News, updates, and (mostly viable) rumors relating to development of science fiction / fantasy television productions. If you have tips or more info on these or other productions, please pass them along in the comments.
The too-much-TV era continues to barrel forward with another slew of development announcements over the last couple of weeks, including one that sci fi fans have been waiting quite a long time for.
Star Trek
Network: CBS / CBS All Access
Production Team: Alex Kurtzman (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: This series will bring Star Trek back to the small screen to continue and explore the universe that franchise has created.
Comments: There are no specific details yet about Star Trek‘s return to television including whether it will take place in the original timeline or the new one created by the recent feature films. Of interest, though, is the fact that the premiere will air on CBS in early 2017, but the ongoing series will then shift to that network’s streaming channel CBS All Access. So Trek fans will have to pay a monthly fee (currently around $6) to follow the show. Source: Variety
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The Greatest American Hero
Network: FOX
Production Team: Rick Famuyiwa (Writer / Executive Producer), Phil Lord (Executive Producer), Chris Miller (Executive Producer), Tawnia McKiernan (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: This will reboot the 1980’s series of the same name about a man that receives from aliens a suit that gives him super powers.
Comments: FOX has given this a pilot production commitment. Phil Lord and Chris Miller tried to get this reboot in the air last year, but it did not go to series. This time around they have Tawnia McKiernan–the daughter of the original show’s creator Steven J. Cannell–onboard the production team. Source: The Wrap
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X-Files Spinoff
Network: FOX
Production Team: Chris Carter (Creator / Executive Producer)
Starring: Robbie Amell, Lauren Ambrose
Status: Consideration
About: According to TV Line, the upcoming X-Files limited run series will introduce two new FBI agents played by Robbie Amell (The Flash) and Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and could work as a backdoor pilot for a continuation / spin-off following those characters. Source: TV Line
Comments: This is mostly just a rumor at this point and Chris Carter neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of a spin-off when asked about it at Comic Con. But if the new X-Files scores well in the ratings, you know that FOX will want more.
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His Dark Materials
Network: BBC One
Production Team: Philip Pullman (Creator / Executive Producer), New Line Cinema (Studio)
Status: Early Development
About: His Dark Materials is a three-book arc based around the adventures of Lyla Belacqua and Will Parry, two youngsters who explore parallel universes. Source: SFX Magazine
Comments: This series based on the books written by Philip Pullman is currently planned as an eight part TV series.
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Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories
Network: Sky Arts
Production Team: Neil Gaiman (Executive Producer), Sid Gentle Films (Production Company)
Status: Early Production
About: Each episode of this four part series will adapt a separate Neil Gaiman short storie. The specific stories have not been named yet. Source: The Guardian
Comments: Filming is set to begin in November and the series will debut at some point in 2016.
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Midnight Texas
Network: NBC
Production Team: David Janollari (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: “It’s where humans and the supernatural co-exist, and where everyone has a secret,” says executive producer David Janollari (Six Feet Under). Source: Entertainment Weekly
Comments: This series will be based on the Midnight, Texas books by True Blood author Charlaine Harris. NBC is looking at this as a possible entry to their Fall 2016 schedule.
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Darkover
Network: Amazon
Production Team: Ilene Kahn Power (Executive Producer), Elizabeth Stanley (Executive Producer), IM Global (Production Company
Status: Early Development
About: This series will be based on the sci fi / fantasy Darkover series by Marion Bradley which takes place on the titular planet. Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is currently in the early development stages and Amazon is likely looking at a late 2016 / early 2017 bow.
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Imperial City (Tentative Title)
Network: NBC
Production Team: Silvio Horta (Executive Producer), Aaron Kaplan (Executive Producer)
Production Team: Rupert Grint
Status: Early Development
About: [Rupert Grint] would star as Rupert, a low-level New York office drone obsessed with Imperial City, a comic book series his father created before his death. Rupert has spent his whole life believing he owned all nine issues. But when a mysterious comic book collector reveals the existence of a tenth issue, Rupert discovers that the world of Imperial City is real, and he is the one person who can save it. Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: NBC has given a put pilot commitment to this project meaning that they would pay a substantial penalty for passing on it. They will likely consider this for the 2016-17 season.
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Dead Man Walking
Network: CBS
Production Team: Simon Barry (Writer / Executive Producer), Stephen Hegyes (Executive Producer), CBS Television Studios
Status: Early Development
About: The drama takes place in the near future, when a police detective who had been executed for murdering his wife takes a miracle drug and is brought back to life as a “second-class citizen” working as a private investigator while looking for his wife’s real killer. Source: Hollywood Reporter
Comments: This is based on the book of the same name written by Stefan Petrucha. Continuum‘s Simon Barry is developing the series which CBS will likely consider as a Fall 2016 entry.
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Van Helsing
Network: Syfy
Production Team: Neil LaBute (Writer / Showrunner), Simon Barry (Executive Producer), Nomadic Pictures (Studio)
Status: Early Production
About: Centers on Vanessa Helsing, the daughter of famous vampire hunter and Dracula nemesis Abraham Van Helsing. She is resurrected five years in the future to find out that vampires have taken over the world and that she possesses unique power over them. She is humanity’s last hope to lead an offensive to take back what has been lost. Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Syfy has picked up this show which is in the early stages of production and has Continuum‘s Simon Barry attached as executive producer. It will find its way to their schedule at some point in 2016.
