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((Short description|Fictional character from the television series Torchwood))
((for-multi|the author|Gwen Cooper (author)|the American football player|Gwen Cooper (American football)))
((Use dmy dates|date=October 2020))
((Use British English|date=September 2011))
((Infobox character
| name        = Gwen Cooper
| series      = [[Torchwood]]
| image       = [[File:Gwen Cooper.jpg|211px]]
| first       = "[[Everything Changes (Torchwood)|Everything Changes]]" (2006)
| last        = ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day|Miracle Day]]'': "[[The Blood Line (Torchwood)|The Blood Line]]" (2011)
| alias       = PC Cooper
| portrayer   = [[Eve Myles]]
| lbl1        = Shared universe appearances
| data1       = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (2008)
| affiliation = [[South Wales Police]]<br>[[Torchwood Institute]]
| lbl21       = Home era
| data21      = Early 21st century
))
'''Gwen Cooper''' is a [[fiction]]al [[Character (arts)|character]] portrayed by Welsh actress [[Eve Myles]] in the [[BBC]] [[science-fiction]] [[television program]]me ''[[Torchwood]]'', a spin-off of the long-running series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The lead female character, Gwen featured in every episode of the show's 2006–2011 run, as well as two 2008 crossover episodes of ''Doctor Who''. Gwen appears in [[Expanded Universe]] material such as the [[List of Torchwood novels and audio books|''Torchwood'' novels and audiobooks]], [[List of Torchwood comics|comic books]] and [[List of Torchwood episodes#Radio plays (2008–2009)|radio plays]].

Within the series narrative, Gwen is a [[South Wales Police]] officer who discovers the mysterious [[Torchwood Institute]], into which she is recruited by [[Jack Harkness]] ([[John Barrowman]]). Gwen initially operates as a [[field agent]], bringing a humane and rounded approach to the team's investigations of the [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]]. Gwen's work begins to take a toll on her personal life in the first series (2006), but her marriage to [[Rhys Williams (Torchwood)|Rhys]] ([[Kai Owen]]) keeps her grounded, even as her responsibilities increase in Series 2 (2008). In ''[[Children of Earth]]'' (2009) and ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day|Miracle Day]]'' (2011), after Torchwood is destroyed to conceal a government conspiracy, a much hardened Gwen operates under her own mandate as the world undergoes crises linked with unprecedented alien threats.

Gwen is introduced as an [[audience surrogate]], in the mould of the "[[girl next door]]" archetype, much like the perennial "[[companion (Doctor Who)|companion]]" character in ''Doctor Who''. However, as the series progressed, the production team chose to emphasise contradictory aspects to her character by having Gwen make ethically dubious decisions. As the show progresses, and even after becoming a mother, Gwen evolves into a more militant action heroine and finds herself willing to make tough decisions to protect those closest to her.

Reviewers have generally responded positively to the complexity of Gwen's character and Eve Myles' portrayal, though critics found fault with her more prosaic characterisation earlier on. Eve Myles' portrayal of Gwen has been cited as effective in both promoting the country of Wales and combating a perceived prejudice against the Welsh accent. Myles received a [[Bafta Cymru|Welsh BAFTA]] for the first series of the show and was nominated for several other acting awards across each of ''Torchwood''(('))s four series'.

==Appearances==

===Television===
Gwen is introduced in the [[Everything Changes (Torchwood)|first episode]] of ''Torchwood'', in which she—a [[Cardiff]] [[police officer]]— witnesses [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]] ([[John Barrowman]]) and his team interrogating a dead man in an alley. After investigating the Torchwood team, she locates the [[Torchwood Institute]]'s Cardiff branch, home to a team of alien hunters. Though Jack wipes her memories, they are later triggered by reports of murders committed with [[List of Torchwood items#Life Knife|exotic weaponry]]. Torchwood's own [[Suzie Costello]] ([[Indira Varma]]) is the [[serial killer]]. Gwen is present at Suzie's attempt to kill Jack, and Suzie's ensuing [[suicide]]. Jack reveals that he [[immortality|cannot die]] and offers Gwen a job in Torchwood.<ref name=EverythingChanges>((cite episode|title=[[Everything Changes (Torchwood)|Everything Changes]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=[[Russell T Davies]] (writer), [[Brian Kelly (director)|Brian Kelly]] (director), [[Richard Stokes (producer)|Richard Stokes]] (producer)|network=[[BBC Three]]|airdate=22 August 2006|number=1|series-no=1))</ref> Jack and Gwen's relationship takes on a romantic hue, despite her long-standing relationship with boyfriend [[Rhys Williams (Torchwood)|Rhys]] ([[Kai Owen]]).<ref name=JackGwen>((cite news|url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=24&ContentID=31679 |title=Who's new in time travelling? |access-date=5 July 2007 |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023952/http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=24&ContentID=31679 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead ))</ref> Gwen falls into a short-lived destructive affair with colleague [[Owen Harper|Owen]] ([[Burn Gorman]]), after a particularly [[Countrycide|traumatic experience with cannibals]], which she cannot share with Rhys.<ref name=Countrycide>((cite episode|title=[[Countrycide]]|series=Torchwood|credits=Chris Chibnall (writer), [[Andy Goddard]] (director), Richard Stokes (producer) |network=BBC Three|airdate= 19 November 2006|number=6|series-no=1))</ref> Shortly afterwards, Gwen is targeted and almost killed by a vengeful undead Suzie. In their conversations, Gwen is shocked to realise the extent to which Torchwood neglected Suzie's emotional welfare, and Suzie is resentful towards Gwen, who has replaced her both professionally, and as Owen's lover.<ref name=TheyKeepKillingSuzie>((cite episode|title=[[They Keep Killing Suzie]]|series = Torchwood|credits=[[Paul Tomalin]], [[Dan McCulloch]] (writers), [[James Strong (director)|James Strong]], Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Three|airdate=2006-12-03))</ref> Wracked with guilt, Gwen confesses her affair with Owen after it ends in "[[Combat (Torchwood)|Combat]]", but she drugs Rhys with an [[Retcon (Torchwood)|amnesia pill]] so he will not remember her confession.<ref name=Combat>((cite episode|title=[[Combat (Torchwood)|Combat]]|series=Torchwood|credits=Noel Clarke (writer), Andy Goddard (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Three|airdate=24 December 2006|number=11|series-no=1))</ref> In the [[End of Days (Torchwood)|series one finale]], her desire to resurrect a murdered Rhys motivates her to mutiny against Jack by opening the [[Cardiff Rift|rift in time and space]] which Torchwood monitors. After Jack sacrifices himself to the released [[List of Torchwood monsters and aliens#Abaddon|supernatural demon]], Gwen maintains a vigil, certain that he will resurrect. As she loses hope, giving Jack a parting kiss, he awakens and thanks her. Shortly afterwards, Jack abandons Torchwood to reunite with the mysterious "[[Doctor (Doctor Who)|Doctor]]" from his past.<ref name=EndofDays>((cite episode|title=[[End of Days (Torchwood)|End of Days]]|series=Torchwood|credits=Chris Chibnall (writer), Ashley Way (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Three|airdate=1 January 2007|number=13|series-no=1))</ref>

In 2008, as series two begins, Gwen has replaced Jack as team leader. When Jack returns to lead Torchwood, Gwen displays anger towards him for abandoning the team, and surprises him with the news she has become engaged.<ref name=KissKiss>((cite episode |title= Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang |episode-link= Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Torchwood) |series= [[Torchwood]] |credits= Chris Chibnall (writer), Ashley Way (director), Richard Stokes (producer) |network= [[BBC Two]]| airdate= 16 January 2008|number=1|series-no=2))</ref> In a later episode she is forced to tell Rhys about her job at Torchwood when he assumes she is having an affair with Jack. After Rhys takes a bullet for her Gwen defies Jack by refusing to wipe Rhys' memories, feeling humbled by her partner's loyalty and bravery.<ref name=Meat>((cite episode|title=[[Meat (Torchwood)|Meat]]|series=Torchwood|credits=Catherine Treganna (writer), Colin Teague (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Two|airdate= 6 February 2008|number=4|series-no=2))</ref> In "[[Something Borrowed (Torchwood)|Something Borrowed]]", despite being pregnant to an alien [[List of Torchwood monsters and aliens#N|Nostrovite]], Gwen refuses to postpone the wedding to Rhys. Her marriage makes Jack remember an earlier marriage of his own.<ref name=Borrowed>((cite episode|title=[[Something Borrowed (Torchwood)|Something Borrowed]]|series=Torchwood|credits=[[Phil Ford (writer)|Phil Ford]] (writer), Ashley Way (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Three|airdate=5 March 2008|number=9|series-no=2))</ref> In "[[Adrift (Torchwood)|Adrift]]" Rhys continues to push Gwen to unburden herself from her traumatic experiences, after her attempt to re-unite families with missing children stolen by the rift goes horribly wrong.<ref name="Adrift">((cite episode |title= Adrift |episode-link= Adrift (Torchwood) |series= [[Torchwood]] |credits= Chris Chibnall (writer), Mark Everest (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network= [[BBC Three]]| airdate= 19 March 2008|number=11|series-no=2))</ref> In the [[Exit Wounds (Torchwood)|series finale]], Gwen's leadership skills allow her to co-ordinate Cardiff during the chaos caused by [[Captain John Hart (Torchwood)|Captain John Hart]] ([[James Marsters]]) and Jack's younger brother [[Gray Harkness|Gray]] (Lachlan Nieboer). When Gray kills Gwen's teammates [[Toshiko Sato|Toshiko]] ([[Naoko Mori]]) and Owen, Gwen is desolate.<ref name="ExitWounds">((cite episode|title=[[Exit Wounds (Torchwood)|Exit Wounds]]|series=Torchwood|credits=Chris Chibnall (writer), Ashley Way (director), Richard Stokes (producer)|network=BBC Two|airdate=4 April 2008|number=13|series-no=2))</ref> The character makes a crossover appearance in ''Doctor Who'' alongside Jack and [[Ianto Jones|Ianto]] ([[Gareth David-Lloyd]]) in its [[Doctor Who (series 4)|2008 series]]' two-part finale, in which Torchwood help contact series protagonist [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] ([[David Tennant]]) during an invasion of the psychopathic mutant [[Dalek]]s, and later must defend their headquarters from the attacking aliens.<ref name=StolenEarth>((cite episode|title=[[The Stolen Earth]]|series=Doctor Who|credits=Russell T Davies (writer), [[Graeme Harper]] (director), Phil Collinson (producer)|network=[[BBC One]]|airdate=28 June 2008|number=12|series-no=4))</ref> The Doctor suggests a connection to Gwyneth, a separate character portrayed by Eve Myles in the 2005 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[The Unquiet Dead]]".<ref name="Journey's End">((cite episode |title=[[Journey's End (Doctor Who)|Journey's End]] |credits=Russell T Davies (writer), Graeme Harper (director), Phil Collinson (producer) |network=[[BBC One]] |airdate=5 July 2008 |number=13 |series=[[Doctor Who]] |series-no=4))</ref> She was also mentioned in the alternate universe created in the ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[Turn Left]]" when [[Rose Tyler]] ([[Billie Piper]]) mentioned that she and Ianto were killed in the attempt to stop the [[Sontarans]]' invasion of Earth with ATMOs devices, whilst Jack is imprisoned on their homeworld.

In ''Children of Earth'', a five-part serial broadcast in 2009, Gwen is a more militant heroine shaped by the increased responsibilities and pressures of her job.<ref name="Interview with Eve and Euros">((cite web|url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/b14762_exclusive_eve_myles_director_euros_lyn.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223121453/http://www.fearnet.com/news/b14762_exclusive_eve_myles_director_euros_lyn.html|archive-date=23 February 2009 |title=Exclusive: Eve Myles and Director Euros Lyn Talk 'Torchwood' Season 3!|last=McCabe|first=Joseph|date=19 February 2009|access-date=22 February 2009|publisher=[[Fearnet]]))</ref> In part one, aliens called [[List of Torchwood monsters and aliens#The 4-5-6|the 4-5-6]] communicate to the world by taking possession of its children and a middle-aged man, [[List of Torchwood characters#Clement MacDonald|Clem McDonald]] ([[Paul Copley]]). Gwen investigates by visiting Clem, who—being possessed of psychic abilities—announces to her she is pregnant, which she later confirms using technology at the Torchwood Hub.<ref name="CoE#1">((cite episode|title=[[Torchwood: Children of Earth|Children of Earth]]: Day One|series=[[Torchwood]]|network=BBC One|airdate=6 July 2009|credits=Russell T Davies (writer), [[Euros Lyn]] (director), [[Peter Bennett (producer)|Peter Bennett]] (producer)|number=1|series-no=3))</ref> Gwen is forced to defend herself from assassins after the Hub is destroyed to conceal a government conspiracy, taking Rhys on the run with her,<ref name="CoE#2">((cite episode|title=[[Torchwood: Children of Earth|Children of Earth]]: Day Two|series=[[Torchwood]]|network=BBC One|airdate=7 July 2009|credits=[[John Fay (writer)|John Fay]] (writer), Euros Lyn (director), Peter Bennett (producer)|number=2|series-no=3))</ref> and re-establishing Torchwood Three in a London warehouse. By making contact with government [[personal assistant|PA]] [[List of Torchwood characters#Lois Habiba|Lois Habiba]] ([[Cush Jumbo]]), Gwen discovers her fugitive status and is able to survey cabinet meetings.<ref name="CoE#3">((cite episode|title=[[Torchwood: Children of Earth|Children of Earth]]: Day Three|series=[[Torchwood]]|network=BBC One|airdate=8 July 2009|credits=Russell T Davies & [[James Moran (writer)|James Moran]] (writers), Euros Lyn (director), Peter Bennett (producer)|number=3|series-no=3))</ref> When Ianto is killed fighting the 4-5-6,<ref name="CoE#4">((cite episode|title=[[Torchwood: Children of Earth|Children of Earth]]: Day Four|series=[[Torchwood]]|network=BBC One|airdate=8 July 2009|credits=John Fay (writer), Euros Lyn (director), Peter Bennett (producer)|number=4|series-no=3))</ref> Gwen and Rhys return to Cardiff to protect his niece and nephew from the armed forces, ordered by the government to sacrifice a percentage of the country's children as [[appeasement]]. She feels she now understands the Doctor's periodic absence during various crises in Earth's history; believing him to sometimes "look at this planet, and turn away in shame". In the [[dénouement]] of the final part, Gwen is six months pregnant when she returns Jack's [[List of Torchwood items#Time Agent Wrist-Strap|vortex manipulator]] to him. She insists he stay; he leaves her behind and abandons Earth.<ref name="CoE#5">((cite episode|title=[[Torchwood: Children of Earth|Children of Earth]]: Day Five|series=[[Torchwood]]|network=[[BBC One]]|airdate=9 July 2009|credits=Russell T Davies (writer), Euros Lyn (director), Peter Bennett (producer)|number=5|series-no=4))</ref>

Fourth series ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day|Miracle Day]]'' (2011), an American co-production, re-establishes Gwen, Rhys and their daughter [[List of Torchwood characters#Anwen Williams|Anwen]] living reclusively in rural Wales. [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent [[Rex Matheson]] ([[Mekhi Phifer]]) [[Rendition (law)|renditions]] Gwen to the United States, believing a worldwide phenomenon wherein no one can die to be connected to Torchwood and she becomes part of a new Torchwood team alongside Jack, Rex and former CIA analyst [[Esther Drummond]] ([[Alexa Havins]]).<ref name=TheNewWorld>((cite episode|title=[[The New World (Torchwood)|The New World]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Russell T Davies (writer), [[Bharat Nalluri]] (director), Kelly Manners & [[Brian Minchin]] (producers)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=8 July 2011|number=1|series-no=4))</ref><ref name=Rendition>((cite episode|title=[[Rendition (Torchwood)|Rendition]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=[[Doris Egan]] (writer), [[Billy Gierhart]] (director), Kelly Manners & Brian Minchin (producers)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=15 July 2011|number=2|series-no=4))</ref> In "[[The Categories of Life]]" and "[[The Middle Men]]" Gwen returns to Wales to rescue her ailing father [[Geraint Cooper|Geraint]] ([[William Thomas (actor)|William Thomas]]), who survived a fatal heart attack on "Miracle Day", from a facility where the critically injured are incinerated.<ref name="The Categories of Life">((cite episode|title=[[The Categories of Life]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=[[Jane Espenson]], [[Guy Ferland]]|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=5 August 2011))</ref><ref name="The Middle Men">((cite episode|title=[[The Middle Men]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=John Shiban (writer), [[Guy Ferland]] (director), Kelly Manners & Brian Minchin (producers)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=12 August 2011|number=6|series-no=4))</ref> Upon her return to America her family are kidnapped as leverage to make her surrender Jack. Gwen tells Jack, now ostensibly mortal, that she would allow him to be killed to save Anwen.<ref name=ImmortalSins>((cite episode|title=[[Immortal Sins]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=[[Jane Espenson]] (writer), [[Gwyneth Horder-Payton]] (director), Kelly Manners & Brian Minchin (producers)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=19 August 2011|number=7|series-no=4))</ref> After Gwen is deported by senior CIA official [[Allen Shapiro]] ([[John De Lancie]]) because of her dissidence she focusses on protecting her father from the authorities; enclosing him in her mother [[Mary Cooper (Torchwood)|Mary]]'s ([[Sharon Morgan]]) cellar and supplying him with palliative medicine.<ref name=TheGathering>((cite episode|title=[[The Gathering (Torchwood)|The Gathering]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=[[John Fay (writer)|John Fay]] (writer), [[Guy Ferland]] (director)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=2 September 2011))</ref><ref name=EndoftheRoad>((cite episode|title=[[End of the Road (Torchwood)|End of the Road]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Ryan Scott & [[Jane Espenson]] (writers), [[Gwyneth Horder-Payton]] (director)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=26 August 2011))</ref> The concluding episode, "The Blood Line" opens with Gwen eulogising her father as the kindest man she has ever known, before stating that she is about to kill him. When the power and profit driven conspirators behind Miracle Day try to thwart her resolve by wounding Esther, Gwen declares she will sacrifice her entire Torchwood team to restore order. She shoots Jack through the heart, allowing his unique blood to prompt an ancient phenomenon to reset the human [[morphic field]]. As Geraint and other "Miracle Day" survivors pass away peacefully, Jack's immortality is restored. Gwen is shocked to discover at Esther's funeral that Rex is now immortal too.<ref name=TheBloodLine>((cite episode|title=[[The Blood Line (Torchwood)|The Blood Line]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Russell T Davies & Jane Espenson (writers), Billy Gierhart (director), Kelly Manners & Brian Minchin (producers)|network=[[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]]|airdate=9 September 2011|number=10|series-no=4))</ref>

In the 2021 New Year's Special "[[Revolution of the Daleks]]," Jack departs the TARDIS to reconnect with Gwen. Jack tells the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] that Gwen fought off a Dalek with a [[moped]] and her son's [[boxing gloves]] during the recent invasion, revealing that she has had another child in the years that have passed since the end of ''Miracle Day''.

===Literature===
((Rquote|right|"'Look, Rhys, will you stop a minute? Thanks. It's just&nbsp;...' She paused, took a breath. 'It's just I've been thinking, love, and I've decided I'll be keeping my own name.'"|The novel ''Skypoint'' depicts Gwen's decision to retain her maiden name.<ref name=SkyPoint/>))

Gwen appears in all [[List of Torchwood novels and audio books|''Torchwood'' novels]] published by [[BBC Books]] to date. The first wave, ''Another Life'', ''Border Princes'', and ''Slow Decay'', set between the series one episodes of Torchwood, were published in January 2007.<ref name="AnotherLife">((cite book|last=Anghelides|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Anghelides|title=Another Life|date=January 2007|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-48655-8))</ref><ref name="BorderPrinces">((cite book|last=Abnett|first=Dan|author-link=Dan Abnett|title=Border Princes|date=January 2007|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-48654-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/borderprinces0000abne))</ref><ref name=SlowDecay>((cite book|last=Lane|first=Andy|author-link=Andy Lane|title=Slow Decay|date=January 2007|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-48655-8))</ref> These novels expand on the difficult period in Gwen and Rhys' relationship. In ''Border Princes'' she engages in an affair with the mysterious [[List of Torchwood characters#James Mayer|James Mayer]], while Rhys is endangering himself for her in ''Slow Decay'' by taking an alien diet pill to impress her.<ref name="BorderPrinces"/><ref name=SlowDecay/> Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of ''Torchwood'', Gwen appears in the novels ''Trace Memory'', ''The Twilight Streets'', and ''Something in the Water''.<ref name=TraceMemory>((cite book|last=Llewwellyn|first=David|author-link=David Llewellyn (author)|title=Trace Memory |date=March 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-438-7))</ref><ref name=TwilightStreets>((cite book|last=Russell|first=Gary|author-link=Gary Russell|title=The Twilight Streets|date=March 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-439-4))</ref><ref>((cite book|last=Baxendale|first=Trevor|author-link=Trevor Baxendale|title=Something in the Water|date=March 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-437-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/somethinginwater0000baxe))</ref> Gwen's first day with [[Andy Davidson (Torchwood)|Andy Davidson]] as her beat partner is portrayed in a flashback in ''Trace Memory''.<ref name=TraceMemory/> In ''The Twilight Streets'' an alternate-future Torchwood is depicted; headed by Gwen and Rhys, after the demise of Tosh, Owen, Ianto and Jack.<ref name=TwilightStreets/> Three more ''Torchwood'' books were released in October 2008: ''Pack Animals'', ''SkyPoint'', and ''Almost Perfect''.<ref name=SkyPoint>((cite book|title=SkyPoint|last=Ford|first=Phil|author-link=Phil Ford (writer)|date=October 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-575-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/skypoint0000ford))</ref><ref name=PackAnimals>((cite book |title=Pack Animals|last=Anghelides|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Anghelides|date=October 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-574-2))</ref><ref name=AlmostPerfect>((cite book|title=Almost Perfect|last=Goss|first=James|author-link=James Goss (producer)|date=October 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-573-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/almostperfect00))</ref> These novels maintain the series chronology: ''Pack Animals'' depicts Gwen attempting to plan for her wedding alongside her ''Torchwood'' mission.<ref name=PackAnimals/> ''SkyPoint'', in which Gwen and Rhys discover an alien threat whilst flathunting, is set soon after their wedding in "[[Something Borrowed (Torchwood)|Something Borrowed]]". Gwen's continued use of her maiden name is not specifically addressed in the TV show, but ''SkyPoint'' sees her consciously reject the name "Mrs Williams", after the unfamiliarity and awkwardness of hearing Jack address her this way.<ref name=SkyPoint/> The novel ''Almost Perfect'' is the first to be set after the episode ''Exit Wounds'' in which Tosh and Owen are killed; Gwen becomes concerned at Rhys' increasing role in her investigations.<ref name=AlmostPerfect/> The May 2009 wave of books consisted of ''Into the Silence'', ''Bay of the Dead'', and ''The House that Jack Built''.<ref>((cite book|title=Into the Silence|last=Pinborough|first=Sarah|date=May 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-753-1))</ref><ref>((cite book|title=Bay of the Dead|last=Morris|first=Mark|date=May 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-753-1))</ref><ref>((cite book|title=The House that Jack Built|last=Adams|first=Guy|date=May 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-739-5))</ref> Later novels published in October 2009 include ''Risk Assessment'', ''The Undertaker's Gift'', and ''Consequences'', all set between "Exit Wounds" and ''Children of Earth''.<ref>((cite book|title=Risk Assessment|last=Goss|first=James|date=October 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-783-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/riskassessment0000goss))</ref><ref>((cite book|title=The Undertaker's Gift|last=Baxendale|first=Trevor|date=October 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-782-1))</ref><ref name=Consequences>((cite book|title=Consequences|last1=Lidster|first1=Joseph|last2=Moran|first2=James|last3=Cartmel|first3=Andrew|author-link3=Andrew Cartmel|last4=Llewellyn|first4=David|last5=Pinborough|first5=Sarah|date=October 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-784-5))</ref> Gwen appears in three ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' prequel novels released in Summer 2011. In ''First Born'' Gwen and Rhys encounter sinister forces in rural Wales whilst adjusting to parenthood and life in hiding.<ref>((cite book|title=First Born|last=Goss|first=James|author-link=James Goss (producer)|date=July 2011|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1-84607-739-5))</ref> Gwen appears briefly in flashback material in ''Long Time Dead'' and ''The Men Who Sold the World'', novels which explore the aftermath of the destruction of ''Torchwood''(('))s headquarters and the technology left behind.<ref>((cite book|title=Long Time Dead|last=Pinborough|first=Sarah|author-link=Sarah Pinborough|date=July 2011|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1-84607-739-5))</ref><ref>((cite book|title=The Men Who Sold The World|last=Adams|first=Guy|author-link=Guy Adams|date=August 2011|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1-84607-739-5))</ref> Written by John and [[Carole Barrowman]] and published in September 2012, the novel ''Exodus Code'' unites Gwen and Jack in a transatlantic mission following the events of ''Miracle Day''.<ref>((cite book|title=Torchwood: Exodus Code|last1=Barrowman|last2=Barrowman|first1=John|first2=Carole|author-link1=John Barrowman|author-link2=Carole Barrowman|date=September 2012|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1846079078 ))</ref>

First published in January 2008, the monthly ''[[Torchwood Magazine]]'' included [[List of Torchwood comics|''Torchwood'' comic strips]] in which Gwen appeared. Gareth David-Lloyd's comic, "Shrouded", includes a scene set after ''Children in Earth'', which shows Gwen cradling her young child. As Gwen is busy, Rhys is required to team up with Captain John Hart to save the timeline.<ref name=Shrouded>((Cite comic| writer= David-Lloyd, Gareth | inker = Guerra, Pia| story = Shrouded| title = [[Torchwood Magazine]] | volume = 1 | issue = 21 | date = May and June 2010 | publisher = [[Titan Magazines]]))</ref> During series two, the ''Torchwood'' website hosted an interactive online game written by series writer [[Phil Ford (writer)|Phil Ford]]. Eve Myles makes a brief appearance as Gwen towards the end of the game, alongside Gareth David-Lloyd, when her character and Ianto shut down a broadcast from the fictitious Dark Talk studio.<ref name="series two game">((cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a88392/interactive-torchwood-adventure-launched.html|title= Interactive ''Torchwood'' adventure launched|access-date=6 August 2008 |work=Digital Spy|date=31 January 2008))</ref> Throughout both series one and two, the interactive websites co-written by [[James Goss (producer)|James Goss]] featured [[electronic literature]] content (such as fictitious [[Internet messaging platform|internet messaging]] conversations and letters) which depict aspects of Gwen and the other ''Torchwood'' characters' work and personal lives.<ref name=Transmedia>((cite journal|last=Perryman|first=Neil|year=2008|title=Doctor Who and the Convergence of Media, A Case Study in "Transmedia Storytelling"|journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies|volume=14|issue=1|pages=21–39|quote=The British science fiction series ''Doctor Who'' embraces convergence culture on an unprecedented scale, with the BBC currently using the series to trial a plethora of new technologies, including: mini-episodes on mobile phones, podcast commentaries, interactive red-button adventures, video blogs, companion programming, and 'fake' metatextual websites|doi=10.1177/1354856507084417|s2cid=143017991|url=http://con.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/14/1/21|access-date=6 August 2008))</ref> ''The Torchwood Archives'' by [[Gary Russell]]&nbsp;— an insider's look into Torchwood&nbsp;— collects much of this ancillary online literature in hardback form, along with new material, some of which expands on Gwen's background and life before Torchwood. Details are given of Gwen's university attendance, a previous boyfriend named Bruce, and her time with Andy in the police force. Photographs are provided of Gwen and Rhys, which were used as set dressing in the TV series, and fictitious in-universe documents such as Gwen's personnel form and her Torchwood case reports.<ref name="TWArchives">((cite book|last=Russell|first=Gary|author-link=Gary Russell|title=The Torchwood Archives|date=October 2008|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-459-2))</ref> In a similar vein to ''The Torchwood Archives'', from a real-world perspective, Gary Russell's ''The Torchwood Encyclopedia'' (2009) expands on "every fact and figure" for Gwen and the Torchwood world.<ref name="TWEncylcopedia">((cite book|last=Russell|first=Gary|title=The Torchwood Encyclopedia|date=October 2009|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84607-764-7))</ref>

===Audio drama===
Gwen appeared in four original [[Torchwood Audiobooks#Audio books|''Torchwood'' audiobooks]] from [[BBC Books]] in 2008 which tied in with the second series of the television drama. The first of these—''[[Hidden (Torchwood)|Hidden]]'' and ''[[Everyone Says Hello]]'', narrated by Naoko Mori and Burn Gorman respectively—  were released in February whilst two further releases—''[[In the Shadows (Torchwood)|In the Shadows]]'', narrated by Gwen's portrayer Eve Myles, and ''[[The Sin Eaters (Torchwood)|The Sin Eaters]]'', narrated by Gareth David-Lloyd&nbsp;— were released in September.<ref name="hidden">((cite video |people=[[Steven Savile]] (author), Naoko Mori (narrator) |date= 4 February 2008|title=[[Hidden (Torchwood)|Hidden]] |medium=Audio book |publisher=BBC Audio))</ref><ref name="hello">((cite video |people=[[Dan Abnett]] (author), Burn Gorman (narrator) |date= 4 February 2008|title=[[Everyone Says Hello]] |medium=Audio book |publisher=BBC Audio))</ref><ref name="in the shadows">((cite video |people=[[Joseph Lidster]] (author), Eve Myles (narrator)|date=September 2008 |title=[[In the Shadows (Torchwood)|In the Shadows]] |medium=Audio book |publisher=BBC Audio))</ref><ref name="sin eaters">((cite video |people=[[Brian Minchin]] (author), Gareth David-LLoyd (narrator)|date=June 2009 |title=[[The Sin Eaters (Torchwood)|The Sin Eaters]] |medium=Audio book |publisher=BBC Audio))</ref> Two additional original audiobooks set following the events of the second series—''[[Ghost Train (Torchwood)|Ghost Train]]'' and ''Department X''—were published in March 2011 and narrated by [[Kai Owen]].<ref name=GhostTrain>((cite book|last=Goss|first=James|author-link=James Goss (producer)|title=Ghost Train|date=March 2011|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1-4084-6666-7|title-link=Ghost Train (Torchwood)))</ref><ref>((cite book|last=Goss|first=James|author-link=James Goss (producer)|title=Department X|date=March 2011|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1408466650|title-link=Department X))</ref> In ''Ghost Train'' Gwen is killed: as Jack is missing Rhys has to work alone to reverse his wife's fate.<ref name=GhostTrain/> Gwen's investigations after ''Miracle Day'' are depicted in 2012 audio books. In ''Army of One'', released in March, written by Ian Edginton and narrated by Kai Owen, Gwen and Rhys are drawn into the investigation of an alien serial killer in Washington DC.<ref>((cite book|last=Edginton|first=Ian|author-link=Ian Edginton|title=Army of One|date=March 2012|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1445871929))</ref> In ''Fallout'', released April, written by David Llewellyn and read by Tom Price, Andy has an extraterrestrial investigation of his own in the UK and requires assistance from Gwen by telephone.<ref>((cite book|last=Llewellyn|first=David|author-link=David Llewellyn (author)|title=Fallout|date=April 2012|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1445871943))</ref> In May's release, ''Red Skies'' written by Joseph Lidster and narrated by John Telfer, Jack has a premonition that Gwen has been ostensibly shot in the chest.<ref>((cite book|last=Lidster|first=Joseph|title=Red Skies|date=May 2012|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1445871967))</ref> However, in the following instalment, ''Mr Invincible'', a brief appearance from Rhys and Gwen reveal that the characters have returned to Wales safely following their time in the United States.<ref>((cite book|last=Morris|first=Mark|title=Mr Invincible|date=June 2012|publisher=[[BBC Books]]|isbn=978-1445871981 ))</ref>

Joseph Lidster wrote a ''Torchwood'' radio drama, "[[Lost Souls (Torchwood)|Lost Souls]]", which aired in September 2008 as a [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]] ''[[The Afternoon Play (BBC)|Afternoon Play]]'' featuring the voices of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and [[Freema Agyeman]] ([[Martha Jones|Martha]]). Set after the events of the 2008 series, Gwen and the team make their first international adventure in [[CERN]] in [[Geneva]], as part of Radio 4's special celebration of the switching on of the [[Large Hadron Collider]]. The special radio episode's plot focuses both on the Large Hadron Collider's activation and [[Safety of particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider|the doomsday scenario]] some warned it might cause, and the team's mourning of Toshiko and Owen's recent deaths.<ref name=LostSouls>((cite episode |title=[[Lost Souls (Torchwood)|Lost Souls]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Joseph Lidster (writer), [[Kate McAll]] (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=10 September 2008))</ref> Between 1 and 3 July 2009, Radio 4 aired three further audio dramas in the ''Afternoon Play'' time-slot, titled "[[Asylum (Torchwood)|Asylum]]", "[[Golden Age (Torchwood)|Golden Age]]" and "[[The Dead Line (radio drama)|The Dead Line]]", bridging the gap between Series 2 and 3.<ref name=Asylum>((cite episode|title=[[Asylum (Torchwood)|Asylum]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Anita Sullivan (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=1 July 2009))</ref><ref name=GoldenAge>((cite episode |title=[[Golden Age (Torchwood)|Golden Age]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=James Goss (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=2 July 2009))</ref><ref name=TheDeadLine>((cite episode|title=[[The Dead Line (radio drama)|The Dead Line]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Phil Ford (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=3 July 2009))</ref> "The Dead Line" depicts Gwen working together with Rhys to investigate a mysterious case; she identifies him as a member of Torchwood during the mission.<ref name=TheDeadLine/> To tie in with the show's fourth series, ''Torchwood: Miracle Day'', the BBC produced three more radio plays, airing between 11 and 13 July 2011. Titled "The Devil and Miss Carew", "Submission" and "House of the Dead", these plays fill narrative gaps between "Exit Wounds" and ''Miracle Day'' and feature the voices of Myles, Barrowman and David-Lloyd.<ref name=MissCarew>((cite episode|title=[[The Lost Files (Torchwood)|The Devil and Miss Carew]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Rupert Laight (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=11 July 2011))</ref><ref name=Submission>((cite episode|title=[[The Lost Files (Torchwood)|Submission]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=Ryan Scott (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=12 July 2011))</ref><ref name=HouseoftheDead>((cite episode|title=[[The Lost Files (Torchwood)|House of the Dead]]|series=[[Torchwood]]|credits=James Goss (writer), Kate McAll (producer/director)|network=[[BBC Radio 4]]|airdate=13 July 2011))</ref>

Myles reprised the role of Gwen in a series of full cast audio dramas as part of an ongoing [[Torchwood (Big Finish series)|''Torchwood'' series]] from [[Big Finish Productions]]. The third release of the series, ''Forgotten Lives'', co-stars Kai Owen as Rhys and re-introduces the characters four years after the events of ''Miracle Day''.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/forgotten-lives-1296|title=1.3. Forgotten Lives|date=8 September 2015|access-date=8 September 2015))</ref>

==Casting and initial characterisation==
[[Image:Russell T Davies.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Russell T Davies created Gwen specifically for Eve Myles.]]

Lead writer and [[executive producer]] [[Russell T Davies]] initially had the idea of an unnamed policewoman stumbling across a team of alien investigators in an alley as a premise, before ''Torchwood'' or the 2005 revival of ''Doctor Who'' were commissioned.<ref>((cite episode|credits=[[Russell T Davies]], [[Julie Gardner]] & [[Brian Kelly (director)|Brian Kelly]] (contributors)|title=[[Everything Changes (Torchwood)|Everything Changes]] (commentary track)|network=DVD (Region 2)|location=United Kingdom|year=2007))</ref> Having been enamoured by her television performances, most notably in the [[The Unquiet Dead|2005 episode of ''Doctor Who'' in which she guest-starred]], Davies wrote the character of Gwen specifically for Eve Myles.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/02_february/24/torchwood.shtml|title=Team Torchwood|publisher=BBC Press Office|date=24 February 2006|access-date=9 August 2010))</ref> Myles stated that having the part written for her was like her "own personal [[Academy Award|Oscar]]".<ref name="suicide girls"/> Part of the attraction of playing Gwen for Myles was that she had the opportunity to play an action hero with her own accent.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=who-dunnt-&method=full&objectid=17962623&siteid=66633-name_page.html |title=Who Dunnt |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]] |last=Fulton |first=Rick |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129151934/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline%3Dwho-dunnt-%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D17962623%26siteid%3D66633-name_page.html |archive-date=29 January 2007 ))</ref> Speaking on the casting of Welsh actors on ''Torchwood'', Davies commented that it was deliberately intended, to make the Welsh accent mainstream, "to make it as acceptable as Scottish or Irish".<ref name="Who dares wins"/> In an analysis of [[Welsh mythology]] in ''Torchwood'', Lynette Porter observes that Gwen's national consciousness forms part of her characterisation: her knowledge of local myths "highlights her Welsh heritage and common knowledge from her experience and formal education."<ref name=welshmythology>((cite book|title=Welsh Mythology and Folklore in Popular Culture|chapter=''Torchwood''(('))s Spooky Do's|editor=Audrey Becker|last=Porter|first=Lynette|year=2011|page=149|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0786461707))</ref> Discussing the international co-production behind series four, executive producer Julie Gardner commented that Myles' continued involvement helped ensure that the "flavour of Wales" remained evident.<ref name=AES4>((cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2010/08/torchwood-new-world-fresh-start-captain-jack|title=More Details For "Torchwood: The New World"|last=Jensen|first=Michael|date=9 August 2010|access-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817174402/http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2010/08/torchwood-new-world-fresh-start-captain-jack|archive-date=17 August 2010 ))</ref>

In the first series of ''Torchwood'', Gwen functioned as an audience surrogate. Russell T Davies likened her character type to that of 2005–06 ''Doctor Who'' lead female [[Rose Tyler]] ([[Billie Piper]]): "She is the ordinary person who stumbles into something extraordinary and finds herself their equal."<ref name="Who dares wins">((cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article668327.ece|title=Who dares and wins|author=Russell T Davies|date=15 October 2006|access-date=8 August 2010 | location=London | work=[[The Times]]))</ref> Eve Myles characterised Gwen as an ambitious and feisty young woman, who at the same time embodies many aspects of the [[girl next door]] archetype.<ref>((cite news | first=Paul | last=Rowland | url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=16741728%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=welsh%2dactress%2deve%2din%2ddoctor%2dwho%2dspin%2doff%2d-name_page.html | title=Welsh star in Doctor Who spin-off | newspaper=[[Western Mail (Wales)|The Western Mail]] | date=24 February 2006 | access-date=22 March 2006))</ref> Her distinct role within the team stems from the fact that "she's there for the people", who she feels "instinctive and passionate" about.<ref name= BDATO>((cite episode|title=Bad Day at the Office |series=[[Torchwood Declassified]]|network=[[BBC Three]]|series-no=1|number=2|airdate=13 March 2008))</ref> Producer [[Richard Stokes (producer)|Richard Stokes]] noted that Gwen possesses more "human empathy" than the more mercenary members of the team,<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2006/10/17/torchwood_character_guide/|title=Torchwood character guide|magazine=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=17 October 2006|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> who are seen to be "technology-and-alien-obsessed".<ref name=CJShow>((cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/TV/2006/10/torchwood2.html|title=Torchwood: Captain Jack Gets His Own Show (page 2)|publisher=[[AfterElton]]|last=Hall|first=Locksley|date=24 October 2006|access-date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203185229/http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/TV/2006/10/torchwood2.html|archive-date=3 February 2008 ))</ref> In this vein, lead actor John Barrowman commented that Gwen brings a "little bit of soul" back to Jack. Describing the ways in which Gwen's methods differ from the rest of the team, Myles explained how her police procedural training relates to the job: "she deals with the families, she deals with profiling, she deals with searching people's backgrounds. It's a new way of working she brings in".<ref name= BDATO/> Myles stated that Gwen would have made a "fantastic policewoman" prior to joining Torchwood, drawing on the character's ability to get vulnerable characters to "open up by making them feel comfortable".<ref name="Eve Stage">((cite news|url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2009/07/torchwood-week-eve-myles |title=Torchwood week: Eve Myles |last=Matthewman |first=Scott |newspaper=[[The Stage]] |date=2 July 2009 |access-date=20 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116050823/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2009/07/torchwood-week-eve-myles/ |archive-date=16 November 2010 ))</ref> Myles perceived Gwen to be "the heart and emotion of ''Torchwood''", and "Torchwood's [[social worker]]" who can "run and fight and stand in her own corner and win".<ref name=CoEGwen>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/06_june/15/torchwood5.shtml|title=Torchwood&nbsp;– Children of Earth: Eve Myles plays Gwen Cooper|publisher= BBC Press Office|date=15 June 2009|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> Gaining insight into Torchwood through curiosity,<ref>((cite news |author=Reuters/Hollywood Reporter|title=Sci-fi saga "Torchwood" targets actual grown-ups|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0644590220070907|work=[[Reuters]]|date=12 September 2007|access-date=6 September 2007))</ref> Gwen becomes part of Torchwood because they need her, just as she needs them.<ref>((cite news|first=Melanie|last=McFarland|title=On TV: BBC America's hot 'Torchwood' is a cool place to be Saturday nights|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/330634_tv07.html|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|date=7 September 2007|access-date=2 June 2009))</ref> Gwen's friendship with former colleague Andy is used by the production team to juxtapose her extraordinary life with a mundane one, as well as highlighting her transformation into a harder woman.<ref name=SitD/> Andy is present immediately before Gwen first encounters Torchwood, and Myles feels his later appearances "takes you right back to the beginning, it reminds you where she came from, how Jack found Gwen". Myles observed that Gwen's many facets prevent her from getting bored; she feels constantly challenged "physically", "mentally" and "morally" through portraying the character.<ref name=EveKaiBill>((cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/people/2011/06/torchwood-miracle-day-eve-myles-kai-owen-bill-pullman?page=0%2C0 |title=On the Set of "Torchwood: Miracle Day" With Eve Myles, Kai Owen and Bill Pullman |publisher=[[AfterElton]] |last=Duralde |first=Alfonso |date=9 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013235231/http://www.afterelton.com/people/2011/06/torchwood-miracle-day-eve-myles-kai-owen-bill-pullman?page=0%2C0 |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=dead ))</ref>

Eve Myles previously appeared in the 2005 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[The Unquiet Dead]]" as Gwyneth, a 19th-century [[Clairvoyance|clairvoyant]]. Gwyneth had a connection to the Cardiff Rift, which later became a central [[plot device]] in ''Torchwood''. In response to questions about the similarity of the characters' names, Russell T Davies denied they were connected, stating they are "just two names beginning with "G"."<ref>((cite journal|author=Cook, Benjamin|date=31 January 2007|title=Whoops, Apocalypse|journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]]|issue=378|page=34))</ref> Subsequently however, Davies' 2008 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[Journey's End (Doctor Who)|Journey's End]]" alluded to a familial relationship between the characters (with the Doctor specifically asking if Gwen was a family name and Gwen replying that it was), explaining their physical resemblance as the result of "spatial genetic multiplicity".<ref name="Journey's End"/> Eve Myles said of the two characters, "it was never on the cards as such, but something in the back of my head always said that they were going to be connected somehow."<ref name=LocalHero>((cite journal|date=20 August 2008|title=Eve Myles: Local Hero|journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]]|issue=398|page=28|last1=Cook|first1=Benjamin|last2=Myles|first2=Eve))</ref> Davies explained that the relationship between the characters is not literal, stating that "It's not familial as we understand it" instead characterising spatial genetic multiplicity as "an echo and repetition of physical traits across a Time Rift."<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/episodes/?episode=s4_13&action=factfile|title=Doctor Who Episode 13: Journey's End Factfile|access-date=15 September 2011))</ref>

==Development==

===Morality===
((Rquote|right|"It was completely out of character for Gwen. But that's what good drama is all about. You don't want to spoon-feed a sci-fi audience. You want to challenge them. So none of these characters are safe."|Actress Eve Myles, comments on Gwen's affair in series one.<ref name=Seattlepi/>))

Despite being promoted as the show's heart and moral conscience, the flaws in Gwen's own morality are explored throughout the series; a press release noted that she is both selfless and selfish.<ref name="starz pdf">((cite press release|title=Torchwood: The New World |publisher=BBC [[Press Office]]/[[Starz (TV network)|Starz]] |date=10 August 2010 |url=http://www.starz.com/pressroomstatic/tcasummer2010/pdf/CHARACTER%20DESCRIPTIONS_TORCHWOOD%20The%20New%20World_August2010.pdf |access-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717233401/http://www.starz.com/pressroomstatic/tcasummer2010/pdf/CHARACTER%20DESCRIPTIONS_TORCHWOOD%20The%20New%20World_August2010.pdf |archive-date= 17 July 2011 ))</ref> The first series sees Gwen embark on a brief affair with colleague Owen Harper. Executive producer Russell T Davies explains that the episode "[[Countrycide]]" was deliberately structured in order to make the affair seem inevitable as Gwen struggles to cope with Torchwood life.<ref>((cite episode|title=The Country Club |series=[[Torchwood Declassified]]|network=[[BBC Three]]|series-no=1|number=6|airdate=20 November 2006))</ref> For Davies, the dalliance is a "human" one, told in an adult manner characterised by "lust and anger and hurt and the joy you get out of the initial stages of having an affair".<ref name=CJShow/> Myles commented that Gwen's compromised morality, as demonstrated by her affair was suitably challenging for a science fiction audience, and served to demonstrate that none of the Torchwood team were "safe" from temptation.<ref name=Seattlepi>((cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/348650_tv25.html|title=Hail the return of the alien hunter|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|last=Littlefield|first=Kinney|date=24 January 2008|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> Writer Stephen James Walker argues that Gwen's moral ambiguity made her a more compelling character. Since she was introduced as an audience surrogate, Walker claimed it would have been an easy trap to make her a "[[Mary Sue|one-dimensional paragon of virtue]]". Instead, the writers made Gwen more "realistic" by giving her "distinct human failings", which Walker felt made her "arguably the most complex and interesting of the five regulars". He identified these failures as her "tendency towards egotism", "self-righteousness", and "selfishness", evident in her "highly questionable treatment" of boyfriend Rhys Williams. Walker cited her affair with Owen as an example, as well as the scene in "[[Combat (Torchwood)|Combat]]" where she confesses this betrayal to Rhys after dosing him with the amnesia drug [[Retcon (Torchwood)|Retcon]] so he won't remember.<ref name=SitD>((cite book|last=Walker|first=Stephen James|author-link=Stephen James Walker|title=Something in the Darkness|publisher=Telos Publishing Ltd|year=2008|location=United Kingdom|pages=144–152|isbn=978-1-84583-024-3))</ref>

Linnie Blake felt that Gwen's had a passive role in her own affair; as with her lesbian clinch with an alien and her forceable impregnation; she argues that the Gothic situations in ''Torchwood'' continually parallels in the "invasion" of her sexuality.<ref name=CuteCategories>((cite journal|journal=Irish Journal of Horror and Gothic Studies|last=Blake|first=Linnie|title="You guys and your cute little categories": Torchwood, The Space-Time Rift and Cardiff's Postmodern, Postcolonial and (avowedly) Pansexual Gothic |publisher=[[Trinity College, Dublin]]|year=2009|issn=2009-0374|url=http://irishgothichorrorjournal.homestead.com/Torchwood.html|volume=7))</ref> Valerie Estelle Frankel argued that Gwen finds "the missing side of herself" with her immersion into the world of Torchwood, represented by "affairs and [[homosexuality]] and the threat of death" rather than her ordinary domestic life with Rhys.<ref name=Stepmother>((cite book|title=Illuminating Torchwood: Essays on Narrative, Character and Sexuality in the BBC Series|chapter=Gwen's Evil Stepmother: Concerning Gloves and Magic Slippers|editor=Andrew Ireland|last=Frankel|first=Valerie Estelle|year=2010|pages=90–101|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0786445707))</ref> Daniel Rawcliffe noted that Indira Varma's character Suzie, featured in the premiere episode and in "[[They Keep Killing Suzie]]", is used as a "[[doppelgänger]]" for Gwen, (a trope of [[Gothic fiction]]&nbsp;– compare with the terms "[[Gothic double]]" and [[foil (literature)|literary foil]]). Suzie's actions, and parallels with Gwen, help to illuminate some of Gwen's own ethically ambiguous decisions in the first series. Gwen must constantly fight against Suzie, and Suzie's example, "if she is to be proved worthy of working alongside Captain Jack".<ref name="Torch Bearers">((cite book|title=Illuminating Torchwood: Essays on Narrative, Character and Sexuality in the BBC Series|chapter=Transgressive Torch Bearers: Who Carries the Confines of Gothic Aesthetics|editor=Andrew Ireland|last=Rawcliffe|first=Daniel J. |year=2010|pages=102–112|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0786445707))</ref> According to Frankel Gwen's confrontation with Suzie mirrored her confrontation with her "inner self"; her literal journey into death gave her "the wisdom and duality of both worlds, life and death, mundane and magical" and allowed her to become stronger.<ref name=Stepmother/>

[[File:Maria Magdalene praying.jpg|thumb|140px|Mary Magdalene, painted by [[Ary Scheffer]], in a dramatic display of penitence. Gwen has been described as the Mary Magdalene to Jack's Jesus.<ref name=Tarnished/>]]

Whilst Lynette Porter thought that Gwen became a "fallen woman" through her affair with Owen, she observed that this made Gwen's role in relation to Jack in "End of Days", analogous to that of [[Mary Magdalene]] to [[Jesus]], reinforcing a prevalent biblical subtext. Gwen keeps a vigil at Jack's "Torchwood tomb" and like Magdalene is rewarded for her loyalty by being the first to lay eyes upon the risen saviour.<ref name=Tarnished>((cite book|last=Porter|first=Lynnette|title=Tarnished Heroes, Charming Villains and Modern Monsters: Science Fiction in Shades of Gray on 21st Century Television|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-4858-6|date=14 July 2010))</ref> Valerie Frankel surmised that "Gwen's journey is one we all face [...] she discovers the dominant intuition within, and then embraces it within the darkest caves of her inner self".<ref name=Stepmother/> David Cornelius stated that Gwen's ''Torchwood'' adventures take her to the brink, and additionally show "she's strong enough to pull herself back".<ref name=Cornelius>((cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/38033/torchwood-children-of-earth/|title=Torchwood: Children of Earth|publisher=[[DVD Talk]]|last=Cornelius|first=David|date=28 July 2009|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> Stephen James Walker also felt that Gwen is still a redeemable character because she recognises her own moral failings, as seen in "Combat" where she sits alone sobbing over pizza, before picking herself up and trying to do better in the future.<ref name="SitD"/> On this track, ''Torchwood'' actor Kai Owen justified Gwen's treatment of Rhys in her darkest moments by arguing that Gwen's intentions always remained pure, no matter how badly she treated Rhys.<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2008/01/07/torchwood_week_kai_owen_interviewed/|title=Torchwood Week: Kai Owen interviewed|magazine=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|last=Berriman|first=Ian|date=7 January 2008|access-date=14 March 2011))</ref>

Ahead of the fourth series, Russell T Davies acknowledged that the character of Gwen can be both loved and hated by the audience. He stated that as an actress Myles isn't preoccupied with her character being presented in a sympathetic light, being able "to take that extraordinary deep breath and not care".<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/07_july/07/torchwood2.shtml|title=Torchwood: interview with Russell T Davies|publisher=BBC Press Office|date=15 July 2011|access-date=1 March 2012))</ref> [[io9]]'s Charlie Jane Anders observed that the TV episode "[[The Categories of Life]]", written by [[Jane Espenson]], exposed the character's "human vanity" by showing that she has "started to believe her own hype". In Anders' eyes, the character is responsible for her father's second heart attack because of her rash actions.<ref>((cite web|url=http://io9.com/5828526/torchwood-ensures-youll-never-think-about-death-panels-the-same-way-again|title=Torchwood ensures you'll never think about Death Panels the same way again|publisher=io9|last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|date= 7 August 2011|access-date=10 August 2010))</ref> Anders felt that later episodes in the fourth series continued to illuminate flaws in Gwen's character, describing her as someone with an "[[addictive personality]]" who "treats her Torchwood adventures like a drug that she craves" though she knows they "ruin her relationships with her husband and child".<ref>((cite web|url=http://io9.com/5833425/torchwood-shows-that-love-isnt-love-unless-it-kills-you|title=Torchwood shows that love isn't love unless it kills you|publisher=[[io9]]|last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|date=22 August 2011|access-date=1 June 2011))</ref>

===Rhys and Jack===
((Rquote|right|"It would be a bridge too far&nbsp;— she wouldn't choose a job over (Rhys) in that circumstance... I'm glad that relationship is still intact. It's a show where you've got to contrast the ordinary everyday with the extraordinary."|Executive Producer Julie Gardner, speaking in July 2008, explains why the production team chose not to kill off Rhys.<ref name="JGNM"/>))

Much of Gwen's characterisation centers on her developing relationship with her partner Rhys. Eve Myles describes the character as Gwen's "normality base".<ref name="Interview with Eve and Euros"/> The relationship is tested by Gwen's affair with colleague Owen Harper (Gorman), a betrayal which Myles believes to be "completely out of character" for Gwen,<ref name=Seattlepi/> explaining that the guilt experienced over her actions tears her to pieces.<ref name="TorchwoodCastS2"/> The production team had originally planned for Rhys to die in the first series but he was given a reprieve. Producer Richard Stokes explains that Rhys' presence keeps Gwen from losing her "heart" and that without him "it simply becomes a sci-fi show about sci-fi people, running around and hunting aliens".<ref name=Allstokes>Richard Stokes interview, "That's all Stokes", ''Torchwood Magazine'', issue 4, May 2008, p. 31.</ref> Julie Gardner adds that in the discussion, the writers had felt they could not have written Gwen as ever recovering from Rhys' loss, and so chose not to kill off the character.<ref name="JGNM">((cite web|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/features/article_1420508.php |title='Torchwood': A Chat with Julie Gardner and Naoko Mori |publisher=Monsters and Critics |last=Tracey |first=Brown |access-date=8 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726113734/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/features/article_1420508.php |archive-date=26 July 2010 ))</ref> In his analysis of Gwen, Daniel Rawcliffe opines that Rhys helps to keep her mental health intact, and argues that his presence prevents her from undergoing the same psychological deterioration as Suzie.<ref name="Torch Bearers"/>

[[File:Eve Myles & Kai Owen 2013.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Eve Myles pictured with onscreen partner [[Kai Owen]] in 2013. Myles stated that Owen's character Rhys made Gwen more of a "strong character".<ref name="suicide girls"/>]]

Despite her ongoing relationship with Rhys, the series explores possibilities of a romantic connection between Gwen and her boss Jack. In a 2007 interview, Eve Myles describes the relationship between Jack and Gwen as a "palpable love" and stated that "it's the real thing and they're going to make you wait for that."<ref name=JackGwen/> [[AfterElton]]'s Locksley Hall interprets Jack's attraction to Gwen as being influenced by "her warmth, her sense of justice, her very ordinariness and lack of glamour", whilst Myles states of Gwen's interest in Jack that "the most monogamous woman in the world would probably go for him".<ref name="suicide girls"/><ref name=CJShow/> Stephen James Walker quotes the firing range sequence in 2006 episode "Ghost Machine" as an example of romantic tension between the pair as well as the scene where Jack discovers Gwen engagement.<ref name=SitD122>((cite book|last=Walker|first=Stephen James|author-link=Stephen James Walker|title=Something in the Darkness|publisher=Telos Publishing Ltd|year=2008|location=United Kingdom|page=122|isbn=978-1-84583-024-3))</ref> Gwen remains monogamous during the second series and "fights every day to be with [Rhys]" even though Jack remains "a huge temptation".<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/torchwood/news/a83723/torchwoods-gwen-embraces-monogamy.html |title=Torchwood's Gwen embraces monogamy|website=[[Digital Spy]]|last=Rawson-Jones|first=Ben|date=8 January 2008|access-date=1 January 2011))</ref> Her suspension between Jack and Rhys becomes a central theme; Valerie Frankel believes that Gwen is caught between "Rhys, the sweet, kind handsome prince, and Jack, the compelling trickster". She suggests that Jack is not mature enough to occupy the role of "steady prince" for Gwen.<ref name=Stepmother/> John Barrowman feels that if Jack were to settle down with her "he'd have to commit completely"; this is why he does not act on his feelings, because though Gwen would let him flirt with other people, he could "never afford to do anything more".<ref name=FitButYouKnowIt>((cite journal|date=20 August 2008|title=John Barrowman:Fit But You Know It|journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]]|issue=398|page=26|last1=Cook|first1=Benjamin|last2=Barrowman|first2=John))</ref>
[[Image:John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness at Cardiff Bay (cropped).jpg|thumb|180px|right|John Barrowman plays Gwen's boss, [[Jack Harkness]], with whom she has a complicated relationship.]]
Stephen James Walker feels that Gwen's decision not to wipe Rhys' memory a second time in the episode "[[Meat (Torchwood)|Meat]]" marks the end of any potential relationship between Gwen and Jack. As Davies felt it was essential that Rhys became enlightened to Gwen's true occupation, the episode "[[Meat (Torchwood)|Meat]]" focused on Rhys discovering and coming to terms with Torchwood.<ref>((cite episode|title=Save the Whale |series=[[Torchwood Declassified]]|network=[[BBC Three]]|airdate=7 February 2008|series-no=2|number=4))</ref> Richard Edwards of ''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]'' magazine comments that this development allows their relationship to become the most convincing on the show and makes it clear why Gwen would want to marry him.<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2008/03/31/tv_review_torchwood_2_04_meat/|last=Edwards|first=Richard|title=TV Review Torchwood 2.04 "Meat"|magazine=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=31 March 2008|access-date=28 January 2011))</ref> Ben Rawson-Jones of [[Digital Spy]] comments that overall, the relationship serves to create "a nice contrast with the fantastical elements of the show";<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/torchwood/news/a93603/torchwood-season-two-review.html|title='Torchwood' Season Two Review|website=[[Digital Spy]]|last=Rawson-Jones|first=Ben|date=13 April 2008|access-date=1 January 2010))</ref> whilst Jason Hughes opines that their marriage is "handled in a painfully honest way" and serves as "a true definition of 'love' written with subtlety and perfection".<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/06/torchwood-adrift/|title=Torchwood: Adrift|publisher=TV Squad|last=Hughes|first=Jason|date=6 April 2008|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> When asked about her character's complex relationship with both Jack and Rhys, Myles explains that Gwen wouldn't be as much of a "strong character" without her ordinary life with Rhys.<ref name="suicide girls">((cite web|url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Eve%20Myles%3A%20Torchwood%20/|title=Eve Myles: Torchwood|publisher=[[SuicideGirls]]|last=Powers|first=Nicole|date=15 July 2009|access-date=15 July 2009))</ref> Davies felt that the relationship furthered the shows exploration of human sexuality stating that "open sexuality has to include everything" including "a husband/wife great big crime-fighting team&nbsp;... happily in love".<ref name=OpenSexuality/>

In 2009 Myles stated that to have Jack and Gwen act on their feelings would be "like feeding the baby when it's not hungry".<ref name="Interview with Eve and Euros"/> Reinforcing this view, Julie Gardner feels the love between Gwen and Jack to be self-evident and that it did not need to be spoken.<ref name="AEJGRTD">((cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/08/russell-t-davies-julie-gardner-torchwood-the-new-world?page=0%2C1 |last=Jensen |first=Michael |title=''Torchwood''(('))s Russell T Davies Discusses Jack and Gwen, Casting John Barrowman and More! |publisher=[[AfterElton]] |date=10 August 2010 |access-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013131801/http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/08/russell-t-davies-julie-gardner-torchwood-the-new-world?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=13 October 2012 ))</ref> Lynette Porter argues that Gwen's [[apotheosis]] of Jack causes him to flee Earth, as hero is a role he cannot play because he feels responsible for the deaths of those he loved.<ref name=Tarnished/> A press release ahead of the 2011 series stated that though Gwen retreats to a rural idyll with her family, she still retains feelings for Jack and misses the exciting life she once led alongside him.<ref name="starz pdf"/> Ahead of the fourth series Myles explains that Gwen and Jack's relationship is a "love-hate-love relationship", which she believes to be reminiscent of, concurrently, a sibling relationship, a husband and wife relationship and "the best friendship known to mankind". Myles feels that Gwen is not complete without Jack and that they are like "two missing parts of a jigsaw" and because the relationship works on so many different levels it cannot be labelled.<ref name=TwoPiecesofAJigsaw>((cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/07/torchwood-star-eve-myles-gwen-and-jack-are-two-missing-parts-of-a-jigsaw.html|title='Torchwood' star Eve Myles: Gwen and Jack are 'two missing parts of a jigsaw'|publisher=Zap2it|last=O' Connell|first=Mikey|date=8 July 2011|access-date=1 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712092516/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/07/torchwood-star-eve-myles-gwen-and-jack-are-two-missing-parts-of-a-jigsaw.html|archive-date=12 July 2011))</ref> Episode seven of ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day|Miracle Day]]'' features a scene where Gwen states that she would have Jack killed to save her daughter. Writer Jane Espenson explains that the two characters' differing needs means that they inevitably "clash like steel blades".<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2011/08/jane-espenson-torchwood-miracle-day-seven |title=Exclusive! "Jane's Take" on "Torchwood" Episode Seven: That's Gotta Hurt! |publisher=[[AfterElton]] |last=Espenson |first=Jane |date=21 August 2011 |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012041646/http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2011/08/jane-espenson-torchwood-miracle-day-seven |archive-date=12 October 2011 ))</ref>

===Action hero and mother===
Original lead writer Chris Chibnall feels Gwen develops into a stronger character between series one and series two, becoming less "wide-eyed" over events happening around her.<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2008/01/09/torchwood_week_chris_chibnall_interviewed/|title=Torchwood Week: Chris Chibnall interviewed
|magazine=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|last=Edwards|first=Richard|date=8 January 2008|access-date=15 March 2011))</ref> Frankel writes that "she is a whole woman now, integrated with all the parts of herself".<ref name=Stepmother/> In the second series, Eve Myles states, Gwen now "knows where her feet are".<ref name="TorchwoodCastS2">((cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s8/torchwood/interviews/a81986/the-cast-of-torchwood.html|title=The cast of ''Torchwood''|website=[[Digital Spy]]|last1=Rawson-Jones|first1=Ben|last2=Wilkes|first2=Neil|date=14 January 2008|access-date=28 January 2011))</ref> Costume Designer Ray Holman explains that these developments are reflected in how the production team dresses the character. In the first series Gwen is dressed in a "faded [[high street]] look" and keeps away from leather clothing. As she becomes more confident in her new vocation, her clothes becomes "a lot more designer and heroic looking". In the second series she wears more leather from brands such as [[Diesel (brand)|Diesel]] and G-star which Holman describes as "sexy" and "practical". The overall effect is that Gwen's leathers "toughen her up a bit, but keep her stylish at the same time".<ref>((cite journal |last= Holman|first= Ray|date=May 2008|title= The Fashion Hub |journal= [[Torchwood Magazine]]|publisher=[[Titan Magazines]]|issue=5|page=24))</ref> For fourth series ''Miracle Day'', costume designer [[Shawna Trpcic]] declared her intention to take Eve Myles "out of the nunnery". Myles recalled vetoing a brassiere she was asked to wear because she felt it to be unnecessarily sexualised and impractical for action sequences. She added that she views Gwen as "a real woman" and "not about tits and arse".<ref>((cite magazine|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/02/21/eve-myles-interview-torchwood-doctor-who-all-new-people/2/|title=Eve Myles Interview: Torchwood, Doctor Who & All New People|last=Golder|first=Dave|magazine=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=21 February 2012|access-date=1 June 2012))</ref>

''Children of Earth'' director [[Euros Lyn]] remarks that by the third series Gwen has grown so that "she now is on a par with Jack, in terms of having the knowledge and the experience to make decisions and to be a heroine".<ref name="Interview with Eve and Euros"/> Daniel Martin of ''[[The Guardian]]'' opines that her characterisation in the serial "shows just how far she's come",<ref name="Martin, Daniel">((cite news|author=Martin, Daniel|title=Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Two|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/jul/08/torchwood-children-of-earth-day-two | location=London | date=8 July 2009))</ref> whilst Robert Lloyd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' feels that she is a "soulful [[leather jacket|leather-jacketed]] action heroine".<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-torchwood20-2009jul20,0,6592854.story|title=Review: Torchwood Season 3 on BBC America|date=20 July 2009|access-date=23 July 2009|author=Robert Lloyd | work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]))</ref> Myles states that Gwen becomes a harsher character, but she feels that, "if she wasn't, people would die".<ref name=CoEGwen/> David Cornelius observes that Gwen is no longer the kind-hearted outsider she was when she first joined Torchwood. By ''Children of Earth'' she has become "colder and much more aggressive".<ref name=Cornelius/> Her horrific experiences turn her into "a biting cynic";<ref name=Cornelius/> when both government and army betray the British people, Gwen claims to understand finally why the Doctor does not save humanity from world crises. She believes he "must look at this planet and turn away in shame".<ref name="CoE#5"/> A press release stated that ''Miracle Day'' had Gwen "make the most terrible decisions, on behalf of all mankind".<ref name="starz pdf"/> This is evident in "[[The Blood Line (Torchwood)|The Blood Line]]", where her character is shown to be willing to sacrifice the entire Torchwood team, in addition to her dying father, for the good of the world.<ref name=TheBloodLine/> Commenting on Gwen's characterisation in this episode, Dan Martin notes that "Gwen sees transition into the Earth Mothering Tank Girl become complete, as she [[Playing God (ethics)|plays God]] and appears to love it."<ref name=Guardian410>((cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/sep/10/torchwood-miracle-day-episode-10|title=Torchwood: Miracle Day&nbsp;– episode 10|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|last=Martin|first=Dan|date=10 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012))</ref>
[[File:GwenCooperBaby.jpg|thumb|300px|left|A promotional image of Gwen defending herself and her daughter in "[[The New World (Torchwood)|The New World]]". The production team chose to feature this scene heavily in advertising the fourth series.]]

Press releases describe Gwen in light of contradictions between her heroic and conventionally feminine roles in the series; despite becoming a "tough, ruthless warrior, who loves the thrill of the fight" Gwen remains a "funny, salty, earthy woman who loves home and family".<ref name="starz pdf"/> ''Children of Earth'' sees Gwen become pregnant by husband Rhys;<ref name="CoE#1"/> a storyline which [[IGN]] writer Asham Haque thought provided "one of the few hope-giving threads" in the serial.<ref>((cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/100/1004761p1.html|title=Torchwood: "Children of Earth" Review|website=IGN|last=Haque|first=Asham|date=17 July 2009|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> She gives birth to a baby girl, [[List of Torchwood characters#Anwen Williams|Anwen]], between the third and fourth series.<ref name="starz pdf"/> Both Eve Myles and creator Russell T Davies have described this plot development as emblematic of a contradiction at the heart of Gwen's character. Myles, believing that motherhood gives Gwen a greater sense of responsibility, says it makes Gwen "even more human, and yet even more of a wonder woman".<ref name="Eve Stage"/> Whilst talking about the show's fourth series, Davies suggested that it would be "irresistible" to use the image of "Gwen Cooper with baby in one arm and gun in the other" as promotion.<ref name=OpenSexuality>((cite web|url=http://sciencefictionworld.com/tv/science-fiction-tv/564-torchwood-season-4-details-alien-sex-a-possibility-.html |title=Torchwood Season 4 details: alien sex a possibility |publisher=sciencefictionworld |last=Howell |first=John |date=10 August 2010 |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527145106/http://sciencefictionworld.com/tv/science-fiction-tv/564-torchwood-season-4-details-alien-sex-a-possibility-.html |archive-date=27 May 2011 ))</ref> The production team have continued to emphasise this contradictory aspect to Gwen's character, which has proved popular with critics and viewers. For example, a promotional clip for ''Miracle Day'' features Gwen firing from her gun in one hand while protectively holding her baby in the other. [[Zap2it]]'s Mikey O'Connell praised this as one of the trailer's best aspects, praising Gwen as "the coolest mum ever."<ref name="Zap2it on trailer">((cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/05/torchwood-miracle-day-5-things-we-learned-from-the-official-trailer.html|title='Torchwood: Miracle Day': 5 things we learned from the official trailer|last=O'Connell|first=Mikey|publisher=[[Zap2it]]|access-date=24 May 2011|date=24 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526010008/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/05/torchwood-miracle-day-5-things-we-learned-from-the-official-trailer.html|archive-date=26 May 2011))</ref> Reviewing the opening episodes of ''Miracle Day'' Mary McNamara of the ''Los Angeles Times'' identified "the dark humor" of the sequence as representative of "the top notes of the British ''Torchwood''".<ref>((cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/08/entertainment/la-et-torchwood-20110708|title=Television review: 'Torchwood: Miracle Day'|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=McNamara|first=Mary|date=8 July 2011|access-date=1 June 2012))</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''(('))s Catherine Gee praised the dichotomy between the character's two roles, stating that "Eve Myles's homely yet badass agent is incredibly charming".<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/8668716/Torchwood-Miracle-Day-episode-three-review.html|title=Torchwood: Miracle Day, episode three, review|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=Gee|first=Catherine|date=28 July 2011|access-date=28 July 2011|location=London))</ref>

Critics have drawn comparisons with famous [[List of female action heroes|screen action heroines]] such as [[Ellen Ripley]], portrayed by [[Sigourney Weaver]] in the original [[Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' trilogy]]. Ripley is seen as a ground-breaking depiction of a heroine, whose heroism is neither derived from male support nor hampered by femininity.<ref name="additional Ripley source">((cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20268279_16,00.html |title=20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture |date=March 2009 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=27 March 2009 |archive-date=31 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731034303/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20268279_16,00.html |url-status=dead ))</ref> Rawcliffe writes that Gwen's strength of character makes her a "half Ripley", insofar as she possesses all of Ripley's strength, and yet "is hampered by her reliance on the male characters of Jack, Rhys and Owen".<ref name="Torch Bearers"/> Gwen has been compared, at least superficially, to [[Buffy Summers]], as portrayed by [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]. Reflecting on a scene from ''Miracle Day'', one critic comments that Gwen is "channeling Season Two ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''" when she shoots at a helicopter from her bazooka (recalling the sequence depicted in ''Buffy'' episode "[[Innocence (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Innocence]]").<ref name="Zap2it on trailer"/> Gwen has attracted implicit comparisons with [[Lara Croft]] from the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' video game and film franchise. Commenting on the first episode of ''Torchwood: Miracle Day'' Den of Geek's Simon Brew states that "whoever Hollywood producers cast in the planned reboot of the [[Tomb Raider#Films|''Tomb Raider'' movie franchise]], I'm fully confident that Myles could kick their ass. Twice. Before breakfast."<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/television/947521/torchwood_miracle_day_episode_1_spoilerfree_review_the_new_world.html|title=Torchwood: Miracle Day episode 1 spoiler-free review: The New World|publisher=Den of Geek|last=Brew|first=Simon|date=20 June 2011|access-date=28 June 2011))</ref> While critical of the typical portrayal of British female science fiction characters, ''The Guardian''(('))s Krystina Nellis singles out Gwen and ''Doctor Who''(('))s [[River Song (Doctor Who)|River Song]] ([[Alex Kingston]]) as positive depictions of strong female characters, stating, "It'd be difficult to find two superwomen in less need of a man to save them."<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/nov/11/misfits-women-alisha-kelly|title=Misfits' women are not to be messed with|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|last=Nellis|first=Krystina|date=11 November 2011|access-date=12 November 2011|location=London))</ref>

==Reception==
[[Image:Torchwood cast 2011 Comic-Con International cropped.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Myles has won both awards and critical notice for her role as Gwen Cooper.]]

Eve Myles has enjoyed an increased profile since being cast as Gwen Cooper in ''Torchwood'' and is now considered one of Wales' greatest drama exports.<ref>((cite web
 |url=http://www.exposureradio.org/2011/02/07/cardiff-continues-to-be-top-filming-location-what-does-this-mean-for-welsh-actors/ 
 |title=Cardiff continues to be top filming location: what does this mean for Welsh actors? 
 |last=Ranson 
 |first=Joanna 
 |publisher=exposureradio 
 |access-date=9 February 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726044000/http://www.exposureradio.org/2011/02/07/cardiff-continues-to-be-top-filming-location-what-does-this-mean-for-welsh-actors/ 
 |archive-date=26 July 2011 
))</ref> On casting her, Russell T Davies described Myles as "Wales best kept secret," and the actress has been described as a "Welsh icon" since appearing in ''Torchwood'',<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.welshicons.org.uk/html/eve_myles.php |title=Eve Myles&nbsp;— Welsh Icon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804065514/http://www.welshicons.org.uk/html/eve_myles.php |archive-date= 4 August 2010 ))</ref> with the ''[[Western Mail (Wales)|Western Mail]]'' listing Myles' turn as "''Torchwood''(('))s feisty female lead" as a contributing factor in making her one of Wales' sexiest women, as well as a national institution.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/features/2008/09/06/the-50-sexiest-women-in-wales-91466-21677348/ |title=The 50 sexiest women in Wales |newspaper=[[Western Mail (Wales)|The Western Mail]] |last=Simpson |first=Rin |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314010726/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/features/2008/09/06/the-50-sexiest-women-in-wales-91466-21677348/ |archive-date=14 March 2012 ))</ref> In an analysis of Welsh representation in television, Geraint Telfan Davies cited Myles' role in ''Torchwood'', coupled with the popularity of sitcom ''[[Gavin & Stacey]]'', as combating prejudice against the [[Welsh accent]].<ref>((cite book|last=Davies|first=Geraint Telfan|title=English Is a Welsh Language&nbsp;— Television's Crisis in Wales|date=April 2009|publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs|isbn=978-1-904773-42-9))</ref> Backing up this claim, Samantha Bennet of the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' describes Myles' "silvery, flowing" accent as "exotic" and Myles herself as a ''bona fide'' star.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08024/851613-60.stm|title=Lovely Welsh star lights up the screen in 'Torchwood'|last=Bennett|first=Samantha|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=24 January 2008|access-date=7 June 2011))</ref> Shortly after ''Torchwood''(('))s premiere, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Michael Gove]] described Gwen Cooper as a "Celtic Rosselini" and an example of Welsh sensuality,<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.michaelgove.com/content/what-could-be-sexier-south-wales|title=What could be sexier than South Wales?|publisher=MichaelGove.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714083056/http://www.michaelgove.com/content/what-could-be-sexier-south-wales|archive-date=14 July 2011 |last=Gove|first=Michael|date=25 October 2006|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> while in 2006, ''[[Wales on Sunday]]'' named Myles as its "Bachelorette of the Year".<ref>((cite news|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/features/tm_objectid=16833049%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html|title=Sexy Eve our Bachelorette of the year|author=Rachel Mainwaring|publisher= [[Wales on Sunday]]|date = 19 March 2006| access-date =20 March 2006))</ref> In July 2011, ''[[The Scotsman]]''(('))s Aidan Smith described Gwen Cooper as "the sexiest woman in Wales".<ref>((cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/TV-reviews-The-Night-Watch.6803058.jp|title=TV reviews: The Night Watch &#124; Law & Order: UK &#124; Torchwood|newspaper= [[The Scotsman]]|last=Smith|first=Aidan|date=19 July 2011|access-date=19 July 2011|location=Edinburgh))</ref>

''[[The Guardian]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> "Organ Grinder" reviewer was full of praise for Myles' performance in "Everything Changes", expressing the opinion that, through her portrayal of Gwen Cooper, she managed to outshine Captain Jack.<ref>((cite news
 |first = John
 |last = Plunkett
 |title = Farewell Doctor Who, hello Captain Jack
 |url = http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2006/10/farewell_doctor_who_hello_capt.html
 |work = [[The Guardian]]
 |date = 19 October 2006
 |access-date =20 October 2006
 |location=London
))</ref> The character was described by ''[[The Stage]]'' as "the solid, down to earth character needed to anchor ''Torchwood'' to the real world" whilst functioning well as a foil to Captain Jack.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2006/10/torchwood_first_look.php |title=Everything changes—a first look at Torchwood |newspaper=[[The Stage]] |first=Mark |last=Wright |date=19 October 2006 |access-date=23 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104064435/http://www.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2006/10/torchwood_first_look.php |archive-date= 4 January 2007 |url-status=dead ))</ref> Some reviews mocked the prosaic characterisation. [[Verity Stob]], a technology columnist for online newspaper ''[[The Register]]'', wrote a parody of ''Torchwood'' called ''Under Torch Wood'' (in the style of [[Dylan Thomas]]' ''[[Under Milk Wood]]''). The piece mocks Gwen's role as "the viewer proxy" describing her as "plumply pop-eyed" and her boyfriend Rhys as 'Barry Backstory'.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2006/11/06/torchwood/|title=Under Torch Wood|access-date=7 November 2006|last=Stob|first=Verity|author-link =Verity Stob|date = 6 November 2006|work = [[The Register]]))</ref> [[Jan Ravens]] played a parody version of Gwen in the [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]] television series ''[[Dead Ringers (comedy)|Dead Ringers]]'', in which she displays a badge labelling her with what [[Jon Culshaw]]'s Captain Jack describes as her sole characteristic: Welsh.<ref>((cite episode|title = Dead Ringers|series = Dead Ringers|series-link = Dead Ringers (comedy)|credits= Principal writers [[Nev Fountain]] and Tom Jamieson, Director Ben Fuller, Producer Richard Webb| network = [[BBC]]| station = [[BBC Two]]|location= [[London]]|airdate= 8 March 2007|season= 7|number=3))</ref> In November 2006 Jim Shelley from ''[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]]'' stated Gwen to be "neither as interesting nor as sexy as she should be."<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SHELLEY+ViSiON%3a+You+just+wood+not+believe+it..-a0154724448|title=Shelley Vision: You just wood not believe it..|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]]|last=Shelley|first=Jim|date=21 November 2006|access-date=4 June 2010))</ref> A plot development that saw Gwen respond to the advances of an alien sex-gas in another woman's body was described by Karman Kregloe of [[AfterEllen]] as characterising "nearly every negative [[LGBT stereotypes|lesbian stereotype]] imaginable". Kregloe considers Gwen's inability to satiate the alien as a "play on a traditional, sexist social construct", and the fact that Gwen never again mentions this experience is also criticised.<ref name=AlienLesbian>((cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2007/torchwood |title=Bisexual Women Are Alien to "Torchwood" |publisher=[[After Ellen]] |last=Kregloe |first=Karman |date=6 March 2007 |access-date=19 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116132007/http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2007/torchwood |archive-date=16 January 2013 ))</ref>

The more assertive Gwen in ''Torchwood''(('))s third series attracted praise from reviewers: Paul Collins of ''Total Sci-Fi'' expressed the opinion that ''Children of Earth'' finally shows Gwen's heroic characteristics in a way that had been missing in the first two series,<ref>((cite web|url=http://totalscifionline.com/reviews/3715-torchwood-children-of-earth-day-three |title=Torchwood Children of Earth: Day Three |publisher=Total Sci-Fi |last=Collins |first=Paul |date=8 July 2009 |access-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203032040/http://totalscifionline.com/reviews/3715-torchwood-children-of-earth-day-three |archive-date= 3 December 2010 ))</ref> while Daniel Martin from the ''Guardian'' stated that "it's great to see Gwen being so completely badass".<ref name="Martin, Daniel"/> David Cornelius wrote that Gwen succeeds as a strongly written female character that does not pander to stereotypes because writers avoid defining her by any aspect of her adventures.<ref name=Cornelius/> Reviewers commented on Myles' standing as a leading lady: ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''' Remy Minnick describes Gwen as "the true heart of Torchwood",<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22109|title=Review: Torchwood: Children of Earth|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|last=Minnick|first=Remy|date=20 July 2009|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> while Scott Lewinski from ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine described Myles' portrayal as the conscience of the Torchwood team, and the show itself.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/07/review-torchwood-buries-its-past-with-children-of-earth/|title=Review: Torchwood Buries Its Past With 'Children of Earth'|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|last=Lewinski|first=John Scott|date=20 July 2009|access-date=21 March 2011))</ref> ''Total Sci-Fi''(('))s Jonathan Wilkins felt that the five-part serial marked the emergence of Eve Myles as a star in her own right and opined that she could potentially carry the show without co-star Barrowman.<ref>((cite web|url=http://totalscifionline.com/reviews/3721-torchwood-children-of-earth-day-five |title=Torchwood Children of Earth: Day Five |publisher=Total Sci-Fi |last=Wilkins |first=Jonathan |date=10 July 2009 |access-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203032329/http://totalscifionline.com/reviews/3721-torchwood-children-of-earth-day-five |archive-date= 3 December 2010 ))</ref> Maureen Ryan of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' stated her belief that the third series' climax showed that Eve Myles has "grown into the role" of Gwen, describing her performance as "outstanding".<ref name=Tribune>((cite news |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |title=Thrills, chills and heartbreak: A review of 'Torchwood: Children of Earth' |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/07/torchwood-children-of-earth-review.html |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=24 July 2009 |access-date=20 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331095002/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/07/torchwood-children-of-earth-review.html |archive-date=31 March 2012 ))</ref> Ryan later gave an "Honourable Mention" to Gwen when discussing Sci-Fi TV's Most Memorable Female Characters, making her the only [[Whoniverse|''Doctor Who'' franchise]] character to receive a mention.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/03/08/sci-fi-memorable-female-characters/|title=Sci-Fi TV's Most Memorable Female Characters|publisher=TV Squad|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|date=8 March 2011|access-date=24 March 2011))</ref> Critical response to the character remained positive in the fourth series. Gavin Fuller of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' felt Myles "took the acting honours with a bravura performance",<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8760511/Torchwood-Miracle-Day-BBC-One-review.html|title=Torchwood: Miracle Day, BBC One, review|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=Fuller|first=Gavin|date=15 September 2011|access-date=3 March 2012))</ref> whilst [[Charlie Jane Anders]] stated Gwen to have the strongest moments in the finale which led to "a new appreciation for her character".<ref>((cite web|url=http://io9.com/5838985/torchwood-miracle-day-an-onion-with-only-one-layer|title=Torchwood: Miracle Day: An Onion With Only One Layer|publisher=io9|last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|date=10 September 2011|access-date=5 March 2012))</ref>

Eve Myles won the 2007 [[Bafta Cymru]] Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Gwen Cooper, winning over the parent series' actress [[Billie Piper]].<ref name="cymru07">((cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6604115.stm|title=Dr Who sweeps Bafta Cymru board|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=29 April 2007|access-date=29 April 2007))</ref> She was nominated again for the award in 2008,<ref name="cymru08">((cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7369183.stm|title=Doctor Who's Bafta Cymru triumph|date=27 April 2008|access-date=28 December 2008|work=[[BBC News Online]]))</ref> and again in 2010.<ref>((cite press release|title=BAFTA Cymru 2010 Nominations|publisher=[[BAFTA Cymru]]|date=8 April 2010|url=http://static.bafta.org/files/bafta-cymru-nominations-2010-706.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111190946/http://static.bafta.org/files/bafta-cymru-nominations-2010-706.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|access-date=4 June 2012))</ref> In 2010 Myles won the 'Best Actress" award in the ''[[SFX magazine|SFX]]'' Reader's Awards poll,<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s8/torchwood/news/a203498/torchwoods-myles-named-best-actress.html|title='Torchwood's' Myles named Best Actress|website=[[Digital Spy]]|last=French|first=Dan|date=16 February 2010|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> and was crowned best actress in the 11th annual Airlock Alpha Portal Awards.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/7681/doctor-who-dominates-2010-portal-awards.html|title='Doctor Who' Dominates 2010 Portal Awards|publisher=[[Airlock Alpha]]|last=Hinman|first=Michael|date=1 August 2010|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> For her role as Gwen Cooper in ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' Myles was nominated for a [[Satellite Award]] in the [[Satellite Award for Best Actress&nbsp;– Television Series Drama|Best Television Actress]] category,<ref>[http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/current-nominees/ 2011 Satellite Award Nominations]</ref> and reached the shortlist for the 2012 UK [[National Television Awards]].<ref name="NTA">((cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16378869|title=National Television Awards: Street leads shortlist |work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=2 January 2012|access-date=2 January 2012 ))</ref> She has also received a nomination for [[Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television|Best Actress in Television]] at the [[38th Saturn Awards]], held in June 2012.<ref>((cite web|url=http://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/148931/|title=Saturn Award Nominations Announced; Hugo and Harry Potter Lead with 10 Nominations Each|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|date=29 February 2012|access-date=1 March 2012|archive-date=15 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115210541/http://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/148931/|url-status=dead))</ref> Action figures of Gwen have been created in her likeness, which Myles' describes as "bizarre and wonderful" and at the same time "really kind of strange".<ref name=undertheradar>((cite magazine|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/eve_myles/|title=Torchwood's Eve Myles Dressed as Wonder Woman on a Beach with Johnny Cash|magazine=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]|last=Redfern|first=Mark|date=3 July 2009|access-date=8 August 2010))</ref> In a reader's awards poll in the sixth issue of ''Torchwood Magazine'', Gwen was voted second favourite ''Torchwood'' character behind Captain Jack,<ref>((cite journal |date=June 2008|title= 2008 Torchwood Magazine Readers Award Results|journal= [[Torchwood Magazine]]|issue=6))</ref> a ranking she received in a 2011 poll published by the ''[[Liverpool Daily Post]]'' as part of a live interview with writer [[John Fay (writer)|John Fay]].<ref name=FayLive>((cite news|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/03/02/liveread-author-interview-john-fay-92534-28151408|title=LiveRead author interview: Torchwood writer John Fay|newspaper=[[Liverpool Daily Post]]|date=2 March 2011|access-date=14 March 2011))</ref> Myles, describing her experiences at various science-fiction conventions, has praised the fan response as "incredible" and "just extraordinary".<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/02/21/torchwood-1-0-hollywood-eve-myles-is-the-queen-of-sci-fi-91466-25880097/|title=Torchwood's Eve Myles is the queen of sci-fi|last=Mainwaring|first=Rachel|publisher=[[Wales on Sunday]]|date=21 February 2010|access-date=5 May 2011))</ref> Some fans have taken to blacking out their teeth at conventions to mimic her gap toothed appearance, which Myles finds particularly flattering.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/08/28/torchwood-fans-have-been-mimicking-eve-myles-famous-gap-toothed-grin-by-putting-black-make-up-on-their-gnashers-91466-29315873/|title=Torchwood fans mimic Eve Myles|publisher=[[Wales on Sunday]]|last=McCarthy|first=James|date=28 August 2011|access-date=27 September 2011))</ref>

==References==
((Reflist))

==External links==
((TardisIndexFile))
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/sites/team/pages/gwen_cooper.shtml Gwen Cooper on the BBC's ''Torchwood'' website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111008204809/http://www.starz.com/originals/Torchwood/Cast/GwenCooper Gwen Cooper on Starz' ''Torchwood'' website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061109151328/http://www.torchwood.org.uk/html/gwen/ Gwen Cooper on the BBC-created Torchwood Institute website]

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Template:Good article (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:If empty (view source) (protected)
Template:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox character (view source) (template editor protected)
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Template:Navbox with collapsible groups (view source) (template editor protected)
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Template:Rquote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
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Template:Torchwood (edit)
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Template:Use British English (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use dmy dates (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
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Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
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Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
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Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If empty (view source) (protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
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Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
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Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox with collapsible groups (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
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Module:Portal bar (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal bar/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
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Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sister project links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sister project links/bar/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:Subject bar (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:Trim quotes (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)
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