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Syfy Channel Announces Some Honest-to-Goodness Sci-Fi Shows for 2012-2013

Nix April 26, 2012

With all the wrasslin’ and silly reality TV shows on their airwaves lately (and what looks like even more coming), it’s sometimes hard to believe the Syfy Channel used to be the SciFi Channel, and that they still have some decent sci-fi shows on their stable. There’s the goofy as hell “Warehouse 13″, the entertaining “Haven”, and the soon-to-be-gone “Eureka”. And oh yeah, “Alphas” is pretty damn awesome, too.

But for 2012 and beyond, Syfy seems to be making a concerted effort to get back into the sci-fi TV business with a new slate of intriguing sounding shows among the slew of new Reality TV shows they’ll be introducing. Basically, for every slightly sci-fi-sounding show, we get at least two Reality TV shows. Sigh.

Anyways, here are some titles we’re excited about that may or may not eventually make it to air. Remember, just because a network “develops” a show, commissions scripts, and even shoots a pilot for, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll end up on air (see: “Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome”).

(Some of these shows we’ve already been following (“Defiance”, “Rewind”), but others are new to us (“The Family” and “Defender” sounds awesome))

Defiance - 2013 – Defiance is in collaboration with Trion Worlds, with the Syfy series and Trion’s multi-platform shooter MMO poised to debut simultaneously. The series stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Fionnula Flanagan, Mia Kirshner and Oscar-nominee Graham Greene. Set in the near future, Defiance introduces a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Forced to co-habitate, the disparate group struggles to build a new society among the devastation. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story. Defiance is directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest) and written/executive produced by Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape), Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) and Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica). Kevin Murphy serves as showrunner. Defiance is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

Rewind - Rewind revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter events and change the future—and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. Shane McRae stars as Sean Knox, ex-Special Forces who ranks as a field operative in a special division of the Department of Homeland Security. The pilot also stars Jennifer Ferrin, Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Robbie Jones and Keon Mohajeri, and is currently in production in Toronto. Jack Bender (Lost, Alphas) is directing the pilot, written by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li), who will also executive produce with Tom Spezialy, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein. A production of BermanBraun and Universal Cable Productions.

The Adjustment Bureau – In this drama, based on the hit movie starring Matt Damon, guardian angel-type agents work to keep the world according to The Plan. They create everything from plane crashes to coffee spills in order to steer people to realize their true destiny. But there is one thing the operatives and their Chairman can’t control—free will. Writers: Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer (Melrose Place, Smallville). Executive producers: George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau, The Bourne Ultimatum), MRC, Slavkin and Swimmer. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

High Moon – Based on the novel, The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher, this imaginative, out-of-this-world series explores a world where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon’s resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover its powerful secrets. Executive producer: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies). Co-executive producer: Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies). Writers: Bryan Fuller and Jim Danger Gray. Executive producer: Granat Entertainment. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

Untitled Booster Gold Project - Based on the best-selling DC Entertainment Comic, this is the story of a washed-up athlete from the future who travels back to the present in hopes of becoming the greatest superhero of all time. But instead of chasing criminals, his main priority is chasing fame and money. Booster Gold discovers that being a hero takes more than just a megawatt smile. Writer: Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow, Warehouse 13). Executive producers: Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern, Arrow) and Andrew Kreisberg. Producers: Greg Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television. The Booster Gold comic book series is published by DC Entertainment, which will also act as an executive producer.

Defender - In the aftermath of an intergalactic war between humans and transhumans, the starship Defender, populated by a combustible mix of former enemies, is sent on a seemingly simple goodwill mission, which turns into a fight for their lives and for the safety of the Universe at large. Executive producer/writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Alphas). A production of Universal Cable Productions.

The Family – For generations, an alien family has hid amongst humans in plain sight using their advanced intellect to carve out a life for themselves as their family grew. But when the family patriarch that kept peace amongst the factions dies, a war begins to brew with some members believing the time has come to reveal themselves, and their superior power, to the inferior human race. Writer: Dan Harris (Superman Returns, X2). Executive producers: Neal Moritz (21 Jump Street, Total Recall), Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica). A production of Sony Pictures TV.

Also, a couple of mini-series that could become shows themselves:

Darkfall - When, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past, Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down. Writers: Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda, Sleeper Cell). A production of The Jim Henson Company and Universal Cable Productions.

One Mile Straight Down – When a powerful earthquake hits California and opens up a chasm bigger than the Grand Canyon, it reveals an enormous hidden ocean lying deep beneath the earth’s crust. Billionaire adventurer James Exeter works with the government to take an advanced nuclear submarine down to explore it and discovers more than he ever could have imagined. Writers: Skip Woods (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Naren Shankar (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Deran Sarafian (CSI: NY). Executive producers: Skip Woods, Naren Shankar and Deran Sarafian. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

Via : blastr


  • REM1701

    Syfy is G-A-R-B-A-G-E! See cancelations of: SG-1, SGA, SGU, Farscape, BSG, Caprica, Eureka and the list goes on :-(

  • REM1701

    Syfy is G-A-R-B-A-G-E! See cancelations of: SG-1, SGA, SGU, Farscape, BSG, Caprica, Eureka and the list goes on :-(

  • Dizzheart

    Some of these sound quite intriguing. But, based on previous experience, I fear (1) the actors will all look alike, (2) they’ll be filled with specious action adventure rivalries instead of focusing on the sf premise, (3) they’ll be mostly CGI so the actors will have to fake it and some aren’t all that good at it, (4) they’ll all be filmed in dark blue, dark gray or dark brown to disguise the lack of real settings, and (5) they’ll be so chopped up with annoying commercials that I’ll flip to another channel immediately.

  • Rac_raf

    i thk you should bring back some science fiction that has space and aleins in it ( bring back some more amanda tapping ) she is still hot as hell

  • Henry Bemis

    Looks like SciFy is growing up and getting back to real stories and not stupid video game schlock. If only they could improve their generic made-for-TV movies that are basically remade every other year. Please no more cheesy, poorly rendered giant snakes, giant sharks (or saber tooth tigers or giant panda bears), no more tornado movies or heat waves. And please how many Leprechaun movies do you need? There’s nothing wrong with spaceships and aliens but they can’t be the reason to watch the show…think Star Trek TNG. Glad to see the neo-Goth trend is held to a minimum, with the campy Dark Shadows about to hit theaters it looks like the vampire trend will find a resting place somewhere with disco.

  • JjS55

    I think it’s about time SYFY has come to be SciFi again. I never understood wrestling on a SYFY channel. I’ve been waiting for another decent space drama lets hope they can come up with something. Spend some money and stay away from green screen and maybe they can make something happen.

  • Sly_stone99

    When you cancel Wrestling and Ghost Chasing shows true Sci-fi fans will come back to watching the network. The need to revamp the shows on this network has to be apparent. You have only a handful of good shows on TV and that should be a concern. As mentioned above what’s wrong with having a movie dealing with futuristic space ships, alien planets or even doing retro shows like Mercury Men, but making it and hour long with wall to wall action.

  • tom cotter

    Everybody is a critic when it comes to sci-fi television & movie projects. The sci-fi channel has gone through alot. Frankly, Indie & low-budgeting is a saving grace… but this is only a stop gap measure. I was impressed by fan creators of web series…. seem like there is lots of talent, light need of funding and a need to adopt these stray dogs. I’d like to see a ‘steampunk’ version of war of the worlds. Or ‘Of on A Comet’ by Verne. ‘The Last Question’ by Asimov.
    Hell, I’d loved to see a Mary Tyler Moore Venue following the life of a science fiction assistant editor sent in the 50′s or 60s…Madmen for geeks!
    Everybody gets their 15 minutes of fame..but it takes 30 days to cash a check. What’s the alternative…Home & Garden Channel.

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