Will we ever see an end to the virus that ended humanity on 12 Monkeys? It’s a question we’ll get an answer to sooner than you think, as Syfy has announced a fourth—and final—season pick-up of the show in advance of its season three premiere. A season that will be presented to the world in an unprecedented manner: as a weekend-long televised event.
wait. SAY WHAAAAAAAAT?
Now, before you get all confused, fear not: we’ve got all the facts thanks to a good, ol’ fashioned press release. In it, Syfy states that the third season is set to debut on May 19 at 8pm, with the entire 10-episode season (!!) playing out across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. The first four episodes will premiere on Friday, with three episodes airing each night on both Saturday and Sunday from 8pm – 11pm.
It’s a smart play for a show that’s gained most of its fan base and critical acclaim thanks to its binge-watching availability on other platforms. Given how much you have to pay attention to the rivetingly complicated storytelling at hand (no one does time travel better on TV. NO ONE), putting it all out in this manner allows superfans to dig and speculate, and takes the pressure off casual fans about finding the time week-to-week to tune in. “With its time-twisting themes and edge-of-your-seat storyline, 12 Monkeys is the perfect show to air this way,” explained Chris McCumber, president of entertainment networks at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
Series creator Terry Matalas also added that, “Each night is going to play like a summer blockbuster,” in case you needed any more reason to be excited. For a show that’s largely flown under the radar, but is lauded by those who love it, it feels a justified vote of confidence for the series’ storytelling. Heck, it almost makes it feel like we’re getting a series of extended movies instead of one long season (especially if you saw any of Matalas’ tweets and Instagram shots of their time filming abroad).
I mean, c’mon, right?
As for where the show is heading, non-geographically speaking, a press release from Syfy explained that the show “will continue the journey of James Cole (Aaron Stanford), a man sent back in time to eradicate the source of a deadly plague, and his partner, brilliant virologist Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull). While attempting to untangle an insidious conspiracy that’s been spun throughout centuries, the duo embark on a desperate search across time to find the man responsible for the apocalypse—a time traveler who calls himself the Witness. Killing the Witness will save the world, but the journey will come at tremendous personal stakes for the pair.”
In addition to Septa Unella from Game of Thrones (Hannah Waddingham) joining the series, Faran Tahir (Iron Man), James Callis (Battlestar Galactica), and THE Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) are also slated to appear. Lloyd, excitingly enough, will guest star as a cult leader with sinister motives who’s also the father of the Pallid Man. Spooky, right?
So long as Jennifer Goines (Emily Hampshire) is involved, though, we don’t care who comes on as a guest star. She’s going to save the world, y’all! I just know it.
Are you looking forward to 12 Monkeys‘ return? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image: Syfy
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor of Nerdist and creator/host of Fangirling! Find her on Twitter being deeply annoying.
