“Being Human”: Syfy series renewed for third season
Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington of "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
Syfy has ordered a 13-episode third season of its drama series “Being Human,” which airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on the network.
After the airing of four episodes in its second season, which premiered Jan. 16, viewership has increased by 27% in Adults 18-49 and by 35% in Adults 25-54, as well as a 15% hike in the amount of total viewers.
With newly-released Live +7 data factored in, the season two premiere of “Being Human” delivered a 1.7 HH rating representing 1.4 million Adults 25-54 (a series high for the demo and +18% over the first season premiere), 1.4 million Adults 18-49 (second highest ranking in the demo and +12% over the season one premiere) and 2.4 million total viewers (the second most-watched episode of any season and +3% over the season one premiere), according to a news release.
With women comprising 52% of the total audience for premiere episodes this season, the show remains Syfy’s most female-skewing scripted series ever.
Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington star in the show about a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf who share a Boston brownstone and work together to keep their supernatural secrets and resist individual temptations as they attempt to live as normal of lives as possible.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Sam Witwer in "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
“Being Human”: Second season begins tumultuously
From left, Meaghan Rath, Sam Witwer and Sam Huntington of "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
The second season of the Syfy series “Being Human” begins as angst-ridden as the first season – lots of drama and turmoil abound in the lives of a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost trying to live “normal” lives.
Aidan (Sam Witwer) is trying to keep some control over the vampires in Boston after Bishop’s death and is given an offer he can’t refuse involving a figure from his past – an agreement that could very well turn him back into the vicious being he once was.
Josh (Sam Huntington) is contemplating going to medical school as he works on his relationship with Nora (Kristen Hager), who is worrying about her own future after being scratched by Josh.
Sally (Meaghan Rath) makes some new ghostly friends who teach her some skills that when implemented can have good or very bad consequences.
This show continues to be compelling and the character of Sally is much more interesting as she is given more to explore at the start of the second season.
Witwer keeps viewers rooting for vampire Aidan as he tries to stay on the right path as obstacle after obstacle keeps getting thrown his way and Huntington succeeds at making werewolf Josh sympathetic as he tries to maintain a relationship and build a new life for himself and his love.
Huntington, Rath and Witwer make up a winning combination of actors who, while deftly delving into the drama, manage to also bring some humor to lighten up the seriousness of their characters’ situations at just the right times.
“Being Human” returns at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 on Syfy.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
James Bond marathon: Celebrate Thanksgiving with 15 of the spy’s movies, Nov. 23-25, on Syfy
Daniel Craig as James Bond - AP Photo/Sony Pictures
Syfy is set to air 15 James Bond movies, featuring stars including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23, with the midnight showing of “You Only Live Twice,” according to a news release.
The centerpiece of the network’s Thanksgiving programming is the world premiere of the Saturday Original Movie “Storm War,” which airs at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26.
In a synopsis of the movie provided by Syfy, two rival brothers learn that their father, a brilliant but deranged scientist, has created diabolical
weather weapons which he unleashes on his enemies – and the city of Washington, DC.
Stacy Keach (American History X) and Jason London (Dazed and Confused) star in “Storm War,” and the film is a production of Active Entertainment.
On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, the 007 marathon, which includes “Thunderball,” “Goldfinger,” “Die Another Day,” “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Quantum of Solace,” airs from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., continuing on Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 a.m. with six additional Bond films airing throughout the day.
Syfy wraps up the holiday weekend with all-day movies on Sunday, Nov. 26, including the network premieres of “The Invisible” at 2 p.m., “An American Werewolf in London” at 4 p.m. and “Drag Me to Hell” at 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving weekend is just the beginning of the holiday programming festivities on Syfy, with the second annual Countdown to Christmas Week (Dec. 4-10) featuring the original miniseries “Neverland,” holiday episodes of “Eureka,” “Warehouse 13,” “Haven” and “Ghost Hunters,” as well as the Christmas-themed Saturday Original Movie “Snowmageddon.”
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Sean Connery as James Bond - Provided Photo
Syfy’s “Being Human” returns Jan. 16
From left, Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath and Sam Witwer of "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
The 13-episode second season of the Syfy drama “Being Human” will premiere at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, according to a news release.
Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington star in the series about a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf trying to live as normally as they possibly can.
The beginning of the second season, as described in this synopsis by Syfy, is as follows:
Aidan tries to steer a leaderless Boston while resisting his deadlier vampire instincts as he finds himself tempted and tormented by a figure from his past. Sally must face the consequences of missing her door while figuring out how to navigate life on earth as a ghost. Josh searches for a cure for his condition while struggling to maintain his relationship with Nora and, like the rest of his roommates, trying to build a future for himself beyond simply being a monster.
Dichen Lachman (“Dollhouse”) and Kyle Schmid (“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) are among the guest stars this season.
“Being Human,” based on the British series created by Toby Whithouse and produced by Touchpaper, is a Muse Entertainment production in association with ZODIAK USA.
Michael Prupas (“The Kennedys, Pillars of the Earth”), Jeremy Carver (“Supernatural”) and Anna Fricke (“Men in Trees, “Everwood”), Adam Kane
(“The Mentalist,” “Heroes”), and Rob Pursey and Toby Whithouse serve as executive producers, while Carver and Fricke are also writers and showrunners of “Being Human.”
Series producer is Irene Litinsky.
“Alphas” renewed for second season
From left, Ryan Cartwright, Laura Mennell, Warren Christie, Malik Yoba, David Strathairn, and Azita Ghanizada of "Alphas" - Syfy Photo
Syfy’s new original drama “Alphas,” centered on a team of superhuman investigators, has been renewed for a second season, according to a news release.
Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of the series, produced by Universal Cable Productions and BermanBraun Television, to be broadcast in 2012.
The show, which focuses on a clandestine group of ordinary people with unique neurological conditions that equip them with extraordinary physical abilities, stars David Strathairn, Malik Yoba, Warren Christie, Azita Ghanizada, Ryan Cartwright and Laura Mennell.
“Alphas,” created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow, airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on Syfy.
“Alphas” is a suitable addition to Syfy lineup
From left, Ryan Cartwright, Laura Mennell, Malik Yoba, David Strathairn, Warren Christie and Azita Ghanizada - Syfy Photo
“Alphas” is a new Syfy series about a group consisting of ordinary people who each possess a unique ability and who have been brought together to work on a team within the U.S. Department of Defense.
The main characters are:
- Cameron Hicks (Warren Christie), a former Army sniper and minor league baseball pitcher who has hyperkinesis. He has flawless aim and enhanced dexterity.
- Bill Harken (Malik Yoba), a former FBI agent who is hyperadrenal. He has enhanced strength from fight or flight response.
- Rachel Pirzad (Azita Ghanizada), a shy young woman whose parents believed her ability was a curse and have dissuaded her from using it. She is a synesthete, so she can hyper-intensify her senses one at a time.
- Gary Bell (Ryan Cartwright), a high-functioning autistic and a transducer. He can read electromagnetic wavelengths.
- Nina Theroux (Laura Mennell), a sophisticated charmer and an influencer. She has had trouble forming strong relationships with others because of her ability. She can override the willpower of others, so she’s unsure if someone’s feelings for her are authentic or influenced.
- Dr. Lee Rosen (David Strathairn), a neurologist and psychiatrist. He found this group of people with extraordinary capabilities and is a nurturing leader to them as they investigate cases that point to others with Alpha traits.
This comic book-type show, co-written by Zak Penn “(X-Men: The Last Stand”,) and Michael Karnow, is mostly engaging as these average, every-day people work together despite their diverse personalities and use their special skills to solve crimes.
In addition, the performances are strong, particularly the superb David Strathairn, who’s always an acting asset; and Ryan Cartwright is also entertaining in his role as Gary.
“Alphas” premieres with a 90-minute episode at 9 p.m. Monday on Syfy.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Syfy renews “Destination Truth” for fifth season
Josh Gates of "Destination Truth" - Syfy Photo
Josh Gates will be traveling to the farthest corners of the earth for a fifth season of the Syfy series “Destination Truth,” with seven episodes scheduled to premiere on the network in early 2012.
Production has begun on season five of the globetrotting investigating reality series and includes trips to: a remote Transylvanian village on a search for vampires; the reportedly haunted Mayan ruins of Tikal in Guatemala; and into one of the world’s largest caves in the jungles of Vietnam to search for phantoms, according to a news release.
A first-time visit for the show to Kazakhstan will also be covered; as well as a return trip to a haunted forest in Romania due to an overwhelming request by fans.
Brad Kuhlman is executive producer for “Destination Truth” for Ping Pong Productions, with Josh Gates and Erin Ryder serving as co-executive producers.
Syfy’s “Being Human” renewed for second season
From left, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington and Sam Witwer of "Being Human" - Syfy Photo by Phillippe Bosse
Syfy has ordered a second season of its drama series “Being Human,” starring Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath and Sam Witwer, according to a news release.
The show, a remake of the British program of the same name, is about three supernatural roommates – a werewolf, Josh (Huntington); a ghost, Sally (Rath); and a vampire, Aidan (Witwer) – trying to live the most normal lives they can.
“Being Human” airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on Syfy.
Keira Knightley to voice Tinker Bell in “Neverland” on Syfy
Keira Knightley - AP Photo
Keira Knightley has joined the cast of Syfy’s four-hour live action television movie “Never Land” as the voice of Tinker Bell.
The film is a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s classic “Peter Pan” and is written and directed by Nick Willing.
Other cast members include Rhys Ifans, Anna Friel, Bob Hoskins Charles Dance, Raoul Trujillo and Charlie Rowe.
Knightly will record her role as the magical tree spirit this spring, with “Neverland” scheduled to air in December.
The synopsis of the film, provided by Syfy, is as follows:
Sweeping in time from the turbulent seas of the pirates of the Caribbean to the back alleys of Dickensian London to a world of pure imagination,
“Neverland” is the inspired origin story of one of the most cherished characters of all time… Peter Pan.
Peter (Rowe), along with his pals of young pickpockets, have been rounded up by their mentor Jimmy Hook (Ifans) to snatch a magical orb which transports them to another world – Neverland. Filled with white jungles and imposing cities formed out of trees created by Dr. Fludd (Dance) and inhabited by a colony of tree spirits led by Tinker Bell (Knightley), this mysterious realm welcomes unknown friends and enemies snatched from time. These include power-mad Elizabeth Bonny (Friel) and her band of 18th century pirates who search for the answer to eternal youth, a secret guarded by a Holy Man (Trujillo). As the fight to save this strange and beautiful world escalates, Peter and his crew consider that growing old somewhere in time could be less important than growing up—right here in their new home called Neverland.
Oklahoma native is contestant on new Syfy reality competition series “Face Off”
Henryetta native and "Face Off" competitor Bryan "Tate" Steinsiek - Syfy Photo by Isabella Vosmikova
New reality competition series, “Face Off,” premiering at 9 p.m. Jan. 26 on Syfy, will include Henryetta native Bryan “Tate” Steinsiek as a contestant.
The show will introduce 12 up-and-coming make-up artists who will face off in Los Angeles in a series of elaborate challenges that will determine just who has the steady artistic hand to be the country’s next great SFX artist, according to a Syfy news release.
For their first spotlight elimination challenge, contestants have to use their imagination to come up with an entirely new species, a human/animal hybrid, based on one of three exotic animals brought into their workspace lab – a beetle, an ostrich or an elephant.
Then the contestants will work in teams of two to execute their creative visions, making use of special skills such as molding, sculpting, prosthetics and an involved application process on live models.
Other elimination challenges will include applying full body make-up to nude subjects, coming up with a concept for a creature that would inhabit a newly discovered planet, making an original horror villain and converting a “bride” into a “groom” and a “groom” into a “bride.”
McKenzie Westmore, who is a member of a multi-generational family in the make-up effects field, is host of the series.
Judges are three-time Academy Award winner Ve Neill, special make-up effects artist Glenn Hetrick and creature designer/film director Patrick Tatopoulos.
Throughout the competition, some of the industry’s most experienced artists will appear as guest juges, including Sean Cunningham (“Friday the 13th”), body painter Filippo Ioco, Greg Nicotero (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) and Michael Westmore (“Star Trek: The Next Generation.”)
The 12 “Face Off” competitors will face elimination each week.
The winning SFX artist will collect $100,000 and a year’s supply of make-up courtesy of Alcone.
The list of contestants is as follows:
- Megan Areford, 24 – Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
- Marcel Banks, 24 – Hometown: Tacoma, WA
- Samantha “Sam” Cobb, 32 – Hometown: Decatur, GA
- Tom Devlin, 29 – Hometown: East Stroudsberg, PA
- Sergio Cuerra, 31 – Hometown: San Antonio, TX.
- Kayla “Jo” Holland, 21 – Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii
- Gage Hubbard, 26 – Hometown: Willard, Utah
- Frank Ippolito, 32 – Hometown: Cleveland, OH
- Jessica Kramer, 26 – Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
- Conor McCullagh, 40 – Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Anthony Pepe, 35 – Hometown: Queens, NY
- Bryan “Tate” Steinsiek, 31 – Hometown: Henryetta, OK.
To meet the “Face Off” cast and/or to see photo galleries and video, go to www.syfy.com/faceoff.
