Sci-Fi Storm

Syfy’s Ascension, a six-hour event series premiering in November, has commenced production in Montreal, QC. Written and created by executive producer and showrunner Philip Levens (Smallville), Ascension is an ambitious original drama following a covert U.S. space mission launched in the 1960’s that sent hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Half way into their journey, as they approach the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.

Produced by Lionsgate Television and Sea To Sky Studios in association with Blumhouse Productions, the series stars Brandon P. Bell (Hollywood Heights) as the confident and capable First Officer Oren Gault, Brian Van Holt (Cougar Town, The Bridge) as the eponymous ship’s captain William Denninger and Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as Viondra Denniger, the Captain’s beautiful, manipulative and dangerous wife (who also serves as the ship’s Chief Steward).

Joining Bell, Van Holt and Helfer are Tiffany Lonsdale (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Chief Astronomer Emily Vanderhaus, Andrea Roth (Rescue Me) as the ship’s head doctor Juliet Bryce, Jacqueline Byers as her daughter Nora Bryce, PJ Boudousque (Coldwater) as Nora’s love interest, James Toback and Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary, Continuum) as Safety Officer (and Emily’s husband) Duke Vanderhaus.

Ascension is executive produced by Jason Blum (The Normal Heart, Stranded, The River, film franchises Paranormal Activity and The Purge) along with Ivan Fecan, Tim Gamble and Brett Burlock on behalf of Sea To Sky Studios. The event series will be co-financed and distributed by Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate Television.

Ascension is slated to launch in November 2014 and air through December.

Hmm…that voice seems familiar…and not quite Dalek…
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Not a real surprise, but the production of Star Wars: Episode VII has scheduled in a two-week hiatus next month after shifting the schedule around to accommodate among other things Harrison Ford’s rehabilitation for his broken leg. No effect is expected in the completion of production in time for the December 18th, 2015 release.

In the meantime, two new cast members have been announced, but as usual their roles have not been specified: Crystal Clarke and Pip Anderson. Both are relative newcomers, with Clarke to appear in the Pierce Brosnan-led fantasy The Moon and the Sun.

Brandon Routh, who donned the Man of Steel’s cape in Bryan Singer’s 2006 film Superman Returns, may be a super again…he’s joined the CW’s Arrow and will play Ray Palmer, a scientist who takes over Queen Consolidated. DC Comics fans will recognize that name as the “Silver Age” Atom, a superhero with the ability to shrink himself down as far as subatomic size while retaining his strength.

Routh is reportedly signed for up to 14 episodes in the upcoming season.