Paranomrally-Inclined 2013-14 TV Pilots ~ Specialty Channels

Hear Suzie and Shannon discuss the specialty channel possible paranormal pilots for 2013-14 on Episode 132 of Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural here.

As promised, here is a look at the paranormally-inclined 2013-14 TV Pilots for US Specialty channels that fall under the Hexed umbrella of Paranormal, Science Fiction and Horror, and in there we have a few post-apocalyptic, vampire and even a zombie show.

Due to the fact that there are SO MANY SHOWS, I've split the titles into 2 posts, with this list being the specialty channels which have a lesser chance of making it to our TV screens up here in Canada (but we still want to see them and hope that changes!). For the big 5 US networks (The CW, Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC), see this post here.

 And now onto to specialty channel paranormally-inclined titles!

Paranormal
Or at least hopefully/possibly paranormally-inclined

Occult
Description: "An FBI agent returns from administrative leave after going off the deep end while investigating his wife’s disappearance. Eager to be back on the job, he is paired with an agent with her own complicated backstory who specializes in the occult. Together, they will solve cases for the newly formed occult crimes task force."
Genre: Paranormal/Mystery
Channel: A&E

Shannon's Take: I'm stoked for this one, it sounds really cool and even though I'm not a fan of procedural shows but the occult angle has be there.

The Leftovers
Description: "The story of the people who didn’t make the cut after the Rapture happens, and a world that will never be the same."
Genre: Paranormal/Post-Apocalyptic/Religious
Channel: HBO

Shannon's Take: So.... I'm divided on this one because by default it feels religious. Then again, I don't know much about The Rapture so maybe those who 'didn't make it' could be very interesting folks. Need to hear more on this one.

The Strain
Description: "Eph Goodweather, who investigates biological threats for the CDC, teams with ex-professor and Holocaust survivor Abraham Setrakian and they assemble a ragtag group that represents mankind’s only hope when a swarm of vampires quickly turn civilization into a buffet spread. Based on the novel trilogy."
Genre: Paranormal/Vampires/Horror
Source: Based on novel trilogy
Channel: FX

Shannon's Take: So, swarm of vampires = yes. Ragtag group = yes. That's 2 yeses, and that's enough for me!

Supanatural (Animated)
Description: "Two outspoken divas are humanity’s last line of defense against the supernatural, when they’re not working at the mall."
Genre: Animated/Comedy/Supernatural
Channel: Amazon Studios

Shannon's Take: Wow. This is a bit of a wildcard, I don't usually watch animation but the premise is intriguing enough to stretch into that territory.

Science Fiction

Horizon
Description: "Set during the height of World War II, a secretary at the FBI discovers that her husband might have been killed in a battle with a spaceship in the South Pacific. Obsessed with learning the truth, she becomes the only person standing between Earth and an alien invasion."
Genre: SciFi/Historical/Alternate History
Channel: USA

Shannon's Take: The fact that this could be alternate history is the element I find to be the most interesting, along with the aliens of course. Definitely curious to hear more about this one.

The Last Sleep
Description: "Centers on the crew of a naval destroyer who, after a global catastrophe decimates the Earth’s population, are forced to confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they are among the only survivors. Based on the novel by William Brinkley."
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Source: Based on a novel
Channel: TNT

Shannon's Take: I'm a sucker for any kind of people-stranded-somewhere and for a handful of folks to be the survivors of the world? Yep, I want to see it. I just wish it wasn't TNT because that is the channel that we seem to be least likely to get the shows, or we get they WAY late. Fingers crossed if this one happens it finds a happy home on a Canadian channel.

Dark Minion
Description: "Two slackers are just trying to make a paycheck working an intergalactic warship."
Genre: Animated/SciFi/Comedy
Channel: Amazon Studios

Shannon's Take: Another animated series, which makes it an unlikely watch for me but I love the idea.

Horror

Penny Dreadful
Description: "Some of horror literature’s most famous characters — including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and Dracula — become embroiled in Victorian London." This one is straight-to-series.
Genre: Horror/Historical
Channel: Showtime

Shannon's Take: It will see who will reign supreme between Penny Dreadful and Gothica (ABC), which has a similar premise but is current day set. I'll be watching these two closely.

Zombieland
Description: "A continuation of the adventures of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and her younger sister Little Rock — four humans who band together to survive the zombie apocalypse. Based on the 2009 feature film."
Cast includes: Kirk Ward, Tyler Ross and Izabela Vidovic
Genre: Horror/Zombie
Channel: Amazon Studios

Shannon's Take: I know this is definitely a favourite film for many and I'm not surprized that they are going for this one, but I wonder if it's a little late to the game for zombie ness, and if there is room alongside the powerhouse of The Walking Dead. Tonally, the two are completely different, but it's still quite a specialty genre. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

Looking for details on ALL the 2013-14 TV Pilots? Check out Deadline's awesome post which includes all the specialty channels, plus run downs of the Big 5 over at The Hollywood Reporter, TV Line and Deadline.