SciFiAndTvTalk

This Week On Ashes To Ashes - 06 - 15 - 10

DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes). Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - A dead body found floating in a canal is identified as Colin Mitchell (Jason Haigh), a man recently reported missing by his glamorous wife, Donna (Daisy Haggard). DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) discovers that Colin worked for Trevor Riley (Sam Spruell), a nasty loan shark with a habit of hurting those who mess with him. A ruthless capitalist, Riley invokes terror in the community he controls and Gene sets his sights on bringing down this cocky, unscrupulous villain. DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) cannot shake the feeling that Donna is hiding something, and wants to use her profiling skills to explore the case further. However, her skills start to fail her as she undergoes surgery in the present to have the bullet removed from her brain. Alex can only wait to see whether she will pull through – and meanwhile Gene’s determination leads him onto equally dangerous ground. Episode six airs Tuesday, June 15th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Gene puts the cuffs on Riley (Sam Spruell). Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

This Week On Doctor Who - 06 - 12 - 10

What lurks beneath the surface? Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! - The Doctor (Matt Smith) sets out to take Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) to Rio, but the TARDIS has other plans and materializes in 2020 Wales, where our heroes stumble upon an operation to drill down into the Earth's crust. In doing so, however, humankind gets more than it bargains for, and the Time Lord comes face to face once again with an old acquaintance, the Silurians. The Hungry Earth airs Saturday, June 12th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. 

The Doctor (Matt Smith), Nasreen Chaudhry (Meera Syall), Amy (Karen Gillan) and Tony Mack (Robert Pugh). Photo copyright of the BBC.

 

Silurian Alaya (Neve McIntosh). Photo copyright of the BBC.

Alaya (Neve McIntosh) and The Doctor (Matt Smith). Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

The Wire's Idris Elba Comes To BBC America

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

BBC America has announced its latest U.S. premiere co-production, Luther, starring Idris Elba (The Wire), a smart, six-part psychological thriller that takes a bold look at the crime genre.

Best known for his performance as drug kingpin Russell "Stringer" Bell in HBO's The Wire, Idris Elba now finds himself on the other side of the law. He plays John Luther, an intellectually brilliant but emotionally impulsive murder detective. He considers his profession a vocation rather than a job and it remains to be seen if he's a force for good or a man hell-bent on self-destruction. His confidante is also his archenemy, Alice (Ruth Wilson), a beautiful, multiple-murderess who evades his grasp early on, and with whom he becomes locked in a lethal battle of wits.

Luther is created and written by acclaimed suspense novelist, and one of the lead writers on Spooks (a.k.a. MI-5), Neil Cross, who says, "I'm delighted that the BBC has brought Luther to life. It's an intense psychological thriller which examines not only human depravity but the complex nature of love...and how it's often this, our finest attribute, that leads us into darkness."

Elba, who also serves as associate producer on the project, is joined by an all-star cast: Ruth Wilson (The Prisoner, Jane Eyre) plays Alice Morgan, beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent and a key witness in Luther's first investigation; Steven Mackintosh (Criminal Justice) is Detective Chief Inspector Ian Reed and Luther's loyal friend and work colleague; Indira Varma (Rome) is Zoe Luther, who's had the strength to walk away from the man she still loves; Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Doctor Who) is Mark North, unafraid to compete with Luther for Zoe's love; Saskia Reeves (Bodies, Blue Murder) is Detective Superintendent Rose Teller, Luther's risk-taking boss, and Warren Brown (Occupation) is Detective Sergeant Justin Ripley, Luther's loyal, awestruck new partner.

Co-produced and distributed by BBC Worldwide, Luther will air later this year on BBC America.

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

This Week On Ashes To Ashes - 06 - 08 -10

Keeley Hawes as DI Alex Drake. Photo copyright of the BBC

SPOILER ALERT!! - When a violent burglary occurs at Alex’s (Keeley Hawes) in-laws’ house, she comes face-to-face with their son Peter (Perry Millward) - the 14-year-old future-father of Molly (Grace Vance).  Alex is desperate to help Molly’s grandparents but Gene (Philip Glenister) – wanting a big collar to bury the press stories of police corruption – dismisses the case as trivial. When the fingerprints from the crime scene reveal the burglar was George Staines (a notorious gangster, now supposedly dead), Gene realizes this could be the catch he’s after. Alex remembers hearing stories about the burglary in her old life, and is convinced she’d remember if the culprit was as infamous as Staines. Gene’s determined to uncover the truth and get the headline he deserves, but will Alex’s loyalty to her in-laws and pent-up resentment of her ex-husband lead her down the wrong path? Alex finally gets to meet the mysterious man who has been circling her and he arrives with a proposition - is her desire to get back to Molly strong enough to become a corrupt cop? Episode Five airs Tuesday, June 8th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. 

Martin Summers (Adrian Dunbar) is the mysterious man from Alex's future. Photo copyright of the BBC

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

This Week On Doctor Who - 06 - 05 - 10

Karen Gillan (as Amy Pond) and Matt Smith (as The Doctor) in Doctor Who. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! It’s been five years since Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) last travelled with the Doctor (Matt Smith), and when he lands in her garden again, on the eve of the birth of her first child, she finds herself facing a heartbreaking choice – one that will change her life forever. Amy's Choice airs Saturday, June 5th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America. 

Rory (Arthur Darvill) and Amy (Karen Gillan) share a kiss. Photo copyright of the BBC.

What nefarious plans does the Dream Lord (Toby Jones) have in store for our heroes? Photo copyright of the BBC.

Seems that the Dream Lord's plans include the local villagers! Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

This Week On Ashes To Ashes - 06 - 01 - 10

Someone from DCI Hunt's (Philip Glenister) past pays him a surprise visit to ask for his help. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) is visited by a former adversary from his old stomping ground of Manchester. Journalist Jackie Queen (Ruth Millar) had several run-ins with Gene in the past and this time she has a surprise in store - she’s pregnant with his baby.  Not one to miss out on a story, she’s also investigating the disappearance of northern teenagers that have arrived in London. She wants help to find one in particular - her niece Rachel (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) has run away and Jackie fears she’s been lured into the seedy underbelly of the capital. Alex (Keeley Hawes) is suspicious of Jackie. Also, with the threat of a transfer haunting Gene, Alex is desperate they get to the bottom of the corruption she believes is in the police force. But as the investigation progresses, evidence leads them to a man named Jarvis (John Bowe). On the surface he’s a legitimate business man, but they’re convinced he’s responsible for the murders of young girls. With an expensive lawyer and his smug demeanour, Jarvis appears untouchable and, worse, seems to have protection from within the Met itself. As the pressure mounts to find Rachel, the team is forced to acknowledge the force is being poisoned from the inside. Gene’s loyalty is tested as he and Alex are forced to put a stop to it, however messy the consequences.  Episode Four airs Tuesday, June 1st @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

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

This Week On Ashes To Ashes - 05 - 25 - 10

DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) and DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) head off to the crime scene. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - Animal rights activists have threatened a series of attacks in London and the first victim - the daughter of a commercial laboratory owner - is in hospital. Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) orders his team not to sleep until those responsible are behind bars. Their first stop is a prison where Robin Elliot (David Bradley), a known animal rights activist, is serving time for killing a scientist in the 70's. Alex (Keeley Hawes) is convinced Robin knows about the planned attacks, but with no contact with the outside world, there doesn't appear to be any way for him to be involved. Robin's eerily prescient knowledge of the future makes Alex think he could be involved not only with the case, but also with her own fate. Having heard the voices of ambulance men, Alex worries that hope is fading for her survival in the present day. Gene skirts closely towards a dangerous conflict with Supermac (Roger Allam), who warns him to toe the line or face the consequences. As Alex fights for her life and Gene fights for his career, can they prevent more casualties before time runs out? Episode three airs Tuesday, May 25th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

Robin Elliot (David Bradley) - prophet or phoney? Photo copyright of the BBC.

On the move! DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) and DCI Hunt (Philip Glenister). Photo copyright of the BBC.

Philip Glenister prepares for the next take. Photo copyright of the BBC.

Keeley Hawes and Philip Glenister wait for the cameras to start rolling. Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

The Week On Doctor Who - 05 - 23 - 10

The Doctor (Matt Smith) finds all is not well when he and his companions travel back to 16th century Venice. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - Desiccated corpses, terror in the canals and a visit to the sinister House of Calvierri - not things you would see on your typical Top Ten List of Things To Do When Visiting Venice, but they are what await Amy (Karen Gillan) and her husband-to-be Rory (Arthur Darvill) when the Doctor (Matt Smith) whisks them off in the TARDIS to 16th century Italy for a romantic mini-break. They discover that the city of Venice has been sealed to protect it from the plague, although Rosanna Calvierri (Helen McCrory) has other plans. The Vampires of Venice airs Saturday, May 23rd @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on BBC America.

The streets of Venice appear to be filled with some not-so-friendly locals. Photo copyright of the BBC.

Rory (Arthur Darvill) and Amy (Karen Gillan) stumble into danger! Photo copyright of the BBC.

Vampires...or something far worse? Photo copyright of the BBC.

The Doctor must once again hope that Amy will put her trust in him. Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

This Week On Ashes To Ashes - 05 - 18 - 10

DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and his beloved Quattro. Photo copyright of the BBC.

SPOILER ALERT!! - The team is on the hunt for major vehicle thief Jed Wicklow, but when a car chase leads to his death, Gene (Philip Glenister) stands accused of causing it through reckless driving. Alex (Keeley Hawes) is adamant that there was something wrong with Jed at the wheel and wants to prove that the crash wasn't Gene's fault. The deceased Jed was a Romany gypsy, and hostilities run high on the camp as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) heavy-handedly try to uncover the circumstances of his death. But in an investigation that's already met with resistence, someone in the police force also appears to be standing in their way. Gene needs to get the result he wants without treading on the toes of his revered superior. Detective Inspector Mackintosh (Roger Allam), known to all is "Supermac." But will Alex be able to trust that he'll not take the easy option of a cover-up? As the divide grows between Gene and Alex, she gets another visit from the mysterious strangers whose presence could be the key to her finding her way home. Episode two airs Tuesday, May 18th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST.

The team is on the move! Photo copyright of the BBC.

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

Jamie Bamber, Eric Mabius And Hermione Norris Star In New BBC America Sci-Fi Series

BBC America today announced the co-production of a new high concept drama Outcasts.  From Kudos Film & TV - the makers of award-winning and international hit series Life on Mars, MI-5, Hustle and Occupation - Outcasts takes viewers into a new world as it explores humans' drive for power, politics and sex in a new post-earth era. Created by Ben Richards (MI-5), the new explosive series stars Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty, The L Word), Liam Cunningham (Clash Of The Titans) and Hermione Norris (MI-5, Wire In The Blood).

Production is now underway in South Africa with Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica), Daniel Mays (The Bank Job, Atonement), Amy Mason (Being Human, Torchwood) and South African actress and model Jeanne Kietzmann also cast in the series.

Outcasts is set in 2040 on a recently-discovered planet and tells of the dilemmas, loves and lives of a group of people setting up a new world. This life-sustaining planet is now home to the surviving population from Earth. Here there is a chance to start again, to bring the lessons learnt from Earth and to put them into action on a new planet.

The series begins on the day the last known transporter from Earth arrives, prompting great excitement on the new planet - who is on board? Friends and loved ones? Important supplies and news from Earth? But also many questions - will the new people bring the problems of Earth with them? Will the mistakes that destroyed Earth be repeated? Will the arrival of a new, would-be leader, rock the fragile and precarious equilibrium of the fresh, unified and courageous new world? And, most importantly of all, how do is a new and better world created?

Executive producers are Jane Featherstone, Simon Crawford-Collins and Faith Penhale for Kudos and Matthew Read for the BBC.