Syfy just can’t get enough Battlestar Galactica. The acclaimed show ended its four-season run about a year ago, but prequel series Caprica is currently nearing the end of its first season, and now Syfy has ordered a pilot for a whole new BSG series, set during the early days of William Adama’s career.
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome will follow Adama’s adventures during the first Cylon war — which takes place between the events of Caprica and the flagship series. We previously got a brief glimpse at this young adult version of the future Admiral during the two-hour TV movie Razor (and some accompanying online webisodes) when actor Nico Cortez perfectly nailed Edward James Olmos’ tics and mannerisms (pictured above). No word yet on whether or not Cortez will appear in the new show.
My excitement about this announcement is tempered by the fact that BSG‘s re-imaginer Ron Moore, will not be working on Blood & Chrome. His producing partner David Eick is onboard, but Eick’s track record without Moore by his side is spotty at best (Bionic Woman). Eick describes the show as “maintaining the themes of politics, social propaganda, and the timeless question: what does it mean to be human? — Blood & Chrome will also return us to the authentic, relentless depiction of combat and the agony and ecstasy of human-Cylon war.”
Here’s the show’s official description:
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the 10th year of the first Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, a sentient robotic race, rages across the 12 colonial worlds, a brash rookie viper pilot enters the fray. Ensign William Adama, barely in his 20’s and a recent Academy graduate, finds himself assigned to the newest battlestar in the Colonial fleet… the Galactica. The talented but hot-headed risk-taker soon finds himself leading a dangerous top secret mission that, if successful, will turn the tide of the decade long war in favor of the desperate fleet.
It’s also interesting to note that the character of William Adama also appears in Caprica, as a pre-teen boy. So if Blood & Chrome goes to series, we’ll have seen him depicted in three different shows at very diverse parts of his life. Has there ever been another TV character to be given three TV shows that chronicle various parts of his lifespan in this way? I can’t think of one.