Syfy Renews 'Defiance' and 'Dominion'

Syfy today announced a third season for its original series Defiance, giving a 13-episode order to the action packed drama, and a second season for the epic supernatural thriller Dominion, which will also consist of 13 episodes. Both series are produced by Universal Cable Productions and are slated to return with all-new episodes in 2015.

Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) will resume his role as executive producer and showrunner of Defiance while Vaun Wilmott (Sons of Anarchy) will continue to fill the same posts for Dominion.

'Dominion' Sets Syfy Record for Highest Live +3 Lift Ever for an Original Series Premiere

Syfy's new epic supernatural drama Dominion shattered channel records by posting the highest L3 vs. L+SD percentage lift ever for a Syfy original series premiere since Nielsen began recording L3 data in 2007.

The series soared 75 percent among Adults 25-54 (1.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.4 million), while leaping 56 percent in total viewers (3.1 million) for its series premiere on Thursday, July 19.

Through its premiere date, Dominion ranks #3 among YTD ad-supported cable drama series premieres among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, on an L3 basis.

Dominion airs Thursdays at 9PM (ET/PT), following the second season of the popular series Defiance, which airs at 8PM.

Based on characters from the theatrical film Legion (2010), Dominion is set in the year 25 A.E. In this transformed post–apocalyptic future, an army of lower angels, assembled by the archangel Gabriel, has waged a war of possession against mankind. The archangel Michael, turning against his own kind, has chosen to side with humanity against Gabriel. Rising out of the ashes of the 25 year-long battle are newly fortified cities which protect the human survivors.

Dominion stars Christopher Egan (Kings), Tom Wisdom (300), Roxanne McKee (Game of Thrones), Alan Dale (Lost), Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Luke Allen-Gale (The Borgias).

Dominion is produced by Universal Cable Productions and Bold Films. The series is executive produced by Vaun Wilmott, Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer, along with executive producers Scott Stewart, who co-wrote and directed the feature film Legion, Michael Litvak and David Lancaster of Bold Films who produced the original film. Film Afrika serves as the local production entity in South Africa.

Syfy's Summer 2014 Programming Features Premieres of 'Dominion' & 'Wizard Wars' & New Seasons of 'Defiance' & 'Face Off'

Syfy's hot Summer 2014 original programming lineup will be led by the series premiere of Dominion (June 19); the second season return of the critically acclaimed Defiance (June 19); the Season 7 return of Face Off (July 22) and the debut of the competition series Wizard Wars (August 19).

Syfy will also celebrate America's birthday with its annual July 4th Twilight Zone marathon from 8AM-8PM.

SYFY SUMMER 2014 ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS (All Times ET/PT)

ORIGINAL SERIES

DEFIANCE (SEASON 2 PREMIERE)

Returns Thursday, June 19 at 8PM - As the story of Defiance resumes, the lives of the townspeople are in drastic turmoil. The Earth Republic has assumed control of the town, with far-reaching consequences including a new mayor. Nolan traverses the badlands to find a lost Irisa, Amanda has an unexpected new role in the town as she searches for Kenya and the Tarr family desperately tries to keep control of their criminal empire in the midst of dramatic changes. Grant Bowler returns as Nolan, along with Julie Benz as Amanda Rosewater, Stephanie Leonidas as Irisa, Tony Curran as Datak Tarr, Jaime Murray as Stahma Tarr, Graham Greene as Rafe McCawley and Jesse Rath as Alak Tarr. The cast also features Dewshane Williams as Tommy, Trenna Keating as Doc Yewll, Justin Rain as Quentin McCawley and Nicole Munoz as Christie McCawley.

Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer Join Syfy's New Series 'Dominion' as Co-Showrunners

Producers and writing partners Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer have signed on to Syfy’s new Supernatural drama Dominion as Executive Producers and to be co-Showrunners along with Executive Producer Vaun Wilmott, the channel announced today. The series is from Universal Cable Productions and Bold Films, and is slated to premiere on Syfy in June of this year.

In joining Dominion, Slavkin & Swimmer extend a long-running creative working relationship with Syfy and Universal Cable Productions. They are Executive Producers and writers on the upcoming second season of Defiance, having been consulting producers for groundbreaking show’s first season in 2013. They were also consulting producers on the second season of Syfy’s original drama, Alphas from UCP.