12 Monkeys (TV series)
12 Monkeys | |
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Genre |
Science fiction Mystery |
Based on | 12 Monkeys |
Developed by |
Terry Matalas Travis Fickett |
Starring | |
Composer(s) |
|
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
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Location(s) | |
Running time | 40–47 minutes |
Production company(s) | |
Distributor | NBCUniversal Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | Syfy |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | January 16, 2015 – present |
External links | |
Official website |
12 Monkeys is an American television series on Syfy created by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett.[1] It is a science fiction mystery drama loosely based on the 1995 film of the same name, directed by Terry Gilliam, which itself was based on Chris Marker's 1962 short film La Jetée. The series premiered on January 16, 2015.[2] On March 12, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season that premiered on April 18, 2016.[3][4] On June 29, 2016, the series was renewed for a 10-episode third season, set to premiere in 2017.[5]
Premise
Time traveler James Cole (Aaron Stanford) travels from the year 2043 to the present day to stop the release of a deadly virus by the enigmatic organization known as "The Army of the Twelve Monkeys". That virus, in Cole's original timeline, caused the death of 93.6% of the world population. Cole will be helped by the brilliant virologist Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull) and a math genius with psychological issues, Jennifer Goines (Emily Hampshire) whose father, Leland Goines (Zeljko Ivanek), Cole has killed.
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | ||||
1 | 13 | January 16, 2015 | April 10, 2015 | ||
2 | 13 | April 18, 2016 | July 18, 2016 | ||
3 | 10[6] | 2017[6] | 2017[6] |
Cast and characters
Main
- Aaron Stanford as James Cole, the chrononaut who wants to save the human race, and redeem himself from his troubled past
- Amanda Schull as Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Railly, a virologist who leaves a message for future about the origins of the plague.
- Kirk Acevedo as José Ramse, Cole's best friend
- Noah Bean as Aaron Marker (season 1; guest season 2), Cassandra's former partner and political insider
- Todd Stashwick as Theodore Deacon (season 2; recurring season 1), leader of a brutal group of survivors called the West VII[7]
- Emily Hampshire as Jennifer Goines (season 2; recurring season 1), daughter of Leland Goines, and a math genius who meets Cole in a psych ward[7][8]
- Barbara Sukowa as Katarina Jones (née Werner) (season 2; recurring season 1), the operator of the time machine[7]
Recurring
- Tom Noonan as the Pallid Man, the villain who is the face of the Army of the Twelve Monkeys
- Demore Barnes as Marcus Whitley, one of the few remaining soldiers of the U.S. military[9]
- Romina D'Ugo as Max, a member of the West VII connected to Cole and Ramse[9]
- Ramon de Ocampo as Oliver Peters, Markridge Group's medical researcher
- Alisen Down as Olivia, a high-ranking member of the Army of the Twelve Monkeys and sister of the Pallid Man
- Amy Sloan as Elena (season 1), mother of Ramse's son
- Michael Hogan as Dr. Vance Eckland (season 2), a charismatic and intelligent scientist from the future[7]
- Scottie Thompson as Mantis (season 2), a calculating and menacing time traveler, and mother of the Pallid Man and Olivia[10]
- Jay Karnes as Robert Gale (season 2), a savvy 1940s FBI agent who believes a series of grisly murders may have something to do with Cole, whom he suspects might not be from this time[11]
- Andrew Gillies as Adler (season 2), a Project Splinter scientist
- Xander Berkeley as Jonathan Foster (seasons 1–2), leader of Spearhead
- Brooke Williams as Hannah Jones (season 2), Katarina and Elliot Jones' biological daughter
Development
Syfy announced the development of a television adaptation of 12 Monkeys for the first time on July 2013, giving the project a pilot order just a month later, on August 26, 2013.[12] Production began in November 2013. Due to the series being labeled as "cast contingent", the series did not move forward until the roles of Cole and Goines were cast.[13] On April 4, 2014, Syfy green-lit the first season,[14] which consists of 13 episodes, including the pilot filmed in 2013. The pilot was written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett, who had written for the series Terra Nova, and was directed by Jeffrey Reiner, while Natalie Chaidez served as showrunner. Matalas presented the new series as a "complete reimagining" of the film and not just a remake, citing Looper as an inspiration for the time-travel visual effects.[1] The series premiered on January 16, 2015, and was renewed for a second season on March 12, 2015, with the current co-executive producers Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett stepping in for Natalie Chaidez.[15]
Produced by Universal Cable Productions and Atlas Entertainment, principal photography takes place in Toronto.[16]
Reception
Critical
The first season of 12 Monkeys has received mixed to positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a score 74 percent. The critics consensus for season 1 reads: "The nonsensical time travel in 12 Monkeys makes it less watchable than its original source material, but the high quality execution and cool characters are top-notch."[17] Christine Seghers wrote for IGN: "What started as a simple "let's go back and fix this" story soon blossomed into a deep philosophical mediation on the concept of predestination versus free will. If you wanted it. The show is also an awful lot of fun."[18]
Broadcast
Syfy UK acquired regional broadcasting rights and 12 Monkeys premiered in the UK on February 27, 2015.[19]
References
- 1 2 Ng, Philiana (July 14, 2014). "'12 Monkeys' Producer on Syfy Series: 'It's a Complete Reimagining'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 9, 2014). "'12 Monkeys' to Premiere Friday, January 16 at 9PM on Syfy". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ↑ Roots, Kimberly (March 12, 2015). "12 Monkeys Renewed for Season 2". TV Line. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ↑ Assassin (January 7, 2016). "12 Monkeys - Season 2 - Premiere Date Announced + First Look Photo". SpoilerTV.
- ↑ Abrams, Natalie (June 29, 2016). "12 Monkeys renewed for season 3 — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Abrams, Natalie (June 29, 2016). "12 Monkeys renewed for season 3 — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Natalie Abrams (July 11, 2015). "Comic Con 2015: 12 Monkeys lands Battlestar Galactica vet in season 2". EW. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ↑ Rebecca Iannucci (March 13, 2015). "TVLine Items: Syfy's Newest Monkey, Diddy Does black-ish and More". TVLine. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- 1 2 "Syfy's 12 Monkeys Adds Rookie Blue Vet, Originals Alum and Two Others — TVLine". TVLine.
- ↑ Denise Petski (August 3, 2015). "Tanc Sade Joins Showtime Pilot 'Roadies'; Scottie Thompson In Syfy's '12 Monkeys'". Deadline. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ↑ Natalie Abrams (August 10, 2015). "12 Monkeys lands Downton Abbey, The Shield alums for season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 26, 2013). "'12 Monkeys' Adaptation Gets Pilot Order at Syfy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ↑ Lynette Rice (August 26, 2013). "SyFy orders '12 Monkeys' pilot". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (April 4, 2014). "'12 Monkeys' Adaptation Lands Series Order at Syfy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 4, 2014). "Syfy Greenlights 12 Episodes of '12 Monkeys' (Updated)". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 29, 2014). "Syfy's '12 Monkeys' To Commence Series Production in Toronto". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
- ↑ "12 Monkeys - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ "12 Monkeys: Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Syfy Sets UK Premiere Date For '12 Monkeys'". TVWise. December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2015.