Growing up in Wales, Eve Myles knew her acting jobs would be elsewhere.

Welsh actors go to London or Hollywood. They don't expect high-profile jobs near home.

Or they didn't until "Torchwood" came along. It tells us there's a rift in downtown Cardiff, the Welsh capital; alien beings keep arriving.

Myles co-stars in "Torchwood," one of the quirkier series on cable or satellite and in video stores. "I get fan mail from people who are ages 12 to 70, who absolutely love the show," she says.

The appeal can vary from week to week. "Some episodes are very big on special effects," Myles says. "Some are big on human behavior."

And many add lust.

"They are really young, sexy, fun, clever (people) who every single week risk their lives," says Julie Gardner, a BBC programmer. "(You) have sexual tension as you save the world."

For viewers, Gwen Cooper (Myles) was the entry point: As the first season (now in video stores) started, she was a regular cop with a regular boyfriend named Rhys. Then she bumped into the Torchwood team and was invited to join.

She's still with Rhys, who discovers her secret job in an episode that airs today and becomes enmeshed in an adventure. But she also likes the Torchwood boss, Capt. Jack Harkness.

He's not, alas, easy to know.

"Jack is the leader," says John Barrowman, who plays him. "Just how much do you really know about your own bosses? ... He wants to keep things a little aloof."

None of this is what Myles was expecting in her career. "You could have knocked me over with a feather," she says.

Wales has long produced actors (Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ioan Gruffudd), singers (Tom Jones, Charlotte Church) and writers (Dylan Thomas). It has the settings — green expanses, craggy coasts — that mold pensive people.

"I think the Welsh people are very kind people, very emotional people," Myles says.

She grew up in Ystradgynlais, a mining town that thrived centuries ago. Today, it's part of a multitown region that claims 8,100 people, total. Actors go elsewhere.

Myles does act in the Welsh TV series "Belonging," but has been busier in London with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Then came a guest role in the revived "Doctor Who" as Gwyneth, who died to save the world. Russell Davies, the "Who" producer, promptly cast her in "Torchwood," a spin-off.

Barrowman, the "Torchwood" star, is an international sort. He was born in Scotland, moved to Illinois with his family at 9, then returned to England after college. He's ranged from bad American TV shows ("Titans," "Central Park West") to classier British musicals.

"I enjoy every second of it," he insists. " 'Titans' or 'Torchwood,' I'm completely happy."

He plays Captain Jack, commanding Owen Harper (Burn Gorham), a doctor who is learning about alien anatomy; Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori), a technical whiz; Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd), who seems like a butler; and Gwen (Myles).

It's a diverse cast, filming in Cardiff with only two people (Myles and David-Lloyd) who are Welsh-born. They're busy keeping Wales and the world safe from alien influence.