We first told you back in July about Syfy giving the green light to the pilot Dominion, based on characters in the 2010 film Legion. Back then we had little to go on besides a sketchy paragraph about it being set 25 years in the future after an epic war between an army of angels and humankind.
Now we have more, including not only the casting of three major characters (at least two of whom are likely familiar to you) but a lot more in the way of plot and character detail.
Although I’m completely enthusiastic and encouraging about this pilot, the fact that one of the actors, Christopher Egan, was also cast in the pilot Gothica as Dorian Gray proves that casting a pilot by no means guarantees its pickup to series.
You have been warned; get excited about this, but don’t fall in love just yet:
SYFY CASTS CHRISTOPHER EGAN, TOM WISDOM AND ALAN DALE FOR DOMINION
EGAN TO PLAY “ALEX LANNEN,” WISDOM IS “MICHAEL” AND DALE IS “GENERAL RYSEN” IN SUPERNATURAL SERIES PILOT PRODUCED BY UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS
NEW YORK – September 6, 2013 – Syfy announces the first casting for its upcoming supernatural drama pilot, Dominion, with the signings of Christopher Egan, Tom Wisdom and Alan Dale. Produced by Universal Cable Productions, the pilot is set to begin shooting later this month in Cape Town, South Africa.
Based on characters from the hit theatrical film Legion (2010), Dominion is an epic supernatural action drama set 25 years after the events of the movie and picking up in the aftermath of a catastrophic war between an army of angels and mankind that has transformed the world. The series follows the perilous journey of a rebellious young soldier who discovers he’s the unlikely savior of humanity, set against a backdrop of the ultimate celestial battle as it touches down on earth.
Scott Stewart, who co-wrote and directed Legion, is back to direct the pilot, and is one of the project’s Executive Producers. Michel Litvak and David Lancaster of Bold Films, who produced the film Legion, are also Executive Producers. Vaun Wilmott wrote the pilot and is Co-Executive Producer.
Christopher Egan plays “Alex Lannen,” an orphan with both a rebellious and protective streak. Handsome, heroic and fearless, Alex is classified as a “grunt” soldier in Michael’s Archangel Corp but he is destined for more than his lowly classification in Vega’s post-Extermination War society might indicate.
Among his long list of film and television credits in the US and Australia, Christopher Egan was the lead in Ryan Murphy’s pilot Pretty Handsome for HBO, and went on to star in the NBC series, Kings. He played the lead opposite Amanda Seyfried in Gary Winnick’s Letters to Juliet for Summit. Most recently, he starred in ABC pilots Poe, Beauty and the Beast, and Gothica. Christopher is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, and lawyer Karl Austen.
Tom Wisdom plays “Michael,” the greatest of the warrior archangels. Scarred by millennia of battle, Michael is stoic, inscrutable and haunted. Instrumental in helping humanity defeat the angels during the Extermination War, Michael is now entrenched in Vega, using his superior supernatural abilities to defend the city’s inhabitants from enemy attacks.
Tom Wisdom is a British theater, film and television actor. His feature film credits include 300, Pirate Radio, Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 and The Lightkeepers co-starring Richard Dreyfuss. This fall he co-stars as Count Paris in Romeo and Juliet with Hailee Steinfeld, Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. Wisdom also starred in the U.K. television movie Sword of Honour and played a recurring role on the series, Above Suspicion. He is represented by UTA, Emptage Hallett, and Affirmative Entertainment.
Alan Dale plays “Rysen,” the general who led the humans to victory against the angels during the “Extermination War.” Responsibilities weigh heavily upon him as ruler of Vega (once known as Las Vegas), one of four cities left standing after the war. He now finds himself negotiating politics in the heavily militarized city, maintaining calm over its stratified society and keeping a watchful eye on his daughter, Claire.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Alan Dale began his acting career in Australia. On American television he has played regular roles on The OC and Ugly Betty, as well as recurring and guest starring roles on Lost, 24, NCIS, Entourage, The Killing, Hot in Cleveland and Once Upon a Time. On the big screen he has appeared in the feature films Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Star Trek Nemesis. He can also be seen in the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the independent film, Grace. Dale was also onstage in London’s West End production of Spamalot. Dale is represented by APA and Management 360.
About Bold Films
Bold Films is an independent production and film finance company dedicated to providing an artistic haven for filmmakers. The company recently wrapped its third production with Academy Award®-nominated actor Ryan Gosling on HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER. The film, which marks Gosling’s debut as writer and director, stars Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan, Ben Mendelsohn and Eva Mendes.Current recent releases include ONLY GOD FORGIVES, directed by Nicolas Refn and starring Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas and EVIDENCE, starring Stephen Moyer, Radha Mitchell, Torrey DeVitto and Caitlin Stasey. Bold also produced the award-winning film DRIVE.
In October, the company will begin production on NIGHTCRAWLER, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo. Dan Gilroy wrote the script and is directing the film. Bold will also produce and finance WHIPLASH, the next feature from emerging writer-director Damien Chazelle. Bold will produce the film alongside Blumhouse Productions and Right of Way Films. Bold recently announced that the company is financing and producing THE COUP, starring Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan. The action thriller was written by Drew Dowdle and John Erick Dowdle and will be directed by John Erick Dowdle.
About Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across multiple media platforms and outlets for domestic and international distribution. UCP produces “Covert Affairs,” “Playing House,” “Psych,” “Royal Pains” and “Suits” for USA; “Defiance,” and “Warehouse 13” for Syfy and “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” for distribution on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray. Universal Cable Productions is a division of NBCUniversal.About Syfy
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 more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
We’ll keep you posted…