Powers (American TV series)

Powers is an American online streaming series adaptation of the Powers comic book series published by Marvel Comics under their Icon Comics imprint. Marking PlayStation Network's first venture into scripted original programming,[1][2] the series premiered on March 10, 2015.[3][4] The first two episodes of the series were written by Charlie Huston and directed by David Slade.[5] The first three episodes (the third directed by David Petrarca) were released on March 10, 2015, on the PlayStation Network. The pilot episode is available for free for people in the USA on YouTube[6] and the entire first season was available on Crackle until May 3, 2016. On May 6, 2015, Powers was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 31, 2016.[7] It was announced on August 3, 2016 that Powers had been canceled.[8]

Not to be confused with Power (TV series) or Powers (British TV series).

Powers
Genre
Based on
Developed by
Starring
ComposerJeff Rona
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time39–53 minutes
Production companies
DistributorPlayStation Video
Release
Original networkPlayStation Network
Original releaseMarch 10, 2015 (2015-03-10) –
July 19, 2016 (2016-07-19)
External links
Website

Plot
Further information: List of Powers episodes

In a world where humans and superheroes called "Powers" co-exist, a former Power, Christian Walker, has reinvented himself as a homicide detective after his own powers were taken from him. He and his partner Deena Pilgrim work for the Powers Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, investigating crimes involving superhumans, who are at once crimefighting heroes and pop celebrities managed by specialized advertising agencies.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110March 10, 2015 (2015-03-10)April 28, 2015 (2015-04-28)
210May 31, 2016 (2016-05-31)July 19, 2016 (2016-07-19)

Cast

Main
  • Sharlto Copley as Christian Walker, formerly known as Diamond – a detective in the Powers Division. Christian was once an indestructable superhero with the ability to fly, and in his identity of Diamond was one of the most acclaimed heroes. However, his powers were later taken from him by his previous mentor, Wolfe. Now Christian uses his experience to help the Powers Division stop destructive Powers.
  • Susan Heyward as Deena Pilgrim – Christian's partner in the Powers Division. Her father is a successful retired policeman whom everyone admires.
  • Noah Taylor as Johnny Royalle – another protégé of Wolfe, and former friend of Christian Walker. He owns the Here and Gone Club (which takes the name from his own motto) where younger Powers often gather. He has the power to teleport at will both himself and objects or people with which he's in contact. His power can prove extremely lethal when used to teleport away parts of a person's body, or the air in a room. Royalle recently synthesized a mysterious substance called Sway, which he plans to give to young Powers to help them enhance their abilities. (Season 1)
  • Olesya Rulin as Calista Secor – a wayward girl, possibly homeless. She is a "wannabe" as she hangs around Powers, believing her own powers will awaken someday. She intends to use her powers on her abusive father for hurting her mother. She befriends both Christian and Royalle.
  • Adam Godley as Captain Emile Cross – the head of Powers Division. He dislikes all Powers and often argues with Christian and Deena.
  • Max Fowler as Krispin Stockley – the teenage son of Christian's deceased former police partner. Krispin feels that the more unstable Powers should be held accountable for their mistakes and goes rage hunting after Powers along with Marigold forming ChaoticChic only to die and ironically come back from the dead as a Power with immortality.
  • Michelle Forbes as Janis Sandusky, a.k.a. RetroGirl – a very popular, world-renowned Power who dated Christian when they were young and on the same team. They became estranged after Christian lost his powers. RetroGirl's powers include superhuman strength, invulnerability and flight. She's still active as a heroine and celebrity, aiming to use her powers for humanitarian reasons, as in the relief and containment of natural disasters. (Season 1)
  • Eddie Izzard as "Big Bad" Wolfe – possibly the most powerful and dangerous Power ever born, Wolfe has the ability to drain the life force of both humans and Powers at will, becoming stronger and stronger in the process and fueling a multitude of powers which include extreme strength, speed, and massive regeneration. He is responsible for Christian's loss of powers and is particularly eager to consume Powers, who fuel his ability exponentially. After his capture, Wolfe has been routinely lobotomized in order to keep his powers in check. Triphammer stated that all Wolfe's powers stem from extreme cellular regeneration. (Season 1)
  • Michael Madsen as Patrick, a.k.a. SuperShock – a three centuries old Power hero who returns from a 40-year retirement following the death of RetroGirl. He was part of the famous Unity team along with RetroGirl and Cobalt Knight, and may be the most powerful Power alive. (Season 2)

Recurring
  • Logan Browning as Zora – a blooming Power kid with the ability to manipulate light. She admires Christian and is pushed by her management into trying to become the next Power big thing.
  • Andrew Sensenig as Harley Cohen, a.k.a. Triphammer – a non-powered hero, double amputee, and scientific genius who designed a suit of state-of-the-art armor to fight crime. A former member of the superhero team composed by Christian and RetroGirl, he now watches over the Powers prison and has built a device to drain the superhuman powers. (Season 1) Following RetroGirl's death, he becomes concerned with his legacy and inspiring a new generation of Powers. (Season 2)
  • Aaron Farb as Simons – Royalle's assistant. He has the power to make multiple copies of himself, each with their own thoughts and personalities. He commonly uses his power to help Royalle, which includes running his club and assisting with his plans. (Season 1)
  • Claire Bronson as Candace Stockley – Krispin's mother who's a good friend of Christian. She works as a publicist at PAR Agency for powers and takes Zora as a client. (Season 1)
  • Justice Leak as Kutter – a detective in Powers Division. He is friends with Christian and respects him, though they often butt heads.
  • Nicky Buggs as Eva Hamdam – RetroGirl's personal assistant and confidante. (Season 1)
  • Jeryl Prescott as Golden – a member of Powers Division. She is friends with both Deena and Christian. (Season 1)
  • Shelby Steel as Marigold Wygant, better known by her online handle Chaotic Chick – a girl who Krispin meets while playing a Powers-based online game. Like Krispin, she feels that Powers should be held accountable for their mistakes and forms ChaoticChic with him, after a Powers battle resulted in the death of her cousin.
  • Michael Lowry as Craig Sherman – a PAR Agency publicist who works for Zora and RetroGirl.
  • Charmin Lee as Patrice LeGarde – Johny Royalle's lawyer. (Season 1)
  • Bianca Amato as Delia Alexander – a newscaster who hosts a very popular news show called "One on One with Delia Alexander". (Season 1)
  • Jannette Sepwa as Paola Ruiz – Zora's assistant and lawyer. (Season 1)
  • Leander Suleiman as Mack – A member of Powers Division. She is partnered with Argento and attempts to get him to get back in the dating game. (Season 1)
  • David Ury as Dr. Death – a mortician who works for Powers Division. He does not get along with Deena.
  • Enrico Colantoni as Senator Bailey Brown, a.k.a. The Cobalt Knight - a retired hero turned senator who has a hard stance on Powers. He was part of the Unity team along with RetroGirl and SuperShock, but quit to go into politics. (Season 2)
  • Tricia Helfer as FBI Special Agent Angela Lange, formerly known by her hero name Lynx – a werecat Power hero-turned criminal-turned rehabilitated government agent. She works alongside partner Schlag as an intermediary between Powers Division and the federal government. Angela is also a former flame of Christian. (Season 2)
  • Timothy Douglas Perez as FBI Special Agent Schlag – the silent, granite-skinned Power who's the partner of Lange and tends to act as the muscle of the pair. (Season 2)
  • Jason Wesley as Terrance Pelham – a TV reporter for Powers That Be (PTB) News. (Season 2)
  • Teri Wyble as Nicole Glantz – an investigative reporter for PTB News who's willing to do what needs to be done to move forward in her career. (Season 2)
  • Azie Tesfai as Dr. Michelle Marrs - the new coroner at Powers divisions, she's amicable and excitable towards powers and immediately becomes friends with Walker and Pilgrim. (Season 2)
  • Robin Spriggs as Morrison, a.k.a. The Ghost – an apparently ageless Level-10 Power and master manipulator who is endowed with super strength and the ability to disappear. He is the longtime nemesis of SuperShock. (Season 2)
  • Wil Wheaton as Conrad Moody – the eccentric toymaker and CEO of Colossal Fun who is obsessed with the idea of RetroGirl. (Season 2)
  • Raul Casso as Sgt. Tiberio Martinez – an amputee USMC veteran and MMA fighter recruited by Harley to test his prosthetic technology, who soon becomes his protégé on the road to becoming a tech-powered hero himself. (Season 2)
  • Matthew Yang King as THX, a Hack lieutenant who uses implants to change his face. The cyborg's hardware fatally crashes before he can reveal who hired him. (Season 2)

Development

Sony Pictures had optioned the series for film production in 2001.[9] In 2009, Brian Michael Bendis, creator of the comic book, confirmed plans to develop a Powers television show on FX as well as his involvement as the writer of the pilot for the show.[10] In February 2011, a greenlit pilot of the show scripted by Charles H. Eglee was announced as a co-production by Sony Pictures Television and FX Networks.[9] Charles S. Dutton became the first cast member in May 2011 when he signed on to play Captain Cross.[11] Imminent filming in Chicago within weeks was announced in June 2011.[12] The following week, Lucy Punch was cast as Deena Pilgrim.[13] Katee Sackhoff had campaigned for the part.[14] Although FX was rumored to be courting Kyle Chandler for the part of Walker,[14] the next day Jason Patric was cast in the part.[15][16] Later in June, Carly Foulkes was cast as RetroGirl and Bailee Madison was cast as Calista.[17][18]

Filming began in Chicago in early July 2011 and ended in early August.[19][20] In November 2011, FX announced that it would retool and reshoot the Powers pilot.[21] Bendis tweeted that "the reshoots are planned for January and are all about tone and clarity".[22] In April 2012, more scripts were ordered and writing continued, but reshoots and recasting were being discussed by the network.[23]

On March 19, 2014, it was announced that Powers would become the first original television series on the PlayStation Network, to stream exclusively on PlayStation consoles and potentially stream in December 2014.[24][25] On July 16, 2014, Susan Heyward, Max Fowler and Adam Godley were cast as Deena Pilgrim, Krispin Stockley and Captain Cross.[26] On August 15, 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor and Olesya Rulin were cast in the roles of "Big Bad" Wolfe, Johnny Royalle and Calista.[27] On August 18, 2014, Sharlto Copley was announced to star as Christian Walker and Michelle Forbes is cast as RetroGirl.[28] Mario Lopez guest stars in the pilot episode as the host of Extra wondering about Walker's current whereabouts.

On October 11, 2014, a trailer for Powers was premiered at New York Comic-Con.[29]

Reception

The first season has received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 48% based on 23 critic reviews, with an average score of 5.48/10. The critical consensus reads "The interplay between the characters lacks spark, but the detailed world-building of Powers shows potential."[30] On Metacritic, it received a score of 51 out of 100, and a user score of 6.5 out of 10, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[31]

References
  1. Fitzpatrick, Kevin (June 10, 2014). "Sony's Powers TV Series to Hit Playstation in December". Screen Crush. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  2. Graser, Marc (November 18, 2014). "Sony Powers Up its First Scripted TV Series on PlayStation". Variety. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  3. Bendis, Brian. "Powers Premieres March 10th, Only on PlayStation". Playstation. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  4. "Powers – 'Pilot'". BD. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  5. "David Slade To Direct First Two Episodes Of Sony TV's Powers". Deadline Hollywood. July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  6. Reilly, Luke. "So, Why Exactly Can't the Rest of the World Watch Powers?". IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  7. Sirani, Jordan. "Playstation's Powers renewed for season 2". IGN. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  8. "'Powers' canceled by PlayStation Network". August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016.
  9. Melrose, Kevin (February 25, 2011). "FX Greenlights Powers Pilot". Spinoff. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  10. Melrose, Kevin (February 6, 2009). "Bendis confirms Powers TV series headed to FX". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  11. Ching, Albert (May 7, 2011). "Charles S. Dutton First Official Powers Cast Member". Newsarama. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  12. Ching, Albert (June 15, 2011). "Bendis Says Powers Pilot Is 'Filming In Just A Few Weeks'". Newsarama. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  13. Andreeva, Nellie (June 20, 2011). "Lucy Punch Set As The Female Lead In FX's Drama Pilot Powers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  14. Porter, Rick (June 21, 2011). "FX's Powers pilot packs a (Lucy) Punch". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  15. Andreeva, Nellie (June 21, 2011). "Jason Patric Set To Star In FX's Powers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  16. Hibberd, James (June 22, 2011). "Jason Patric speaks out on FX's Powers role". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  17. Lesnick, Silas (June 26, 2011). "Will go from T-Mobile Girl to RetroGirl". SuperHeroHype. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  18. Filipponi, Pietro (June 26, 2011). "Powers TV Series Taps T-Mobile Model Carly Foulkes for Role of RetroGirl". The Daily Blam. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  19. Filipponi, Pietro (July 8, 2011). "First Photo from the Set of FX's New TV Series Powers". The Daily Blam. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  20. Holliday, Darryl (October 3, 2011) [August 11, 2011]. "Chicago, cops & super-criminals in new TV pilot". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  21. Andreeva, Nellie (November 17, 2011). "FX Passes On Pilot Outlaw Country, Will Retool Powers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  22. Brian Michael Bendis (November 17, 2011). "@BRIANMBENDIS status". Twitter. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  23. Pantozzi, Jill (April 9, 2012). "Good News? The Powers TV Show Is Starting Over". The Mary Sue. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  24. Franich, Darren (June 9, 2014). "Powers: Comic book TV show coming to Playstation Network in December". Entertatinment Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  25. Sharma, Amol (March 19, 2014). "Sony to Add Original TV Shows for PlayStation". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  26. "Susan Heyward Lands Female Lead In Sony Playstation Series Powers, Max Fowler & Adam Godley Also Cast". Deadline Hollywood. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  27. "Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor & Olesya Rulin To Co-Star In PlayStation Series Powers". Deadline Hollywood. August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  28. "Sharlto Copley Set As Lead Christian Walker In Powers, Michelle Forbes Is RetroGirl". Deadline Hollywood. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  29. "New York Comic-Con: PlayStation's Powers Series Unveil First Trailer (Video)". Deadline Hollywood. October 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  30. "Powers: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  31. "Powers - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
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