When we learned that Kudos, the folks that brought us MI-5, Hustle and Life on Mars, were planning to try their hand at sci-fi, we rather expected a romp in space. The very idea of humans embarking in spaceships to continue life as we know it on some amenable planet out there used to be imbued with optimism and faith in a can-do attitude. Nowadays we’re more aware of the possible complications. Remember how chaos theory took the much of the joy out of meeting real live dinosaurs in Jurassic Park? In the opening episode of Outcasts, it becomes clear from the point of view of Mitchell Hoban (Jamie Bamber, Law & Order UK, Battlestar Gallactica) that mistakes have been made, and President Richard Tate (Liam Cunningham, Shooting the Past, Clash of the Titans) already has secrets to suppress. Our trailblazers seem to be on the road to dystopia, but dystopia is not a dirty word in science fiction. Series fans concede that it’s a slow burner, but the pay-off is worth it. Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty, The L Word) and Hermione Norris (MI-5, Wire in the Blood) also star. Watch for the premiere Saturday, June 18, on BBC America, and for the DVD, which will follow soon after the series run. Canadian broadcast details to follow when confirmed.
Don’t forget to watch the Doctor Who series premiere tomorrow night on BBC America and on Space in Canada.
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