Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Alphas (TV)

12/7/10 - Syfy has given a green light to action series Alphas from writers Zak Penn and Michael Karnow, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  Alphas follows a team of seemingly ordinary citizens with extraordinary mental and physical abilities who become an unofficial crime solvers, uncovering what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able, or willing, to solve.  David Strathairn headlines the cast which also includes Warren Christie, Malik Yoba, Laura Mennell, Ryan Cartwright and Azita Ghanizada. Callum Keith Rennie guest stars in the pilot.  Syfy has ordered eleven episodes plus the 90-minute pilot directed by Jack Bender.  Production begins early next year in Toronto for debut next summer.  Executive Producers are Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun and Penn.

7/29/10 – Syfy announced additional casting for its pilot Alphas, inking actors Malik Yoba and Laura Mennell to co-star in the wry action-adventure project from writers Zak Penn and Michael Karnow.  Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun Television and will be directed by Jack Bender. It is slated to commence production next month in Toronto.  Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens whose brain anomalies imbue them with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. Taking the law into their own hands, the unlikely team, led by Dr. Lee Rosen (David Strathairn) investigates cases that suggest other Alpha activity to uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.  Yoba plays Alphas team member Bill Harken, a former FBI agent from working class roots. Harken's Alpha skill allows him to intentionally activate a "fight-or-flight mechanism" producing a power surge of adrenaline giving him increased strength, speed and immunity from pain.  Mennell plays the complicated Alpha team member Nina Theroux. Seductive, intelligent and confident, Nina's Alpha ability allows her to influence people into doing whatever she wishes but her power can sometimes spin out of control. Her skill also comes with a personal drawback in that she can never be sure if anyone's feelings for her are real. Nina was the first team member enlisted by Dr. Rosen to whom she remains extremely loyal.

6/21/10 - NBC is to shoot its Syfy action-adventure pilot Alphas in Toronto, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The 90-minute pilot, executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television, will shoot at the Cinespace Film Studios facility.  The Syfy pilot has Jack Bender as director and executive producer, working off a script from writers Zak Penn and Michael Karnow.  Alphas portrays a team of ordinary people with superior mental skills that take the law into their own hands.

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