SciFiAndTvTalk

Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited - The Third Doctor on BBC America

Jon Pertwee as The Third Doctor. Photo copyright of the BBC.

BBC America celebrates the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, in a new special of Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited, followed by the classic storyline Spearhead from Space. In the epic story, a swarm of meteorites fall on the sleepy English countryside, bringing with them a terrible new threat to mankind: the Nestene consciousness - a disembodied alien intelligence with an affinity for plastic. The Doctor is forced to race against time, in order to stop humanity from being replaced by a generation of terrifying plastic replicas. Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited – The Third Doctor premieres Sunday, March 31, 8:00pm ET/PT.

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

Merlin Sneak Peek - "With All My Heart" (Syfy US)

In TWO weeks on a brand-new Merlin, Merlin (Colin Morgan) knows he must act fast before Morgana's (Katie McGrath) twisted control over Gwen (Angel Coulby) gets further out of hand. But only the most powerful magic can save the queen and this will not be easy, even for Merlin. As the High Priestess tightens her grip on Camelot, one thing is clear; she will not give up her puppet without a fight. Have a look at the sneak peek below and then tune in for With All My Heart, airing Friday, March 8th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on Syfy. Please note, the trailer below is a BBC One UK trailer for this episode.

 

Doctor Who & Orphan Black Headline BBC America's Supernatural Saturdays in March

Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and The Doctor (Matt Smith). Photo copyright of BBC America.

Following a record-breaking year, fan favorite Doctor Who returns with a modern day urban thriller, The Bells of St. John, written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock).  Set in London against the backdrop of new and old iconic landmarks – The Shard and Westminster Bridge – The Bells of St. Johnintroduces a new nemesis, the Spoonheads, who battle the Doctor as he discovers something sinister is lurking in the Wi-Fi. The premiere will be followed by seven epic episodes written by Steven Moffat, acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman (Coraline, Beowulf), Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), Neil Cross (Luther) and Stephen Thompson (Sherlock).

The Doctor (Matt Smith) is joined by his new companion Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) for the latest set of incredible adventures through space and time. The duo finds new adversaries and familiar friends around every corner as they journey from the bottom of the ocean in a submarine to the center of the TARDIS and beyond. The Cybermen make a thunderous return and the Ice Warrior arrives in an unexpected place.

Steven Moffat, executive producer and lead writer, said, “It's the 50th year of Doctor Who and look what's going on! We're up in the sky and under the sea! We're running round the rings of an alien world and then a haunted house. There's new Cybermen, new Ice Warriors and a never before attempted journey to the centre of the TARDIS. And in the finale, the Doctor's greatest secret will at last be revealed!  If this wasn't already our most exciting year it would be anyway!”

Also appearing this season are guest stars Dougray Scott (Desperate Housewives, Mission: Impossible II), Warwick Davis (Life’s Too Short, Harry Potter), Celia Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Richard E Grant (Iron Lady, Dracula), Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) and Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, Law & Order: UK).  Additionally, mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg (The Avengers, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) and Rachael Stirling (Tipping the Velvet) will appear on screen together for the first time. Doctor Who premieres Saturday, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT as part of Supernatural Saturday.

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah in Orphan Black. Photo copyright of BBC America.

Sarah hopes that cleaning out a dead woman’s bank account will solve all her problems. Instead, they multiply at an unnerving rate. Smart, sexy and pulsating with suspense – BBC America’s new original series, Orphan Black, features rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Vow, Picture Day). She portrays Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman, Beth, who looks just like her. Sarah takes her identity, her boyfriend and her money. But instead of solving her problems, the street-smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers.

“As we get deeper into the show and peel back the layers, we unearth the conspiracy and the philosophy behind those responsible for the circumstances our characters are facing,” said co-creator and writer Graeme Manson. “It’s a thrill ride with no shortage of hooks; the ‘how is she going to get out of this?’ question will be answered by Sarah invariably not getting ‘out’, but going deeper,” added co-creator and director John Fawcett.

Led by Tatiana Maslany, the cast includes Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi) as Felix, Sarah’s thorny foster brother and her one true confidante;  Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth’s boyfriend – a decent guy with chiseled features, but more complicated than he appears; Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey) as Mrs. S, Sarah’s foster mother and a hard-nosed working class Brit; Michael Mando (The Killing) as Vic, Sarah’s volatile ex, aptly nicknamed “Vic the Dick”; Kevin Hanchard (Republic of Doyle) as Art, a veteran detective working alongside Beth who grows suspicious of her erratic behavior: and Skyler Wexler (Carrie) as Sarah’s seven-year-old daughter. The thrilling ten-part BBC Americaoriginal is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Being Erica), Graeme Manson (Flashpoint), and John Fawcett (Spartacus). The drama is co-created by Manson and Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director. ORPHAN BLACK premieres Saturday, March 30, 9:00pm ET/PT, as part of BBC AMERICA’s Supernatural Saturday.

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

Merlin's Colin Morgan Talks "The Hollow Queen" (Syfy US)

In the clip below, Merlin star Colin Morgan talks about the important events from episode 508, The Hollow Queen.

Lost Girl Renewed For Fourth Season

Anna Silk as Lost Girl's Bo. Photo copyright of Syfy.

Syfy has renewed its sexy supernatural series Lost Girl – the #1 original cable drama among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 in its time period – for a fourth season. The all-new 13 episode fourth season will begin airing in 2014.

In Lost Girl, Anna Silk (Being Erica) stars as seductress Bo, a Succubus (a powerful female entity in folklore) who feeds off sexual energy. Bo is one of the Fae, creatures of legend who pass as humans. Faced with choosing between an allegiance to the Dark or Light Fae clans, Bo takes the middle path between the human and Fae worlds while embarking on a mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.

Lost Girl co-stars Kris Holden-Ried (The Tudors, Underworld 4) as Dyson; Ksenia Solo (Life Unexpected; Black Swan) as Kenzi; Zoie Palmer (The Guard, Instant Star) as Lauren; Rick Howland (Billable Hours, Murdoch Mysteries) as Trick and K.C. Collins (Owning Mahowny, Doomstown) as Hale.

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

FX's Archer Renewed For Fifth Season

FX has ordered season five of its critically-acclaimed animated comedy series Archer, it was announced today by Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, FX.   The network has ordered 13 episodes for the series’ fifth season.

Archer was created by Adam Reed and Floyd County Productions and it is executive produced by Reed and Matthew Thompson.  Seven all-new episodes of Archer remain in season four, which wraps up on Thursday, April 11 at 10:00 PM EST/PST.  This year Archer will enter into the category of Outstanding Comedy Series for the Emmy Awards.

Archer's H. Jon Benjamin. Photo copyright of FX.

“Archer is one the very best comedy series on television,” said Grad.  “Adam Reed, Matt Thompson and the incredible cast – H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, George Coe, and Lucky Yates – are comedic geniuses.  It is truly rewarding the way in which the audience and fans have embraced their work and that the ratings to continue to grow.  The quality of Archer is undeniable.”

Archer's Aisha Tyler. Photo copyright of FX.

When notified of the season five pick-up, Reed said, “Thank God.”

When Reed notified Thompson of the season five pick-up, Thompson replied, “Called it.” 

In the next Archer episode, Live and Let Dine(airing Thursday, February 28th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST),  Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), Lana (Aisha Tyler), and Cyril (Chris Parnell) go undercover in the irascible celebrity chef “Lance Casteau’s” (Anthony Bourdain) hellish kitchen (Written by Adam Reed).  Other upcoming guest stars include Bob’s Burgers veterans Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal, and Jon Hamm will voice the character of “Captain Murphy,” the possibly deranged commander of an undersea laboratory, in the two-part season four finale airing on April 4th and April 11th.

Archer's Judy Greer. Photo copyright of FX.

Archer, an animated, half-hour comedy, revolves around the spy agency known as the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and the lives of its employees.  Although their work of espionage, reconnaissance missions, wiretapping and undercover surveillances is daunting and enigmatic, every covert operation and global crisis are actually unmitigated occasions for the ISIS staff to undermine, sabotage and betray each other for personal gains and selfish pleasures.

Archer's Chris Parnell. Photo copyright of FX.

The series features the voice of H. Jon Benjamin as the highly skilled yet incredibly vain master spy “Sterling Archer,” a role which garnered Benjamin an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 2010.   The ensemble voice cast also includes Aisha Tyler as fellow agent provocateur “Lana Kane”; Jessica Walter as Sterling’s domineering mother and the rapacious CEO of ISIS, “Malory Archer”; Chris Parnell as the easily intimidated comptroller of ISIS, “Cyril Figgis”; Judy Greer as Malory’s loquacious secretary, “Cheryl Tunt”; Amber Nash as the discordant director of human resources for ISIS, “Pam Poovey”; series creator Adam Reed as the gay voice of reason at ISIS, “Ray Gillette”; Lucky Yates as ISIS’s possibly mad scientist, “Krieger”; and George Coe as Archer’s elderly and always exploited butler, “Woodhouse.”

As noted above, all photos copyright of FX, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Erik Estrada (CHiPS), Julia Benson (Stargate Universe) & Vincent Ventresca (The Invisible Man) in Syfy's Original March Movies

Julia Benson and Erik Estrada in Syfy's Chupacabra vs The Alamo. Photo copyright of Syfy.

He’s back on the bike and roaring down the highway – to the Alamo! Erik Estrada (CHiPs) mounts a motorcycle to take on deadly legendary beasts in the new Syfy Original Movie Chupacabra vs The Alamo, premiering Saturday, March 23rd @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST.

When Chupacabras attack the San Antonio region, DEA Agent Carlos (Estrada) teams with a band of outlaw gangsters to battle a horde of the blood-sucking creatures -- culminating in a final bloody confrontation at the Alamo. Julia Benson (Stargate Universe) also stars in this production from ARO Entertainment.

Tracy (Julia Benson) and Carlos (Erik Estrada) are ready for the unexpected. Photo copyright of Syfy.

Syfy kicks off March Original Movies on Saturday, March 9th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST with the premiere of Flying Monkeys. In the movie, a businessman Vince Ventresca ( The Invisible Man, Dollhouse) buys his daughter (an aspiring veterinarian) a pet monkey, which is actually a shapeshifter that turns into a deadly creature at night and spawns killer clones – we’re not in Kansas anymore! The movie is a production of MPCA Films.

As noted above, all photos copyright of Syfy, so please no unauthorized copying or duplciating of any kind. Thanks!

REELZCHANNEL Series Bomb Girls Wins Gracie Award for Outstanding Drama

 

REELZCHANNEL—TV About Movies is proud to acknowledge that Bomb Girls won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Drama in recognition of the show’s superior quality in writing and production. Bomb Girlsalong with other national and grand award winners will be honored at the 38th Annual Gracie Awards Gala to be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The Gracies, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and named in honor of the legendary Gracie Allen, recognize the realistic and faceted portrayal of women in entertainment, commercials, news, features and other programs. Bomb Girls takes place during WWII and tells the stories of women who risk their lives in a munitions factory in support of the European front and is produced by Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions.

“The Gracie Award for Outstanding Drama is a wonderful honor for the Bomb Girls cast, creators and our partners at Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions,” said Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of REELZCHANNEL. “This recognition is a testament to the quality and care with which Bomb Girls retells the powerful stories about women who experienced World War II from the home front. We’re excited to share the second season with our viewers starting March 27.”

“What a fantastic achievement for Bomb Girls,” said Michael Prupas, President and CEO of Muse Entertainment. “To be recognized with a Gracie Award is a particularly special honor considering that the awards recognize remarkable women and that’s exactly what’s at the core of Bomb Girls—the stories of fearless women who pushed societal boundaries and stepped into power like nobody before them.”

“We’re delighted to be recognized by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation,” said Adrienne Mitchell, co-creator of Bomb Girls and Executive Producer at Back Alley Film Productions. “This series honors the incredible stories of the sacrifices made by women working on the home front during World War II and we’re proud to bring these stories to life for younger generations.”

“We’re thrilled Bomb Girls received this award from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation,” said Janis Lundman, co-owner and Executive Producer at Back Alley Film Productions. “The series depicts a very challenging and rewarding period for these women where the dangers from working with bombs went hand in hand with the pride of supporting their family for the first time while also answering the call of duty for their country.”

For viewers who might have missed season one, REELZ will air two catch-up marathons of Bomb Girls featuring all six episodes back to back on Saturday, March 2 starting at 11am ET/ 8am PT and again on Wednesday, March 27 starting at 12pm ET/ 9am PT ahead of the season two premiere.

Season two of Bomb Girls begins just after the attack on Pearl Harbor and draws viewers deep into 1942 with its music, fashion, romance and the thrill of being alive in dangerous times. Despite America entering the war, the Axis powers are still winning every major battle. The Allies are beginning to deeply feel the price of combat, complete with casualty lists, rationing, hidden foes, unholy alliances, and the ever-present danger of explosives. Yet at the time same time, the women and men of Victory Munitions find ways to flourish under adversity, to defiantly live in joy, to forge unexpected bonds of friendship and love. In embracing risk, they find unexpected rewards and adventure. While they always know who they are fighting…they’re constantly surprised to find who’s standing by their side. Bomb Girls stars Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Meg Tilly (Agnes of God, The Big Chill), Jodi Balfour (The Sinking of Laconia), Charlotte Hegele (Sundays at Tiffany’s), Ali Liebert (Apollo 18), Antonio Cupo (Elegy), Anastasia Phillips (Stoked), Gemini Award winner Michael Seater (18 to Life), multiple Gemini Award nominee Peter Outerbridge (Lucky Number Slevin, Nikita) and Richard Fitzpatrick (The Boondock Saints, Survival of the Dead).

Viewers will also see a guest star appearance by multiple Emmy Award winner Rosie O’Donnell. Bomb Girls is produced by Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions. Episodes 1 and 2 of Bomb Girls season two air back to back on Wednesday, March 27 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT and again at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. Check out the REELZCHANNEL "First Scenes First" sneak peek below of Bomb Girls' season season and make sure to tune in on March 27th!

Please note, all photos above copyright of REELZ, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Ghost Hunters Sneak Peek - "Scream Park" (Syfy US)

In this week's all-new Ghost Hunters, The Atlantic Parnormal Society (TAPS) investigates the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park in Sylvan Beach, NY. Will the team ignite the paranormal behavior of three dead employees? Watch a sneak peek below and then tune in for Scream Park, Wednesday, February 27th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on Syfy.

FX Orders Drama Script From Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy) and John Shiban (Hell on Wheels)

The FX Network has closed a drama series script development deal with Sons of Anarchy creator/showrunner Kurt Sutter and former Hell on Wheels showrunner John Shiban for Lucas Stand. 

Based on an idea by Sutter, Lucas Stand is a dark, action/horror drama, with both episodic and serialized elements.  It follows the salvation quest of a damaged former special ops soldier, who has been chosen to traverse time and place to hunt down and kill Hell's law-breaking demons.

Lucas Stand is part of Sutter's overall development deal with Fox 21. In addition to Lucas Stand, he and Sons of Anarchy star Katey Sagal, with Belle Zwerdling, are developing a dark comedy at FX, Diva. Clown. Killer. Lucas Stand is Shiban’s first project with FX.