SciFiAndTvTalk

Next Time on Face Off: All Stars - "Frightening Families" (Syfy US)

(L-R): Cig Neutron and Evan Hedges work on their contribution to "Frightening Families." Photo copyright of Syfy.

Next time on Face Off: All Stars, the competition is turned on its head as the eight remaining all-stars are combined into a pair of super teams that must each create a frightening family of three mutated characters. Tune in for Frightening Families on Tuesday, March 21st @ 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CT on Syfy (US).

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

Catching Up With Bates Motel's Nestor Carbonell

Nestor Carbonell as Alex Romero in Bates Motel. Photo copyright of A&E.

Perhaps you remember Nestor Carbonell as the mysterious and seemingly ageless Richard Alpert in the long-running ABC series Lost, or the super-powerless but nonetheless enthusiastic costumed crime-fighter Batmanuel in The Tick, or even exercising his comedic chops playing Luis Rivera opposite Brooke Shields in Suddenly Susan. On the big screen, Batman feature film fans know him as Mayor Anthony Garcia in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. With close to three decades of work experience under his proverbial belt, the dark, handsome and talented actor has portrayed a wide range of characters in a number of genres, including for the past five years, Alex Romero in A&E’s decidedly creepy drama Bates Motel. Besides his work on the series in front of the camera, Carbonell also stepped behind the camera three times to direct, most recently for Dreams Die First, airing as part of the show’s fifth and final season. The chance to explore this facet of the business is one for which the actor is extremely grateful.

“The only thing I’d directed before this were my kids on my iPhone,” jokes Carbonell,” so I have Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin [series co-creators/executive producers] as well as A&E and Universal Television for this incredible opportunity. They rolled the dice on me and I hope I didn’t screw it up because I truly relished every moment of it. Yes, I was challenged by everything, but I also had the most incredible support from everyone around me. Vera Farmiga [Norma Bates] had some really good advice for me after I finished shadowing our producer/director Tucker Gates and before I started directing my first episode [season three’s The Deal]. She directed a very good film called Higher Ground, having never directed before, and something that someone had told her and that Vera imparted to me was to, ‘Avail yourself of everyone’s talents. Don’t pretend to know everything, because you won’t. You’re surrounded by talented people, so just open yourself up to them. You’re going to get three or four opinions on everything, and then make your own decisions.’

“It was phenomenal advice, which I subsequently followed, and while I did have many, many questions, each time I directed, certain elements of the job came that little bit easier and quicker to me.

“I had some huge challenges with the last episode I was given to direct [this year’s Dreams Die First]. Rihanna joined us this season on the show, and it was one of her episodes. I was honored that they trusted me with it, because it was a demanding one production-wise due to her schedule. Phil Abraham, who directed Rihanna’s second episode, and I only got to work with her for five days, and in that  time we had to shoot almost 40 pages of script between the two of us. So we knew we’d be under the gun before we even began shooting, and it was extremely tricky as far as the time constraints were concerned, but, again, I loved every minute of it. It was a pleasure working with Rhianna, who is such a trouper and brought her soul as well as her phenomenal work ethic and love of the show to the job. We knew Rihanna was a big fan of Bates Motel and that is certainly reflected onscreen with her beautiful and powerful performance.

Steve Eramo

"Dreams Die First" airs Monday, March 20th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 p.m. CT on A&E. As noted above photo copyright of A&E, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Jack Taylor - Set 3 Comes to U.S. DVD This Month (Acorn/RLJ Entertainment)

Starring Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Jack Taylor, Set 3 makes its U.S. Premiere on Acorn TV on Monday, March 27, 2017 and its DVD debut on March 28, 2017 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. brand. Based on the bestselling crime fiction by Ken Bruen and filmed on location against the rugged backdrop of western Ireland, this gripping series follows Jack Taylor – a former cop fighting his own demons – as he works cases in Galway as a private detective. This action-packed crime noir showcases the rakish allure of its leading man with tantalizing mysteries and a bleak but beautiful setting. The DVD 3-Disc set includes three feature-length episodes, plus a photo gallery for each mystery ($49.99, AcornOnline.com). Set 3’s three new mysteries were broadcast in Ireland in late 2016 on TV3. Acorn TV is the premier North American streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond. Currently, the first two seasons are available to watch anytime with the third series added on March 27.

Self-destructive and pigheaded, with a talent for getting into trouble, Jack retains few friends from his time in the Irish Police, save for detective Kate Noonan (Siobhán O’Kelly, Dominion Creek). Aided by Kate and her cousin Darragh (Jack Monaghan, Hideaways), Jack delves into some of the darkest cases of his career.

Episodes:

• Cross : Jack’s investigation into the death of a man found crucified reveals that the victim’s brother was implicated in the hit-and-run death of a woman. Could the woman’s family members be out for revenge?
• Headstone : Jack races to find former nemesis Ronan Meyers, who has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.
• Purgatory : Hired by the CEO of a software company to investigate the theft of valuable data, Jack takes an instinctive liking to the main suspect. When she is found dead, Jack suspects the CEO and vows to bring him down.

Acorn TV Premiere Date: Monday, March 27, 2017; DVD Street Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2017; SRP: $49.99. Bonus: Photo galleries for each mystery. DVD 3-Disc Set: 3 feature-length episodes, plus bonus – Approx. 282 min. – SDH Subtitles – UPC 54961241194. Contains coarse language, violence, sexual situations, and disturbing images.

Snatch - Season One Premieres On Crackle

(L-R): Lucien Laviscount as Billy Ayres, Luke Pasqualino as Albert Hill, Phoebe Dynevor as Lotti Mott, and Rupert Grint as Charlie Cavendish-Scott in “Snatch." Photo copyright of Crackle.

Season one of Crackle’s original scripted drama, Snatch is available to stream all ten episodes today. The series starring Rupert Grint (Harry Potter film franchise), Ed Westwick (Wicked City, Gossip Girl), Luke Pasqualino (Skins, The Borgias) and Dougray Scott (Fear the Walking Dead, Doctor Who), is based loosely on the wildly popular movie of the same name. Alex De Rakoff serves as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Stream for Free Using the Crackle App For TVs, Connected Devices, Game Consoles and Mobile Devices or Online

In the premiere episode, Anbert Hill (Luke Pasqualino) would love nothing more than to escape from the shadow of his legendary criminal father, VIic Hill (Dougray Scott), who keeps close tabs on the family’s legitimate and illegitimate businesses from the comfort his jail cell. With an eye towards breaking out of small-time crime, Albert has teamed up with his friend Charlie Cavendish-Scott (Rupert Grint) to manage the nascent boxing career of their friend, Billy Ayres (Lucien Laviscount). They’ve finally booked a fight that could vault Billy into the big time, only to find themselves double-crossed by Sonny Castillo (Ed Westwick), a mob-connected Cuban club owner. Defeated and effectively robbed of a massive payday, Albert takes to heart the words of his mother Lily (Juliet Aubrey): “You can either be a mark or make a mark.” Working on a tip from Sonny’s criminally ambitious girlfriend Lotti Mott (Phoebe Dynevor), Albert devises a scheme to raid the gangster’s monthly bank delivery. But the heist turns something else altogether when he, Charlie and Billy unexpectedly encounter two armored vans – and happen to rob the one that is filled with gold bullion.

Inspired by a real life heist in London, Snatch, centers on a group of twenty-something, up and coming hustlers who stumble upon a truck load of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The boys must quickly learn to navigate the treacherous waters of London’s underworld as rogue cops, gypsy fighters, international mobsters and local villains descend. 

For more information, visit the official “Snatch” Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SnatchCrackle/ . For news updates, follow @Snatch and @Crackle on Twitter.  Join the conversation with #SnatchTV.

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

Next Time on Colony - "The Garden of Beasts" (USA Network)

(L-R): Maddie (Amanda Righetti) and Nolan (Adrian Pasdar) in "The Garden of Beasts." Photo copyright of Syfy.

On this week's all-new episode of Colony, Will (Josh Holloway), Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies), and Broussard (Tory Kittles) search for a way out of the colony. Meanwhile Maddie (Amanda Righetti) gets some visitors in the Green Zone and Bram (Alex Neustaedter) looks for closure. Check out the clip below from The Garden of Beasts and then tune in on Thursday, March 16th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 p.m. CT on the USA Network.

12 Monkeys - Season Three Premieres in May & Renewal For Fourth and Final Season (Syfy US)

Syfy's 12 Monkeys screening & panel at The Paley Center for Media: (L-rR Todd Stashwick, Amanda Schull, Aaron Stanford, Emily Hampshire, Terry Matalas and Kirk Acevedo. Photo copyright of Syfy.

Syfy today announced that it has renewed critically-acclaimed original series 12 Monkeys for a fourth and final chapter ahead of its Season 3 premiere. The network also announced that the series’ entire 10-episode third season will premiere over three consecutive nights, from Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21 from 8-11PM ET/PT. The first four episodes will premiere on Friday, with three episodes airing each night on both Saturday and Sunday.

Produced by Universal Cable Productions in association with Atlas Entertainment, the beloved drama, developed by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett (Nikita), is based on the 1995 Golden Globe award-winning film of the same name. Said co-developer, showrunner and executive producer Matalas: “Universal Cable Productions and Syfy have given us the opportunity to tell an ambitious, emotional story with a beginning, middle and an end – if not always in that order. I couldn't be more grateful for their faith and support. Like our fans who may want to turn their clocks ahead to see what we've got in store, I only wish I could turn mine back to relive this incredible experience over again.” 

“12 Monkeys has a dedicated and enthusiastic fan-base thanks to the epic storytelling by Terry Matalas, and the stellar cast and crew,” said Jeff Wachtel, President, Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “We are thrilled to be able to offer fans an opportunity to binge the third season as a reward for their lasting support, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where Terry takes us with the final chapter of this fabulous story in the fourth season.”

“With its time-twisting themes and edge-of-your-seat storyline, 12 Monkeys is the perfect show to air this way,” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “It’s grown into a world well beyond the original film, and after seeing the creative strength of Season 3, we couldn’t wait to pick it up for a fourth season.”

Upon its premiere in May, Season 3 will continue the journey of James Cole (Aaron Stanford), a man sent back in time to eradicate the source of a deadly plague, and his partner, brilliant virologist Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull). While attempting to untangle an insidious conspiracy that's been spun throughout centuries, the duo embark on a desperate search across time to find the man responsible for the apocalypse – a time traveler who calls himself the Witness. Killing the Witness will save the world, but the journey will come at tremendous personal stakes for the pair. 12 MONKEYS also stars Kirk Acevedo (Ramse), Emily Hampshire (Jennifer Goines), Barbara Sukowa (Katarina Jones) and Todd Stashwick (Deacon). 

Joining the cast as recurring guest stars in Season 3 are Hannah Waddingham (Game of Thrones), Faran Tahir (Iron Man) and James Callis (Battlestar Galactica). Emmy award-winner Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) is set to appear in a memorable guest-starring role as a deadly cult leader with sinister motives.  

Matalas, who also has an overall deal with UCP, will make his directorial debut with the Season 3 premiere episode. Original film producer Charles Roven (Suicide Squad, The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Richard Suckle (Suicide Squad, American Hustle) of Atlas Entertainment, as well as David Grossman (Desperate Housewives, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), serve as executive producers.

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

American Gods - New Trailer Released (STARZ)

On the heels of the SXSW World Premiere, Starz released a brand new trailer (see below) of godly proportions for the highly anticipated original series American Gods premiering on Sunday, April 30th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST. Fans will get a closer look into the epic journey of Shadow Moon and Mr. Wednesday with new footage from the fantasy series.

American Gods posits a different kind of war brewing—one between Old Gods and New.  The traditional Old Gods, with mythological roots from around the world, fear irrelevance as their believers die off or are seduced by the money, technology, and celebrity offered by the New Gods. Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) is an ex-con who, left adrift by the recent death of his wife, becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to conman Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane). But in truth, Mr. Wednesday is a powerful old deity, on a cross-country mission to build an army and reclaim his lost glory.

Doctor Who - Official New Season Trailer Released (BBC America)

(L-R): Pearl Mackie, Peter Capaldi and Matt Lucas in Doctor Who. Photo copyright of BBC America.

BBC America has released an explosive new Doctor Who trailer, revealing the incredible adventures that this season has in store for the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), his new (and fearless) companion Bill (Pearl Mackie) and assistant Nardole (Matt Lucas). Doctor Who premieres Saturday, April 15th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CT, followed by the series premiere of Class @ 10:10 p.m. EST/9:10 p.m. CT. Class, the new drama from award-winning YA writer and Class creator Patrick Ness (A Monster Calls), centers around London’s Coal Hill Academy, which has been part of the Doctor Who universe since its very start…but this has come at a price. All the time-travelling over the years has caused the very walls of space and time to wear thin. When the school comes under the attack of deadly monsters, four students must form an unlikely alliance to defeat them. The series is a BBC America co-production and is executive produced by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock), Brian Minchin (Doctor Who, Torchwood) and Patrick Ness. Check out the Doctor Who trailer below!

 

Next Time on The Expanse - "Pyre" (Syfy US)

Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper) in "Pyre." Photo copyright of Syfy.

Next time on The Expanse, as Naomi (Dominique Tipper) tracks down signs of the protomolecule in unexpected corners of the solar system, Fred Johnson’s (Chad L. Coleman) control over the OPA begins to collapse.  Meanwhile, a traumatized refugee from Ganymede may hold the key to finding a new threat. Have a look at the clip below from Pyre and then tune in for the entire episode on Wednesday, March 15th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 p.m. CT on Syfy (US).

Next Time on The Magicians - "Word As Bond" (Syfy US)

Julia (Stella Maeve) in "Word As Bond." Photo copyright of Syfy.

On the next all-new episode of The Magicians, Eliot (Hale Appleman) hovers between life and death while Margo (Summer Bishil) is forced to take charge of Fillory. Meanwhile, Alice (Olivia Taylor Dudley) makes it increasingly difficult for Quentin (Jason Ralph) to keep his secret to himself, and Julia (Stella Maeve) loses her shade. Check out the clip below from Word as Bond and then tune in for the entire episode on Wednesday, March 15th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CT on Syfy (US).