Rex Matheson
Encyclopedia
Rex Matheson is a fictional character
in the science fiction series
Torchwood
, portrayed by American actor Mekhi Phifer
. Phifer is one of three American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods British network, BBC One
, and its American financiers on US premium television network Starz.
Rex is introduced by series producer Russell T Davies as a means of introducing new American audiences to the established world of Torchwood. Within the series' narrative, Rex is a high-flying agent for the Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) who begins to investigate Torchwood
after being personally affected by a global supernatural event. Rex's role as a second male hero in the series leads him to clash with returning male lead Captain Jack Harkness
(John Barrowman
) and eventually becomes immortal in the same vein as Harkness (a result of a blood transfusion).
". Rex finds himself impaled but survives, and discovers no one in the whole world can die anymore. He and CIA coworker Esther Drummond
(Alexa Havins
) begin investigating the defunct British Torchwood Institute
, which leads him to discover its last-surviving agents: former time traveler Captain Jack Harkness
(John Barrowman
) and a Welsh young mother Gwen Cooper
(Eve Myles
). After renditioning Jack and Gwen to the United States, Rex realises that due to his knowledge of Torchwood, he has been set up and betrayed by the CIA and goes into hiding with the Torchwood team. In "Dead of Night
", he continues to rely on Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur
) for medical attention for his chest wound, despite being in hiding. The two begin a sexual relationship and he subsequently enlists her to spy for the resconsituted Torchwood team. In the final episode of the series, all of Rex's blood is removed and he is transfused with Jack's blood in order for both of them to feed it to the Blessing from opposite sides of the world, thus enabling death to resume its natural course. When the miracle has ended, and Jack's self-healing abilities have been restored, Rex soon discovers that he has acquired them as well when he is shot by the Families' CIA mole Charlotte (Marina Benedict) and resurrects.
, released August 2011, focuses primarily on Rex. Adams' novel is a Miracle Day tie-in and prequel. A spy thriller, The Men Who Sold The World follows the CIA's involvement when the British government sells off Torchwood's collection of weapons to the Americans. SFX reviewer Alasdair Stuart felt that the Adams' "own flair for the unpleasant" highly complimented "cheerfully nasty Rex", and commended Adams for exploring the contradiction between Rex's ruthless goal-drivenness and human goodness, as well as "bravely" exploring the context for his relationship with Esther.
s Chad Michael Murray
and Dollhouse
s Enver Gjokaj
amongst those auditioning for the part of Rex. Phifer's casting was reported on 14 December 2010, with a BBC press release confirming this announcement on 8 January 2011.
Davies introduces Rex in Miracle Day to act as a new audience surrogate
who initially learn about the disbanded Torchwood Institute, and Torchwoods three-series history, through his investigations, providing an entrance into the new story for new viewers. A Harvard University
-educated African American, Rex is described by promotional material as "the embodiment of the American dream
"; he has been all his life. Rex is "destined for success" and it is said that he could become rich in a variety of career paths, yet opted for the CIA because "he believes in justice and will fight for it". Rex's charisma is of great use in his line of work: "He can talk his way into anything, then charm his way out, fast".
Rex joins Torchwood in Miracle Day a second male hero in the series. Shantella Sherman-Wi writes "On first glance, it’s unclear whether the Torchwood franchise can handle two powerful and handsome leading men, but Phifer and Barrowman make it work – and look good in the process." Returning lead Jack Harkness and Rex clash initially, however, because as Phifer puts it, they have "have different approaches to things" and Rex hasn't "figured him out yet". In part, this owes to Rex's very "black and white" thinking. However, over the course of Miracle Day, Rex will gradually succumb to the morally grey and obtuse thinking which characterises the Torchwood world. Rex also comes into conflict with returning Torchwood heroine Gwen Cooper due to them both having strong, outspoken personalities and worldviews. However, series creator Russell T Davies explains that new supporting heroine Esther will play a key role in the two of them becoming friends. Esther is "a very healing force" and "makes everything alright between them" due to her empathetic nature and people skills.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the science fiction series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
, portrayed by American actor Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
. Phifer is one of three American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods British network, BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, and its American financiers on US premium television network Starz.
Rex is introduced by series producer Russell T Davies as a means of introducing new American audiences to the established world of Torchwood. Within the series' narrative, Rex is a high-flying agent for the Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
(CIA) who begins to investigate Torchwood
Torchwood Institute
The Torchwood Institute is a fictional secret organization from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood. It was established in 1879 by Queen Victoria after the events of "Tooth and Claw". Its prime directive, is to defend the earth against...
after being personally affected by a global supernatural event. Rex's role as a second male hero in the series leads him to clash with returning male lead Captain Jack Harkness
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
(John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
) and eventually becomes immortal in the same vein as Harkness (a result of a blood transfusion).
Television
Rex first appears in Miracle Days premiere episode, "The New WorldThe New World (Torchwood)
"The New World" is the first episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 8 July 2011, in Canada on Space on 9 July 2011, and in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 14 July 2011.-Synopsis:In Kentucky, convicted...
". Rex finds himself impaled but survives, and discovers no one in the whole world can die anymore. He and CIA coworker Esther Drummond
Esther Drummond
Esther Drummond is a fictional character in the science fiction series Torchwood, portrayed by American actress Alexa Havins. Havins is one of several American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day , as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods original British...
(Alexa Havins
Alexa Havins
Alexa Carole Havins is an American actress. She first came to prominence in 2003, when she became the originating actor in the role of Babe Carey Chandler on the daytime drama All My Children...
) begin investigating the defunct British Torchwood Institute
Torchwood Institute
The Torchwood Institute is a fictional secret organization from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood. It was established in 1879 by Queen Victoria after the events of "Tooth and Claw". Its prime directive, is to defend the earth against...
, which leads him to discover its last-surviving agents: former time traveler Captain Jack Harkness
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
(John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
) and a Welsh young mother Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off to the long-running show Doctor Who, portrayed by Welsh actress Eve Myles. The series' lead female character, Gwen has featured in every episode of the sci-fi programme to date as well as two crossover...
(Eve Myles
Eve Myles
Eve Myles is an award winning Welsh actress of stage and screen. She is best known to Welsh audiences for her portrayal of Ceri Owen in the BBC Wales drama Belonging, and to audiences worldwide for her role as Gwen Cooper in the science fiction show Torchwood, a spin-off from Doctor Who.-Personal...
). After renditioning Jack and Gwen to the United States, Rex realises that due to his knowledge of Torchwood, he has been set up and betrayed by the CIA and goes into hiding with the Torchwood team. In "Dead of Night
Dead of Night (Torchwood)
"Dead of Night" is the third episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 22 July 2011, in Canada on Space on 23 July 2011, and in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 28 July 2011.-Plot summary:Rex and Esther ...
", he continues to rely on Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur
Arlene Tur
Arlene Tur is an American television and film actress and model from Florida, best known for her role as Bebe Arcel in the 2008 television drama series Crash. The daughter of Cuban political refugees to the United States, Tur has had numerous roles in television in addition to a modeling...
) for medical attention for his chest wound, despite being in hiding. The two begin a sexual relationship and he subsequently enlists her to spy for the resconsituted Torchwood team. In the final episode of the series, all of Rex's blood is removed and he is transfused with Jack's blood in order for both of them to feed it to the Blessing from opposite sides of the world, thus enabling death to resume its natural course. When the miracle has ended, and Jack's self-healing abilities have been restored, Rex soon discovers that he has acquired them as well when he is shot by the Families' CIA mole Charlotte (Marina Benedict) and resurrects.
Literature
The Torchwood novel The Men Who Sold The World by Guy AdamsGuy Adams
Guy Adams is an English author, comedian, and actor, possibly best known for the novel The World House. He has also written a BBC Books Torchwood novel, The House That Jack Built. He starred as a mugger on British soap opera, Emmerdale and has also tried stand-up with his own...
, released August 2011, focuses primarily on Rex. Adams' novel is a Miracle Day tie-in and prequel. A spy thriller, The Men Who Sold The World follows the CIA's involvement when the British government sells off Torchwood's collection of weapons to the Americans. SFX reviewer Alasdair Stuart felt that the Adams' "own flair for the unpleasant" highly complimented "cheerfully nasty Rex", and commended Adams for exploring the contradiction between Rex's ruthless goal-drivenness and human goodness, as well as "bravely" exploring the context for his relationship with Esther.
Creation and conception
Casting calls differed from the final press release; early casting class specified that Matheson was to be played by a White actor, with One Tree HillOne Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
s Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray is an American actor, former fashion model and spokesperson. Murray is well known for portraying Lucas Scott in The CW young adult drama series One Tree Hill, in addition to the commercially successful films A Cinderella Story, Freaky Friday and House of Wax...
and Dollhouse
Dollhouse (TV series)
Dollhouse is an American science fiction television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon under Mutant Enemy Productions. It premiered on February 13, 2009, on the Fox network and was officially cancelled on November 11, 2009. The final episode aired on January 29, 2010...
s Enver Gjokaj
Enver Gjokaj
Enver Leif Gjokaj is an Albanian American film and television actor. He is best known for his co-starring role as Victor in Joss Whedon's science fiction television series Dollhouse.-Early life:...
amongst those auditioning for the part of Rex. Phifer's casting was reported on 14 December 2010, with a BBC press release confirming this announcement on 8 January 2011.
Davies introduces Rex in Miracle Day to act as a new audience surrogate
Audience surrogate
In the study of literature, an audience surrogate is a fictional character with whom the audience can identify, or who expresses the questions and confusion of the audience...
who initially learn about the disbanded Torchwood Institute, and Torchwoods three-series history, through his investigations, providing an entrance into the new story for new viewers. A Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
-educated African American, Rex is described by promotional material as "the embodiment of the American dream
American Dream
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each...
"; he has been all his life. Rex is "destined for success" and it is said that he could become rich in a variety of career paths, yet opted for the CIA because "he believes in justice and will fight for it". Rex's charisma is of great use in his line of work: "He can talk his way into anything, then charm his way out, fast".
Rex joins Torchwood in Miracle Day a second male hero in the series. Shantella Sherman-Wi writes "On first glance, it’s unclear whether the Torchwood franchise can handle two powerful and handsome leading men, but Phifer and Barrowman make it work – and look good in the process." Returning lead Jack Harkness and Rex clash initially, however, because as Phifer puts it, they have "have different approaches to things" and Rex hasn't "figured him out yet". In part, this owes to Rex's very "black and white" thinking. However, over the course of Miracle Day, Rex will gradually succumb to the morally grey and obtuse thinking which characterises the Torchwood world. Rex also comes into conflict with returning Torchwood heroine Gwen Cooper due to them both having strong, outspoken personalities and worldviews. However, series creator Russell T Davies explains that new supporting heroine Esther will play a key role in the two of them becoming friends. Esther is "a very healing force" and "makes everything alright between them" due to her empathetic nature and people skills.