SUPERHERO ENVY AND THE JOY OF BEING OUT

31/05/2017

Luke_McFarlane
Move over, Deadpool: Luke Macfarlane wouldn’t mind playing a gay, caped crusader
By Nelson Branco

It’s Pride month—and London, Ont., native Luke Macfarlane is proud of himself for managing to be out as an actor in Hollywood and still manage to work steadily for almost a decade. Coming out in an interview with The Globe and Mail in 2008, Macfarlane wasn’t sure at the time of how news of his sexuality would impact his career—especially during that recession-plagued era.

The Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts and Julliard graduate said at the time, “I don’t know what will happen professionally.… That is the fear, but I guess I can’t really be concerned about what will happen because it’s my truth. There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are, and what’s been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself.”

Macfarlane first caught critics’ attention with his performance in FX’s gritty US army series Over There, which was produced by NYPD Blue/L.A. Law showrunner Steven Bochco and focused on the first tour in Iraq. Then came what was arguably his breakout role in ABC’s drama Brothers & Sisters, where he played popular Scotty Wandell, husband to Kevin Walker (played by Matthew Rhys). Since then, the former singer and songwriter has worked on Canadian series Satisfaction as well as NBC’s The Night Shift and PBS’s Mercy Street.

Today, he’s sporting armour as D’avin Jaqobis on Space’s sci-fi fantasy series Killjoys, which returns for a third season on June 30 at 8 pm. Killjoys is described as a “fast-paced space adventure about a trio of hard-living, party-loving bounty hunters working for the R.A.C. (Recovery and Apprehension Coalition).”

IN caught up with the 37-year-old hunk, who has been romantically linked to actors like Wentworth Miller, to chat about playing a gay superhero one day, whether Pride needs to reinvent itself and why he thinks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the world’s moral compass in these uncertain, chaotic times.

For those who haven’t watched Killjoys, what can they expect?
It takes place in an unspecified place and future. The trio of bounty hunters are played by me, Aaron Ashmore and Hannah John-Kamen. It’s an unlikely, future family drama. Aaron plays my brother and my character has a thing for his best friend, played by Hannah. It has a lot of action and comedy.

Why is there such a fascination with sci-fi and superhero content at the moment?
My cynical answer is…especially looking at the film industry today, because there’s a lot of rebooting of old narrative.… I think it’s due to studios being scared that no one will come to see a new story, so they rely on projects with pre-existing fan bases. So many of the ’80s audiences now have young families, so it’s a good time to reintroduce a proven, successful franchise to a new generation via their parent, who also gets an update to watch. One of the reasons I’m really proud of our show is because it’s original material. But my other answer is that I think people need right now to escape to a world they can create in their own imagination, given the state of everything going on today in politics.

Just about every actor and their stepmother has a superhero franchise. Would you be up for sporting some tights in your own superhero film in the future?
Omigod, of course I would. My agent would kill if I didn’t do that. Of course, you need to find the right superhero who matches the deeper aspect of your personality. So who would my superhero be? He’d probably an architecture fanatic…

One who likes dudes? Other than bisexual-leaning Deadpool, we don’t have any gay superheroes on the big screen.
That is so true. But you know what? Things are changing so rapidly so I could see it happening, for sure. I’d be down.

Your body is a machine these days. What did you do with that lovely tall and lean build we all loved? You could definitely fill out a superhero costume today.
[Laughs] Awww… I’ve always been very schizophrenic. I don’t always know what I want to do professionally. On Brothers & Sisters, it was a huge and successful TV series. I loved playing Scotty. That show probably got me the most recognition in my career. When the show was wrapping up, I remember saying, ‘Oh no. I have to move on to something new. I need to reinvent myself. I need to think about the next stage.’ So that’s when I decided to transform my body. When I was doing the Broadway play, The Normal Heart, I was working out all the time. I remember when I was backstage in between shows, the director would say, ‘Luke, you have to stop working out! You look way too healthy to play an HIV patient in the 1980s!’ I did want to do a lot of action and adventure films and TV, so that’s why Killjoys is a perfect fit for me.

What are you doing at the gym?
I train almost every single day. I usually go to the gym before work. I find it makes my day so much easier if I have already worked out. I really enjoy the rowing machine when I’m not doing weights.

Luke_McFarlane small size

Luke_McFarlane killjoys

Luke Macfarlane as D’avin Jaqobis on the Space television science fiction series, Killjoys

How do you deal with being a sex symbol? Some in the industry worry you can’t be an authentic sex symbol and be out. Researching your career, I read a quote from a director who didn’t want to cast you as a gay character because you come off too heterosexual!
First of all, who knows what being a sex symbol is? It just means getting more attention if you look a certain way. As far as identity and how I want to be perceived, I really feel like I just want to be known for my work and that I want to keep working. The perception of being gay or straight, I don’t know, I think we’re in a new era in life where it doesn’t matter as much as it did before, but I could be totally wrong.

You came out in 2008. Had you stayed in the closet, imagine how much more difficult these past nine years would have been. Any advice you would have given yourself back then?
I would have told myself, especially when I was younger, that I should be easier on myself. I remember my first professional TV show and I wasn’t as open with everybody about myself as I could have been. Yes, it was a different time back then, but you always have to give people the autonomy to react in their own way to our own truths.

This year the Toronto Police are banned from marching or displaying any booths at this year’s Pride Toronto celebrations, after a motion from Black Lives Matter–Toronto ‘passed.’ Thoughts?
I won’t be here for Toronto’s Pride. I’m not going to say anything about the issue but I do feel like we have to be inclusive with ideas and people—and those who want to march with our community should be allowed to.

Do you think Pride needs to be reinvented? It’s more relevant
than ever in the US given this current White House administration.

I do think Pride is still relevant. Acts of gathering are still powerful, as we saw with the Women’s March. Pride and Pride parades are two very different things. There has been so much discussion about slacktivism and what we really gain from retweeting/tweeting causes, but I think the act of gathering publicly is still a very profound and powerful experience—as we’re seeing all over the world. The commercialism at Pride? Listen, I remember being at a New York Pride parade and I saw these go-go Altoid boys in red Speedos. I was like, ‘Oh, what does this have to do with Pride? And that’s a straight trainer from Equinox gym on that float!’ But I don’t know…maybe that’s how you get people out these days, with the lure of Speedos.

Do you like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?
I think he’s a moral compass of the Western world. I can say I’m deeply proud of his commitment to immigrants and refugees. I think he’s important not only to Canada but also to the rest of the world.

Narratively, Brothers & Sisters was kind of ahead of its time, but its ratings weren’t on fire. It aired before streaming services tackled heavier material. While it could have continued a few more seasons, I consider the show a success. Do you think the show’s lifespan was cut too short?
It’s hard to tell. We did have a big cast and we had a lot of big names. It was hard to keep everyone happy. I feel particularly blessed in that role because Matthew and I got along so well. You can tell the writers liked writing for us so we always had a good storyline. I don’t think a lot of the other actors felt that way. I would have loved to have seen Scotty and Kevin go on but others felt we had told all the story we could.

Do you still see Matthew? [Sarcastically] I hear he’s doing pretty badly in his career right now…
[Laughs] No, he’s doing really well. I haven’t seen him in a while but we do exchange texts occasionally.

It must be a good time to be in Canada, as the US seems to be imploding politically.
It’s great. I got here to Toronto a couple of weeks after Christmas, but I’ll be spending the summer in L.A. It’s nice to be here because I have a lot of pride in Canada. I will say Canadians really love talking about Americans, though! I’m constantly being asked what I think about Trump. During the past two years, I’ve been flying down to Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, to film a PBS series called Merchant Street about the Civil War—which couldn’t be a more American experience—but then I would fly back to Toronto, so I do have one foot in each country. It’s a good balance.

Are you single these days? Not sure if you want to share your romantic status.
Yeah, I’d rather not. I don’t like to talk about my personal life in interviews.

Hard-hitting question time: boxers or briefs? Or a hybrid?
[Laughs] I have to tell you I wear all types of underwear. It depends on the workout of the day.

Source: IN Magazine

Syfy Sets UK Premiere Date For ‘Killjoys’ Season 3

31/05/2017

The third season of Killjoys will receive its UK premiere on Syfy UK on Tuesday July 4th at 9pm, it has been announced.

From Lost Girl creator Michelle Lovretta, Killjoys follows a fun-loving, hard living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody, multi-planetary class war. The drama series is produced by Temple Street Productions and stars Hannah John-Kamen (Black Mirror), Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters) and Aaron Ashmore (Warehouse 13). In season three the trio of interplanetary bounty hunters must come together and prepare themselves for what lies ahead. Tension and tragedy loom over the J Star System as they struggle to assemble an army and prepare for battle.

TVWise’s UK Premiere Dates page has been updated with this new information.

Source: Tv Wise

Killjoys Interview: The 3 Stars Tell Us What’s Next For D’avin, Dutch, And John

31/05/2017

 Returns June 30

During our recent visit to the set of Killjoys, stars Aaron Ashmore (John), Hannah John-Kamen (Dutch), and Luke Macfarlane (D’avin) sat down to offer a sense of where their characters find themselves in Season 3. While they offered several intriguing details about the episodes ahead, all the comments below are spoiler-free—and guaranteed to peak your curiosity about their upcoming adventures.

AARON ASHMORE: One of the interesting things about starting the third season is that there are two storylines. D’avin and Dutch are one storyline, and John is off finding himself, doing some things. It’s sort of different from the other two seasons, where we’re always together. There’s a little bit of branching out, which I think is sort of different and will allow all of us to do some new things.

HANNAH JOHN-KAMEN: We all have our own adventures and our own path. It’s also the introduction of the character Aneela, who is Khlyen’s daughter, so we will also be exploring that world.

LUKE MACFARLANE: D’avin continues to sort of play better with others much more than the first season. As John is on his walkabout, we are getting along really well as team members. The big question for him is we know that he has these sort of magical powers—for lack of a better term—so we’re going to continue to learn more about that.

AA: If you remember, John sort of left on… not a great note. His girlfriend was murdered. A bit of a low point for John there and then he sort of takes his revenge and then is off. A big part for John is dealing with that, dealing with the death of Pawter, but then his actions, reconciling those actions, and how he fits back into the team—because I think he’s changed a little bit.

HJK: Dutch lost Khlyen in the last season and everything she thought she knew was completely destroyed in that moment. The discovery of Aneela and the job that has to be done—Dutch is seeing red and I think the war is on.

AA: Our dynamic is still our dynamic, but I think one of the interesting things about the show is we’re always kind of playing with the dynamics of the trio. The core of it stays the same, but there’s always a little bit of dancing around and trying to figure out how we all fit together. It’s part of what makes Killjoys original.

LM: To be part of something truly original is really rewarding. When I tell people, ‘Oh, I’m doing this sci-fi show,’ the immediate question is, ‘Oh, what’s it based on?’ So much of the material that’s coming out right now is coming from a sort of history, maybe a comic book. That’s wonderful and that’s what is required nowadays, but we get to make up the rules as we go and I wish there was more space for that on the market because it expands us all, as both creators and viewers.

AA: As far as the future goes, five seasons and a movie, right? That’s what you want. But yeah, I hope that people will remember it fondly because I think we’re all really proud of it. We all really enjoy it. The idea of it ending is really a bummer, not just for the show, but we get along so well. That’s really sad to think about, but yeah, I hope people walk away having had fun and really enjoying it and just remembering it fondly, the way we will.

Killjoys returns to Space June 30 at 8pm ET.

Source: Space

Killjoys Season 3 Welcomes Far-Out New Cast Members

12/05/2017

Returns June 30

Basics are so 2016. The new season of Killjoys will add more Hackmods to its core cast of intergalactic-bounty-hunters-turned-Quad-crusaders. What’s a Hackmod you ask? Remember Johnny’s über-rad new space road trip pal with the machine gun arm, Clara? That’s a Hackmod. Everyone else is a basic.

This season, our trio will be joined by international bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta who’ll take on the role of Niko, “a lethal Hackmod surgeon with killer legs and a secret crusade.” Whoa, sounds like Johnny might have a NEW crush. Modesta’s viral smash hit, “Prototype,” will also be featured in the episode.

“I’m a huge fan of Viktoria’s work and was blown away by her performance,” says Killjoys showrunner Michelle Lovretta. “I could not dream of anyone better to bring gorgeous Niko to life.”

Also getting in on the Hackmod action are Bitten’s Tommie-Amber Pirie and Hemlock Grove’s Emily Piggford as Clara’s associates, Ollie and Yoki. Prince Amponsah (The Entertainer) will play Rat City Hacksaw Bar owner, Havigan. Sean Fowler takes the role of Cutter, a Hackmodding technician with an extremely apt name.

Introduced in Season 2, the Hackmods are humans with cybernetic implants who were enslaved and modded in a black market workshop known as The Factory and sold to the highest bidder. Some Hackmods have managed to escape their owners and eke out a life of their own in Rat City, a neutral zone situated at the far end of the J Star System, where Hackmods have one another’s backs and ‘Basics’ (unmodded humans), dare not tread.

Killjoys reenters the Space atmosphere Friday, June 30 at 8pm ET, with catch-up episodes streaming right here on Space.ca and Space GO. Season 1 is currently on CraveTV, and Season 2 will be available May 19.

You can watch the Season 3 sneak peek here, and check out a smattering of first-look Season 3 photos below. Each episodic image offers clues to what unfolds in the much-anticipated return of Space’s most-watched original series.

Source: Space

Canada’s Most Beautiful 2017: See who made the list!

10/05/2017

They’re actors, recording stars, TV personalities, athletes and models – and these 50 Canadians have one thing in common: a spot on Hello! Canada‘s 50 Most Beautiful Canadians list for 2017!

We’re happy to celebrate them at a time when their star is rising (think newly minted Juno winner Ruth B.) or burning more brightly than ever (hello, Ryan Gosling!). They’re all photogenic, to be sure, but they exemplify what it means to be beautiful on the inside, too, thanks to their creative pursuits, charitable efforts and obliging nature with fans. For all those reasons and more, superstar Celine Dion kicks off our list.

Killjoys Saison 3 nous invite à joindre le combat dans son teaser

18/04/2017

Syfy nous a récemment révélé son programme estival, parmi lequel on retrouve bien évidemment la troisième saison de Killjoys. Nous sommes maintenant à moins de deux mois de son lancement et la chaine canadienne Space (qui diffuse la série) commence ainsi la promotion avec un teaser.

La création de Michelle Lovretta nous propose 10 nouveaux épisodes où notre trio phare va devoir se construire une armée pour mieux faire face à Aneela qui compte bien obtenir vengeance.

Les premières images nous annoncent ainsi plus qu’une bataille, mais une guerre où les chasseurs de primes ne vont pas pouvoir conserver leur position neutre.

Hannah John-Kamen (Dutch), Aaron Ashmore (John Jaqobis) et Luke Macfarlane (D’Avin) sont bien évidemment de retour dans ces nouveaux épisodes de Killjoys, comme Thom Allison (Pree), Sean Baek (Fancy) et Patrick Garrow (officer Turin).

La distribution de la série est alors complétée par Kelly McCormack (Motive) dans la peau de Banyon, un membre officiel et haut placé du RAC ; Ted Atherton (The Expanse) qui incarne Gander, un lieutenant sous les ordres d’Aneela ; et Prince Amponsah (The Entertainer) qui joue Havigan, le propriétaire respecté d’un bar pour hack-mod (personne modifiée avec des implants cybernétiques).

La saison 3 de Killjoys commence le 9 juin 2017 sur Syfy. En attendant les nouveaux épisodes, vous pouvez redécouvrir la première saison qui est disponible en DVD/Blu-ray.

Source: Critictoo

Here’s When Killjoys, Dark Matter, And New Series Blood Drive Premiere On Space This Summer

07/04/2017

Returns in 2017

The hunt is back on—and more badass than ever—because we’ve got premiere dates for fan-favourite thriller, Dark Matter, in addition to our most watched original series, Killjoys.

It gets better: Space revs up the summer with a new action-packed grindhouse series, appropriately called Blood Drive.

Below is a chronological list of Space premieres just announced, plus plenty of juicy deets about what to expect. Of course, stay tuned for way more info in the coming weeks.

Dark Matter – Season 3 Premiere

Friday, June 9 at 8pm ET *Two episodes back-to-back* (Then single eps weekly on Fridays at 9pm ET)

Based on the graphic novel created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, Dark Matter centres on an intergalactic crew who awaken on a derelict spaceship with no memories of who they are or how they got there. After the EOS 7 space station is destroyed, the survivors fight to stay alive and find the rest of their crew.

Blood Drive – Series Premiere

Wednesday, June 14 at 10pm ET

Get uncomfortable…! In the tradition of classic grindhouse movies, Blood Drive is a new series soaked in high-octane chaos and just barely approved for television. After Los Angeles’ last good cop (Alan Ritchson) is forced to join a twisted cross-country death race, his only hope of survival is a dangerous femme fatale who has the need for speed (Christina Ochoa). Oh, and forget gasoline… these cars run on human blood! The series is from Universal Cable Productions and executive producers John Hlavin (Underworld Awakening), David Straiton (Bates Motel) and Frederik Malmberg (Let Me In), along with producer Mark Wheeler (Becoming). James Roland (Weeds) created the project and is a co-executive producer on the series.

Killjoys – Season 3 Premiere

Friday, June 30 at 8pm ET

After sustaining serious personal losses, our trio of interplanetary bounty hunters must come together and prepare themselves for what lies ahead. Tension and tragedy loom over the J Star System as they struggle to assemble an army and prepare for battle.

 

Source: Space

SyFy and Space Announce Summer Returns

07/04/2017

SyFy/Bell Media
SyFy/Bell Media

Fridays this summer are about to get very interesting! Syfy and Space Channel announced a lineup that has us here at The TV Junkies very, very excited. Killjoys, Dark Matter and Wynonna Earp will all air on the same night, Fridays, this summer on both Syfy and Space Channel.

Dark Matter will premiere Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. with back to back episodes on Syfy and Space. After the first week it will move to its 9 p.m. timeslot. Based on the graphic novel created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, Dark Matter centers on an intergalactic crew who awaken on a derelict spaceship with no memories of who they are or how they got there. After the EOS 7 space station is destroyed, the survivors fight to stay alive and find the rest of their crew.

Space’s new acquisition, Wynonna Earp, also returns on Friday, June 9 at 10 p.m. on Space and Syfy. The supernatural thriller follows Wyatt Earp’s great-granddaughter as she battles demons and other supernatural beings. After years away, Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano) has travelled back to her home town of Purgatory to reluctantly take on the role destined for Wyatt Earp’s heir: end the family curse that has resurrected the villains her legendary ancestor dispatched—now known as Revenants. Season 1 of Wynonna Earp will air on Space Channel beginning Saturday, April 15 at 10 p.m.

Killjoys then joins the fun beginning Friday, June 30 at 8 p.m. with its Season 3 premiere on Syfy and Space. After sustaining serious personal losses, the trio of interplanetary bounty hunters must come together and prepare themselves for what lies ahead. Tension and tragedy loom over the J Star System as they struggle to assemble an army and prepare for battle.

In addition, Space revs up the summer with the acquisition of new action-packed grindhouse series Blood Drive, premiering exclusively on Space in Canada, Wednesday, June 14 at 10 p.m. ET. It’s a new series soaked in high-octane chaos and just barely approved for television. After Los Angeles’ last good cop (Alan Ritchson) is forced to join a twisted cross-country death race, his only hope of survival is a dangerous femme fatale who has the need for speed (Christina Ochoa). Oh, and forget gasoline… these cars run on human blood! The series is from Universal Cable Productions and executive producers John Hlavin (Underworld Awakening), David Straiton (Bates Motel) and Frederik Malmberg (Let Me In), along with producer Mark Wheeler (Becoming). James Roland (Weeds) created the project and is a co-executive producer on the series.

Source: The Tv Junkies

Mercy Street cancellato dopo due stagioni

10/03/2017

Mercy Street, la serie co-creata da Lisa Q. Wolfinger e David Zabel e prodotta da Ridley Scott non avrà una terza stagione.

PBS ha infatti annunciato la cancellazione del medical drama ambientato durante la Guerra Civile americana che vedeva come protagonisti Josh Radnor nel ruolo del Dottor Foster, e Mary Elizabeth Winstead in quello dell’infermiera Phinney.

Sembra che alla base della decisione ci siano stati problemi di natura economica nonché di produzione per via di diverse difficoltà di allineamento a livello di tempistiche. Di conseguenza il recente finale della seconda stagione di Mercy Street si è ora tramutato nel suo finale di serie.

Source: BadTv

Mercy Street Cancelled After 2 Seasons

09/03/2017

The doctors of Mercy Street have made their final house call.

PBS’ Civil War-era medical drama — starring Josh Radnor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead — has been cancelled, with the recent Season 2 finale now serving as a series finale, Deadline reports. Funding issues and trouble aligning production timelines are said to be the motivations behind the decision to wrap the series.

“We sought to bring a time and place to life that is so important to understanding American history, and in a way that was meaningful, authentic and entertaining,” executive producer David Zucker said in a statement.

“Together, we delivered 12 hours of compelling and worthwhile storytelling which we all take pride in,” added fellow EP David Zabel. “It was five years in the making and we are grateful to PBS for its loyal support.”

Mercy Street‘s sophomore run wrapped on Sunday, March 5.
Source: Tv Line