SciFiAndTvTalk

This Week On Luther - 10 - 24 - 10

SPOILER ALERT!! - Luther (Idris Elba) is called to the shooting of two uniformed police officers. The murders are cold blooded but appear motiveless. Luther quickly realizes the killer is a soldier and he seems to be targeting anyone wearing a police uniform. With Ripley's (Warren Brown) help, Luther identifies the killer as Owen Lynch (Sam Spruell) but not before they are called to the scene of another police shooting. Three more police officers are gunned down.

Meanwhile, Alice (Ruth Wilson) has been investigating Luther and to his horror, seems to know what happened to Madsen during his arrest. She baits him further by asking what Zoe (Indira Varma) would think if she knew the truth. Concerned for her safety, Luther urges Zoe to leave London as he fears Alice will come after her again, but Zoe refuses to believe him.

Trying to uncover the killer's motives, Luther discovers that Owen is taking his orders from his father, Terry Lynch (Sean Pertwee), a convicted police killer. Terry wants his sentence reduced and is threatening further deaths unless his terms are met. Determined to flush Owen out, Luther gives a taunting television interview, ensuring that all of Owen's anger and hatred is focused on him. In an effort to catch his killer, has Luther just signed his own death warrant? Episode two airs Sunday, Octoeber 24th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

The Event's Nick Wauters And Ian Anthony Dale

 
Ian Anthony Dale as CIA Agent Simon Lee in The Event. Photo by Joseph Viles and copyright of NBC.

NEAR the end of World War II, a mysterious aircraft with passengers onboard crashed in northern Alaska. The survivors, all of whom appeared human on the surface, were, in fact, non-terrestrials. Many of them were captured by the U.S. government and taken to a secret facility, while others escaped and began new lives among the general public. Turn the clock ahead to the present day - newly-elected U.S. President Elias Martinez (Blair Underwood) has discovered the existence of this facility and plans to release the alien detainees and make their presence on Earth public knowledge, much to the objections of various intelligence agencies. Meanwhile, CIA operative Simon Lee (Ian Anthony Dale) has been assigned to head up a covert mission to hunt down and eliminate the aliens posing as ordinary humans. Unknown to his superiors, Lee is, himself, an alien. And what part does Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) and his missing girlfriend have to play in this decades-old conspiracy?

These are the stories unfolding Monday nights on NBC's Sci-Fi drama The Event. A few weeks ago, series creator/co-executive producer Nick Wauters and Ian Anthony Dale, who plays Simon Lee, spoke with journalists about their involvement with the series. The following is an edited version of that Q & A. Enjoy!

First off, we wish you continued success of the show. But if The Event should get a cancellation notice before the central mystery is resolved is there a way to sort of tack on a final episode that would resolve all the plot lines or do you really need to finish out the season and go into Season 2 in order to finish?

NICK WAUTERS -That’s a great question. As I said before I’ve really planned out what Season 1 should be and how we’re going to continue into Season 2. There’s a plan that kind of defines how each piece of the puzzle fits together. But I think right now we’re doing really well which, fingers crossed, means the show is going to continue. My hope is, though, that if we were to eventually get a cancellation before we can solve any stories or before its time, that we could get that extra episode to wrap up story lines. That’s definitely something that I would want to do. I get frustrated sometimes when I follow a serialized show and then it gets pulled and you never get any of your answers. So I understand how audiences feel; you don’t want to invest all this time if you’re not going to get a resolution at the end. So we’ll do our best not to let that happen.

One of the things that we always see is when they flash the logo on the screen the second "E" in The Event flips over backwards. Is that any sort of representation about something in the series or symbolic of something in the series, something we should sort of look at as a clue?

NW - I can’t really tell you. It’s one of those mysteries, so maybe it actually does mean something. But definitely our graphic designers do an amazing job, and there may be something to that.

Has The Event changed much from your original pitch to NBC, and, if so, what changes did the network ask you to make that you incorporated into the series?

NW - The original pitch was based on a spec script that was written four-and-a-half years ago, but when NBC looked at it and decided to buy it last fall, the one change that they wanted to make is they asked me if I would be open to adding a small element of Science Fiction, which I didn’t have before. I’m very much into Sci-Fi, I’m kind of a big Sci-Fi geek, so for me that was actually very, very exciting and I jumped on the opportunity. The pilot itself and the characters are pretty much the way they were before. The way the pilot is structured is pretty much the same, but it’s really the bible of the show and what happens next. That’s what I spent a lot of time working on during the development process. So that added element of Science Fiction is definitely there, but it’s only one of the many elements that make up the fabric of our show.

I've read that you intend to wrap up the central mystery of what is "The Event" early on in Season 2 rather than dragging it out for five or six years, hoping and praying, of course, that the show gets to Season 2. Is there any concern on your part that once you do wrap up the central mystery that the audience will sort of feel satisfied that they got their answers and simply tune out?

NW - I’ve always imagined and designed "The Event" itself as a seminal event that will affect the characters as well as the world in which they live, and it’s something that will happen early on in the life of the series. We haven’t picked exactly when, but it’s not going to be the end all. So you’re going to follow our characters before "The Event," during the event and after the event. So in a way I’m hoping that the sub-mysteries that we set up along the way will capture the attention of our audience, but also our characters. I mean I really hope people respond to our characters, and in the end that’s why they’ll tune in, just to find out what happens to our characters, whether it’s before, during or after the event.

Ian, some of your fellow cast mates have talked about how, yes, they already know what "The Event" is and they’re been sworn to secrecy, while a few others say, no, I don’t know what the event is. What’s your story?

IAN ANTHONY DALE - I actually fall in to the category of knowing what the event is and that’s about all I can tell you.

Can you tell me, is it a good thing, a bad thing, is it hard to keep it secret even for cast members, from managers, publicists, friends, family,etc?

IAD -Well, you know what’s kind of neat is that being sworn to secrecy falls in line with the character, Simon Lee, that I’m playing. He’s a guy who has to keep secrets and lives a double life. So it’s kind of good practice for playing the character, and I’m actually kind of enjoying that aspect of it. So no, it’s not that hard to keep the secret. It was at first, though. It’s so exciting and you want to tell everybody because it’s so cool, but over time and with practice it becomes a lot easier. So I’m pretty hard to crack at this point in time.

You guys started out really well in the ratings, but are you at all worried, Nick, that people might have trouble feeling like they missed the boat because they didn’t get in right away?

NW - I’m hoping they don’t. People have been talking about the show, and the pilot aired a number of times after its original premiere. It’s available online, too, so hopefully people who hear about it and want to check it out will be able to watch the pilot and then follow the show. But in a way, even if you don’t see the first episode, just watching the second episode, to me, is OK. The Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) character is so relatable in a way and he's just this regular guy who could be any one of us. He gets sucked into this giant conspiracy and just really wants to make sense of it all and find his girlfriend. Hopefully people will get hooked by that feeling and they'll just be able to follow Sean and not be confused by the set-up from the pilot.

In the show, how close are you modeled after our current administration?

NW - When I originally wrote the pilot four-and-a-half years ago, our government was very different from what it is now. And the political situation of the country was very different. But in the way it still translates and applies to what’s going on today. Some people have said that the character of Martinez (Blair Underwood) is inspired by President Obama and actually he really isn’t because I created the character way before we actually knew who Obama was. So we’re trying not to connect ourselves too much with what’s happening in current events. There are certain messages that, you know, I want to get across and certain ideals that Martinez really cares for. But it’s a bipartisan, it’s the first bipartisan ticket, so each of them is from a different party and that’s one of the differences that kind of defines the dynamics of their administration. So I think our show's president and vice president and their White House is very different from what we have in our real world right now.

Nick, you guys have been gathering a lot of great reviews and people have been comparing The Event quite heavily to Lost and 24. Do you want to be bigger than Lost and 24?

NW -Do I want to be bigger than Lost and 24? I think I wouldn’t mind being bigger than Lost and 24. I mean, I’m a big fan of both shows and I can only hope that we can have the impact that those two shows had. They were fantastic, so it's definitely something to aspire to, but, yes, if I had a magic wand I would definitely try and make us bigger than those shows. Why not?

What has been the biggest challenge of filming The Event so far?

IAD - I’ll start this, Nick, and you can finish it, but for me, on the production end of things and the shooting, we have some very ambitious scripts that we’re trying to shoot in eight days. Ideally we could use eighteen days per episode, so one of the challenges is trying to fit everything into those eight days. But the product is definitely looking great. So that’s what I’m experiencing as the challenges. I don’t know about you Nick. I’ll let you take over.

NW -On the production side of things, now that we’re up and running, the challenge is to keep coming up with the best scripts and stories that we can every week. And we’re doing our best to make them as good as movies and that involves, among other things, a lot of special effects. There are so many aspects, so many different elements that are involved that it ends up being this giant machine. So we’re right in the middle of it and the challenge is to keep making sure that we’re doing our best and delivering the best stories possible as well as on time. So it’s juggling those two things while not sacrificing quality.

In this day and age, how hard is it to create a series and keep so many secrets?

NW -We have a pretty tight-knit group and I think everybody’s really excited about the show and understands that the secrets and the reveals are part of what’s going to make the show exciting for our audience. So far it hasn’t really been an issue. I know other shows in the past have had that problem and it could definitely happen to us. But right now I think the system we have in place seems to be working.

IAD - The prospect of losing your job if you let a secret out is a pretty effective deterrent. But, no, seriously, especially with social media these days and Twitter and Facebook, it’s so easy for a little secret to get out there and spread like wildfire. But yeah, we’ve been able to do a really good job of keeping everything under wraps and that's important. Like Nick said, the show is predicated on revealing secrets and we don’t want to spoil it for anybody.

Nick, how do you go about writing an episode of The Event? For example do you sit there and say, OK, I need to have this particular series of plot points happen in this episode and then carry them over to the next? Or do you just try to plan things out based on your characters and what they’re going to be doing?

NW - Basically we have all of Season 1 planned out, but we stay flexible, too. If there’s a story that becomes more interesting than we thought, then we’ll take a look into it or definitely follow it. But we usually look at our big plan and then break down each episode by which characters are in the episode, what they’re doing, where they start and where they need to end up in that episode. So part of it is the characters' stories and then on top of that we try to add a smaller story that is specific to the episode and more self-contained. So that’s kind of been the way we’ve been working so far.

Nick, the first three episodes of the show are very heavily plot driven and have character moments, too, but I’m wondering if there are any plans in the future to sort of do a Lost-type thing where you focus more on characters and the plot takes a back seat or are you just going to keep pushing forward with plot for the foreseeable future?

NW - Our show needs a certain amount of energy and mystery to keep the audience captivated. But I also think that characters are everything, and even though there wasn’t a lot of room for character development in the pilot, I did spend a lot of time creating those characters, developing them and really getting to know who they are. Only a tiny little piece of their personalities were featured in the pilot, so we’re definitely going to start exploring each character. And probably in a similar fashion to Lost and sometimes focusing on specific character. Episode Six, for example, is a big episode for Simon where it really looks into his past and who he is. And as we move forward, the flashbacks that we’re using are going to help us look into who our characters are. So the flashbacks are going to be more character-driven than plot-driven.

IAD -The flashbacks serve as a really great device for getting to learn more about who these characters are, especially in Episode Six and then Episode Seven with Blake Sterling Zeljiko Ivanek). But having said that, the present day storyline and the action doesn’t get sacrificed when we delve into the characters more. I think we balance the two very well as we move forward.

Ian, the chemistry onscreen between you and your co-stars looks really flawless. Was it instant when you began working together or did it take a bit of time for it to develop?

IAD - You know what, it felt pretty instant. I have the luxury of working with some really talented actors and really great people like Blair Underwood, Laura Innes and Zeljko Ivanek, I’m the luckiest guy in the world to get to work with these people who are veterans at the game. I’ve been in the business for about 10 years but you know any time you get to work with people of this caliber it’s kind of special. So I almost feel like I have to raise my game in order to meet their level and it’s always great to just work with people who are really talented because they bring you up, you know? They lift you up and so, yeah, it's kind of effortless with them, and it’s just been awesome to work with these guys. I’m loving it.

Ian, how is this character different than any other character you’ve played and what kind of a journey do you think he’s on?

IAD - I’ve played a lot of bad guys and at this point in the show we really don’t know if Simon is good or bad. But his driving force and, I guess, his belief in what he wants to accomplish is very honest and truthful. To him, it’s for the best reasons you could think of. So I love playing a character that has such conviction in and passion for what he’s doing and is willing to risk his own life at times to do what he needs to get done.

As the story continues we’ll begin to learn a lot more about Simon and, ultimately, if he is good or bad. And things I’m getting to do on the show are really great. I mean, Nick spoke about Episode Six being an episode where we really get to learn a lot about what makes Simon tick. And we get to explore things in his past that really show a different side of him. I really can’t speak too much about it, but I guess I can tell you that I’m getting to do things on this show that I’ve never had the chance to do before. and it’s just been awesome. I’m being challenged as an actor and that’s all you can ask for, to have challenging, juicy opportunities. I pretty much get that every episode on this show, and I'm so happy and thankful for that.

As noted above, photo by Joseph Viles and copyright of NBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Syfy Greenlights Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome

THE Syfy Channel is readying an exciting all-new chapter in the Battlestar Galactica saga with a greenlight for Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome from Executive Producer David Eick, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions. Universal Cable Productions will produce the 2-hour pilot with Syfy utilizing cutting edge CGI and virtual technology.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the 10^thyear of the first Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, a sentient robotic race, rages across the 12 Colonial worlds, a brash rookie viper pilot enters the fray. Ensign William Adama, barely in his 20’s and a recent Academy graduate, finds himself assigned to the newest battlestar in the Colonial fleet… the Galactica. The talented but hot-headed risk-taker soon finds himself leading a dangerous top secret mission that, if successful, will turn the tide of the decade long war in favor of the desperate fleet.

“The Galactica universe as re-imagined by Ron Moore and David Eick is rich with possibilities and backstory,” said Mark Stern. “We jumped at the chance to revisit the William Adama character and explore this exciting chapter in the BSG narrative which falls between the events of the original series and the prequel, Caprica, currently airing on Syfy.”

“While maintaining the themes of politics, social propaganda, and the timeless question:  what does it mean to be human? – Blood & Chrome will also return us to the authentic, relentless depiction of combat and the agony and ecstasy of human-Cylon war, which was the hallmark of Battlestar Galactica's early seasons,” said David Eick.

Michael Taylor wrote the teleplay from a story by Eick, Taylor and Bradley Thompson & David Weddle.

Steven Mackintosh Talks About BBC America's Luther

 
Actor Steven Mackintosh. Photo copyright of the BBC.

This is the fourth of five BBC America press interviews with the cast and crew of Luther, the new BBC America six-part psychological crime drama airing Sundays @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST. In this interview, actor Steven Mackintosh, who plays Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed, talks about his character's friendship with Detective John Luther (Idris Elba).

Steven Mackintosh plays Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed, a colleague and loyal friend of Luther's. "Really, they are old mates, close friends", says Steven. "I think Reed is an essential support to Luther. He understands that Luther is brilliant at what he does but also that he has this unorthodox way of working – and that he has this instinctive, wild side to the way he works which can get quite unruly.”

“Reed is very good at watching that closely and making sure that he's alright, as he knows that it's got him into some problems before, in his past. He [Luther] has this incredible quick brain and his instincts have got him into quite deep water. He gets very emotive about the cases that he's working on and Reed's aware that he can get carried away.”

"What is interesting about his character is the very emotional side coupled with an extreme intelligence. He's incredibly bright and instinctive and everybody who is working around him is aware that he has this kind of genius. At the heart of Reed is his longstanding friendship with Luther. He's a good man. He's a decent man who's on exactly the same side as Luther in terms of catching the people doing these awful things. Some of his methods, again, may be sometimes unorthodox and he will have his own set of rules in his head as to what he finds reasonable and unreasonable."

"The relationship between the two consists of 'a mutual respect'. They're professionally on a level and I think that Luther realizes that Reed is good at what he does as well." They also share a similar idea of justice. "Crimes where women and children are being hurt he feels very strongly about. He feels very passionately, as does Luther. It's important finding the people who commit these heinous crimes."

Stephen didn't find himself as drawn to the police world as his character. "I could just feel the bleakness of the work. Thank God there are people who do this work. It's incredibly important, but I think the emotional impact of it must be immense. I think there are certain character traits which suit the job and I think people find defence mechanisms for dealing with it. Obviously, there's a certain dark humor that develops as a response."

The cases themselves are fascinating. "The audience know very early on who the perpetrator is and it's about how the police fit the pieces together and find that person, pin them down. They're really interesting, different cases as well. It's very dark. They are very varied and interesting murders which take place with lots of different, strange and dark motives. Neil's got quite an imagination. It's quite something."

On the writing itself, Steven says: "It's dark but, at the same time, there is a pace to it. It's very gripping and fast-moving. There is a great touch of humor as well, which he is very good at – a slight throwaway line, maybe that dark police humor which we were talking about. The characters are really clearly defined. He has a very unique writing voice. I just remember quite quickly wanting to know what happened. The pages were turning quickly. That's a great sign."

As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Sanctuary For Kids Launches Its Latest On-Line Auction

THE not-for-profit foundation Sanctuary for Kids, co-founded by TV Actor / Executive Producer Amanda Tapping, will host its third on-line fund-raising auction beginning today, Thursday, October 21st at 4pm PST. The auction, which will run on eBay until October 31st at 4pm PST, will raise funds for children in crisis both locally and abroad. On the digital auction block are exclusive TV experiences and props from the hit sci fi series Sanctuary in which Tapping is both the lead actor and executive producer. The two previous auctions, in addition to fund-raising efforts by the show’s fans, cast and crew, have raised $178,000 to date...exceeding the foundation’s year one goal by 78% in just 11 months.

For the first time ever, two Sanctuary costumes will be up for bids - one worn by “Dr. Helen Magnus”, played by Tapping and the other worn by “Ashley Magnus” played by Emilie Ullerup - both from the original webisode series. As well, fans can bid on three props from the show (a steam punk designed “stunner”, a brass compass, and a wooden inlaid box – all used in the second season of the series) and a Skype chat with Executive Producers Damian Kindler, Amanda Tapping and Martin Wood. In addition, one highest bidder will get to have their name printed on the official working crew call sheet which they will then get to own, signed by the cast.  (www.sanctuaryforkids.org/auction)

“The response to Sanctuary for Kids as we approach our first year has been overwhelming,” commented Amanda Tapping, Sanctuary Executive Producer, Lead Actor and Sanctuary for Kids Co-Founder. “We have always felt that it’s our job to use the reach and influence we have through television to do something really positive...something that will actually change lives. We strongly believe this is our responsibility. And our fans have reacted in such generous ways. We feel empowered by their response to do more.”

Currently, Sanctuary for Kids (S4K) is supporting the Nepal Orphans Home (NOH). As a direct result of the funds donated so far, seven sets of sisters have been reunited after being sold due to poverty. The girls are now living together in a safe, clean and positive environment, built and maintained by NOH. As well, Sanctuary for Kids funds have assisted Watari’s TTIP (Transitioning to Independence Program) and TIPPY (Transitioning to Independence Program for Parenting Youth) Programs in Vancouver aiding homeless mothers in the city with vital bus passes, starter kits and support programs.

Seeing an immediate need earlier in the year, S4K also donated funds to Save the Children in Haiti, helping establish two of eight temporary health dispensaries in the commune of Leogane, Haiti.

Sanctuary for Kids received remarkable support at their first ever fan convention this summer in Vancouver, where a live auction, donations and merchandise sales, plus all proceeds from the convention’s registration, were donated to S4K by the organizers, Gabit Events. Meanwhile, the entire cast donated their photo sessions, autograph signings and their weekend of time to S4K. That convention alone raised over $95,000.

“The convention this year really showed us how people can come together and make a huge impact,” explained Jill Bodie, Co-Founder, Sanctuary for Kids. “The online auctions are another way we can bring fans from all around the world together for a common cause. And this auction has some new items that we think are going create a lot of excitement.”

Sanctuary for Kids was founded by Amanda Tapping (Lead Actor and Executive Producer, Sanctuary), Jill Bodie (B.ED., M.S.W.) and Damian Kindler (Executive Producer and Creator, Sanctuary).  All three serve as Directors for the foundation. In order to enable 100% of the funds raised to go to the children’s charities, Bodie is donating all of her time and resource costs as administrator for the foundation and Tapping and Kindler are personally covering all administrative and start-up costs.

For more information on Sanctuary for Kids and upcoming auctions, visit www.sanctuaryforkids.org. Props and costumes generously donated by The Beedie Group.

This Week On Law & Order: UK - 10 - 22 - 10

 
Ben Daniels as Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel on Law & Order: UK. Photo copyright of Kudos, Wolf Films and NBC Universal.

SPOILER ALERT!! - The past comes back to haunt James Steel (Ben Daniels) when a body is found on the banks of the Thames. DS Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) uncover evidence which renders James’ conviction of Luke Slade (Iain Glen) unsafe. But Luke Slade is soon waging a vendetta against the man who put him away. Episode four airs Friday, October 22nd @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

As noted above, photo copyright of Kudos, Wolf Films and NBC Universal, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Haven's Eric Balfour - Code Of Honor

 
Eric Balfour as Haven's Duke Crocker. Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

Are you eager to acquire a rare, one-of-a-kind antique? Perhaps you are more interested in a case of vintage wine, or maybe a dozen boxes of hand-rolled Cuban cigars? Whatever your heart’s desire, if you happen to live in the small coastal town of Haven, Maine, then Duke Crocker is your man.

A jack-of-all-trades, he can get his hands on pretty much anything a person might want. The price is typically high, but always fair.  Some might describe Duke as shifty, while others see him as someone who is just trying to earn an honest (and sometimes a dishonest) buck or two. Actor Eric Balfour, who plays Duke on the popular Syfy Channel series Haven, likens his character to more of an old-fashioned “entrepreneur.”

“Duke is a pirate, he really is,” says Balfour, "and it’s interesting because the writers and I, [executive producers] Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn, will have conversations about my character being a dichotomy. On one hand, Duke is completely narcissistic, selfish and self-involved, but on the other hand he also has a code of honor. In some ways he’s a throwback to a completely different era and I hope we get to explore that more in upcoming seasons.

“Yes, Duke will lie, cheat and steal to get what he wants, but he will not break his code of honor – whatever that may be in his mind – in order to do that. It’s a fine line, too, because he’ll screw over one guy, but he won’t do it to the next guy, and that’s just the code. It reminds me of those great scenes in [the feature film] Pirates of the Caribbean involving the word ‘parlay.’ It’s like, wait a minute, you’ll drown someone, you’ll cut off their head, whatever, but if they say ‘parlay’ then you have to take them back to the captain. That’s kind of how I see Duke. Again, he’s a throwback to that old world kind of sensibility.” 

 
He may be out to make a buck, but Duke (Balfour) is always careful not to ignore his "code of honor." Photo by Eric Ogden and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

Loosely based on the Stephen King short story The Colorado Kid, Haven is home to “The Troubles,” a plague of supernatural afflictions that wrecked havoc in the small town at least once before and have recently resurfaced. The local community is populated by a host of colorful characters including Duke Crocker, who, like many of his fellow townsfolk, is more than he appears to be. Balfour had already been offered a role in a TV pilot when he heard about Haven from his longtime friend, Shawn Piller, who serves as an executive producer on the series.

“I called Shawn one day to talk about another project when out of the blue he said to me, ‘Why aren’t you playing Duke?’” recalls the actor. “I said to him, ‘Who?’ and Shawn said to me, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. We just sold a show to the Syfy Channel and there’s a role in it that I’d like you to play.’

“I explained to Shawn that I had already been offered a pilot the day before, but asked him to send me the script [for Haven] and at least let me read it. So he e-mailed me the script, I read it and really enjoyed it. It was unique and not like every other cop and lawyer show on TV. I thought, ‘This could be awesome.’ I loved the idea of working on a show that could help push the network into a new arena. Haven is not completely unlike other Sci-Fi shows, but I feel like it’s starting to bridge the gap between more sophisticated cable series and some of the more, you know, fun, spirited shows that they’ve done in the past.

“So I was excited about the potential of such a show. Fortunately, all those involved were able to work things out insofar as the other pilot I’d been offered, which then allowed me to come on to Haven, and I have to tell you, I love playing Duke,” enthuses Balfour. “He’s not wholly dissimilar to me when it comes to his voice or physicality, but whenever I’m playing a scene as Duke, I sometimes have to stop and think, ‘Wait a minute, I, Eric, may get angry in this scene. I may react in this way, but is it how my character would react?’

 
Duke (Balfour) in the season one episode "Harmony." Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

“Duke is quite specific. He doesn’t lose his cool or blow up. Duke has this ability to pull it back and charm his way out of a situation. That’s fun to play as well as challenging. There are times when I’ve been on-set and said, ‘Hey, guys, I need another take. I just did that last one the way I would react, but not necessarily how Duke would react.’ I literally have to say to myself, ‘Be Duke, be Duke,’” chuckles the actor, ‘and I enjoy having to really focus and work at being the character.”

In Haven’s season one opener, Welcome to Haven, FBI Agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) arrives in town to investigate the death of an escaped prisoner. She discovers that his demise is somehow connected to Haven’s supernatural troubles, which include an individual whose moods can affect the weather. Duke comes to Audrey’s rescue when the FBI agent is rendered unconscious from an explosion during a sudden hail storm. It was a memorable first meeting for the two characters, not to mention an unforgettable scene for Balfour to film.

“On my first day of work on Haven I was lucky enough to shoot the scene in the pilot episode where Duke and Audrey are on his boat and she wakes up half-naked in his bed and not knowing what the hell is going on,” he says. “Filming that scene immediately connected me to my character because I love that boat. It’s not a set, it’s a real boat that we use where we film in Nova Scotia and I just love it. It makes me feel right at home.

“That first episode was interesting, and I’ll be perfectly frank, difficult in some ways as well because when I read the original pilot script it had a lot more of Duke in it. There were some really fun and amazing scenes with him, but as is often the case, due to time and budget as well as a general sense of not wanting to reveal too much and to save things for upcoming episodes, a number of those [Duke] scenes got cut out of the pilot episode. 

 
FBI Agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) and Duke (Balfour) have a rather unorthodox first meeting in "Welcome to Haven." Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

“So there was a moment where I wondered, “Wow, what happened to all the stuff that I loved so much?” continues the actor. “I remember being frustrated about that for a minute, but then one of our executive producers, who’s also our show runner, Scott Sheppard, had a conversation with me that I genuinely appreciated. He said to me, ‘You know, sometimes one or two truly perfect scenes can have a great deal more impact, and it’s always better to leave people wanting more. Yes, we were sad to see some of those [Duke] scenes go, but the truth is, the reason we felt good about it is that we really believe that your character is going to have a real impact on our story. So the less we sometimes focus on him, the more audiences are going to want to see of him.’

“After Scott explained that to me, I thought about what he’d said and it turns out that it’s worked out perfectly this [first] season. We’ve just given viewers a taste of Duke and it’s been amazing to see the fan reaction to the character and the way that people have taken to Duke. So I want to thank Scott for making me feel safe with that idea.”

Despite having saved her life, Audrey remains somewhat guarded towards Duke, although she does begin to warm to him as Haven‘s first season unfolds. On the other hand, her new partner, local police officer Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant), harbors animosity towards Duke.  The two men have known each other for quite a while and there is clearly a rift in their relationship. Even when Duke begins to help Nathan and Audrey with their investigations of the strange goings-on in town, Nathan is reluctant to depend too much on Duke.

“There’s still more to be revealed where Nathan and Duke are concerned,” notes Balfour. “It’s been a real balancing act that Lucas Bryant and I have struggled with at times. We’ve seen a little bit more of that ice thaw between the two characters, but we don’t want it to thaw too much or too quickly, if ever, because it’s a neat dynamic to keep going. It’s been a blast to see how Nathan and Duke are being forced to work with one another more and more and how we’ve had to balance their history involving each other with that. Not a lot has been revealed, and even over the last few episodes of the seasons we don’t reveal too much. Just as in life, sometimes it’s more interesting not to know everything.

 

 
Duke (Balfour), Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) and Audrey Parker (Emily Rose). Photo by Eric Ogden and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

“So I think we’ve done a really good job with Nathan and Duke this year of not over-explaining everything with them. Again, we are starting to see them bond in some ways because they have no choice, mainly as a result of how Audrey has come into their lives. She’s become a bridge of sorts between the two men. If not for her, they never would have had anything to do with one another.

“We’re also seeing how Duke and Audrey have been playing this ‘dance,’ and I’m curious to see how it plays out. At first, I think my character saw Audrey as a mystery and he was intrigued by her, both platonically and sexually. I mean, he was somewhat fascinated by her, and as this season has gone on, he’s come to regard her in some ways as an intellectual equal, which is perhaps different and more unique from other relationships he’s had with women. That’s somewhat turned their relationship away from just being flirty, because I think that’s what Duke naturally falls back on, that sort of sexual tension. However, he really has come to care about Audrey and is developing a relationship with her that, again, is different from those he’s had in the past.  

“Duke has [emotionally] protected himself by always keeping people at a very safe distance. The phrase ‘good roads, fair weather’ means a lot to him. He rests on the idea that if he just sticks to a good roads, fair weather tactic with others, then, A, there’s never any reason for conflict because he’s not very close to them and, B, there’s no reason for conflict because he doesn’t create conflict. Now, however, Duke is actually being forced to have a real adult relationship with someone that isn’t based purely on sexuality but rather actual intelligence as well as affinity, and I think that’s great.”

In the season one Haven episode Consumed, Duke is handed the keys to a local restaurant and bar when its chef discovers that his anger causes food to decompose. Just when it looks like Duke is on the road to becoming an honest businessman, he almost ages to death in the following story, Ball and Chain. Balfour took great pleasure in shooting the latter episode.

 

 
Nathan (Lucas Bryant), Duke (Balfour) and Audrey (Emily Rose) share a meal together in "Consumed." Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

“My favorite actors are those who have this chameleon ability,” he says. “I’ve seen it in actors like Gary Oldman, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Day-Lewis and especially Meryl Streep. I’m fascinated by her ability with accents and voices, whether it’s in conjunction with heavy prosthetics or just subtle mannerisms, and I’d always wanted to explore that kind of thing. So Ball and Chain was a really fun opportunity for me to put on the prosthetics and become this other version of Duke.

“We got the script for this episode about a week before filming began, so I had several days to think about the various mannerisms and voices that would go along with the different ages. Duke ages to around 50, then 65, followed by 85, and then to around 105 before the end of the episode. So I started watching a lot of videos of older people. Ray Liotta did a movie called Blow where he played Johnny Depp’s father. The film spans 10 to 20 years, and there are scenes showing Ray Liotta as a man in his 70s. He did something with his hands where he kept them very close to his chest. As you get older, you don’t hang as ‘loose’ as you did when you were younger and you tend to protect yourself more. I remember seeing Ray Liotta’s hands and thinking, ‘I love the way he does that,’ and I wanted to use that same mannerism as Duke begins to age.

“There was also the idea of gravity and I kept thinking how gravity would pull you over. As human beings get older they become less nimble and gravity causes them to start hunching over. So once we began putting on the prosthetics – which took four-and-a-half hours every day – it totally affected the physicality of my character. All of a sudden, what seemed a little over the top when I was just myself, suddenly came to life and felt very real with the make-up and prosthetics. The weirdest part of it all was that once I finished shooting a scene and was walking back to my trailer, people would see me and do double-takes because they saw an elderly man walking upright and in a very casual way.”

In a later season one episode, The Hand You’re Dealt, the actor had the chance to explore yet another side of his character. “I’ve really enjoyed watching Duke become more and more three dimensional and see how although he may want to keep his cool, what actually makes him lose his cool,” says Balfour. “In this episode, a woman who in some ways Duke didn’t know very well [his former babysitter, Vanessa, played by Cynthia Preston], dies at the end of the episode. In the scene where she’s dying, you actually see raw emotion from Duke, which is something the writers and I kept talking about. We were like, ‘Do we want to show this? Do we want Duke to be emotional?’

 

 
Duke (Balfour) begins to age beyond his years in "Ball and Chain." Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

“We ended up deciding, yes, in that visceral moment, he could be emotional. But once that moment was over, and in the final scene of the episode where they’re all sitting around the table in Duke’s restaurant, he went back to being guarded. Duke always has to be Duke, and it was cool to see how he pushed himself and then pulled back.”

In The Hand You’re Dealt, Balfour’s character also discovers how he is eventually going to die. “I love the idea of ticking time bombs,” he says. “It’s like a scene with two lovers in a restaurant. You’re watching them and they’re having this sweet moment, and then the camera pans under the table and you see the dynamite and a clock going tick, tick, tick, tick. All of a sudden, everything that happens from then on has this heightened sense of reality to it. So it’s going to be fun to see how this knowledge of his impending death affects Duke, because he now has this sort of target on his back.”

For those who may have not yet watched all of Haven’s first season, especially fans overseas, Balfour is understandably vague when speaking about the final few episodes. “Things start to happen in the last three stories, especially the season finale [Spiral], that are going to set Duke on a course for next season and have a great impact on what happens to him and who he is,” explains the actor.

“We could witness my character going to some very, very dark places, and I’m fascinated by that. I’d love to see Duke really embrace his darkness and his selfishness. As the first season winds down, we see things happen that are going to send Duke on a journey, especially in season two.”

 
Could Duke (Balfour) one day surrender to his dark side? We will have to wait and see. Photo by Chris Reardon and copyright of The Syfy Channel.

No stranger to TV or movie audiences, the actor has appeared in several  made-for-TV movies as well as guest-starred on such shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nash Bridges, NYPD Blue and Monk. He has also had regular roles on Six Feet Under, 24, Conviction and Veritas: The Quest. On the big screen, his credits include Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Face of Terror, Lie with Me and Hell Ride along with the upcoming releases Skyline, Do Not Disturb and The Legend of Hell’s Gate: An American Conspiracy.

“My first significant acting role was on a children’s TV show for the Disney Channel called Kids Incorporated,” says Balfour. “However, the moment that really changed my career as well as life was getting to be a part of Six Feet Under and working with those fantastic actors and in an environment that was totally committed to the artistic integrity of the process. There was no compromise. Nothing else mattered except the quality of the work, and that’s when I think I truly realized that this [acting] was something I loved. When you’re given that opportunity, it becomes, I believe, a bit like a drug, and you forever search it out after that.

“I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I admired the artists in our society so much for their ability to lift the spirits of humanity and bring joy, beauty and emotionality to the people of the world. When I was younger I thought I was going to do that through music, and while I still love making music, I’ve been overwhelmed by in some ways being blessed to create characters and work on projects that have affected people.

“One of the neatest things about Haven and Duke is seeing how the fans really love the chance to escape their own problems and lose themselves in this sort of alternative reality. While the show is not classically Sci-Fi in that it doesn’t deal with space, aliens or the future, it does have a wonderful sense of escapism, and I love being a part of that.”

Steve Eramo

As noted above, all photos by Chris Reardon or Eric Ogden and copyright of The Syfy Channel, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Stargate Atlantis' Rachel Luttrell Answers Your Questions (Part 2)

 
Rachel Luttrell as Stargate Atlantis' Teyla Emmagan. Photo copyright of MGM.

The following is the second half of the SciFiAndTvTalk readers' Q & A with actress Rachel Luttrell from Stargate Atlantis. Enjoy!

First of all HOWDY Rachel from Texas! May I say you are truly missed. Hoping all is well with you and family. Your little boy is likely now a little man; they grow so fast. This leads me into my first question: 1. Joe Mallozzi at his blog implied that Teyla had Torren with her in Atlantis during the events of Enemy at the Gate. As a mother, is it likely that you would take your young child into a potentially no win situation... into a war zone willingly? Is this something Teyla would do? 2. If there had been a season six, how do you think Teyla's relationships with Kannan and Sheppard would have evolved? 3. Did we really see the last of Michael? He cloned Carson and threatened to do the same to Torren, so why not himself? Connor Trinneer in an interview stated as much; do you agree? 4. Connor also said that Michael had a *thing* for Teyla, which I have to say I agree with given his performance. Do you support this view of Michael's and Teyla's relationship? 5. Lastly, who is Torren's *real* dad? Thanks for listening and hopefully responding. 8-) (2bluaeryn).

 

Howdy, right back to you!

Thank you for your supportive words.  All is well, indeed with me and my family.  My sweet little man will be three in a couple weeks!  Yes, time does fly....

In answer to your first question:  Teyla would have left Torren in the safest place she could.  Her ties to her people are so deep and full of faith.  She would have left Torren in great comfort, care, and safety among her people.  

Now for question 2:  Kannan represents tradition, history, and connection to Teyla's people.  She is so steeped in the traditions of her people and her responsibility to them and to her own Mother and Father's legacy that Kannan was a natural choice. Sheppard represents a break from tradition, but a heartfelt one. Teyla and Sheppard share a deep connection as well but it is at odds with Teyla's need to "do right" by her people. Their relationship is a complicated one....  Love and respect exists within both relationships.

3:  No, we had not seen the end of Michael. And I think that Teyla knew that. It was a fear that she wouldn't give voice to.

Connor is the only one who can speak to Michael's feelings for Teyla. We did discuss this possibility as actors, though. I do think it deepens the complexity of their interactions.

4:  Torren's "real" Dad...? Hmmm.... I have my own beliefs regarding this, but I think I am going to let it sit in mystery for a bit. That's more fun.

 

 

Hi Rachel, Miss seeing you on screen and I hope all is well with you and your family. :) My question is: If Season 6 had went forward, what would you have like to have seen happen between John and Teyla, especially if you knew it was the last season, and if or when they do the movie(s) would you like to see some kind of confirmation of their feelings for each other.... even if it's just them telling it to Ronon or Rodney? Thank you for answering and God Bless. I can't wait for your CD to come out. (Lea).

 

Hi Lea!  Thank you for your question.

You know, Joe Flanigan and I never really talked about the underlying feelings that Sheppard had for Teyla and visa versa, (I know, crazy!!!), with the exception of the moment when Teyla revealed to John that she was pregnant.  Joe looked at me and said, "You know, I think that Sheppard is pretty jealous." I think that they have always had a connection that was deeper then just team mates. They had a deep friendship and respect for each other. That there would have been some revelatory moment for them in season six...? Who knows? As an actor, I am big on scenes that further relationship between characters. So, yes, I would have liked to have had more moments for Teyla and John to just, be.... Where that would have taken them, who knows?

 

Questions for Rachel - What would you have wanted for the character of Teyla if you were in sole charge of her future in SGA? What story lines would you have liked to have seen explored? What out of all your experiences on set of SGA do you now miss the most? (wedjatqi).

 

Hey there!

I would have liked to have explored what truly happen to Teyla's Dad.  He was such a great influence on her as a child.  And I think his influence reaches into her choices as an adult as well. I also would have liked to have explored to a fuller and richer capacity Teyla's bond to the tradition and mythology and strength of her people. I would have liked to have had more one-on-one moments between her and her fellow team mates; see what they are like when they are not out there battling impending doom. A deeper exploration of the relationships that she has with them. I would have liked to have discovered the "gifts"that Torren possesses. His abilities far surpass those of Teyla's. It would have been wonderful to see the burgeoning strengths of these capabilities. And on and on....

 

I would like to know how you felt in the Teyla role; for example, did you feel like you had a lot in common with your character, or was it quite a change or challenge to act as her? (Sarah).

 

Hi, Sarah.

I did draw upon my own perspectives and lineage to bring Teyla to life. I took elements of me that perhaps don't get expressed as much in my own life and nourished them in Teyla.  It's one of the great gifts of being an actor. We all have so many "unexplored" sides of ourselves. As an actor you have full reign to dive into those other elements within the comfort of character. So, no, it wasn't hard for me to bring her to life. I always felt a connection to her.

 

Dear Mrs. Luttrell, Do you like reading or watching Sci-Fi? What is your favorite genre in the movies or books? Thanks. (Newkax).

 

I do enjoy Sci-Fi. I was nourished on a healthy diet of it as a kid as my Dad is a big Sci-Fi guy. Always loved pondering the universe. I love going to the big Sci-Fi films and I enjoy reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy.   

 

Hi Rachel! How did motherhood change you as an actress and generally as a human being? Thank you! (Eddie).

 

Well, if I weren't a Mom, I would have been able to get to these questions a lot sooner.  Never a dull moment. Life is busy and full!  

Motherhood has deepened my compassion. I am so easily moved to tears by the injustices in the world. I am even more emotionally available as an actor. I also have the mother bear strength. Don't mess with my boy! You will have BIG trouble coming your way!  

The opposite ends of the scales, those of venerability and strength, have increased within me immensely.

 

What have you been doing with/for yourself since Atlantis (apart from being a Mom)? (Sandra).

 

Hello, Sandra!

I have been working on my CD. I get into the studio on the 16th of October to record it. I have butterflies thinking about it. It is mainly a jazz/standards CD with some bosa nova.  Have been working with some pretty spectacular musicians. It should be out by the end of November. Very excited about it!!

I have also been working with my husband on a number of film projects. We are working on developing a fabulous action-fantasy-western-revenge tale- female hero driven feature. I am writing it. 

 

What kind of music do you most like to listen to? to perform? (Sandra).

 

I have a very eclectic musical taste. From classical symphonic pieces, to jazz, to folk, to reggae, to rock, to dance trance music to hip hop...  It really depends on my mood and what aspect of me needs to be musically nourished at any given moment.  

My voice is  best suited to jazz, folk, classical and musical pieces. I am working with a vocal coach to broaden my vocal capacity. Pretty exciting.

 

How involved were you with the design of the costumes Teyla wore and how do they compare with what you prefer to wear? (Sandra).

 

Well, I don't wear leather pants and I don't really do crop tops....  But I was pretty involved with the design of Teyla's clothes.  : )

The wonderfully creative and talented folks behind the wardrobe department would come to me with concepts for future episodes and run them by me. What colors, what textures, what materials and cuts. Because Teyla was involved in a lot of action, this dialogue was very important. I had to be able to move comfortably within the wardrobe. They did a knock out job! I loved Teyla's wardrobe.

 

If you could write a book/screenplay what would the story line be about? (Sandra).

 

Well, I am writing one!! With my hubby, Loyd. It has a strong female character, a lot of action, and a bit of the fairy tale elements (the darker Grimms tales). I have a couple of other ones mulling in my mind. I like epic tales. I am also a fan of comedies. My story telling taste is as broad as my musical tastes. 

 

I have to ask this one, as dog lover and rescuer: What part do you think dogs can play in the lives of people and children? (Sandra).

 

They are calming and loving additions to family. They teach us compassion, humor, patience and the power of being in the moment.  They also teach us about forgiveness and loyalty.

 

What are your favorite pursuits and hobbies? (Sandra).

 

Watching movies, hiking, sitting in nature, travel, travel, travel, music, singing, dancing, writing, watching movies, making movies...  good food, time with friends and family....

 

What do you like and dislike about various places you have lived (Tanzania, Ontario, Vancouver, So. California)? Which was most like "Athos"? (Sandra).

 

Tanzania is my native land and it is the birthplace of my Mom and all of my ancestors from her side.  It means a lot to me.  It is beautiful and rich in culture and history. The land is just gorgeous and varied from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti, to the Indian Ocean, to Zanzibar and on and on. People know how to laugh. Life is not easy. My family there have their hardships, but I find it to be a very spiritual and organic place for me. I am looking forward to bringing Caden there someday. Out of all the places that I have lived in Tanzania is what I drew on the most for my connection to Athos and Teyla's people. So much of how my Mother grew up and the traditions that she was raised with I imbued into Teyla. My grandparents on my Mom's side were a rich source of inspiration for me when I was building that world.

I still love Toronto.  It is a beautiful city.  I have family there and many, many, many friends.  But It gets too cold for me. Vancouver is goregous. I love it! But the rain got to me. I was born on the Equator and I need the sun to support my well-being. Los Angeles is home now. Sunny and warm and wide. My parents are here and two of my sisters, nieces...It feels like home. But who knows what the future holds.

 

Which causes do you support - no names, necessarily, just types (Sandra).

 

Children, children, children!!!! "Save The Children" and "Unicef." I also support environmental causes.

 

Have you ever considered doing voice recordings of stories, important writings, etc? (Sandra).

 

Yes. I have recorded some of my own short stories. Just wondering what do do with the recordings now.

 

What kind of books, movies, etc. do you read/watch (again, not necessarily names if you prefer to avoid those...just type, genre, etc). (Sandra).

 

As far as film goes, if the story is compelling and the performances are good then I am into it. (With the definite exception of horror movies of ANY kind!). These days I read children's books more than anything...In fact, I am hard-pressed to remember the last time I read a book just for me. The last book I truly lost myself in was called The Magician's Apprentice. The last book I read was a parenting book.

 

Which of the other actors you worked with on Stargate Atlantis did you get along best with and why? (Sandra).

 

All of them. Truly. For different reasons. We were very lucky with our cast. We took care of each other.

 

Sorry, I just found this blog and have lots of questions. Final one: what do you see yourself doing in 10 years/ Will it involve acting/speaking/recording, or is that over now that you are a Mother? (Sandra).

 

Good Lord, I hope it's not over!! Heck no!!!! I think it is important for a parent to stay connected to their passions and pursue them. What a great example for our children. To be able to see that Mom and Dad are continuing to learn, to be excited by and challenged by their own pursuits. So, yes! I will still be working in the industry. I think that my involvement in it will broaden. Writing, producing, singing and recording as well as directing and acting.

I am a Mommy and I LOVE it! I am enriched and blessed by my bond with my son every moment of every day. But I am more than that as well.

 

What did you have to do in the audition to get the part of Teyla Emmagan? (Julia).

 

I had to read two scenes with Joe Flanigan in front of a bunch of network executives at the network here in LA. I waited for two hours pacing while they saw other actors. It was nerve-wrecking. But I managed to stay focused and Joe and I just had a great connection in the (audition) room. It all unfolded beautifully.

 

Hello Ms. Luttrell: First of all, I would like to thank you for all the great work that you have done over the years from appearing in shows like Charmed to your more recent work on Stargate Atlantis. Do you think that a Stargate Atlantis movie will be made any time in the near future? (BillieO).

 

I don't know...My feeling is that they won't be doing it. But I could be wrong. :)

 

Question for Rachel: what is your most enduring memory of working on Stargate Atlantis? Thanks! (Elyse).

 

My relationships to my fellow cast mates. The fun that we had off-camera and on-camera. It felt like home. Friendships.

 

And finally, a message from Rachel to one of SciFiAndTvTalk's readers - Hello, Shan! The blanket is holding up beautifully. Thank you!!! The pilot project has been waylaid a bit I am afraid. Thank you for your support of the CD! I will check out your blog for sure :)

 

Thanks again to the lovely Rachel Luttrell for graciously giving up some of her time to answer all these questions! As noted above, photo copyright of MGM, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

This Week On Luther - 10 - 17 - 10

 
Idris Elba as  John Luther. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - Detective John Luther (Idris Elba) returns to work after a spell of leave following the traumatic arrest of the serial killer Henry Madsen. Luther's first case is investigating the murder of the parents of child genius, Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). He quickly deduces that Alice is responsible for the deaths, but the seemingly perfect crime leaves no evidence with which to convict Alice.

Outside of work Luther is trying to win back his wife now that he has got his life back on track. She has moved on, however, and has a new man in her life – Mark (Paul McGann), who is the antithesis of Luther. Will Luther be able to save his fractured marriage to Zoe (Indira Varma)?

As the murder case proceeds, Luther realizes he has become Alice's next project and that Zoe is in danger – because he dared to question Alice's brilliance. Luther and Alice seem to have a strange connection – both extraordinarily intelligent – they verbally spar with each other and seem to delight in the competition. Luther's brilliant mind soon works out how Alice managed to kill her parents without leaving a trace, but without the evidence of the gun there is nothing he can do. On this occasion, it seems Alice has won but Luther refuses to give up.

In the meantime, unbeknown to Luther, Alice has tracked down Henry Madsen to his hospital bed where he lies in a coma. What does she intend to do now that she has found him? Episode one premieres Sunday, October 17th @ 10:00p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

As noted above, photo copyright of BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Simon MacCorkindale: 1952 - 2010

 
Simon MacCorkindale as Harry Harper in Casualty. Photo copyright of the BBC.

AFTER a long battle with cancer, British actor Simon MacCorkindale passed away last night (Thursday, October 14th) with his wife, actress Susan George, by his side. Best known for playing Harry Harper in the long-running BBC medical drama Casualty, the actor became a familiar face in the U.S. with starring roles in the nighttime soap opera Falcon Crest and the Sci-Fi/Fantasy series Manimal.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. MacCorkindale several years ago and found him to be a thoroughly engaging, thoughtful and sincere individual. My condolences go out to his wife and family. Click on the link below to go to BBC.co.uk for further information about the actor and his passing:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11554922

As noted above, photo copyright of the BBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!