Syfy has two new and two returning series set for summer, 2014 – along with a startling documentary. It’s angels versus humans in new series Dominion, which follows season two of alien invasion series Defiance on July 19th; sci-fi make-up effects series Face Off returns July 22nd, and competitive magic series Wizard Wars debuts on August 19th.
The documentary Aliens on the Moon takes a look at what ‘really might have’ happened the day that we landed on the moon. For details, check out the press release following the jump.
SYFY’S SUMMER 2014 ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING FEATURES THE PREMIERES OF EPIC SUPERNATURAL DRAMA DOMINION AND COMPETITION SERIES WIZARD WARS
PLUS NEW SEASONS OF DEFIANCE AND FACE OFF
NEW YORK – May 28, 2014 – Syfy’s hot Summer 2014 original programming lineup will be led by the series premiere of Dominion (June 19); the second season return of the critically acclaimed Defiance (June 19); the Season 7 return of Face Off (July 22) and the debut of the competition series Wizard Wars (August 19).
Syfy will also celebrate America’s birthday with its annual July 4th Twilight Zone marathon from 8AM-8PM.
SYFY SUMMER 2014 ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS (All Times ET/PT)
ORIGINAL SERIES
DEFIANCE (SEASON 2 PREMIERE)
Returns Thursday, June 19 at 8PM – As the story of Defiance resumes, the lives of the townspeople are in drastic turmoil. The Earth Republic has assumed control of the town, with far-reaching consequences including a new mayor. Nolan traverses the badlands to find a lost Irisa, Amanda has an unexpected new role in the town as she searches for Kenya and the Tarr family desperately tries to keep control of their criminal empire in the midst of dramatic changes. Grant Bowler returns as Nolan, along with Julie Benz as Amanda Rosewater, Stephanie Leonidas as Irisa, Tony Curran as Datak Tarr, Jaime Murray as Stahma Tarr, Graham Greene as Rafe McCawley and Jesse Rath as Alak Tarr. The cast also features Dewshane Williams as Tommy, Trenna Keating as Doc Yewll, Justin Rain as Quentin McCawley and Nicole Munoz as Christie McCawley.
James Murray joins the cast in the integral role of Mayor Pottinger, the new mayor of Defiance. William Atherton also joins the cast to portray high-ranking Earth Republic official Viceroy Mercado, and Anna Hopkins will play the role of Earth Republic soldier and documentarian Jessica “Berlin” Rainier. Linda Hamilton will play the key recurring role of Pilar McCawley, the wife of Rafe McCawley (Greene) and mother to their three children.
Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica) resumes his role as executive producer and showrunner. “Smallville’s” Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin return as executive producers for season two and Michael Taylor serves as consulting producer. Michael Nankin (co-executive producer) directs the Season 2 opener.
DOMINION (SERIES PREMIERE)
Premieres Thursday, June 19 at 9PM – Based on characters from the hit theatrical film Legion (2010), Dominion is an epic supernatural drama set in the year 25 A.E. In this transformed post–apocalyptic future, an army of lower angels, assembled by the archangel Gabriel, has waged a war of possession against mankind. The archangel Michael, turning against his own kind, has chosen to side with humanity against Gabriel. Rising out of the ashes of the 25 year-long battle are newly fortified cities which protect the human survivors. In Vega (formerly Las Vegas), the largest of these cities, two houses vie for control and the stage is set for political upheaval and a dangerous power shift. Meanwhile, a rebellious young soldier begins a perilous journey as the war between the human race and the fallen angels hell-bent on their domination escalates. Dominion stars Christopher Egan (Kings), Tom Wisdom (300), Roxanne McKee (Game of Thrones), Alan Dale (Lost), Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Luke Allen-Gale (The Borgias).
Dominion, produced by Universal Cable Productions and Bold Films. The series is executive produced by Vaun Wilmott, Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer, along with executive producers Scott Stewart, who co-wrote and directed the feature film Legion, Michael Litvak and David Lancaster of Bold Films who produced the original film. Film Afrika serves as the local production entity in South Africa.
FACE OFF
(SEASON 7 PREMIERE)
Premieres Tuesday, July 22 at 9PM – The critically-acclaimed series Face Off returns for a high-stakes 7th season themed “Life and Death.” Each week the contestants will face creative challenges designed to inspire them to explore life, death, rebirth and mortality. Season 7 will also introduce new judge, Lois Burwell, a renowned Academy-Award winning makeup artist known for her work on Lincoln, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse and War of the Worlds. Face Off is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special-effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination that allows them to create amazing works of living art. As a member of the multi-generational family dynasty whose name is synonymous with the make-up effects field, actress McKenzie Westmore brings expertise to her role as host of the series. Some of SFX world’s most celebrated figures judge the competition – multiple Academy-Award winner Ve Neill (The Hunger Games, Pirates of the Caribbean), industry veteran Glenn Hetrick (CSI: New York, Heroes, Legion), and creature designer Neville Page (Avatar, Prometheus). World-renowned Hollywood makeup artist Michael Westmore (Star Trek) serves as the contestant mentor.
Face Off is a production of Mission Control Media with Dwight D. Smith, Michael Agbabian and Derek Atherton serving as executive producers.
WIZARD WARS (SERIES PREMIERE)
Premieres Tuesday, August 19th at 10PM – This competition series takes viewers behind the scenes of magic by challenging a new team of magicians each week to create the most jaw-dropping illusions using an array of random objects and transforming them into eye-popping miracles. The winning team of challengers in the first round then take on the expert "home team" of world-renowned wizards – two-time World Championship of Magic winner Gregory Wilson, Wynn Resort resident magician Shimshi; YouTube sensation Justin Flom, and internationally renowned mentalist Angela Funovits. Judges include Penn & Teller, Jason Latimer and Christen Gerhart. Production company: A. Smith & Co. (Hell’s Kitchen, Joe Rogan Questions Everything, America Ninja Warrior). Executive producers: Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Frank Sinton, Tim Eagan, Penn Jillette and Teller.
ORIGINAL SPECIAL
ALIENS ON THE MOON (DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE)
Premieres Sunday, July 20 at 9PM – July 20, 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of humanity’s first landing on the Moon. This two-hour documentary special goes beyond the “official” story to examine what really might’ve happened on that historic day. What did the astronauts encounter on the lunar surface? And what doesn’t the world’s governments want us to know?
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.(Syfy. Imagine Greater.)
Photos by Ilze Kitshoff, Joe Pugliese and Nicole Wilder/Courtesy of Syfy