Maybe there’s hope for the Syfy channel after all. With all the news about the increase in nonscripted shows, here’s news about a series that doesn’t involve wrestling or reality paranormal ghost busters.
Deadline is reporting that Grant Bowler (‘True Blood’, ‘The Cape’, ‘Lost’) has been cast in the lead of a new Syfy original live action drama series called ‘Defiance.’ Bowler will play the role of Jeb Nolan. Of Bowler’s hiring, Mark Sterns (Syfy’s president of original content) says, “Grant’s charismatic charm and his depth as an actor make him the perfect anchor as we build the ensemble for this sweeping adventure series.”
Here’s how Deadline describes the show:
“Set on a future Earth, Defiance introduces players and viewers to a world where humans and aliens live together on a planet ravished by decades of war and transformed by alien terra-forming machines. It centers on Jeb Nolan (Bowler), the law keeper in a bustling frontier boomtown that is one of the new world’s few oasis of civility and inclusion. Nolan is a former Marine who fought in the alien conflict and suffered the loss of his wife and child in the war. The trauma transformed him into a lone wanderer in the wilds of this new and dangerous world.”
If you recall, ‘Defiance’ is the project between Syfy and game maker Trion where the show and the MMO game of the same name would co-exist with one another. Events in the show would affect the game and vice versa. . The TV show will be able to reference actions that have occurred online and even mention the avatars of the players who have achieved certain game goals (good or bad). In addition, characters in the show may appear in the game as you are playing to give you a specific quest or mission which will be referenced in the next episode.
‘Defiance’ is being written by Rockne O’Bannon who is known as the consulting producer for ‘V’ as well as the screenwriter on ‘Farscape’, and ‘Alien Nation.’ Scott Stewart (‘Legion’, ‘Priest’) will be directing the series, which is slated to begin filming this April in Toronto.
