sf/f TV development news - 2013

[Vendikarr]

The official descriptions of CBS' Intelligence.

Intelligence
INTELLIGENCE is a dramatic thriller starring Josh Holloway as a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain. With this implant, Gabriel (Holloway) is the first human ever to be connected directly into the worldwide information grid and have complete access to Internet, WiFi, telephone and satellite data. He can hack into any data center and access key intel in the fight to protect the United States from its enemies. Leading the elite government cyber-security agency created to support him is Director Lillian Strand (Marg Helgenberger), a straightforward and efficient boss who oversees the unit’s missions. Strand assigns Riley Neal (Meghan Ory), a Secret Service agent, to protect Gabriel from outside threats, as well as from his appetite for reckless, unpredictable behavior and disregard for protocol. Other skilled members of the Cybercom team include Chris Jameson (Michael Rady) and Gonzalo “Gonzo” Rodriguez (James Martinez), two resourceful federal investigators. The brains behind the design of the chip is Dr. Shenendoah Cassidy (John Billingsley), whose son, Nelson (PJ Byrne), is jealous of Gabriel’s prominent place in his father’s life. As the first supercomputer with a beating heart, Gabriel is the most valuable piece of technology the country has ever created and is the U.S.’s secret weapon. Michael Seitzman, René Echevarria, Tripp Vinson, and David Semel (for pilot) are executive producers for ABC Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

Looks like Meghan Ory is a regular on this series. It's likely we won't be seeing Red show up on Once Upon a Time next season.

 

[JoeZhang]

The trailer for Almost Human is pretty good.

 

[Christopher]

The Portal House description is kind of vague, since it says nothing about what's on the other side of the portal or what kind of approach the series would take. Although the title suggests that the house itself would be the main setting, so it wouldn't be a travel-oriented thing like Sliders or Stargate, but more about dealing with stuff that comes through the portal, like Primeval but with a more fixed location. Or like that really lame Australian K-9 series, the unofficial Doctor Who spinoff, where the main characters had a time-space portal-generating device that dangerous aliens kept coming through and it never once occurred to them just to unplug the damn machine when they weren't using it!

And Intelligence bugs me, because it sounds like the guy has the same basic privacy-invading abilities as the Machine on Person of Interest, another CBS series, but since it's a human being doing it, it feels a lot more voyeuristic. Particularly in the hands of a character described as reckless and unpredictable -- the potential for corruption and abuse is enormous.

 

[xortex]

Intelligence sounds awesome and better than Jake 2.0 or whatever it was that was similar or the computer that wore tennis shoes. Maybe it's not so original but it sounds original enough and timely enough to me to watch. Sounds cool. Is there going to be a gov org. that wants him too?

My favorite current show is still 'Burn Notice'.

 

[sojourner]

TNT has one SFF show among in the development slate they just announced:

Portal House
This project is the story of a group of young scientists who, while investigating what they believe to be a haunted house, stumble upon a portal into the time-space continuum. Things then take a turn for the worse when one of their own vanishes into the portal.
– Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Scott Rosenberg (writer), Jeff Pinkner (writer), Josh Appelbaum (writer) and Andre Nemec (writer)
– Production Company/Studio: Amblin Television

That's the plot of House II! (a great underrated movie. Christopher, I think you'd like it)

 

[RJDiogenes]

Portal House sounds vaguely interesting because, y'know, I like portals and other dimensions. But the name of Steven Spielberg on a TV show is a major red flag.

 

[Christopher]

But the name of Steven Spielberg on a TV show is a major red flag.

Unless it's Pinky and the Brain or Freakazoid!

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Here's the preview for Intelligence:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f-nqhGQeniM[/yt]

 

[JD]

I was kind of meh from the description, but that preview looked really cool. I think I'd put it up there under Dracula in my interest level.

 

[sojourner]

I bet Josh is just happy to be in a show where he gets to be cleaned up all the time.

 

[Kegg]

Dracula looks completely over the top, but the involvement of Daniel Carnivale Knauf merits it some consideration (and a suggestion that the elaborate mythology hinted at in the trailer probably has legs) so I'll keep an eye on it.

Past that Intelligence and Almost Human are passable, if only passable in the sense of 'here is a workable premise for a sci-fi cop series with likeable lead actors and quality production values.' Either one could become a solid series.

Sleepy Hollow's trailer is the most ridiculous trailer I've seen all year. THE SECRETS ARE IN WASHINGTON'S BIBLE!

I still really want a look at High Moon, Bryan Fuller's other new show (the non-SFF Hannibal) has been the most suprisingly excellent thing I've seen all year.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I hope the Intelligence people realize that it takes more than a "chip" to do all that stuff-- he'll also need a receiver and transmitter.

But the name of Steven Spielberg on a TV show is a major red flag.

Unless it's Pinky and the Brain or Freakazoid!

Could be. I've never seen either one.

 

[Christopher]

I'm still not getting any impression that Intelligence will tackle the disturbing ethical ramifications of giving a human being that kind of power. And that makes it seem like it's going to be a more superficial series than Person of Interest. Still, Rene Echevarria's involvement is promising.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Here are the official descriptions of the CW's new SFF shows (Oxygen has been retitled Star-Crossed):

The Originals – Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy and hunger for power have torn the Original Family apart. When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the werewolf Hayley has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history, and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie. Tensions between the town’s supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protégé is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his – the power, the city and his family. While they wait to see if their sister Rebekah will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by THE ORIGINALS once again. The series stars Joseph Morgan (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Immortals”) as Klaus, Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Saving Hope”) as Elijah, Claire Holt (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars”) as Rebekah, Phoebe Tonkin (“The Vampire Diaries,” “The Secret Circle”) as Hayley, Charles Michael Davis (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Switched at Birth”) as Marcel, Daniella Pineda (“The Fitzgerald Family Christmas,” “Homeland”) as Sophie, Leah Pipes (“The Deep End,” “Sorority Row”) as Cami and Danielle Campbell (“Starstruck,” “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection”) as Davina. THE ORIGINALS is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with My So-Called Company, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Kyle XY,” “Wasteland”), Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl”) and Gina Girolamo (“The Lying Game”) are executive producers. Plec wrote the pilot episode, which was directed by Chris Grismer (“The Vampire Diaries”).

The Tomorrow People — They are the next evolutionary leap of mankind, a generation of humans born with paranormal abilities — the Tomorrow People. Stephen Jameson stands at the crossroads between the world we know and the shifting world of the future. Up until a year ago, Stephen was a “normal” teenager — until he began hearing voices and teleporting in his sleep, never knowing where he might wake up. Now, Stephen’s issues have gone far beyond the usual teenage angst, and he is beginning to question his sanity. In desperation, Stephen decides to listen to one of the voices in his head, and it leads him to his first encounter with the Tomorrow People — John, Cara and Russell — a genetically advanced race with the abilities of telekinesis, teleportation and telepathic communication. The Tomorrow People are being hunted down by a paramilitary group of scientists known as Ultra. Led by Dr. Jedikiah Price, Ultra sees the Tomorrow People as a very real existential threat from a rival species, and the outcast group has been forced to hide out in an abandoned subway station just beneath the surface of the human world. Trading in secrets, Jedikiah offers Stephen the chance for a normal life with his family and best friend, Astrid, if he will help in the struggle to isolate and eradicate the Tomorrow People. On the other hand, Cara, John and Russell offer Stephen a different type of family and a home where he truly belongs. Unwilling to turn his back on humanity or the world of the Tomorrow People, Stephen sets out on his own path — a journey that could take him into the shadowy past to uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious disappearance, or into an unknown future with THE TOMORROW PEOPLE. The series stars Robbie Amell (“Revenge”) as Stephen, Luke Mitchell (“H20: Just Add Water”) as John, Peyton List (“Mad Men”) as Cara, Aaron Yoo (“Disturbia,” “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”) as Russell, Mark Pellegrino (“Lost,” “Supernatural”) as Dr. Jedikiah Price, and Madeleine Mantock (upcoming “All You Need is Kill”) as Astrid. THE TOMORROW PEOPLE is from Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Kyle XY”), Phil Klemmer (“Political Animals,” “Chuck”) and Danny Cannon (“Nikita,” “CSI: NY”). The pilot was directed by Danny Cannon.

The 100 — Ninety-seven years ago, nuclear Armageddon decimated planet Earth, destroying civilization. The only survivors were the 400 inhabitants of 12 international space stations that were in orbit at the time. Three generations have been born in space, the survivors now number 4,000, and resources are running out on their dying “Ark” ─ the 12 stations now linked together and repurposed to keep the survivors alive. Draconian measures including capital punishment and population control are the order of the day, as the leaders of the Ark take ruthless steps to ensure their future, including secretly exiling a group of 100 juvenile prisoners to the Earth’s surface to test whether it’s habitable. For the first time in nearly a century, humans have returned to planet Earth. Among the 100 exiles are Clarke, the bright teenage daughter of the Ark’s chief medical officer; Wells, son of the Ark’s Chancellor; the daredevil Finn; and the brother/sister duo Bellamy and Octavia, whose illegal sibling status has always led them to flaunt the rules. Technologically blind to what’s happening on the planet below them, the Ark’s leaders — Clarke’s widowed mother, Abby; the Chancellor, Jaha; and his shadowy second in command, Kane — are faced with difficult decisions about life, death and the continued existence of the human race. For the 100 young people on Earth, however, the alien planet they’ve never known is a mysterious realm that can be magical one moment and lethal the next. With the survival of the human race entirely in their hands, THE 100 must find a way to transcend their differences, unite and forge a new path on a wildly changed Earth that’s primitive, intense and teeming with the unknown. The series stars Eliza Taylor (newcomer) as Clarke, Paige Turco (“Person of Interest,” “Damages”) as Abby, Thomas McDonell (“Suburgatory”) as Finn, Eli Goree (“Emily Owens, M.D.”) as Wells, Marie Avgeropoulos (“50/50“) as Octavia, Bob Morley (newcomer) as Bellamy, Kelly Hu (“X2: X-Men United,” “Arrow”) as Cece, Christopher Larkin (“Squad 85”) as Monty, Devon Bostick (“Aim High”) as Jasper, with Isaiah Washington (upcoming “Blue Caprice,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) as Chancellor Jaha, and Henry Ian Cusick (“Lost,” “Scandal”) as Kane. Based on the upcoming book series by Kass Morgan, THE 100 is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Matthew Miller (“Human Target,” “Chuck”), Jason Rothenberg (upcoming “Twilight Zone” feature), Bharat Nalluri (“Torchwood,” “Emily Owens, M.D.”), Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Gina Girolamo (“The Secret Circle”). The pilot was directed by Bharat Nalluri.

Star-Crossed — When Emery was 6 years old, an alien spacecraft crash-landed in her small town. Whether they came in peace or with more sinister intentions didn’t matter: a fierce battle erupted as humans fought for control over their new rivals, an alien species called the Atrians. In the midst of the conflict, Roman, a 6-year-old Atrian boy, found his way to a shed behind Emery’s house, where she protected him from harm, bringing him food, comfort – and friendship. In their brief time together, Emery and Roman forged a deep bond, but the authorities wasted no time tracking Roman down and capturing him in a violent confrontation. Emery has grown up believing that Roman was killed that day. Ten years later, the Atrians have been acclimated to life on Earth, but they are interned in a heavily-guarded camp known as the Sector to keep them separate from humans. Now, for the first time, a group of Atrian teens will enroll in a suburban human high school, with the goal of testing the feasibility of human/alien integration. The eyes of the nation and the whole world are fixed on this historical social experiment, an endeavor fraught with suspicion and fear. In the mayhem of the first day, Emery is amazed to learn that Roman was not killed by the authorities and is, in fact, one of the Atrian students. Their childhood bond is quickly rekindled – in a school and a society that distrusts everything about the Atrians, Emery and Roman have found each other again. However, their relationship is threatened by the small-mindedness of their respective communities and the political agendas of people in power. While the world around them rages with anger and prejudice, their bond becomes increasingly strong and increasingly dangerous. As an epic Romeo and Juliet romance unfolds, a violent encounter between Roman’s father and Emery’s father occurs in the Sector. Can Roman and Emery’s love – and peace between the species – survive? The series stars Aimee Teegarden (“Friday Night Lights”) as Emery, Matt Lanter (“90210”) as Roman, Grey Damon (“The Secret Circle”) as Grayson, Natalie Hall (“Pretty Little Liars”) as Taylor, Malese Jow (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Big Time Rush”) as Julia, Titus Makin, Jr. (“Glee”) as Lukas, Chelsea Gilligan (“How I Met Your Mother”) as Teri and Greg Finley (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) as Drake. STAR-CROSSED is from Ole Productions, Isla de Babel SL and 360 Powwow in association with CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Meredith Averill (“The Good Wife,” “Life on Mars”), Josh Appelbaum (“Life on Mars,” “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”), Bryan Furst (“Daybreakers,” “Tough Trade”), Sean Furst (“Daybreakers,” “Tough Trade”), Daniel Gutman (“Dance!,” “12 Corazones”), Andre Nemec (“Life on Mars,” “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”), Scott Rosenberg (“Life on Mars,” “October Road” and Richard Shephard (“Golden Boy,” “Ringer”). The pilot was written by Meredith Averill and directed by Gary Fleder (“Beauty And The Beast,” “Vegas,” “Runaway Jury”).

 

[Kegg]

I'm not sure what to make of any CW show, but if I was going to try one, 100 or Star-Crossed might work.

Still, Rene Echevarria's involvement is promising.

Last time people were saying that they were discussing Terra Nova though.

 

[sojourner]

How do you "secretly exile" 100 people out of 4000?

Star-crossed is Twilight.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

How do you "secretly exile" 100 people out of 4000?

You could lead people to believe they died.

Here are some previews and clips from the CW's new SFF shows:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TDKDqoklEI&list=PL6abPzY300GXBxbdnsYpz9_7FjW-SS8C2&feature=player_detailpage[/yt]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SsjejXi5mGg&list=PL6abPzY300GXBxbdnsYpz9_7FjW-SS8C2[/yt]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SNK5RkQ3F3Q&list=PL6abPzY300GXBxbdnsYpz9_7FjW-SS8C2[/yt]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=O2u7768JOP4&list=PL6abPzY300GXBxbdnsYpz9_7FjW-SS8C2[/yt]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ-aYWzsmuI&list=PL6abPzY300GXBxbdnsYpz9_7FjW-SS8C2&feature=player_detailpage[/yt]

 

[Enterprise is Great]

CW's Wonder Woman project gets new writer

 

[Christopher]

Here are the official descriptions of the CW's new SFF shows (Oxygen has been retitled Star-Crossed):

Actually it was never called Oxygen. It was developed for the Oxygen cable channel before being picked up by The CW, and somebody who wrote an article announcing the pickup mistook the name of the network for the name of the show, and other sources quoted that article and repeated the error. It was always Star-Crossed.

And it's the least interesting one for me so far, other than the vampire spinoff. I'm not enthralled by Tomorrow People or The 100 yet, but they're probably worth a look.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Actually it was never called Oxygen. It was developed for the Oxygen cable channel before being picked up by The CW, and somebody who wrote an article announcing the pickup mistook the name of the network for the name of the show, and other sources quoted that article and repeated the error. It was always Star-Crossed.

Can you provide a link to that effect? Every outlet I've seen has previously referred to it as Oxygen and Variety put an fka (formerly known as) Oxygen in their mention of the title Star-Crossed. Other outlets have also specifically mentioned it as a name change.