Gareth David-Lloyd is best known to science fiction fans as Ianto Jones, Torchwood‘s suit-clad alien fighter, as well as for keeping the alien-crime fighting team in coffee. Dragon*Con is Gareth’s second American appearance after visiting Comic-Con in San Diego last month. He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk with the Daily Dragon.

Daily Dragon (DD): First of all, welcome to Dragon*Con. You’ve been here for a few days, so what is your impression of American conventions as opposed to British conventions?

Gareth David-Lloyd (GDL): The size of them and the costumes that Americans dream up. You’re much more brave and a lot more creative in how you approach these conventions. I’m kinda blown away by it-by the huge numbers. At the UK conventions, you’re usually in one hall, but here you spread it over a few venues.

DD: What do you think of Ianto’s growth as a character from the first episode until now?

GDL: Honestly, I’ve been over the moon with every script I’ve seen up to now. They’ve gotten more into his personality and shown more of it and his sense of humor. It’s been really thrilling and unpredictable and nothing really distracting so far.

DD: Where would you like the writers to take Ianto in the future?

GDL: Abroad! Where it’s hot. But as far as characterization goes, I trust them completely to take me wherever they want. But as far as location, I wouldn’t mind going abroad for a bit.

DD: It almost seems like Ianto is a little more secretive than Jack. What do you think of Ianto’s personal life?

GDL: I just think he’s a very private person who doesn’t feel the need to flaunt his personal life around. And because they gave him [that quality], made him a character of guarded personality, it adds a mystery to him.

DD: Has Torchwood‘s popularity outside of Great Britain surprised you?

GDL: Umm…yeah absolutely. It seems like it’s more popular over here than it is over there. [I think] it’s incredible when you think about Torchwood and how it’s made such an impact and impression, especially in America where it seems that [television]is more guarded when it comes to same sex relationships. It’s flattering that it’s made such an impact.

DD: What was it like playing Ianto on Doctor Who as opposed to Torchwood?

GDL: It’s a slightly different show because [Doctor Who] is more family orientated, so I suppose the performances were heightened and more youngster friendly. But we were still in the Torchwood hub, and it was still John, and it was still Eve. We’re so used to the crew, but I don’t think we’ll ever get used to losing Tosh and Owen. But it did feel like Torchwood, and it felt like a mini-episode.

DD: Speaking of the change in the team dynamic, what do you think about that?

GDL: It’s hard. I mean, I’m confident in John Barrowman‘s skills to welcome everybody with open arms and to, well, to scare them a bit. But I’m sure it’ll be cast wisely, and it’ll be a new family like we were.

DD: Mentioning John Barrowman scaring people, what’s the craziest thing you remember him doing on set?

GDL: Well it’s every day, really. I mean it’s him doing crazy things like bursting into show tunes whenever someone says cut. I mean whenever we have a dramatic scene, he’ll bust into something from Mama Mia or something along those lines.