Syfy Wants You Back

Cable networks make mistakes. Actually, they make them quite often. So, it’s hard to blame one network for letting down its loyal followers like Syfy did. There was that whole name change from “Sci-Fi Channel” to just “Syfy.” Not sure we were all down with that, but we put up with it because they offered some high quality television back in the day. Battlestar Galacta is still held in high regard by both science fiction fans and critics alike.

The real shame was that other networks started doing sci-fi, fantasy and the like in far better ways. As Twilight was becoming popular, many networks jumped on the trend of vampires, werewolves and light fantasy that young fans were eager to attach themselves to. These genres are now hugely popular with shows like Game of Thrones, True Blood and The Walking Dead.

Now, they’re anxious to take us back. We’re the really pretty girl in a high school movie and Syfy is the nerdy guy fighting the network jocks to win our love. Entertainment Weekly interviewed Head of Programming Bill McGoldrick about what fans can expect this year. There are five shows on the horizon that could mean big things for the Channel Formerly Known as Sci-Fi.

Ascension is a miniseries starring Brian Van Holt and Battlestar’s Tricia Helfer. In 1963, the United States government sends six hundred people into space to begin life on a new world. After half a century, a murder takes place and rocks the ship known as Ascension.

The series 12 Monkeys is a re-imagining of the film by Terry Gilliam. McGoldrick feels confident about it. “They’ve put together a really smart take on a time travel show with some actors that are really going to pop. It feels like a show that’s going to be special.”

Another miniseries entitled Childhood’s End stars Tywin Lannister himself, Charles Dance, and looks at alien and human cultures combining peacefully on Earth. It will launch in 2015.

The Expanse is based on James S.A. Corey’s series of books about a futuristic missing-person mystery in space. “It’s a space opera the likes of which I don’t think anyone has seen yet.” McGoldrick says. He speaks highly of it.

On the drama kick there’s Hunters. It’s about a policeman searching for his wife which leads him to stumble on conspiracies and things that may not be a part of this world.

If any of these pique your interest, you can check out Syfy’s website here. I also highly recommend skimming over the interview with McGoldrick on Entertainment Weekly. Trailers for Ascension and 12 Monkeys below!

If you enjoyed Carly’s article, you can find the rest of her work right HERE on Sci-Fi Bloggers. You can also follow her on Twitter @MrsCarlyRodgers.

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