Syfy has always been a network with a hodgepodge of programming, some of it great (long live Battlestar Galactica!) some of it truly horrendous (Sharknado, and some of its lesser TV series). But lately, Syfy has been ramping up production on some high-profile series, including The Expanse and Childhood’s End.

The Expanse, based on Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck’s bestselling book series of the same name, is set for a 10-episode first season that follows a detective (Thomas Jane) and a rogue ship’s captain (Steven Straight) 200 years in the future, as they investigate the case of a missing young women. The case expands into one that threatens to expose “the greatest conspiracy in human history,” and becomes a race across the solar system.

Mark Fergus and Hawk Osby (Iron Man) will serve as series writers, executive producers, and showrunners, with Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad) directing the first two episodes. Those episodes will debut in a two-night premiere Monday, December 14th and Tuesday, December 15th, before settling into a regular Tuesday night spot at 10 p.m. Check out the trailer here:


Childhood’s End, also based on a novel (by Arthur C. Clark), is set to run back-to-back as a six-part miniseries over three consecutive nights, starting December 14th at 8 p.m. According to a press release,

Childhood’s End follows the peaceful invasion of Earth by the alien Overlords, who promise to eliminate poverty, war and sickness – ushering in a golden age of peace, health and security for all of humankind. But why do the Overlords insist on hiding their appearance – and what do they ultimately want from Earth? While much of the world enjoys its newfound utopia, some suspect there’s a price to pay. As the truth about the Overlords’ intentions are revealed, humanity will discover its actual destiny may actually be a nightmare, instead of a dream.

The series stars Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Mike Vogel (Under the Dome), Daisy Betts (The Last Resort), Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck), Osy Ikhile (The Fear) and Colm Meaney (Star Trek: The Next Generation), and has been adapted by Matthew Graham (of the excellent British series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes), who is also serving as the writer and executive producer. Nick Hurran (Sherlock) will be directing the miniseries. You can check its trailer out here:


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Image via Syfy
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Image via Syfy