who hosts BBC series “Tonight’s the Night,” a talent and variety series that allows the public to live out their performing dreams – is a possible guest appearance as a teacher on Fox’s hit series “Glee.”
“I absolutely love the show,” Barrowman told U.K. paper The Mirror. “What would I play in it? I’m not sure what kind of character I’d like to play, maybe I could be a teacher, you know, another teacher who comes in and helps out.
“That’s me just kind of brainstorming but the fact that they want to have a meeting with me is really quite nice in itself, it’s so exciting!”
Here's a montage of Barrowman as the swaggering, macho enigma Capt. Jack Harkness on "Dr. Who" and "Torchwood."
And just for contrast, here's Barrowman singing "I Am What I Am" from the musical version of "La Cage Aux Folles."
Friday, March 19
Chelsea Handler, Melanie Fiona – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Jo Koy, Donnell Rawlings, Jen Kirkman – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Daniel Merriweather – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Barenaked Ladies – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Ryan Bingham – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Kara DioGuardi, Air – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
311 – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Ok Go – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” – rerun
Saturday, March 20
Norah Jones – “Austin City Limits” – rerun
The Ting Tings – “Saturday Night Live”