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Sanctuary season two: more creatures, time travel, vampires
The new season of Syfy's hit Sanctuary promises many more non-human creatures, more creature-based explanations for history's biggest events and a peek into the future of all the characters in a time-travel episode.
Producers also plan to jump on the vampire craze, will include more historic characters and will offer fantastical explanations for everyday creatures. They will also reveal the existence of other sanctuaries located around the world.
Separate interviews with executive producers Damian Kindler, Martin Wood and Amanda Tapping, who co-stars with Robin Dunne, revealed the season-two secrets. Sanctuary returns Oct. 9 and will air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
"We start the season off six weeks after the cliffhanger of last season," Kindler said. "It's a big opening, it's a shocker, and then the third episode will bring tears to people's eyes, and we have the end to season two that will be even more of a cliffhanger. It will literally be hell."
Kindler said one of his favorite upcoming episodes involves time travel into the future of the lives of each of the characters. "Maybe that's not something I'm supposed to tell you," he said.
Wood, who also directs several episodes, elaborated. "Maybe one of the abnormals we meet may be able to read people's futures, not their pasts," he said. "Time travel is certainly a part of it. Dr. Magnus [Tapping] has lived a very long time, and we can move around in her history and the famous people she came in contact with." Magnus just turned 158 years old.
"We knew we would have to push the line with our imaginations, and we have some pretty big imaginations on this show," Wood said. "We're going with bigger and bigger effects."
More creatures will come up. "We have to be careful to show what makes these abnormal," Wood says. "If it's a unicorn, what makes that abnormal? We talk about a fish—and it's not a dolphin—that we show has more intelligence than we once thought. You won't ever look at that the same way, and you won't ever eat calamari again, if you know what I mean."
Sanctuary has already introduced vampires in the form of real-life historical figure Nikola Tesla. "Yes, we have our vampires, but we're doing that in one show," Wood admitted. Tesla is played by Jonathon Young, who also played the character in a one-man show. "We show the genius of Tesla, a real historic figure, and vampires and put our own spin on it," Wood said. "There will be much more of Tesla in season two."
Tapping said she would have loved to meet strong female characters in history, such as Dorothy Parker, Amelia Earhart and Mae West. In storylines she has mentioned Winston Churchill, J. Edgar Hoover and, no doubt, the Kennedys. "She really got around," the actress said of her character.
The first season established that many of the world's mysteries were caused by abnormals. "We were a little clunky in the first season to show that these well-known myths were explained by abnormals," Wood said, adding: "People like our revisionist history. We can explain that the Nazis were like monsters because the Nazis actually were monsters."
Tapping is involved with the writing of her character, but she doesn't always win. The backstory of Dr. Magnus that she wanted to see in season one will be moved to a subsequent season.
"Amanda will tell me if I write that her character is not forceful enough to another character, and she'll say if she's a bit too much of a hardcore bitch on a character," Kindler said. "Most of the time, I agree. She knows the genre."
Sanctuary's first season is now available on a four-disc DVD set.
By asfm at 12:13 PM ON 09/22/09
Sanctuary is a *hit*? I could only stomach a few episodes.
Still, the same applies to Warehouse 13. I guess I don't like the popular Syfy stuff.
I liked the look of Caprica, so I hope it is very, very unpopular! But... but then it will be cancelled!
Oh god, my brain!
By jfam54 at 12:50 PM ON 09/22/09
Ready for Sanctuary to start again. And yes it is a hit. Good story telling with interesting characters. Great sci-fi. (I mean Syfy).
By zosolias at 3:21 PM ON 09/22/09
Sanctuary was pretty good, but I hope they get a bigger budget. The FX last season were pretty bad sometimes. I hope they can do better this season.
By chief6309 at 3:24 PM ON 09/22/09
I can't wait for Sanctuary to return. The Characters are strong, and are becoming deeper as the series continues. The acting is outstanding. I just love it!
By conn91 at 7:18 AM ON 09/23/09
I love this show. The producers really seem more confident about the second season. I think the pacing and effects will be even better. Personally, I can't get enough of amandda tapping - so I'm excited to see the new season.
By wordwitty at 4:08 PM ON 09/23/09
The first half of season 1 I'd grade a 'C'. The second half was a 'B+'. Hopefully they got a bigger budget and can do more in Season 2.
By Jan at 7:34 PM ON 09/23/09
I'm very anxious for Season 2, Sanctuary is my favorite show, mostly for Amanda Tapping and Christopher. I'm also a huge Stargate fan (not Universe though). I will admit though, it is not for everyone. But it is a fantastic show!
By Jan at 7:36 PM ON 09/23/09
And as for you all saying it needs a bigger budget... the reason this show is so groundbreaking is because most of it is shot with a green screen. I think it is all wonderful.
By Scorpio at 8:13 PM ON 09/23/09
I have to disagree abouit Sanctuary. I also have to disagree about Warehouse...Both shows were a good surprise to me. They seemed to start slowly, but as the season progressed it got better and better.
I look forward to the new lineups for Scifi. Especially Caprica, V, and the Plan...
By Beastie at 10:09 AM ON 09/24/09
I am anxiously awaiting the new season of Santuary. It is one of the few programs that I can watch with my kids ( 8,10 and 12) and we all enjoy. We miss Stargate and SGA but enjoy the reruns.
By Spine50 at 7:52 PM ON 09/24/09
Well, I'm pumped, the new season sounds awesome! This is my favorite show, and my whole family enjoys it.
By CrescentMoon at 2:59 PM ON 09/25/09
I'm loving the wallpapers and the revamped website! Great job! And that song for "Sanctuary Myth" is catchy, especially, when Magnus starts it off, "We.Are.At.War." Can't wait for 2nd Season to start.
By gypsybell at 5:11 PM ON 09/25/09
I love Santuary, it started slow, the characters began to emerge and it is Fantastic and I feel the same about Warehouse 13. I wish SciFi more shows like these two, Then perhaps it would actually be a SciFi Station.
By syfyfix at 6:48 PM ON 09/25/09
I loved Sanctuary! I think if you didn't like it, you must not be a SyFy person. I can't wait for Season 2! Friday, Oct. 7th can't come soon enough for me. The SyFy Channel is "out of this world"!!!!!
By catfish8572 at 5:01 AM ON 09/27/09
i luv this show cant wait for the next thrill.
By Vincebus at 7:30 PM ON 09/27/09
I really liked season 1 of Sanctuary, took a couple of episodes before I could get used to Amanda's Brit accent but, it's almost normal for me now. Looking forward to season II for sure...that and enjoy the hell out of Fringe and Warehouse 13. Thanks SyFy!
By magnusminion at 10:01 PM ON 09/27/09
I am blown away by this show! Bigger budget? the Executive Producers have to secure the funding on their own - there is no studio with deep pockets standing behind them (regardless of what SYFy would have you believe).
By iluvsyfy at 5:27 AM ON 10/03/09
I can't wait for the new season to begin. Two more hours where I am....I want to know what is up with Ashley! She's not leaving the show is she? I hope not.
By charp_rn at 2:16 PM ON 10/03/09
I loved it! I watched the four disc of season 1 in one setting. I couldn't stop! I can't wait for season 2 now that I know its on Syfy.
By EmeraldIsis at 4:22 PM ON 10/04/09
Give us more strong, intelligent and capable female characters. The more mysterious the better.
By An European fan at 4:51 PM ON 10/06/09
Can't wait!
Too bad I'm forced to watch it illigally.. Can't even buy the DVDs here...
By bluonblu at 9:16 AM ON 10/09/09
Sanctuary, is the show to watch!! Sanctuary gives us story lines, of present, past, and future, as Dr. Magnus is the center piece of the show. Whats not to like, just love it. The set designs are incredible, imagination is outstanding, and the characters are continuing to develop. Hold onto your seats, the second season most likely will be more creative and transport one further in the depth of Sanctuary and the possiblities of humanity.
By justgroovy at 1:49 PM ON 10/09/09
The previews are enticing. I can't wait to see the product.........
As an aside, the "Nazi's were monsters" mythology is not nearly as scary as reality; they were humans and still acted like monsters...
By nutcase for sci fi at 4:11 PM ON 10/09/09
tapping's english accent is ridiculous as a three dollar bill
By nutcase for sci fi at 4:18 PM ON 10/09/09
and PS., don't confuse mysterious with confused. Sanc had potential but giving Tapping a phoney accent, a wimpy male sidekick and a one dimensional " daughter/ warrior" was and is cheesy and forgetable !!
But i will watch the opener and hoping for the best....
Dont get me started on the latest Stargate hybird of Battlestar Laxative meets Lost in Space, PUKE!
By daimo at 8:11 AM ON 10/14/09
i thought The Sanctuary was brilliant. i only got into it by mistake 2 episodes in. the first episode of series 2 was fantastic. it has me wanting more. something to get my teeth into. sorry bad pun. but good series.
By Joel Burgess at 6:47 PM ON 10/17/09
Bad idea, guys, first Dr, Watson, then the Invisible girl, Clara, and you lose me with Ashley death. I am so disappointed in you all. I guest I will watch StarGate Universe, instead.
By Pookah at 8:16 AM ON 10/21/09
I have enjoyed this series until the new season. Dr. Magnus has gotten stupider, the plots stranger and not as much fun as before. This show is going on the same list as Stargate Universe. It gets one more episode to redeam itself and if it isn't better it gets removed from my DVR list. Too bad
By Gailen at 11:13 PM ON 10/23/09
I often wonder why people who obviously don't like anything more intriguing than the evening news or the Sunday football game even bother coming to a scifi site and spouting their hatred. Critics obviously get paid to dis things they never watched and don't like. But I've found there is no such thing as "bad" scifi or fantasy,... only bad viewers without the imagination or intellect to fill in the blanks.
By Chowtime at 11:15 PM ON 10/23/09
What's up with this series? This stuff shouldnt be happening for a few more seasons and why the hell was Ashley killed so early? What's the point?
By kit150 at 11:36 PM ON 10/23/09
I Agree about the Ashley thing. After 3 new epic's Ashley should be back . I know she will be sometime I don't think she gone for ever. But thngs should been done diferent. I thought for sure she would be back somehow this week. Ashely is a big part of the show and the rating's.
By therowan048 at 10:09 PM ON 10/24/09
Sanctuary is currently my favorite show, and I think they are doing a terrific job. Can't wait for the next episode!! I loved it last year and it's even better this year.
By astro at 10:27 PM ON 10/24/09
If they really killed off ashley, then they shot themselves in the foot. there will be no need to watch the program anymore
By nad at 2:23 AM ON 10/25/09
if they have killed ashley off then they have lost me as a viewer and I watch sci fi all of the time i watch eureka, all stargates, warehouse 13 and every thing they come up with i am tired of them killing off people to make the show more human or dramatic as they call it. she was the most human person on the show
By icemaninfort at 2:06 PM ON 10/25/09
Ashley needs to be on the show. Its the whole part of what makes the show work. I like Amanda's accent. She's such a good actress. I didn't know if I would like this kind of show, but the characters really pull you in. Great job, but need Ashley.
By pruett66 at 11:10 PM ON 10/25/09
OK is Ashley really gone or is this just a stunt for future episodes? I love her character and I would hate to see her gone.
By ToothyGal at 5:18 AM ON 10/27/09
More Tesla please!!!
By Nat at 2:37 PM ON 10/27/09
i agree it needs ashley bk
By suegee at 8:49 AM ON 10/30/09
I hope Ashley will be back. I Think her character is an important part of the show.
By luvsyfy at 11:27 PM ON 10/30/09
We miss Ashley,
bring her back.She adds to the show ! Tessa is great too! But Blondes have more fun...brunettes get more done!
By way back fan at 1:10 AM ON 10/31/09
like the show but I love christopher heyerdahl he is one of the best actors around even better as a bad guy (supernatural) please dont write him out like you did ashley J onathan Young and ryan robbins are always a treat and robin dunne is just so likeable
after playing sam carter for 10 years there is no hint of her in helen magnus that takes a great actress to pull that off I would like to see more of helen and her father and the beginning of helen's and john's romance and did I mentionPLEASE BRING BACK ASHLEYG,
By me at 12:53 AM ON 11/01/09
yah Ashley is not coming back for the rest of the season. unless the writers decide that there show is failing and they redue the season but that is if miracles happen. but i thought i heard they were going to bring here back in the 3 season if there is a 3 season. bad move by writers i mean John can just time travel and tell Helen that she cant let Ashley and Henry go alone to take crap from Cabal. o yah and by the way Kate Freelander sucks, her character is so annoying have Ashley come back and kill of Kate. and i wouldnt call Kate a badass the only thing she is is annoying. Even though Ashley isnt evil until the last episode. i always thought she was a badass, blonde,with a killer instinct and behavior problems and plus a awesome golden gun. i would love to have a golden gun for my birthday.
SUPRISE!!!!!!! BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By charmaine71 at 6:56 AM ON 11/01/09
love sanctuary can't wait for season 2! keep up the good work.
By OLIN at 10:04 PM ON 11/01/09
thank the writers they took care of shaley. Its not she was bad. she was great but she went all mindless and evil. therefore she beeded to be dealt with. if they had not killed her off she would have continued to be trouble and estructive to the system sancuary put in place. im sure they will find a wau to reserect her from the dead or steal her from the past somehow. since i have not caught up to everyone on the past few episode [ i wanted to do a marathon so until i have 5 episodes #2thru7] im not upto speed but for the tid bits i read here from you all. Good Guys WinBad Guys Lose. but balence is maintained. Behind the scenes the actress may have asked for more money then they were willing to pay so shes dead. its Amands show the rest support her.
By Doc at 3:58 PM ON 11/07/09
Great work. Best show on television. You really need to make the seasons longer than 13 eps.
By zero d at 9:25 AM ON 11/10/09
well i thought season one was great but seaaon two is looking to be a lot better are there any plans for ashley to be reincarnated into the show as she part of the gang and does'nt seem right without here but keep
up good work
By owllady at 10:21 AM ON 11/10/09
Lets see, we killed Watson, Then Ashley, Then Clara and starting with epidose 4, you killed my reasons for wanting to watch. The circus came to town.
By Hans at 10:51 PM ON 11/13/09
I am really enjoying the series, but if Ash doesn't come back then neither will I.
By scrappydo at 3:44 PM ON 11/15/09
If not for the amazing effects, I wouldnt give this show a second look. Terrible writing really kills this show. The characters are mind-numbingly boring. They need an interesting actor to carry the show. D- Scy-Fy.
By Realitycheck at 2:04 PM ON 11/19/09
Sorry to burst Stargate fans bubble but that was the phony accent. Amanda Tapping was born in England and has appeared as herself in interviews and on Ghost Hunters with the same British accent.
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Realitycheck:
Sorry to burst Stargate fans bubble but that was the phony accent. Amanda Tapping was born in England and has appe...More »