Let’s not waste any time here, Craig. Tell us what we can look forward to in this new season.

Craig: It’s literally hell on earth because the underworld has been opened now and the Keeper, which is Satan, if you will, is sending forth his minions. One thing we gotta watch out for are these things called Banelings, which are kind of like zombies. They’re basically people who get sent to the underworld and come back serving the Keeper, but they look exactly the same so you don’t know who to trust, what to do — how do you kill something that’s already dead.

For Richard’s character, he’s now been thrust into this new kind of world of leadership. You thought being the Seeker was hard enough but now he has to lead his enemies. Some of the Darkens are saying, you are our Lord Rahl, we’re going to follow you, what are you going to do? Now we’re not fighting each other, we’re fighting a bigger enemy; we’re fighting the devil.

I hear you have some great guest stars coming up this season.

Craig: Yes, Amy Teegarden from Friday Night Lights, Jolene Blalock from Star Trek. Oh, and Charisma Carpenter. I’m a massive Buffy and Angel fan so when she came on I was like, ohhh my god, I’ve now merged Buffy and my show together, this is a moment to remember. It’s great having these new flavors to spice things up.

So you a big fantasy fan before you joined the show?

Craig: Oh yeah, big time. I was that kid who everything single day was running around in the backyard pretending I was Ninja Turtle one day or Batman the next day or a Ghostbuster the next day or Kevin from Home Alone setting traps around my house or Luke Sykwalker on a speeder bike while I was on my bicycle. My imagination was absolutely wild. I would watch these films a million times and I would just love it. It’s really kind of crazy; Richard is kind of like that character I was pretending to be all those years ago.

Just when you thought you were too old to be running around with swords it comes right back at you and you get paid to do it.

IN THE MOOD

On the Season One DVD, you take us on a tour of the Legend of the Seeker sets. They’re so realistic, it must be easy to get into the mood of the piece.

Craig: Absolutely. We have a couple of massive studios. One is always a forest. You go in there and it’s literally a forest, you walk in and there’s a bit of work space but most of it is dirt and actual trees and we have to keep swapping them over every month because they die and get bugs. Then, you’re in a bar suddenly with all these extras dressed up in crazy outfits and all the crew is outside the bar and you look around and it’s actually kind of easy to imagine where we are. Then when we go outside and there are the real mountains and amazing lakes and sand dunes — we’re not shooting Jurassic Park 3 here. We can see what’s going on. We’re not talking to tennis balls all the time. Sure you gotta do it where you’ve got green screen you have to play off it, but it’s so much nicer when you’re sitting in the costume on the actual wagon that is made of real wood and brass with all the detail.

Your role is quite physically demanding. How did you take to it when you first began?

Craig: When Bridget and I got to New Zealand, we had about six weeks before we started shooting and in that time we could read the books for character research and we could also go horse riding to touch off on that and I wasn’t really good on a horse, I’d maybe been on a horse a couple of times. But these guys take it through like paint by numbers. Heels down, pull the reigns in and they’ll look at you and point out these tiny things and before you know it you’re riding a horse thanks to these amazing teachers.

The sword thing, as I mentioned, I was using a plastic sword for the first, give or take, ten years of my life and that kind of helped, believe it or not. If I was to step into a battle, I’d probably lose but to be able to make it look big and epic and have a little coordination came relatively easy to me, not to mention we have amazing stunt coordinators who choreograph these wonderful fights.

TAKING LIFE AS IT COMES

What’s been the best part of working on Legend of the Seeker?

Craig: That’s a tough question. I’ve never really been asked that. There’s so many pros. The schedule is incredibly grueling and when you’re tired, you’re tired. You can be a millionaire but when you’re tired that money ain’t gonna help you, you’re tired and you feel bad. But I look around and I go, this is fantastic. These are now my new family and friends. I had to go from Australia to here and we all get along really well. It’s such fast turn around, TV, you can’t spend so much time on things, we have to be moving fast and suddenly you’re doing a big life or death scene and then a fight scene and then go ride horses. It’s incredibly full on but enjoyable.

Are you as adventurous as your character?

Craig: I have a short attention span, if I’m in one place for a long time I have to move. I think, when I’m challenged with something I’ll try and rise to it but sometimes when you’re left on your own accord you could end up staying in one spot. You don’t know what’s out there so you just start assuming there’s nothing out there. Then suddenly someone will thrust you into something and it’s like, wow, I’m so glad I came here. Gosh, I think there’s nothing at all wrong with anyone saying, you know what, these three months I’m not going to work, I’m going to do it really cheap, I’m going to travel, rock up and see what happens. If you rock up with no expectations, you just go, this is life, life is about being here. . .I can’t really ask the world to give me anything, I’m just going to go and see what it is. . maybe things can happen.

Any final words?

Craig: If you can watch Legend of the Seeker, please watch it. We’ve had a fantasy void on our television for too long and I like to think of it as the fantasy void filler. Fantasy is a word that can throw people off. You say fantasy to my mom and she’s like, ‘no, not my thing.’ You say it to other people and they’re like, ‘it’s for dweebs and geeks, I’m not into wizards and dragons and all that stuff.’

But Legend of the Seeker is basically real situations that are set in an ancient time before you had cell phones and electricity.  It’s a world of steel and leather and so we don’t really make it too crazy. Magic only happens every once in awhile; it’s really about these relationships. So don’t be put off by the word fantasy, but at the same token if you do love fantasy, then come on and step inside, you’ll get your fantasy fill.

Legend of the Seeker is a syndicated series from ABC Television. You can find out when and where it airs in your local area by visiting the website: LegendoftheSeeker.com.

Photos:

1) “Legend of the Seeker” stars Bridget Regan and Craig Horner greeted fans in Times Square in New York City as they unveiled the Sword of Truth, a 9 foot custom faux sword protruding from a vehicle emanating smoke. The stars, who shoot the nationally syndicated action-adventure series in New Zealand, were in town promoting the second season.

2) “Legend of the Seeker” hottie Craig Horner who plays “Richard,” the Seeker, on the series, marked his presence during his visit to Times Square today, “slashing” a vehicle in the middle of Military Island with the Sword of Truth, a 9-foot custom faux sword. The actor, who shoots the nationally syndicated action-adventure series in New Zealand, was in town promoting the second season which premieres the weekend of November 7 (check local listings).

Photo credit: Anders Krusberg/ABC Studios

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The marathon begins with the series premiere, when Richard (Craig Horner, “Monarch Cove” and “Blue Water High”) first discovers his destiny to stop the sinister tyrant Darken Rahl (Craig Parker, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”). Richard partners up with the beautiful and mysterious Kahlan (Bridget Regan), and a wise and powerful old wizard named Zedd (Bruce Spence, “The Matrix Revolutions”), who have both sworn to assist Richard in his mission. The six episodes featured in the marathon are “Prophecy,” followed by “Destiny,” “Denna,” “Puppeteer,” “Conversion” and “Fever.”

If you like what you see, the second season of Legend of the Seeker will premiere the weekend of November 7th in national syndication. You can also purchase the first season on DVD.

Photo courtesy of ABC Studios

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Legend of the Seeker

Even if you’re a fan of this kind of fantasy series you may have missed it on TV.  The show is syndicated which means it airs on local TV channels usually outside of primetime hours; early or late on a Saturday or Sunday is common. (Check the website for times and dates in your area.) Because of this, the show is sorely under promoted and that’s a shame because it’s an excellent series.

The story revolves around woodsman Richard Cypher (Craig Horner) who finds out that he is what legends call The Seeker. Together with the lovely and magaical Kahlan Amnell (Bridget Regan) and with the help of the wizard Zedd (Bruce Spence) Richard sets out on an epic journey to stop the bloodthirsty, sinister tyrant Darken Rahl (Craig Parker) from conquering all mankind

The series is based on “The Sword of Truth” book series and is produced by Sam Raimi (“Spiderman”), Rob Tapert (”Xena:
Warrior Princess,” “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”), Joshua Donen (”The Quick and the Dead”), Ned Nalle (”Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”) and Ken Biller (”Star Trek: Voyager”), all of whom know something about epic heroic journeys!

Shot in New Zealand, Legend of the Seeker transports you with their gorgeous locations, detailed costuming and rustic village sets. It may be full of magic and monsters but you’ll buy into every second of it thanks to the talents of the cast and crew.

What I find particularly refreshing about the series is the way the leading lady, Kahlan is played as a capable warrior without losing any of her femininity. She handles and sword and fights as well, if not better, than the men of the series but you still feel a softness that makes her a very likable and relatable character.

Craig Horner is also very likable as Richard Cypher, the average Joe who suddenly finds out that the fate of the world rests on his shoulders. In this first season, you see him go from a confused boy to a man on a mission but he always keeps his performance grounded.

The DVD has all 22 episodes of the first season, audio commentaries, deleted scenes and several featurettes. If you’re a fan of Terry Goodkind, there’s an extended interview with him where he takes you inside his home and talks about his career. My favorite feature is “Forging the Sword: Crafting a Legend.” Craig and Bridget take you behind the scenes for a closer look at what goes into creating this mammoth production. I was amazed to see how many scenes that I thought were filmed on location, were actually filmed on a sound stage. You’ll learn more about the actors, see some fight choreography and spend time with the horse wrangler who cares for the animals on the show.

This series looks so beautiful in HD and here it’s presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Can’t beat that.

If you have even a mild interest in sword and sorcery or fantasy TV, you should check out Legend of the Seeker. It really is the only thing like it airing on TV today.

Buy Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season on Amazon, then check your local listings for new episodes beginning November 7.

Photo: Amazon

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Star Trek: Enterprise

The series is an adaptation of  best-selling author Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth book series.  Blalock, who begins filming in New Zealand this week, will portray a mysterious Sister of the Dark who possesses very powerful magic — she not only threatens Richard’s (Craig Horner) quest to defeat evil forces, but her ultimate goal is to destroy Kahlan (Bridget Regan).

The second season of the series will premiere the weekend of November 7th.  Check your local listings for exact time and dates.

Photo: Newscom

Click through the cut to watch a scene from Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season, which is now available on DVD.

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Just watch Bridget fight off a hoard of attackers on Seeker and you’ll see that she has the chops to do the job. She’s got the rough and tumble edge of Xena mixed with the angelic innocence of Lady Arwen — how can you beat that?

Want in on the action? Add your voice to the Wonder Woman thread over at SuperHerosHype then sign the online petition at the Petition Spot. I can just see her with that golden lasso now. . .

Legend of the Seeker returns this November with all new episodes.

Photo: Newscom

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Bridget plays Kahlan, a “Confessor” who wields her magic as well as she wields a sword.  Together with the wizard Zed (Bruce Spence) and the Richard Cypher, the Seeker (Craig Horner) she sets out to stop the invasion of the evil Darken Rahl.

The series is filmed in a studio in New Zealand, but Bridget and her cast-mates spend plenty of time trekking through the incredible forests of the area. When I caught up with her she wasn’t running from the dastardly Rahl, but running to the wardrobe trailer for a fitting.

This definitely isn’t Law & Order.

Bridget: Yeah, it’s quite the opposite of what I was doing around this time last year but it’s pretty amazing. The physical challenges, emotional challenges, they’re not for the faint of heart. I feel quite proud of myself that I’ve been up for it and been quite blessed to be challenged as much as I have been. All the wonderful teachers that I have out here, the directors, horse wranglers and stunt coordinators and everyone are just amazing, and I feel quite lucky to work with such talent.

Talk to me about filming in New Zealand.

Bridget: The thing about New Zealand is they have a real respect for nature. We film on Maori land and everybody really respects it and keeps it with a lot of reverence, which is so cool. On our first day of shooting, we had a blessing from a local Maori elder – it was just amazing. I don’t think the show would work anywhere else. It’s the Midlands. It can’t look like Los Angeles. It has to look like uncharted territory and we have to make the audience believe in this world, otherwise they really won’t come along the journey with us. The art department is incredible and every prop, every piece of the set, the beautiful greenery and the backdrops that we work up against, they’re all just gorgeous.

The series is based on the books of Terry Goodkind. Were you familiar with them before you started filming?

Bridget: No, no, not at all. I actually wasn’t really a huge fantasy fan but now I love it all. I think the characters are exquisite and beautiful and complex and I have fallen head over heels in love with Kahlan and that’s what makes the job so good, it’s such a great role.

Does the fact that it comes from a set of books that people really love make it harder to play the role?

Bridget: The fans of the books feel that they know these characters and they want to protect them, so at first, I was a bit intimidated and scared. Don’t do this, do what they want, give them what they want to see and then, you know, after a while, I said, I know this woman. I know her and I’m going to stop wasting energy and not worry about whether it’s going to be right or not. It’s going to be okay, you are here today, go for it.

Do you reference the book for backstory on your character?

Bridget: I do. I have the book with me a lot of the times at work and I open it up and I’m reminded of who she is. As an actor, I couldn’t ask for anything better.

So what’s the biggest challenge that you face every day working on the show?

Bridget: I think its battling exhaustion. It’s not like I don’t love work. I love everyone on the set. I love the story that we’re telling and what we’re doing and everything but you know, I usually get up in the dark every day and do go to work in it every day and you work like a dog, but it’s glorious, even when it’s miserable. I know that years from now, I’m going to look back on this and be very proud and feel very blessed just doing what I do. But Craig (Horner) and I sometimes look at each other. It’s just like our eyes are crossing cause he’s in every scene. I get occasional early afternoons off but we do need stamina to keep going.

Have you had a chance to see the finished product at all?

Bridget: Yeah, it’s pretty funny because it’s been selling in so many different countries which is so exciting but it doesn’t air in New Zealand yet but I – this is so embarrassing – I buy it on ITunes.

So are you headed home to the US soon?

Bridget: Yes, my sister is getting married. I always had like this ticking clock of, Bridget has to leave, so I’m actually heading out a few days early to go and be my sister’s maid of honor.

Maybe while you’re home we’ll get to see you at Comic Con. We missed you last year.

Bridget: I would love to go to Comic Con, mostly because that’s where I grew up, in San Diego.  My mom and dad and sister went. I was already in New Zealand and they went and had a good time. My mom was up there shaking their hands with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert and everyone. It was pretty comical ’cause I hadn’t even been with them yet.

I heard that you guys got a pickup for a second season? Is that up for sure?

Bridget: Yes, yes, that’s how things work right now. I mean, sometimes I’m a bit of a skeptic and we’re like, ‘what if something doesn’t happen,’ but yes, looks like it. I’ve been really happy and positive and excited and grateful. . . all good things.

To find out when you can watch Legend of the Seeker in your area, visit the official website.

Photos courtesy of Bridget Regan and ABC Studios

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: Begins weekend of November 8. Check local listings for time and date.

Ted Rami, who recently guested on the “Wishful Thinking” episode of Supernatural, guests as a an evil cartographer who makes magical maps for bounty hunters. And now that Darken Rahl has put a price on their heads, those magic maps now point right to Richard and his pals.

Photo courtesy of ABC Studios

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Each original episode from the first season (22 episodes in all) will be available for purchase and download the Monday after its initial weekend broadcast premiere, and can be purchased for just $1.99 in standard definition; $2.99 in high definition; or a Season Pass is available for $34.99 in standard definition or $49.99 in high definition.

It’s an unusual deal since this is the first syndicated series ever to hit iTunes, which isn’t surprising seeing as how big ticket syndicated shows are kind of rare these days.

Legend of the Seeker is an epic sword and sorcerer fantasy series based on the Sword of Truth book series by Terry Goodkind. It’s shot in New Zealand and stars Craig Horner as Richard, Bridget Regan as Kahlan and Bruce Spence as Zedd. Let’s not forget Lord of the Rings’ Craig Parker as Darken Rahl the bloodthirsty tyrant!

Rather watch the show on a slightly larger screen than your iPod?  Visit the Seeker website to find out when and where the show is airing in your neck of the woods.

Photo courtesy of ABC Studios

Post from: SF Universe

Both Sarah Connor and Fringe were reruns last week.  You’ll get a new Sarah Connor tonight but Fringe won’t air due to the elections. After that we should be back on track with big November sweeps episodes.

Stargate Atlantis and Sanctuary were also missing from the schedule due to Ghost Hunters Live for Halloween.  They’ll both be back with new episodes this week.

What was new was the CW Thursday line-up. I’m really loving this new, darker Smallville. Production junkie that I am, I’m enjoying the rich textures of Metropolis and seeing Tom in something other than red and blue.  I’m fascinated by how we’re starting to see the whole Superman mythos unfold before our very eyes. I’m worried about Chloe, though. I’m afraid she may go darkside along with Sam Winchester if she keeps using her powers. Want more Smallville? Read Brian’s and Grace’s take on last week’s episode.

Supernatural turned in their first Halloween episode to date and I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, I liked the nod to Halloween roots but I don’t think they took it far enough. Once again, they got bogged down in the mythology, introducing yet another angel (Uriel) and delving into the idea of Dean being groomed to lead God’s army of angels. I don’t object to the storyline as a whole but I still miss the brothers saving people, hunting things, the family business.

Enjoyable moments — Dean’s don’t give up hope speech to Sam (bet that was hard for him to say), Sam using his powers to the point of pain and Dean’s reaction (I wanted a collapse at the end, but I can live with it) and Dean versus the astronaut. Points to director Charles Beeson for cool camera angles.

On the downside — too much angels and not enough Winchesters, the opening was too gross (a trend that’s also beginning to bother me) and the smearing their faces with blood. Though I imagine Jared had a great time smearing Jensen’s face with that goo, the whole thing was just too contrived. Next week is ANOTHER humorous episode. Seems like we’ve had more than the usual share of those so far this season. (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/The CW©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.)

Saturday brought the season finale of Primeval and I’m going to spoil you, so don’t keep reading if you don’t want to know.

The majority of the episode is spent with the gang trying to figure out how to escape their captors without becoming primeval lunchmeat. In the center of it all is Helen, crossing, doublecrossing, playing both sides against the middle. Frankly, I’m tired of her and I don’t like the fact that they put her on which ever side needs help at the moment. She’s like a human Deus ex machina waiting to save the day. Ah, but who does save the day?  Stephen! I adored his scene on the beach with the big bug — all the times you think he’s going to eat it and then wham — he’s got it under control. I knew from the start he was doomed and I’m glad to see he gave his all to save his friends. But this is Primeval after all, where the dead aren’t necessarily dead, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that we’ll see him again. As for clone boys at the very end, you got me.

Also on Saturday was the premiere of the new syndicated series Legend of the Seeker. As I’m not really a fan of fantasy, I’m not familiar with the books, but SFUniverse reader Ben is and he left this comment about the series. (Photo courtesy of ABC Studios)

This series is actually proving to be very interesting.  There are some major points ‘not’ made correctly in line with the books, however, I believe this series shows real promise.  Kahlan is represented VERY well by the young actress, but Richard Cypher (or those of us who read the whole series know him by his other ‘name’) needs to step it up and not look like he is trying so hard at acting.  The Zedd in this series represents Zedd VERY well by his constant hunger for food (literally), but needs to use more ‘truth’ in his speech.  He was not called the Seeker solely until about midway through the seeker which it was short for the “Seeker of Truth.”  He is the truth seeker which is why Richard needs to ask a lot more logical and reasoned out questions.  Zedd’s implication towards Richard as the Seeker of Truth is only as forward as Richard’s questions about everything in the series.  The biggest key part they missed in this series however is the simple fact of Richard ‘Memorizing’ the Book of Counted Shadows.  That simple ‘truth’ branches into the latter books MAKING the plot of the whole series.

Coming into it with no prior knowledge, I did enjoy what I saw. The production values are amazing, gorgeous sweeping landscapes, fabulous costuming, detailed fantasy artifacts, all very enticing. The acting and the dialogue is over dramatic in spots but it works for this kind of show. It’s wizards and magic so I expect everything to be grandiose.

The show is syndicated which in my case means it’s showing at six on Saturdays on my local CW station.  You can find out where it’s airing in your town by visiting their website at www.legendoftheseeker.com.

So that’s it for this past week. Happy to hear your thoughts on these or any scifi series, just leave us a comment below.

Graphic: GreekGod/Stock.xchng

Post from: SF Universe

“Adapting Terry Goodkind’s brilliant work for television is a thrilling opportunity,” said executive producer Sam Raimi. “The amazing characters and heartfelt story combined with the captivating backdrop of New Zealand will have viewers on the edge of their seats.” Rob Tapert, executive producer, added: “Everyone on the production team is committed to making a mini-feature film each and every week. The combination of a talented cast, incredible special effects and stunning locations has given us all the tools we need to create a truly memorable television series.”

Shot with the exotic and rugged New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, the one-hour scripted series from will kick off with a thrilling two-hour premiere event the weekend of NOVEMBER 1ST, 2008.

To find out which stations in your area will carry the series, visit the Legend of the Seeker website where you can also watch the first ten minutes of the series along with behind the scenes videos.  If you’re an iTunes subscriber, you can get a free download of the first half hour of the series simply by logging on.

Photos courtesy of ABC Studios

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