Syfy Announces ‘Ringworld’, 'Helix' and more.

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Syfy is finally making more Science Fiction series. They announced multiple new projects to a group of advertisers yesterday at their annual Upfront event. Aside from the highly anticipated Defiance series which will be premiering next Monday, Syfy has been less known for Sci-Fi and has become more focused on wrestling and reality shows. While it does not appear that will be changing, at least they'll be re-embracing the genre that started their network. Here is a list of the new shows with some brief descriptions:.

Ringworld — A four-part mini-series with Michael Perry (The River, Paranormal Activity 2) tapped to write the project. The story centers on a team of deep space explorers who are on a mission to investigate a “mind-blowing” alien artifact called Ringworld. After crash landing on the structure, the team discovers the ruins of a highly advanced civilization that could hold the secrets to the origin of humankind, as well as the key to Earth’s salvation.

Childhood’s End — Executive produced by Michael DeLuca (The Social Network). The story focuses on the peaceful invasion of Earth by the Overlords, who bring about an end to all wars, creating an almost utopian atmosphere.

Helix — A team of scientists investigate a possible disease outbreak in an Arctic research facility and find themselves trying to protect the world from annihilation. Co-executive producer & writer: Cameron Porsandeh. Executive producers: Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica), Steven Maeda (Lost, CSI: Miami), Lynda Obst (Contact). Production company: Lynda Obst Pictures & Tall Ship Productions. Studio: Sony Pictures Television

Dominion (working title) – In this series (formerly called Legion), 20 years after evil angels descended from heaven to lay waste to the human souls they felt God had favored over them, a reluctant “savior” must arise to protect Vega, the last remaining stronghold of humanity. The savior has more to fear than just angels, as the elites of this new society conspire to gain power for themselves. Writer/CO-EP: Vaun Wilmott (Sons of Anarchy). Director/EP: Scott Stewart (Defiance). EP: David Lancaster. Studio: Sony Pictures Television. Based on the feature film “Legion’” produced by Bold Films.

Opposite Worlds — Opposite Worlds is based on the mega-sensation Latin American reality series, Mundos Opuestos, in which twenty people from all walks of life are mixed together in two opposing teams that live in two distinctly different worlds – the Past and the Future. The Future is a Utopia where every wish can be granted with a push of a button; the Past is a constant struggle for survival. Each week, players compete in a series of challenges to determine who lives in the Past and who lives in the Future, and fight to be the last man standing. Production company: Smart Dog Media. Executive producer: Craig Plestis. Format devised by Canal 13, Sergio Nakasone, Juan Pablo Planas and Veronica Ruaro.

Unbreakable — Based on The Death Race, an extreme endurance race held annually in Vermont, Unbreakable sets to test competitors’ inner resolve to persevere through mental and physical extremes. Nothing is as it seems in this competition, where contestants must navigate through a seemingly natural but altered environment full of obstacles and challenges. Testing each individual’s spirit to its limit, the contestants will either self-eliminate or fall by the wayside, until only one will remain to conquer all. Production company: Pilgrim Studios. Executive producers: Craig Piligian and Joe Desena

I'm glad to see that Ronald D. Moore is working with Syfy again. Considering how amazing Battlestar Galactica turned out, I have high expections for Helix.

Sources: TV Equals - Syfy.com/helix

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[Strider Hiryu 2,704]

Honestly anytime SyFy announces a new TV project I get very worried about it because if its good or remotely successful it gets cancelled after a few seasons (ex. Sanctuary and Alphas) or it's crappy and goes on forever (no real examples come to mind atm). Though I do admit Ringworld and Childhood's End sound rather interesting.

[Myk JL 1,731]

Honestly anytime SyFy announces a new TV project I get very worried about it because if its good or remotely successful it gets canceled after a few seasons (ex. Sanctuary and Alphas) or it's crappy and goes on forever (no real examples come to mind ATM). Though I do admit Ringworld and Childhood's End sound rather interesting.

 

WWE's Smackdown?....

 

I wonder how much Ringworld with have in common with Halo....

[Strider Hiryu 2,704]

Except Smackdown is not SyFy original programming. They just got the rights to show it on their network hence why I don't consider it their TV show. Wrestling is crappy no matter how you look at it on any network so honestly it's a bad example.

Edited April 13, 2013 by Strider Hiryu

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Most of Syfy's reality shows never seem to get canceled. I used to watch the Ghost Hunters series, but I lost interest in them after the first 5 seasons because of the constant sound effects and no cameras being positioned in the direction they were looking. That still aggravates me. Same with Scare Tactics. It was ok for the first couple seasons and then it just seemed to be the same thing over and over..

 

WWE's Smackdown?....

 

I wonder how much Ringworld with have in common with Halo....

 

When I read about Ringworld, I thought about Halo too. It makes me wonder if there will be any similarities. But unless Halo was inspired by an old 1970s scifi novel, it might be very different. *shrug*