Ever since we heard about Ron Moore‘s Syfy series set in a lab in the arctic, Helix, we’ve all been dying to get more info. We have the synopsis – there’s an outbreak in the lab, and it will have global impact – and have seen the lovely, stylized teasers, but we needed more.
We got a big boost last week when Syfy invited the press to the set of the show. I’m telling you right now, it is exceptional. Here for your perusal is a first good long look at the labs and quarters of the mysterious Arctic Biosystems, followed by a fact sheet about the series.
Uh oh, that looks like – A VENT. If we took away nothing else from the tour, it was that THE VENTS are very important. VERY. IMPORTANT.
The tour was lead by director Brad Turner and Helix creator Cameron Porsandeh. The decontamination chamber – with the red lights and fog – was very cool, but I couldn’t help but notice that the floor in the next room had a real DHARMA feel to it. But that’s probably just me.
Next is a shot of creator Cameron Porsandeh, followed by a look at the generic setup for quarters. Various elements will be taken in and out to tailor it for each person. Then we got a look at A LOT of vents…
The last part of the tour – at least the last part that isn’t currently embargoed by Syfy – is of Dr. Hatake’s quarters. He’s the head of the Arctic Biosystems lab.
Yes, yes that is a vent in Dr. Hatake’s office. Uh oh.
ABOUT HELIX
Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic, Arctic Biosystems, to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that may hold the key to mankind’s salvation or total annihilation. However, the lethal threat is just the tip of the iceberg, and as the virus evolves, the chilling truth begins to unravel.
The 13-episode Syfy drama is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander), Steven Maeda (Lost, The X-Files) who is also showrunner, and Lynda Obst (Sleepless in Seattle, Contact). Cameron Porsandeh, who wrote the pilot, will serve as a Co-Executive Producer.
Billy Campbell (The Killing, Killing Lincoln) stars as Dr. Alan Farragut, leader of the Centers for Disease Control outbreak field team called upon to investigate and control a potential outbreak. Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, 47 Ronin) also stars as Dr. Hiroshi Hatake, director of Arctic Biosystems and its mysterious viral research program.
Helix also stars Kyra Zagorsky (Supernatural) as Dr. Julia Walker, Mark Ghanimé (Emily Owens, M.D.) as Major Sergio Balleseros, Jordan Hayes (House at the End of the Street) as Dr. Sarah Jordan, Meegwun Fairbrother as Daniel Aerov, Catherine Lemieux (White House Down) as Dr. Doreen Boyle and Neil Napier (Riddick) as Dr. Peter Farragut.
Prolific director and producer Jeffrey Reiner is directing the premiere episode of Helix. Reiner directed multiple episodes of notable television series such as the critically acclaimed and award-winning Friday Night Lights, Awake and The Event.
Helix is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Kaji Productions and Lynda Obst Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.
We’ll have much more for you about Helix in the days and weeks to come, including some great info in an exclusive interview with the show’s creator, Cameron Porsandeh. Until then, don’t forget to use that hand sanitizer.
Helix, starring Billy Campbell, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kyra Zagorsky, Mark Ghanimé, Jordan Hayes, Meegwun Fairbrother, Catherine Lemieux and Neil Napier, premieres in 2014 on Syfy.
