Syfy channel pairs science fiction with MMO in new series, ‘Defiance’

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Syfy channel pairs science fiction with MMO in new series, ‘Defiance’
March 14th, 2012
Acquanetta Ferguson
Examiner.com

In news today, March 14, Syfy has announced a more casting news for their upcoming science fiction drama called Defiance.

Added to the cast are Julie Benz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dexter), Stephanie Leonidas (White Chapel), Tony Curran (The Invisible Man, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), and Jaime Murray (Warehouse 13, Spartacus: Gods in the Arena, Ringer). They are joining Grant Bowler who some of you may remember from True Blood as the werewolf biker Cooter as well as a love interest to Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty.

Very impressive and interesting cast, but not only that, Defiance is the first-ever series to unite television and MMO gaming. The pilot, slated to commence production this April in Toronto, is directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest), and written/executive produced by Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape), Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica; Hellcats) & Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica). Kevin Murphy serves as showrunner.

This actually may be Syfy channels most impressive series so far and I for one am most excited to see this. Granted the show is not out yet, but for science fiction fans this is the type of show that most of us can sink our teeth into.

Defiance is set in the near future, Defiance introduces a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Forced to co-habitate, the disparate group struggles to build a new society among the devastation. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story.

But, for those of us who are not into the MMO’s or video games, can this show still appeal to the average person? So far I am on board because the story sounds that intriguing, even if there is a gaming element to it.

What do you think?