Esther Drummond
Encyclopedia
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 (2011), as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods original British network, BBC One
, and its American financiers, US premium television network Starz.
Esther is introduced by series producer Russell T Davies alongside Rex Matheson
(Mekhi Phifer
) as a means of introducing new American audiences to the established world of Torchwood. Within the series narrative, Esther is a Central Intelligence Agency
watch analyst who becomes aware of the defunct British Torchwood Institute
on "Miracle Day". Her initial standing as a desk-bound computer and technology expert puts her in contrast with the tougher and more action-orientated characters in the series. Esther's experiences with Torchwood challenge her, and over the series she evolves into a more adept and confident individual who can fight physically as well as intellectually.
". Esther informs CIA agent Rex Matheson
(Mekhi Phifer
) about a mysterious message containing the single word "Torchwood", and when Rex is fatally injured, Esther blames herself for his accident, although she finds out from surgeon Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur
) that no one is able to die. Esther begins tracking down hard copies of CIA files on Torchwood
, which she learns is a British intervention agency. Amid her research, she encounters former head of Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness
(John Barrowman
), who helps her escape the destructive blast of a suicide bomber. Harkness explains the history of the Torchwood Institute to Esther, but wipes her memory so she will not remember her findings. Esther's memory is later triggered when a hard copy of the Torchwood file lands on her desk. Esther's curiosity relating to Torchwood compromises her position within the CIA and she — like Rex — is set up by the agency. Forced into fugitive status, she finds herself working as part of Torchwood alongside Rex and the Torchwood Institute's last surviving members, Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper
(Eve Myles
). Esther fulfills Torchwood's technical need for a competent hacker and computer expert. However, Esther struggles as a field agent; she nearly compromises the team's mission when she attempts to get help for her mentally ill sister Sarah (Candace Brown
). Whilst undercover at the San Pedro overflow camp in "The Middle Men
", which is later identified as a form of concentration camp, Esther is forced to effectively kill camp manager Colin Maloney (Marc Vann
) in unarmed combat to rescue Rex, leaving her aghast and shaken. In "Immortal Sins
", Esther is the one to work out that Gwen is being blackmailed into delivering Jack to the conspirators behind Miracle Day; she has Gwen's parents liberated by Sergeant Andy Davidson (Tom Price
), and alongside Rex, successfully snipes
Jack's would-be captors. When Jack is shot escaping CIA custody, Esther escapes with him in her car, in "End of the Road
". Two months later, in "The Gathering
", Esther has nursed Jack to health in Scotland where she drains his blood, believing it connected to the Miracle. The team learn that the Miracle originated at the near-antipodes of Shanghai and Buenos Aires; the team splits up, with Esther and Rex in the latter location. Esther later dies in "The Blood Line
" as a result of being shot by a high-ranking Families member in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Rex from ending The Miracle by spilling Jack's transfused blood inside him into The Blessing. Gwen encourages Rex to let Esther die so that the Miracle can be ended; in the episode's epilogue
, Esther is among the few post miracle deceased to be allowed a full funeral service.
provides "interesting, and brave, context to Rex’s relationship with Esther." According to Stuart, the novel demonstrates that "Rex knows he manipulates her and doesn’t particularly care. She’s an asset, just one he can use better and faster than most".
star Amber Stevens
was one of the actresses who auditioned for the part of Katusi. However, white actress Alexa Havins
was announced by the BBC on 6 January 2011, and the character's surname was changed to Drummond. Havins reveals that her husband being a fan of the Torchwood influenced her decision to accept the role. In preparation for the role, Havins watched some of the earlier series of Torchwood in order to acquire a sense of the show's tone, but did not fully immerse herself because given her character's naivety and ignorance, "not being so well-versed in it played in my favour".
Esther is introduced in press materials as being "an innocent in a world of assassins, liars and zealots". Havins describes Drummond as "an optimist and the glass is half full person" who is forced to grow up by the challenges that Miracle Day presents. Esther's introduction also invites parallels that of lead female character Gwen Cooper
(Eve Myles
) in the series' 2006 premiere episode "Everything Changes
"; she represents an audience surrogate
for new American viewers. Havins refers to Esther as the "tour guide" for new viewers coming to Torchwood for the first time, one who is "digging deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole". Havins also comments that Esther as a character is less action-orientated than Gwen, stating that she uses her intellect and technology as her weapons, being more the "techie" of the team. Havins explains that Esther's analyst position is "her safe little world" and though she has a highly romanticised idea of field work, it is not an area she is adept in, as opposed to more experienced field agents Rex, Jack and Gwen. However, the events of Miracle Day force Esther off the grid, and initiate her into a more action orientated world.
wannabe pairing of two female characters" and instead offers a chance for the two actresses "to branch out and add complexity to their characters' personalities". Den of Geek's Simon Brew praised the character's storyline in Escape to L.A.
stating the storyline between her and her sister is "welcome exposition, and Alexa Havins is proving to be an excellent bit of casting".
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 actress 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...
. Havins is one of several American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods original 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, US premium television network Starz.
Esther is introduced by series producer Russell T Davies alongside Rex Matheson
Rex Matheson
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 , as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods British network, BBC...
(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...
) as a means of introducing new American audiences to the established world of Torchwood. Within the series narrative, Esther is a 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...
watch analyst who becomes aware of 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...
on "Miracle Day". Her initial standing as a desk-bound computer and technology expert puts her in contrast with the tougher and more action-orientated characters in the series. Esther's experiences with Torchwood challenge her, and over the series she evolves into a more adept and confident individual who can fight physically as well as intellectually.
Television
Drummond, a CIA watch analyst, makes her first appearance in Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011) 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...
". Esther informs CIA agent Rex Matheson
Rex Matheson
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 , as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods British network, BBC...
(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...
) about a mysterious message containing the single word "Torchwood", and when Rex is fatally injured, Esther blames herself for his accident, although she finds out from surgeon 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...
) that no one is able to die. Esther begins tracking down hard copies of CIA files on 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...
, which she learns is a British intervention agency. Amid her research, she encounters former head of Torchwood, 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...
), who helps her escape the destructive blast of a suicide bomber. Harkness explains the history of the Torchwood Institute to Esther, but wipes her memory so she will not remember her findings. Esther's memory is later triggered when a hard copy of the Torchwood file lands on her desk. Esther's curiosity relating to Torchwood compromises her position within the CIA and she — like Rex — is set up by the agency. Forced into fugitive status, she finds herself working as part of Torchwood alongside Rex and the Torchwood Institute's last surviving members, Captain Jack and 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...
). Esther fulfills Torchwood's technical need for a competent hacker and computer expert. However, Esther struggles as a field agent; she nearly compromises the team's mission when she attempts to get help for her mentally ill sister Sarah (Candace Brown
Candace Brown
Candace June Brown is an American actress and comedian best known for her work on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Head Case, The Wizards Of Waverly Place...
). Whilst undercover at the San Pedro overflow camp in "The Middle Men
The Middle Men
"The Middle Men" is the sixth episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 12 August 2011.-Plot summary:...
", which is later identified as a form of concentration camp, Esther is forced to effectively kill camp manager Colin Maloney (Marc Vann
Marc Vann
Marc Vann , is an American actor. He is known for his role as Conrad Ecklie in the CBS television series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Although this role as the agitator of Gil Grissom has earned the character the dislike of CSI fans, Vann himself has a small, but growing fanbase...
) in unarmed combat to rescue Rex, leaving her aghast and shaken. In "Immortal Sins
Immortal Sins
"Immortal Sins" is the seventh episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 19 August 2011.-Plot summary:...
", Esther is the one to work out that Gwen is being blackmailed into delivering Jack to the conspirators behind Miracle Day; she has Gwen's parents liberated by Sergeant Andy Davidson (Tom Price
Tom Price (actor)
Tom Price is a British actor, voice over artist and stand up comedian. He is married to TV producer Beth Morrey, who is most noted for being the creator of hit Channel 4 quiz format Wogan's Perfect Recall.-TV and Film Career:...
), and alongside Rex, successfully snipes
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
Jack's would-be captors. When Jack is shot escaping CIA custody, Esther escapes with him in her car, in "End of the Road
End of the Road (Torchwood)
"End of the Road" is the eighth episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was first broadcast in the United States on Starz on 26 August 2011.-Plot summary:...
". Two months later, in "The Gathering
The Gathering (Torchwood)
"The Gathering" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was first broadcast in the United States on Starz on 2 September 2011.-Plot summary:...
", Esther has nursed Jack to health in Scotland where she drains his blood, believing it connected to the Miracle. The team learn that the Miracle originated at the near-antipodes of Shanghai and Buenos Aires; the team splits up, with Esther and Rex in the latter location. Esther later dies in "The Blood Line
The Blood Line
"The Blood Line" is the tenth and final episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was first broadcast in the United States on Starz on 9 September 2011.-Plot summary:...
" as a result of being shot by a high-ranking Families member in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Rex from ending The Miracle by spilling Jack's transfused blood inside him into The Blessing. Gwen encourages Rex to let Esther die so that the Miracle can be ended; in the episode's epilogue
Epilogue
An epilogue, epilog or afterword is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work...
, Esther is among the few post miracle deceased to be allowed a full funeral service.
Literature
Esther features as a supporting character in the novel The Men Who Sold The World, which is featured as a prequel to Torchwood: Miracle Day. SFX reviewer Alasdair Stuart comments that novelist 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...
provides "interesting, and brave, context to Rex’s relationship with Esther." According to Stuart, the novel demonstrates that "Rex knows he manipulates her and doesn’t particularly care. She’s an asset, just one he can use better and faster than most".
Development
In the series' planning stages, Esther's surname was originally Katusi, and the casting call specified that this role would be for a non-Caucasian actress. GreekGreek (TV series)
Greek is an American comedy-drama television series, which follows students of the fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University , located in Ohio, who participate in the school's Greek system...
star Amber Stevens
Amber Stevens
Amber Dawn Stevens is an American actress and model.-Personal life:Stevens was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of American actor and radio announcer Shadoe Stevens and former model Beverly Cunningham. She has a younger sister named Chyna Rose Stevens...
was one of the actresses who auditioned for the part of Katusi. However, white actress 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...
was announced by the BBC on 6 January 2011, and the character's surname was changed to Drummond. Havins reveals that her husband being a fan of the Torchwood influenced her decision to accept the role. In preparation for the role, Havins watched some of the earlier series of Torchwood in order to acquire a sense of the show's tone, but did not fully immerse herself because given her character's naivety and ignorance, "not being so well-versed in it played in my favour".
Esther is introduced in press materials as being "an innocent in a world of assassins, liars and zealots". Havins describes Drummond as "an optimist and the glass is half full person" who is forced to grow up by the challenges that Miracle Day presents. Esther's introduction also invites parallels that of lead female character 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...
) in the series' 2006 premiere episode "Everything Changes
Everything Changes (Torchwood)
"Everything Changes" is the first episode of the British science fiction television programme Torchwood, which was first broadcast on 22 October 2006.-Synopsis:Police constable Gwen Cooper comes across the mysterious organisation known as Torchwood...
"; she represents an 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...
for new American viewers. Havins refers to Esther as the "tour guide" for new viewers coming to Torchwood for the first time, one who is "digging deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole". Havins also comments that Esther as a character is less action-orientated than Gwen, stating that she uses her intellect and technology as her weapons, being more the "techie" of the team. Havins explains that Esther's analyst position is "her safe little world" and though she has a highly romanticised idea of field work, it is not an area she is adept in, as opposed to more experienced field agents Rex, Jack and Gwen. However, the events of Miracle Day force Esther off the grid, and initiate her into a more action orientated world.
Reception
The HD Room's James Zappie praises the friendship between Drummond and Gwen Cooper, stating that "It isn't a trite Cagney & LaceyCagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey is an American television series that originally aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from October 8, 1981 to May 16, 1988...
wannabe pairing of two female characters" and instead offers a chance for the two actresses "to branch out and add complexity to their characters' personalities". Den of Geek's Simon Brew praised the character's storyline in Escape to L.A.
Escape to L.A.
"Escape to L.A." is the fourth episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Torchwood, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 29 July 2011, in Australia on UKTV on 30 July 2011, in Canada on Space on 30 July 2011, and in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 4...
stating the storyline between her and her sister is "welcome exposition, and Alexa Havins is proving to be an excellent bit of casting".