Syfy first announced in April 2013 that it would be developing the Arthur C. Clarke sci-fi classic Childhood’s End to miniseries, and last month gave us the great news that the project had been given the green light for the production to air in 2015. Now we have the exceptional news of the casting of the lead, alien Overlord Karellen: Charles Dance.
The former Tywin Lannister of Game of Thrones adds this to his busy schedule which, as we told you last month, currently includes joining Matt Smith in the upcoming movie version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Here are the deets about the new role and the latest on the production of Childhood’s End:
SYFY AND UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE EMMY NOMINEE CHARLES DANCE WILL STAR AS THE ALIEN OVERLORD KARELLEN IN UPCOMING TELEVISION EVENT CHILDHOOD’S END
SIX-HOUR MINISERIES WILL AIR ON SYFY IN 2015
NEW YORK – October 27, 2014 – Syfy and Universal Cable Productions today announced that Emmy nominee Charles Dance, whose numerous credits include Game of Thrones, Phantom of the Opera, Jewel in the Crown and Bleak House, will play the lead role of the alien Overlord “Karellen” in the upcoming six-hour miniseries Childhood’s End.
Adapted from Arthur C. Clarke’s classic novel, Childhood’s End will premiere on Syfy in 2015. Childhood’s End follows the peaceful invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords. Karellen (Dance), the ambassador for the Overlords, makes first contact with Earthling Ricky Stormgren. Karellen’s comforting words and amazing technological gifts quickly win humanity’s favor, beginning decades of apparent utopia at the cost of human identity and culture. However, his refusal to reveal his physical appearance and insistence on dealing only through Ricky have some people questioning whether his intentions are truly benevolent.
In making the announcement, Bill McGoldrick, Executive Vice President, Original Content, Syfy, said: “We are thrilled that Charles has picked Childhood’s End following his amazing work in Game of Thrones.”
Akiva Goldsman (Lone Survivor, A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend) and Mike DeLuca (Captain Philips, Moneyball, The Social Network) will serve as executive producers. Alissa Phillips (Moneyball, Mob City) is co-executive producer. Childhood’s End will be adapted by Matthew Graham (creator of BBC‘s Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes). Universal Cable Productions will be the studio.
The miniseries will be directed by Nick Hurran, who received an Emmy Award nomination for Sherlock and a Hugo Award nomination for Doctor Who.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. (Syfy. Imagine Greater.)
Childhood’s End, starring Charles Dance, will air in 2015 on Syfy.
