If you liked where “Torchwood” went with “The Children of Earth,” the upcoming series four will be right up your alley.

Producer Russell T. Davies says the fourth series will continue to mine the same dark soil that series three did.

Actually, this story is also very dark. I think with that, ‘Torchwood’ found its feet,” he tells SFX Magazine. “People found something very compelling and very chilling about it. I love the way people got on their high horse saying, ‘Oh, he killed his grandson!’ Hello! He saved every single child in the world! If you would fail to do that then you’re the monster, frankly. It’s this extraordinary treatment that only science fiction heroes get You find that.”

“If ever a word is said out of place by the Doctor or Captain Jack, or even by Sarah Jane sometimes, people throw their hands up in horror, whereas in any other drama any character is capable of any thing at any time. That’s the only way to write, and it’s the same for these people as well. I thought it was fascinating and challenging what he did there, but hard—it was so hard. I do think with the whole of ‘Children Of Earth’ we found a new heartland for ‘Torchwood’,” he added.

Production on the fourth series begins later this year and will air on the BBC and Starz in 2011.