SciFiAndTvTalk

Men in Kilts Renewed For Second Season (STARZ)

(L-R): Graham McTavish and Sam Heughan. Photo courtesy/copyright of STARZ.

STARZ announced today, Outlander stars Sam Heughan (Bloodshot, The Spy Who Dumped Me) and Graham McTavish (Preacher, The Hobbit Trilogy) will hit the road again for a six-episode second season of the hit travel docuseries Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham – this time in New Zealand. Developed by Heughan and McTavish, the original series is produced by Boardwalk Pictures, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Heughan and McTavish conceived the original idea and serve as executive producers alongside Alexander Norouzi, Andrew Fried, Dane Lillegard, Sarina Roma and Kevin Johnston who also serves as director.

Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham is a fun-filled buddy travelogue led by Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. Heughan and McTavish will continue their immersive adventure travel experience, this time in New Zealand. They will revel in the Scottish influence of New Zealand, while diving into its own history. In Season one, the two reunited for an epic adventure in Scotland, exploring their heritage and meeting an incredible collection of people who truly showcase what it means to be Scottish. The half-hour, eight-episode first season of the series offers the duo’s one-of-a-kind perspective on everything from Scottish clans and the Battle of Culloden to whisky tasting and folk dancing, with Sam and Graham’s witty banter and hijinks leading the way. Whether hanging off the edge of a cliff, wrangling a flock of wild sheep or discovering the true legacy of their Outlander characters, both men dive headfirst into each and every experience.

“Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham” Online
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Outlander - Season Six Coming In March 2022 (STARZ)

STARZ announced today that season six of Outlander will debut on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 9PM ET/PT across all STARZ platforms in the U.S. and will air day and date in the UK for the first time on STARZPLAY. The highly-anticipated return of the epic series will launch with an extended episode. Diana Gabaldon, author of the highly acclaimed Outlander book series, revealed the news out of a launch event for the ninth book in the series: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.

The sixth season of Outlander sees a continuation of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) fight to protect those they love, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in colonial America. Establishing a home in the New World is by no means an easy task, particularly in the wild backcountry of North Carolina – and perhaps most significantly – during a period of dramatic political upheaval. The Frasers strive to maintain peace and flourish within a society which – as Claire knows all too well – is unwittingly marching towards Revolution. Against this backdrop, which heralds the birth of the new American nation, Claire and Jamie have built a home together at Fraser’s Ridge. They must now defend this home – established on land granted to them by the Crown – not only from external forces, but also from the increasing strife and conflict in the community within their care.

For the Frasers and their immediate family, “home” is more than simply a site in which they live, it is the place where they are laying the foundations for the rest of their lives. If Season four asked “What is home?” and Season five asked, “What are you willing to do to protect your home?” then Season six explores what happens when there is disharmony and division among the inhabitants of the home you’ve created: when you become an outsider, or an ‘outlander,’ so to speak, marginalized and rejected in your own home. 

Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, Season Six is based on material from the sixth book in the Outlander series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes. STARZ also recently announced the pick-up of the seventh season of Outlander.

Ronald D. Moore, Matthew B. Roberts, Maril Davis, Toni Graphia, Andy Harries and Jim Kohlberg executive produce. Outlander is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Left Bank Pictures and Story Mining & Supply Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television. The Outlander television series is inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander book series whose first eight books have sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, with all of them gracing the New York Times best-seller list. The Outlander television series has become a worldwide success with audiences, spanning the genres of history, science fiction, romance and adventure in one amazing tale.

Outlander Online
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Check out STARZ's official Outlander page: https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/outlander/21796

Orphan Black: The Next Chapter Reunion Panel Video

Please find below a video from the Orphan Black: The Next Chapter reunion panel tied to season two of Realm’s official podcast continuation of the cult hit series Orphan Black. Please feel free to utilize this conversation for your coverage of the podcast. An all-new episode of Orphan Black: The Next Chapter premieres Friday, December 3rd on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.

Moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross, original cast members Tatiana Maslany (adult clones including Sarah Manning, Cosima Niehaus, Alison Hendrix, Helena, Rachel Duncan, and Vivi Valdez), Kristian Bruun (Donnie Hendrix), Jordan Gavaris (Felix Dawkins) and Evelyne Brochu (Delphine Cormier) joined together to reflect on award-winning series and its legacy, to discuss their experience recording the podcast’s second season and to tease what fans can expect in the all-new episodes.

Picking up eight months after season one left off, season two of Orphan Black: The Next Chapter explores the continuing fallout of the clones being outed to the world: the ways in which different clones cope with their exposure—or fail to; how loneliness is not easily overcome, even among hundreds of genetic identicals; and the power of family—chosen and unchosen—to rally not only against those who mean them harm, but also in support of one another.

The official podcast continuation further extends the story of the critically acclaimed series of the same name. The first installment of season two premiered on Friday, October 29, with the second episode debuting November 19.

Written by season one veterans Malka Older, Madeline Ashby, Heli Kennedy, E. C. Myers and Lindsay Smith, season two opens with the Clone Club facing backlash from anti-clone protesters and recently self-aware clones alike. As public sentiment toward all clones turns increasingly ugly, a voice rises to offer them a compelling vision for their future, while fanning the flames of anger and resentment against the sestras.

Plus, there are new developments for Cosima and Delphine; new drama for Alison and Donnie; new purpose for Sarah; a return to action for Helena; unexpected turns for Rachel; trouble for Charlotte; new misadventures for Felix; the return of clone CIA agent Vivi Valdez, and the introduction of several prominent new clones.

Jonathan Frakes, Todd Masters & The Visual Effects Society Help Celebrate Star Trek: First Contact's 25th Anniversary

(L-R): Herman Zimmerman, Rick Berman, Jonathan Frakes, John Knoll, Todd Masters and Dan Curry. Photo courtesy/copyright MastersFX/Asbury PR.

Acclaimed Director and Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander William T. Riker), multi-Emmy award-winner and FX artist Todd Masters, founder of MastersFX (MFX), and the Visual Effects Society presented a special 25th anniversary screening of Star Trek: First Contact at Hollywood’s Harmony Gold Theater on November 21st. The event was a private reunion for cast, crew and invited guests, along with members of the Visual Effects Society - with a print generously provided by Paramount Studios.

The event reunited a number of cast and crew members from Star Trek: First Contact. In addition to Frakes and Masters, the evening’s notables also included actors Alfre Woodard and LeVar Burton, along with the film’s producer Rick Berman, ILM Visual Effects Supervisor John Knoll, ILM Digital Effects Supervisor Habib Zargarpour, and Art Director/Production Designer Herman Zimmerman. VES Fellow Dan Curry was also in attendance – he is the winner of seven Emmy Awards for his work on various Star Trek projects and is specially credited on Star Trek: First Contact. Curry moderated a Q&A panel, comprised of Zimmerman, Berman, Frakes, Knoll and Masters, which followed the screening.  

Jonathan Frakes and Alfre Woodard. Photo courtesy/copyright of MastersFX/Asbury PR.

Frakes directed and starred in Star Trek: First Contact, the eighth feature of the Star Trek franchise; Masters was Borg Design Supervisor. Masters’ company MastersFX created the film’s legendary bio-mechanical foes - The Borg - along with Oscar-winning Make-up Designer Michael Westmore and Costume Designer Deborah Everton.

(L-R): LeVar Burton, Alfre Woodard, Jonathan Frakes, Todd Masters, John Knoll and Habib Zargarpour. Photo courtesy/copyright of MastersFX/Asbury PR.

Released by Paramount Pictures on November 22, 1996 - Star Trek: First Contact grossed $217 Million - at the time, the second-highest-grossing Trek film ever. Roger Ebert considered it to be one of the best Star Trek films - and, two and a half decades later, it’s still a fan favorite. There’s even a coffee-table book coming out, from Titan Books - Star Trek: First Contact: The Official Story of the Film, written by Joe Fordham - arriving in 2022.

The 1996 feature film Star Trek: First Contact tells the story of the Starship Enterprise, and its crew - as they follow a Borg ship through a time warp - to prevent the Borg from taking over the Earth. In a past era, Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) helps a pioneer of space travel, Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell,) in his efforts to create the first warp-drive. Concurrently, Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner) battle the Borg Queen (Alice Krige) as she tries to take over the Enterprise. And, Lilly (Alfre Woodard) gets a peak at what her future might hold.

Jonathan Frakes and Alfre Woodard. Photo courtesy/copyright of MastersFX/Asbury PR.

Regarding Star Trek: First Contact, Jonathan Frakes says, “I’m eternally grateful to Sherry Lansing and Rick Berman for trusting me to navigate Brannon Braga’s and Ronald D Moore’s bullet-proof script.”

“I know I’m biased, but I truly think First Contact is the strongest of all the Star Trek films. It is a true classic!” Masters said. “This film has it all: Tense sci-fi action, ground-breaking visual effects, an amazing cast… and the Borg Queen - memorably played by Alice Krige.”

(L-R): LeVar Burton, Alfre Woodard and Jonathan Frakes. Photo courtesy/copyright of MastersFX/Asbury PR.

Frakes and Masters came together for this private 25th anniversary event, after decades of bumping into one another - on airplanes, and working on various television shows, like: Falling Skies and Masters of Science Fiction. Masters recalls, “We often chatted about our experiences with the Borg - and surviving that challenging film. Making it was fast, complex, sweaty and intense!”

“But it is also one of the better films on my resume. And since no one else had planned to mark the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Jonathan and I were going to do it,” Masters concludes.

LeVar Burton and Jonathan Frakes. Photo courtesy/copyright of MastersFX/Asbury PR.

ABOUT THE VISUAL EFFECTS SOCIETY: The Visual Effects Society (VES) is a global professional honorary society and the entertainment industry’s only organization representing the full breadth of visual effects practitioners. VES’ more than 4,200 members in over 40 countries worldwide contribute to all areas of entertainment – film, television, commercials, animation, special venue, games and new media.

ABOUT MASTERSFX: For nearly 35 years, MastersFX's creative teams have produced a distinctive blend of practical and digital makeup FX, prosthetics and animatronics, through a process called “dMFX,” for hundreds of hit feature films, TV shows, and commercials. Currently, MastersFX is in production on: Monster High for Nickelodeon; the monster feature The Pishach; the ABC series The Good Doctor; and the hit TV shows DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Nancy Drew and Charmed.

Close To Me Coming To The U.S. In December (Sundance Now/AMC+)

The suspenseful six-part thriller Close To Me is making its US debut on Sundance Now and AMC+ on Thursday, December 16. New episodes are set to debut weekly with the finale premiering Thursday, January 20, 2022. Based on Amanda Reynolds' magnetic and unsettling novel of the same name, Close to Me follows Jo Harding (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman 1984, The Following, The Good Wife) a woman who seems to have it all, until a fall erases an entire year from her memory. As she struggles to piece events together, Jo discovers that her life wasn’t quite as perfect as she imagined and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her. Close to Me also stars BAFTA-Nominated Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who, The Leftovers), is written by Angela Pell (Snow Cake, Gifted), directed by Michael Samuels (The Windermere Children, The Missing, Any Human Heart) and is produced by All3Media. Check out the original Channel 4 (British) trailer below!

SAS: Rogue Heroes Coming To EPIX In 2022

First look at SAS: Rogue Heroes. Photo courtesy/copyright of BBC.

Premium network EPIX today announced it has acquired the major new six-part limited series SAS: Rogue Heroes from global distributor Banijay Rights.  

In a deal negotiated by Banijay Rights’ Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions, the acquisition marks the first international deal for SAS: Rogue Heroes.  

Produced by Kudos and Nebulastar for EPIX and BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes is a dramatized account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two. Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, the series centers on David Stirling, an eccentric young officer, who is hospitalized after a training exercise gone wrong. Convinced that traditional commando units don’t work, Stirling creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. He fights for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest, and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines. More rebels than soldiers, Stirling’s team is every bit as complicated, flawed, and reckless as it is brave and heroic. 

SAS: Rogue Heroes is developed for television and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol) and will be directed by Tom Shankland (The Serpent, The Missing), with Stephen Smallwood (The Serpent, Patrick Melrose) as producer. The series is executive produced by Karen Wilson, Martin Haines and Emma Kingsman-Lloyd for Kudos, and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.  Commissioned by the BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. 

Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Vigil) will play David Stirling, with Jack O’Connell (Skins, The North Water) as Paddy Mayne, Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones) as Jock Lewes, Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk, The King) as SAS Founding member Mike Sadler, and Sofia Boutella (Modern Love, Atomic Blonde) as Eve. Dominic West (The Wire, Appropriate Adult) will play Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel Clarke.  

“Steven Knight and Kudos have created a gripping historical drama that complements EPIX’s lineup of elevated, cinematic  storytelling,” said Michael Wright, President, EPIX & President MGM Scripted Television. “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Banijay Rights to give this series an exclusive home on EPIX for the American audience.” 

“SAS: Rogue Heroes is a masterstroke of a series from the visionary Steven Knight, packed with a stellar cast who bring this fantastic story to life. We are thrilled that EPIX have come on board to take this fantastic drama to a wider US audience,” said Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions, Rest of the World, Banijay Rights.   

Martin Haines, Co-Managing Director of Kudos added: “EPIX is a perfect partner that shares our vision and ambition. We are delighted they are our US partners on this epic show.” 

The series will also star Amir El Masry (Industry, The One), Theo Barklem-Biggs (The First Team, Carnival Row), Corin Silva (The Bay, Emmerdale), Jacob Ifan (Bang, The Accident), Dónal Finn (Cursed, The Witcher), Jacob McCarthy (The Last Summer, A.P. Bio), César Domboy (Outlander, The Walk), Michael Schaeffer (Chernobyl, The Salisbury Poisonings) and Miles Jupp (The Great, The Durrells). 

Sci Fi Magazine - Winter 2022

If you happen to be passing a newsstand, check out the new issue of Sci Fi Magazine (Winter 2022 issue) which contains my "TV in Focus" section interviews with Rachael Harris (Lucifer), Brett Gray (Star Trek - Prodigy), Jacob Hopkins (To Your Eternity), Ashley Romans (Y: The Last Man), Shamier Anderson (Invasion), Terrence Mann (Foundation), Greg Nicotero (Creepshow), Devon Sawa (Chucky), Keenan Tracey (Day of the Dead), Aliyah Royale (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) and Joseph David-Jones (4400) as well as my feature interview with Chris Lee (Legacies). If you live in the U.S. and cannot find a copy of the magazine at your local newsstand you can order it directly - SCI FI Circulation, P.O. Box 1654, Williamsport, PA 17703. Single copies are $5.99 plus $5.00 for postage. Yearly subscriptions can also be purchased - U.S.A. $19.95; Canada and overseas $33.95 US$. Thanks as always for your continued support!

Steve Eramo

Fantasy Island Renewed For Second Season (FOX)

FOX has renewed aspirational drama series Fantasy Island for a second season, it was announced today by Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, FOX Entertainment. A modern drama series, from Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios and FOX Entertainment, Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions -- both big and small -- that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.

The series stars actress, singer and songwriter Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke (played by the late Ricardo Montalban in the original Fantasy Island series), who set aside her own ambitions, and the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island. Kiara Barnes also stars as Ruby Akuda, a young woman with an old soul who arrived on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and was given a new lease on life as Roarke’s right hand.  

“Thanks to the fantastic Roselyn Sanchez and charming Kiara Barnes and the captivating stories that tapped into the core tenets of emotion and aspiration, Fantasy Island was the perfect wish fulfillment and escape we all needed this summer,” said Thorn. “Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and everyone at Sony and Gemstone did an excellent job on this series and, like all good things, it left us wanting more. We’re so happy to have Elena Roarke, Ruby Akuda and everyone on Fantasy Island open their world again for a brief visit this winter and for a longer stay next year.”

“We are thrilled to be back for a Season Two! Liz, Sarah, Roselyn and the whole Fantasy Island family reimagined this storied IP and gave it just the modern female flair it needed to resonate with audiences around the world. We’re so proud of the show and grateful for our stellar partners at Fox,” said Marie Jacobson, EVP, Gemstone Studios.

On Tuesday, Dec. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, Fantasy Island returns for a special two-hour holiday episode, “Welcome to the Snow Globe.” A businesswoman’s (guest star Lindsey Kraft) fantasy of a perfect Christmas and meeting “Mr. Right” (guest star Eddie Cahill) tests Roarke in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Mr. Jones (guest star Mackenzie Astin) faces his past, while a new Secret Santa tradition has Ruby and Javier looking to the future.

Executive-produced by Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100, The Shield, Lie to Me), Fantasy Island is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios and FOX Entertainment. “Like” the series on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FantasyIslandTV/. Follow the series on IG @FantasyIslandTV on Twitter @FantasyIslandTV and join the conversation using #FantasyOnFOX.

All seasons of the original 1977 Fantasy Island series and the 1998 remake are available to stream on FOX Entertainment’s free-streaming platform, Tubi. Catch up on Season One of Fantasy Island with On Demand, FOX NOW and Hulu. On Demand episodes are available for customers of Cox Contour TV, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, DISH, Hulu + Live, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, XFINITY, YouTube TV and many more. 

Station Eleven - Teaser And First Look Photos Released (HBO Max)

Mackenzie Davis in Station Eleven. Photo by Ian Watson and courtesy/copyright of HBO Max.

HBO Max has released a teaser and first look images from the upcoming Max Original limited drama series, Station Eleven, debuting December 16th. A post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines, this limited drama series tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what's been lost. Station Eleven is based on the international bestseller of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel. Check out the teaser below.

Station Eleven stars Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Daniel Zovatto, David Wilmot, Matilda Lawler, Philippine Velge, Nabhaan Rizwan and Lori Petty, with Gael Garcìa Bernal and Danielle Deadwyler recurring. Created for television and showrun by Patrick Somerville with Paramount Television Studios serving as the studio. The series is executive produced by Somerville, Scott Steindorff, Scott Delman, Dylan Russell, Jessica Rhoades, Hiro Murai, Jeremy Podeswa and Nate Matteson. Nick Cuse and David Nicksay are co-EPs. Murai, Podeswa, Helen Shaver, Lucy Tcherniak direct.

Himesh Patel and Matilda Lawler in Station Eleven. Photo by Ian Watson and courtesy/copyright of HBO Max.

Gael Garcìa Bernal in Station Eleven. Photo by Parrish Lewis and courtesy/copyright of HBO Max.

Follow @Station11onmax on Instagram and @Twitter for the latest Station Eleven news and exclusive content.

Damian Lewis & Guy Pearce - First Look Photo From A Spy Among Friends (Spectrum/BritBox)

Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce in A Spy Among Friends. Photo courtesy/copyright of Sony Pictures Television.

Critically acclaimed actors, Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce star in the Sony Pictures Television-produced drama A Spy Among Friends, based on the true story of Nicholas Elliott (Lewis) and Kim Philby (Pearce) — two spies and lifelong friends.  The six-episode limited series follows a friendship that resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence at the height of the Cold War and shaped the field of play for the dangerous game against Russia that we're still trying to win today.  Based on the New York Times best-selling book written by Ben Macintyre the series will globally debut in the fall of 2022 exclusively on BritBox in the UK and Spectrum’s On Demand platform in the U.S.