Ridley Scott (Alien, Prometheus) has brought a series to the Science Channel that has given us something to watch on Wednesday nights, starting on November 9. Sir Ridley will narrate the series entitled Prophets of Science Fiction which will “profile great minds of science fiction who later inspired ‘science fact.’”
TV Guide reports that the first episode will profile Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. Other sci-fi icons to be chronicled include H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Jules Verne, and George Lucas. Four episodes will air in November, with the next four to be broadcast in February.
Here’s the terrific TV spot:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNpZmUjPL6E&hd=1[/youtube]
And here is the press release from earlier in the year when the project was officially greenlit:
Ridley Scott, the visionary mind behind iconic works of science fiction including Blade Runner and the Alien franchise, and epic adventures such as Gladiator, brings his unique expertise to Science Channel for the project PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION. The network today announced the greenlight of the eight-episode series that will profile great minds of science fiction who later inspired “science fact.” PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION explores legendary figures; including Isaac Asimov, Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas, and examines how their work often inspired future discoveries decades before they took place.
“I am thrilled to be partnering with Science Channel on this exciting new series. I hope that the audience will find the subjects as interesting and inspiring as I do,” said Scott.
The series, which will premiere in the second half of 2011, will engage audiences in a dynamic, hyper-stylized way that has yet to been seen before on television. Viewers will be taken on a tour of what was – and what will be – through the eyes of the ingenious authors, illustrators, filmmakers, and scientists who became PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION.
“Quite simply, Ridley Scott is a titan in the world of science fiction – and the perfect personification of PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION.” said Debbie Myers, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Science Channel. “Science Channel is thrilled to go on this journey with Ridley beyond imagination into the world of the unknown. Science is sparked by creativity, and the remarkable individuals we cover in this series actually inspired future generations of scientists.”
Sir Ridley says the series:
…will be the definitive exploration of science fiction’s ability to spark real-world genius… For years I have been fascinated with the connection between creative inspiration and scientific progress. Often there is an attempt to separate the worlds of art and science, when in reality the two are inseparably linked.
We at SciFi Mafia couldn’t agree more.
Prophets of Science Fiction premieres Wednesday, November 9 at 10/9c on the Science Channel.
