Syfy today revealed its full programming slate for this summer, which includes two new scripted series: “Killjoys,” from the producers of “Orphan Black,” and “Dark Matter,” from the writers of “Stargate Atlantis.” Also on tap are the new unscripted game show “Geeks Who Drink,” hosted and executive produced by Zachary Levi; and returning seasons of scripted originals “Defiance” and “Dominion,” as well as fan-favorite “Face Off.” And of course, it wouldn’t be summer without Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, which anchors Syfy’s second annual “Sharknado Week” this July.
In June, Syfy’s new 8-11pm scripted programming block kicks off Friday, June 12 at 8pm with the two-hour premiere of “Defiance,” followed by the debut of “Dark Matter” at 10pm. On Friday, June 19, “Killjoys” joins the schedule, premiering at 9pm.
“Defiance” is the story of a ravaged planet Earth thirty-five years in the future, the lives of its citizens permanently altered following the sudden arrival of seven alien races. In this unknown and unpredictable landscape, the diverse, newly-formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully. Following the events of last season’s cliffhanger finale, the series’ two-hour Season three premiere opens on the eve of an impending military siege – and the surprise arrival of the mysterious and nearly extinct Omec, an alien race of warriors.
The new season features cast additions Lee Tergesen (“The Americans”) as military leader General Rahm Tak, Nichole Galicia (Django Unchained) as Kindzi and Conrad Coates (“The Strain”) as her father, T’evgin. Returning cast includes Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Graham Greene and Jesse Rath. Kevin Murphy (“Desperate Housewives,” “Caprica”) resumes his role as executive producer and showrunner.
Then, in the new original series “Dark Matter,” the crew of a derelict spaceship awakens with no memories of who they are or how they got there. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage fueled by vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets.
Created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, executive producers and writers of the Stargate franchise, and developed with Prodigy Pictures (“Lost Girl”), the series features Melissa O’Neil (Broadway’s “Les Miserables”), Marc Bendavid (Bitten), Anthony Lemke (White House Down), Alex Mallari Jr. (Robocop) and Jodelle Ferland (Twilight), with Roger Cross (“The Strain”) and Zoie Palmer (“Lost Girl”). The 13 one-hour episodes are based on the graphic novel “Dark Matter,” also by Mallozzi and Mullie, published by Dark Horse Comics.
“Killjoys,” then, follows a fun-loving, hard living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody, multi-planetary class war.
From Temple Street Productions, the producers of “Orphan Black,” and writer and showrunner Michelle Lovretta, creator of “Lost Girl,” the original, 10-episode Syfy series stars Hannah John-Kamen (“Black Mirror”), Luke Macfarlane (“Brothers & Sisters”) and Aaron Ashmore (“Warehouse 13”).
Based on characters from the hit theatrical film Legion, “Dominion” is set in a post-apocalyptic future, 25 years after an army of lower angels waged an epic war against mankind. The series follows the reluctant “Chosen One,” Alex (Christopher Egan), who must fight to save humanity from the angels that are hell-bent on destroying them. In Dominion’s second season, humankind continues its struggle against the army of angels.
Zachary Levi executive produces “Geeks Who Drink,” and hosts this new, original weekly game show based on the nationwide pub trivia contest of the same name. In each installment, two teams of self-proclaimed “trivia geeks” (including a celebrity captain) battle it out in rapid-fire quizzes that cover topics from pop culture to science fiction. After three rounds of raucous game-play and (mostly) friendly competition, the winning team will earn bragging rights, a spot on the “Geeks Who Drink” leaderboard and a bevy of prizes to geek out over.
Then, on Wednesday, July 22, the global pop culture sensation Sharknado returns to cause mass destruction in Washington, D.C. before roaring down the Eastern Seaboard and into Florida. The two-hour original movie stars Ian Ziering, Tara Reid and Cassie Scerbo. Joining them will be David Hasselhoff (Fin’s father, Gil), Bo Derek (April’s mother, May), Ryan Newman (April and Fin’s daughter, Claudia Shepard), and Jack Griffo (Claudia’s friend, Billy).
Additional announced cameos include Mark Cuban (President of the United States), Ann Coulter (Vice President of the United States), Michele Bachmann, Kathie Lee and Hoda; Frankie Muniz; Anthony Weiner; Jerry Springer; Washington Redskins Ryan Kerrigan and Tom Compton, *NSYNC singer Chris Kirkpatrick, and Chris Jericho.
A production of The Asylum, Sharknado 3 is directed by Anthony C. Ferrante from an original screenplay by Thunder Levin.
The premiere of Sharknado 3 will be preceded by “Sharknado Week,” running Saturday, July 18 to Saturday, July 25. It will include seven original movies, including, in addition to Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, Sharktopus Vs. Whale Wolf (Roger Corman’s third installment of the Sharktopus franchise, starring Casper Van Dien), 3-Headed Shark Attack (starring Danny Trejo), Roboshark, Mega Shark Vs. Kolossus (starring Illeana Douglas), Zombie Shark (starring Jason London) and the world premiere of Lavalantula, starring Steve Guttenberg and fellow Police Academy alums Leslie Easterbrook and Michael Winslow, as they battle lava-breathing tarantulas threatening to destroy Los Angeles.
Finally, “Face Off” returns Tuesday, July 28 at 9pm. In the hit competition series “Face Off,” special effects make-up artists participate in elaborate challenges to create amazing works of living art. The series’ ninth season will include its 100th episode.
McKenzie Westmore hosts, with Ve Neill (The Hunger Games, Pirates of the Caribbean), Glenn Hetrick (“CSI: New York,” “Heroes”) and Neville Page (Avatar, Prometheus) returning as judges. Hollywood makeup legend Michael Westmore (“Star Trek”) serves as the contestant mentor.
