Fox & BBC Team up on new space drama

[Temis the Vorta]

They could attempt to hew pretty closely to science fact in how they depict the planets and mission details, while adding more focus on character-based drama so it's a real drama rather than a pseudo-documentary.

I can't recall if I actually did see the pseudo-documentary in question, but I remember something with pretty sketchy characterization and the focus was far more on showing us what the planets look like. It was basically a speculative documentary about alien planets with a rudementary plotline. So using the same premise for a real story (more focus on who the characters are and their motivations and psychology) would be a very different thing, and very interesting.

Anyway it can't be too science-facty if they're going to have the mission take less than ten thousand years to get to the closest star.

 

[Mallet]

It's more like Solaris then anything else I can think of to compare it to. Oh, and at least from the pilot script, it all takes place in our own solar system.

 

[wamdue]

interesting, I assume this will be a bit more drama than the original.

 

[FordSVT]

If it's anything like that speculative docudrama about an expedition to Mars that the Discovery Channel aired sometime back, then count me in. I hope it doesn't become a contrived shipper drama.

Well it's obviously not going to be a weekly sci-fi documentary about how humans might explore the solar system if that's what you mean. While they mentioned that pseudo-doc I'm sure they were thinking about it as inspiration, not the model for a show. It's going to be a drama, there are going to be conflicts, scenes back on earth, crisis after crisis, etc. I doubt there will be a whole lot of killing and banging like on Lost and 24 and such shows, it simply wouldn't fit into the idea of a bunch of NASA or ESA professionals exploring the galaxy.

But if they could get 90% of the tech right they'd be off to a good start. I'm with those who don't want to see too much drama though. A reasonable amount of conflict and danger should be present, but if it's realistic in any way there can't be too much and still retain plausibility.

 

[roguephoenix]

isn't fox already making one like it called virtuality or something like that? group of astronauts in a small vessel travel to... somewhere. ship equiped with virtual reality stuff so that people won't go insane or something.

 

[wamdue]

isn't fox already making one like it called virtuality or something like that? group of astronauts in a small vessel travel to... somewhere. ship equiped with virtual reality stuff so that people won't go insane or something.

Voyage to the Planets was nothing like that.

 

[JD]

isn't fox already making one like it called virtuality or something like that? group of astronauts in a small vessel travel to... somewhere. ship equiped with virtual reality stuff so that people won't go insane or something.

Yeah, but from what I've read it sounds like that's going to be pretty much focusing on the virtual reality stuff, and not so much the exploration.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Oh, and at least from the pilot script, it all takes place in our own solar system.

Interesting! Well that's more than enough material. Any one planet, say Jupiter, would be more than enough material, especially if you include the moons.

isn't fox already making one like it called virtuality or something like that? group of astronauts in a small vessel travel to... somewhere. ship equiped with virtual reality stuff so that people won't go insane or something.

And AMC is making Red Mars, which focuses specifically on a Mars colony. But the more the merrier. We've had a horrible drought of space-based sci fi, so all of this is wholly welcome.

Still really hoping Skiffy forges ahead with Revolution (another space colony series). Haven't heard spit about it lately.

 

[Angel4576]

Still really hoping Skiffy forges ahead with Revolution (another space colony series). Haven't heard spit about it lately.

No news since August AFAIK. Last I heard though, the pilot had been shot and was in post-production.

TBH, I'd prefer Sci-Fi go with Revolution instead of Warehouse13, but sadly, I think the reverse will be true.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

It doesn't look like this is actually going to air on Fox, it says they will look for a network to air it on after it's completed, so I assume that means either FX or syndication.

 

[Marc]

Could be space Oddyssey, could be Starcops 2

I think there are some people who would like to see Starcops back (though Chris Boucher wouldn't want the theme music back).

 

[Angel4576]

It doesn't look like this is actually going to air on Fox, it says they will look for a network to air it on after it's completed, so I assume that means either FX or syndication.

Probably FX I would have thought. Hopefully that will mean that the weight of expectation ratings-wise will be slightly less.

 

[firehawk12]

Hrm. Well, I'm all for more "realistic" depictions of space travel. The only problem is that the drama ultimately comes from the ship breaking down and someone making a sacrifice in order to save the ship...

 

[FordSVT]

^That might happen, but it can't happen much in a series with a limited number of cast members cut off from the rest of humanity.

 

[AviTrek]

I'm not sure how realistic they can really make it. Will each episode jump months? Or will there be some new faster propulsion system. Otherwise you could spend the entire show traveling between earth and mars with nothing going on outside the ship.

 

[Mallet]

I'm not sure how realistic they can really make it. Will each episode jump months? Or will there be some new faster propulsion system. Otherwise you could spend the entire show traveling between earth and mars with nothing going on outside the ship.

It starts off with the ship already in orbit around Venus. The other stuff is all flashback.

 

[the_wildcard]

Well I think the idea is somewhat original. Most of the sci-fi shows these days either are set in a completely different time, or if they are set in our time, have alot of fictional themes that don't make it realistic.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Digital Spy have posted an update about casting,

Laura Harris, Eyal Podell, Christina Cox and Zahf Paroo have been cast in the BBC/Fox TV co-production Defying Gravity.

The quartet join Ron Livingston and German actress Florentine Lahme in the show, which revolves around eight astronauts from five different countries embarking on a six-year space mission.

Grey's Anatomy's James Parriott created the big-budget drama and will executive produce alongside Desperate Housewives' Michael Edelstein.

Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction said: "The calibre of the talent involved in this drama series both in front and behind the scenes makes Defying Gravity one of the most exciting new series for 2009. Although primarily a human drama, the landscape and context and genre of Defying Gravity give it a very different flavour from other dramas on the BBC."

Parriott added: "It has been a joy to work with this team, and all the partners on Defying Gravity, as we set out to build a show with drama, humour and suspense - elements we hope will resonate for viewers across the pond and planet."

Defying Gravity will begin its six-month filming schedule in Canada next month.

 

[captcalhoun]

never heard of any of them...

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Laura Harris was Daisy Adair in Dead Like Me, also female lead in Severance, and recurring roles in 24 and Dead Zone.
Christina Cox has been in Stargate a few times, but starred in Blood Ties.
But I can't say I've heard of the others.