Showcase Channel go on a Starhyke!

Tired of waiting for the Red Dwarf series X? This might be just the thing to help fill the long wait till Autumn 2012!

Starring Claudia Christian (Babylon 5), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars), Starhyke is a sci-fi comedy set in the year 3034, when the human race has suppressed all forms of emotion. So when the Reptids (the only unconquered alien race in our galaxy) threaten to release a weapon to reawaken human emotion, it’s up to Captain Blowhard (Christian) and her increasingly inept crew to travel back in time to stop them from changing the past and altering our future forever. Now plagued by uncontrollable emotions, the crew of the Nemesis find not-so practical ways of coping, whilst Dr Striker (Bulloch) looks for a cure in the most unusual places…

The show is also packed full of familiar sci-fi stars. Claudia Christian, best known as Commander Susan Ivanova in Babylon 5, said “Starhyke was an absolute joy to work on. The combination of a stellar cast, hilarious situations and the ability to play around in a comedy again was a joy for me… I love the combination of sci-fi and comedy and only the Brits can truly pull it off!” Jeremy Bulloch, the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett in the Star Wars trilogy said of his character, “Doctor Striker is a part I really enjoyed playing because he is completely insane! He a loveable rogue and quite daft, a lot like me!”.

Other stars include Suanne Braun (Stargate SG-1) and Rachel Grant (Die Another Day) and Brad Gorton (London’s Burning). The series also features guest appearances from Danny John-Jules (Cat in the aforementioned Red Dwarf), Mike Edmonds (Time Bandits) and even the legendary Sir Patrick Moore like you’ve never seen him before!

Starhyke has been a huge success on DVD for Bristol based Lightworx Media, and has built a steady fanbase through the sci-fi convention circuit, but this is the first time the anarchic mix of sci-fi, drama and humour has come to UK television. “It’s been difficult at times, but we were always spurred on by the reactions from sci-fi fans and the unwavering support they’ve given toward the series” says producer Jonathan G. Brown.

The series will premiere on Showcase TV on Sky 201 and Freesat 403 at 8pm from the 13th December, with repeats on Fridays at 2pm and Sundays at 4pm from the 1st January 2012.

For more info visit www.starhyke.com

Source Code to be the new Quantum Leap?

Source Code - TV Series

Moving a project from the cinema to the small screen (or vice versa) can be a tricky thing… However, Buffy, Stargate, Terminator (despite it’s short run), and M*A*S*H all made decent transitions, and Mark Gordon, the producer of Duncan Jones’ brilliant movie Source Code, is hoping to he can make it too, after securing a pilot commitment from CBS to turn the film’s premise into a weekly tv series.

Source Code stars Jake Gyllenhaal as pilot Colter Stevens, who wakes to find himself on a train headed for Chicago, with no memory of how he got there, or why he appears to be in someone else’s body… He doesn’t have long to muse on this predicament though, as 8 minutes later the train explodes, and he awakes again, but this time in some sort of military training simulator. Dazed and very confused, Captain Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) appears on a monitor to explain that he is taking part in an experimental ‘source code’ project which allows him to re-live the last 8 minutes of someone’s life, albeit in an alternative reality. The reason he is on that train is to try and identify the bomber before he can set of a much larger explosion in central Chicago.

For the TV series, the plan is to have 3 federal agents using the ‘source code’ technology to jump into people’s bodies to prevent or solve tragic past events. It’ll be interesting to see how they approach moving the mythology to the small screen, as the film leaves it quite open to shoot off in a number of different directions. It’s fair to say this is likely to make some key changes from the film, which very much centered around Stevens, his confusion to the situation, and his mental state. In the same way Stargate saw the TV iron out the process of gating to a planet compared to the movie, i’d rather expect the TV show to focus more on the ‘event’ than the bumps of using the system.

The pilot is being penned by Steven Maeda, writer/executive producer on the superb (and tragically cancelled) ‘Lie to Me’, and ‘Lost’, so he’s no stranger to a good mystery story, and a bit of sci-fi weirdness! Although the basic premise is very ‘Quatumn Leap’, there’s enough other material set up in the movie to make this a much more edgy concept. Will be very interesting one to watch develop.

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Twitter Fans Name Sci-Fi’s Sexiest Stars

Anna Silk in Lost Girl

In a survey commissioned by TV channel Syfy to celebrate the launch of fantasy series Lost Girl which launches on Thursday 1st September at 10pm, they asked fans on Twitter to vote to determine Sci-Fi’s favourite stars. The new series boasts it’s very own feisty temptress, Bo (Anna Silk) – soon to be a sure favourite herself – as a Succubus who drains humans of their sexual energy through kissing before leaving them for dead. However Bo doesn’t want to be evil, and is struggling to learn to handle her power when she finds other members of her obscure race which could be the key to her living a normal life. With spirited sidekick Kenzie by her side, they struggle to live in what has suddenly become a dangerous world – the biggest danger being from Bo’s own kind.

So, who won? Well looking at the lists, it’s fair to say that, whatever you think of Joss Whedon, he’s got an eye for the ladies… and a few of the men… 

Firefly, Dollhouse and Terminator:SCC star Summer Glau trounced the competition in the girls list. Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, came in 3rd, the lovely Jewel Staite 4th, with Dollhouse and Buffy/Angel star Eliza Dushku coming 5th. It doesn’t stop there though. The 6th (Gina Torres), 8th (Morena Baccarin), and 9th (Felicia Day) places where all taken up by Whedon alumni!

Joss does less well in the guys list, with the highest place going to Firefly‘s (and every other Sci-fi show under the sun!) Mark Sheppard coming in 4th, and Captain Tightpant’s – aka Nathan Fillion, coming in 5th. The top of the guys list is of course dominated by the Supernatural trio – Jenson Ackles coming 1st, Jared Padalecki 2nd, and Mischa Collins 3rd. Mark Sheppard was in Supernatural too… That guy gets everywhere!

The full galleries of the top ten Babes and Hunks appear below!

Sci-Fi Babes

Sci-Fi Hunks

Lost Girl premieres on Thursday 1^st September at 10pm, only on Syfy.

Keep up with all the latest UK premiere dates over on our UK Air Dates page!

Top 4 SciFi Shows We Want To See!

Over a chat with some fellow GeekTowners recently, we were mourning the loss (or long hiatus) of the Stargate franchise after the cruel cancellation of the actually rather good SGU, and it got us thinking… What scifi shows would we like to see – with the exception of the obligatory ‘bring back Firefly‘ obviously…

4. Star Wars – Live Action TV Show

We're waiting George!

Apart from from needing a decent title, and seemingly not having moved forward much since it was first announced a few years back, the Star Wars Live Action TV Show has been slowly bubbling along behind the scenes. Lucas says he has 50 hours written out of an initial run of 100. However, in a recent interview the big man himself has said it’s basically on hold until the technology manages to catch up with his vision of what he wants the show to be – i.e. we want it to be epic and we can’t afford to do it on a tv budget…

Really George?.. What the heck are you planning that you, the man that’s amassed a fortune selling everything from Star Wars lunchboxes to C3PO tape dispensers (yes, really), think it’s not cost effective to produce a Star Wars TV show?! Are you planning on blowing up an actual planet each episode? Genetically engineer real Ewoks maybe? I’m struggling to see how a Star Wars branded ‘anything‘ at this point won’t make you your money back, despite whatever fortune you spend on it! *Sigh* so while Lucas waits (presumably for someone to construct an actual Death Star so they can shoot it somewhere with that authentic ‘Death Stary feel’), we will get Robot Chicken’s Star Wars Sitcom which Lucas greenlit earlier this year. At least that’s something new (and I do expect it to be awesome!), but I’d still love to see the live action show move forward!

3. Mass Effect the TV Series

Mass Effect TV Show

BioWare have made a number of truly great computer games, but one of the strongest universes they’ve created was the one that Mass Effect resides in. There is a Mass Effect movie in development, but that’s no reason to not consider a TV series after that. Look at the success Stargate had (even though the the original writer seemingly hated the tv show!).

Mass Effect provides a vivid and interesting environment that could easily expand in TV. With so many varied races and characters to explore, I can’t help but think a tv show set in the Mass Effect universe would allow the story to expand far more than a film would every allow.

2. Fray the TV Series

Fray TV Show

Yes, I know we’re fanboys when it comes to Joss, but after he’s done sorting out Marvel’s men in tights, I’d really love to see him have something back on the small screen, and it’d be nice if it was something Slayer related. So how about a Fray tv series?

For those of you that don’t know about Fray, it was a series of comic book written by Joss about a new Slayer set in a hi tech future. In this timeline demons had though to have been banished from Earth, and the Watchers are a crazed cult. But when vampires (now know as lurks) start to re-appear in New York’s slums, a new Slayer is called in the form of thief Melaka Fray to battle the increasing threat… Vamps and Slayers in a futuristic scifi setting?.. What more could you want!

1. Slingers TV Show

Ever since the ‘sizzle reel‘ for Slingers popped up in 2009, we’ve been backing the show to get made! For those of you that have yet to catch the video – see above! Slingers is set set in 2263 A.D. An interplanetary war has left a section of humanity cut off from Earth by an impassible barrier. Some people are prepared to do as the military tell them, and make the best of a bad situation. Some have other plans… People such as Dominic ‘DM’ Monroe and his merry band of brothers decide to *ahem* borrow… the military’s experimental spaceship, which has the capability to ‘sling’ itself to any point in the universe. That means in theory, it is the only craft that side of the barrier has the capability of reaching Earth…

In terms of tone, it’s been described as “the action of Bullitt, the sophistication of Ocean’s 11 and the humour of M*A*S*H all wrapped in a futuristic package.” That description alone makes me want to see Slingers go into production! Things have been a bit quiet in terms of actual news on Slingers recently, other than the odd tweet from creator Mike Sizemore about “meetings in LA going well”, there’s not been much news recently. Looking at the stunning work the guys did on the the sizzle reel, I’m surprised it hasn’t been snapped up yet. Still, you know what they say… Good things come to those who wait… ;)

Sanctuary reopens it’s doors with Season 3 part 2 on Watch

Sanctuary on Watch

The second half of series three of Sci-fi hit Sanctuary roared back exclusively onto Watch last Tuesday with more monsters and explosive action.

Featuring Stargate’s Amanda Tapping as 158-year-old Dr Helen Magnus, head of a secret group of some of the 19th century’s most experimental minds (including Nikola Tesla and Dr James Watson) who has crossed the boundaries of time to patrol the streets, she offers help and sanctuary to monsters and beasts that are found on the streets and in dark corners, and aren’t accepted by human society.

Along with her own century-and-a-half’s worth of experience, Magnus has gathered around her an expert team of ‘abnormal’ hunters – there’s reluctant protégé Will, her reckless daughter Ashley, geeky Henry and a taciturn Neanderthal-like abnormal they call Big Guy.

Tonights episode is called ‘One Night’ and is directed by none other than Helen Magnus herself – Amanda Tapping!

Sanctuary air on Watch (Sky 109, Virgin Media 124) – Tuesdays at 9pm.

View the trailer here

http://www.facebook.com/watchtogether

Axe Falls on ‘Stargate Universe’

Stargate Universe Cancelled!

Always knew this was likely given it’s US ratings, but reports are saying SyFy have axed ‘Stargate Universe’. Real shame, as it just seems to be getting stronger and stronger as a show, but isn’t finding an audience. For me, it’s the most interesting and different to of the Stargate franchise… But that was possibly also part of it’s downfall.

Yes, the style was… shall we say ‘heavily influenced’… by Battlestar Galactica. But BSG was a great show too (even with the slightly dodgy ending), so I never saw being inspired by another show as an issue. I mean, we wouldn’t have has those interestingly show space sequences in BSG if it hadn’t been for Firefly doing it first.

The final 10 episodes of SGU’s second season will air on SyFy (US) in the Spring of 2011, and presumably on Sky1 soon after.

So another interesting and dark scifi show bites the dust. Would you like to see a new Stargate franchise? If so, where would you want them to go next? Leave your thoughts in the comments, or over on the forum.