Sci-Fi Storm

Syfy has announced that they have given a 13 episode third season order for Defiance, as well as a 13 episode second season for Dominion. Both series are produced by Universal Cable Productions and are slated to return with all-new episodes in 2015.

Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) will resume his role as executive producer and showrunner of Defiance while Vaun Wilmott (Sons of Anarchy) will continue to fill the same posts for Dominion.

Season to date, Dominion and Defiance are the top two cable programs in the Thursday 8-10pm time period among P25-54s. With most current Live+7 data, both series are averaging 2.7 million total viewers, 1.2 million viewers 18-49 and 1.4 million viewers 25-54. Drawing an especially engaged social audience, Dominion was the most social drama on Thursdays across all of TV in tweets (15.4K) and tweets per unique (8.0).

Set in the near future, Defiance features an exotically transformed planet Earth, its landscapes permanently altered following the sudden – and tumultuous – arrival of seven unique alien races. In this somewhat unknown and unpredictable landscape, the richly diverse, newly-formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully. Redefining the transmedia experience, Defiance has distinguished itself with an unprecedented partnership between Syfy and Trion Worlds, by creating the first-ever true convergence of television and online gaming.

Based on characters from the hit theatrical film Legion (2010), Dominion is an epic supernatural drama set in a transformed post–apocalyptic future, 25 years after an army of lower angels, assembled by the archangel Gabriel, waged a war of possession against mankind. The archangel Michael, turning against his own kind, chose to side with humanity. Rising out of the ashes, are newly fortified cities which protect the human survivors. In Vega (formerly Las Vegas), the largest of these cities, two houses vie for control over the people and the stage is set for political upheaval and a dangerous power shift. Meanwhile, a rebellious young soldier begins a perilous journey as the war escalates between the human race and the angels that are hell-bent on destroying humanity. Dominion is produced by Universal Cable Productions and Bold Films.

It’s been nearly six years since we reported that AMC was working on a TV series based on Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy of novels, with then-Sci Fi Channel passing on it before that. Alas, instead of reporting that it is finally coming to the screen, it’s back at square one…Spike TV is now working on the adaptation, focusing on [asin=B000QCS914]Red Mars[/asin] to start, with Vince Gerardis (Game of Thrones) producing.

It may remain in Development Hell still, but at least it hasn’t disappeared…

Syfy has given a straight-to-series order for 13 episodes of Hunters from producer Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Productions and Universal Cable Productions. The series will be based on the [asin=076536848X]Alien Hunter[/asin] series of novels from Whitley Streiber.

No casting has been announced yet. Natalie Chaidez (V, Heroes) will pen the first script.

The books follow the story of Flynn Carroll, a police detective who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his wife. In the process he attracts the attention of a secret organization, one run by shadowy figures who may not be of this world…

On the next Haven, Dwight and Duke deal with a new danger that threatens to burn the town to the ground. Meanwhile, Nathan helps Mara hide from a mob of angry Haven citizens. Check out the sneak peek, plus the latest “Inside Haven“, and tune in Thursday at 8/7c on Syfy!
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What happens when you take three of Police Academy‘s most memorable stars, and pit them against giant lava-breathing spiders? We don’t know yet, but we’re going to find out.

Giant lava breathing tarantulas – Lavalantulas – erupt out of ancient volcanos in the Santa Monica Mountains, raining death and destruction upon Los Angeles, in the new Syfy Original Movie Lavalantula, premiering in Summer 2015.

With the City of Angels on the verge of incineration, only a washed up ‘90s action hero actor, played by Steve Guttenberg (Police Academy, Diner) – joined by Police Academy alumni Leslie Easterbrook (Police Academy) and Michael Winslow (Police Academy: The Series) — stand in the way of this monstrous swarm of bloodthirsty creatures who burn their victims alive.

Currently in production in Los Angeles, Lavalantula also co-stars Nia Peeples (The Young and the Restless) and Ralph Garman (KROQ/LA DJ).

Lavalantula will be directed by Mike Mendez, who won a Saturn Award for helming Big Ass Spiders.

The infiltration of the comics industry into the TV networks is now complete. The last U.S. broadcast network has fallen; CBS has given a series commitment to a Supergirl series from Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Tomorrow People) and Ali Adler (Chuck, Glee).

Based on the DC Comics character, the series will follow the less-famous cousin of Kal-El/Superman, Kara Zor-El, who has been hiding on Earth since the destruction of Krypton, then at the age of 24 decides to use her powers for the greater good.

The series was presented to broadcasters just Wednesday, and the deal reportedly closed last night. It is interesting for CBS, as the demographic for network skews older than the others. However, aside from being the only network lacking a comics-based series, it also has been making a heavy push for more female-driven shows, just this week having the debut of The Mysteries of Laura, another series headed up by Berlanti. He also recently sold CBS a put pilot commitment for The Things The Left Behind, based on a Stephen King short story.

Supergirl will join ABC’s Agent Carter for a female-led comics series, and it will give DC Comics presence on all networks except ABC – which shares a corporate parent (Disney) with DC’s chief rival, Marvel.

On the next Z Nation the survivors run out of fuel and embark on a dangerous mission to replenish their supply. Meanwhile, Cassandra’s past comes back to haunt her. Check out “Fracking Zombies” Friday at 10/9c! And also check out the “supertease” for the entire season!
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On the next Haven, Nathan devises a plan to kidnap Mara. Meanwhile, Duke is the only person who can protect the town from a new danger. Check out the sneak peek below for “Speak No Evil”, as well as “Inside Haven“, and tune in Thursday at 8/7c on Syfy!
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Take a journey into Haven’s past to see the beginning of the Troubles in Part 1 of this digital series.
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Syfy’s new post-Zombiepocalypse series Z Nation starts tomorrow night at 10/9c! Check out the trailer below, along with several “WTF” moments to get yourself ready…
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