The Dresden Files (TV series)
| The Dresden Files | |
|---|---|
 Left to right: Harry Dresden, Connie Murphy, Bob, Morgan | |
| Created by | Jim Butcher |
| Developed by | Hans Beimler Robert Hewitt Wolfe |
| Starring | Paul Blackthorne Valerie Cruz Jonathan Higgins Matthew Knight |
| Country of origin |  United States Canada |
| No. of episodes | 10 (2 aired, 8 more confirmed) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Nicolas Cage Norm Golightly Robert Hewitt Wolfe David Simkins |
| Producers | Lawrence Walsh Jack Bernstein Barry Schkolnick Curtis Kheel Jonathan Hackett |
| Running time | approx. 45 mins (per episode) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sci Fi Channel Space: The Imagination Station |
| Release | January 21, 2007 – present |
The Dresden Files is a TV series based on the books by Jim Butcher. For information on plot and characters in the books, see The Dresden Files and List of The Dresden Files characters. It premiered on January 21, 2007 at 9:00 PM EST on the Sci Fi channel in the United States and on Space: The Imagination Station in Canada.
Development
In 2005, the SciFi Channel announced that it had optioned The Dresden Files as a two-hour movie and backdoor pilot. Nicolas Cage executive produces alongside Hans Beimler, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Norm Golightly, and Morgan Gendel. It is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Cage's Saturn Films.[1] Production began during the Fall of 2005. Originally, a Summer 2006 release was anticipated, but on May 23, 2006, a January 2007 airdate and 11 episode pick-up was announced on JBAnnounce, the official Jim Butcher announcement list. It was confirmed the next day by Sci-Fi.[2]
The pilot movie was made from a screenplay by television writers Hans Beimler and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and based on Butcher's novel Storm Front. David Carson directed and shooting took place in Toronto. It was announced in November 2005 that Paul Blackthorne had been cast in the lead role.[3] The two-episode pilot was originally intended to serve as a two hour premiere, but the third episode (in production order) was aired in its place instead.
Cast and characters
Casting was confirmed on November 29, 2005 by Robert Hewitt Wolfe[4]:
- Harry Dresden (Paul Blackthorne) - The main character of the series, Harry is a reluctant hero, a professional wizard who often helps the police with cases involving "unusual" circumstances and others who seek his help. Harry's mother, a powerful wizard, died when he was young. He was raised by his father, a stage magician. Not much else about his upbringing is known except when he was about 10 his powers began to emerge and his uncle Justin wanted to take him and teach him about his powers. Harry's father felt it was the best for Harry to remain with him. Bob also refers to Harry "self-defensing" his uncle to death, referring to the council's decision that Harry's slaughter of his uncle was determined to be an act of self-defense.
- Lt. Connie Murphy (Valerie Cruz) - The Chicago policewoman who often seeks out Harry's help with cases that are hard to solve and may be supernaturally related. She is dedicated and takes her job seriously, even going as far as seeking out the only wizard in the phonebook to help with cases. Lt. Murphy is a tough, no-nonsense woman who is divorced and has a daughter who she says spends a lot of time with her father because of the long hours she has to work.
- Bob (Terrence Mann) - The old spirit who is owned by Dresden. He was once owned by Dresden's uncle, Justin Morringway before Dresden "self-defensed" him to death. He advises Dresden on both personal and magical matters. Bob is an invaluable source of knowledge which Dresden taps to solve supernatural crimes. In the pilot episode Bob is seen designing "the Doom Box," which is a supernatural jack-in-the-box-that contains and amplifies energy. Dresden eventually uses "the Doom Box" that Bob makes for him to kill a skinwalker. It also seems—from a conversation in the beginning of the pilot episode between Harry and him—that he wrote a grimoire while he was still alive that "contained some nasty stuff in it." Dresden burned the copy of Bob's grimoire that his uncle Justin Morringway had in his possession.
- Morgan (Conrad Coates) - Coming in later in the series, Morgan is the lead enforcer for the High Council (the governing body of the wizard community) assigned to the Chicago area. He is a stickler for the rules, powerful, and will often confront Harry because of their differing ideals and personalities.
- Melissa - A contact/source of Harry's who most likely does some work for the Council because of her ability to access and check the High Council's records. In the first episode, Harry asked her to look into the records for Scott Sharp's birth parents. She told him there was no mention of Scott in the records, but later revealed she had lied. The boy was in the records and apparently had huge magic potential. Melissa later tore down the protective wards in Harry's home, allowing the skinwalker to come in. Melissa was killed by the skinwalker.
- Scott Sharp (Dylan Everett) - A boy who comes to Harry in the first episode asking him to get rid of monsters after him and his mother. It turns out Scott has the gift of magic and was being targeted by a skinwalker. In the end, Harry returns Scott back to his mother. Harry tells Scott's mother that if anything strange happens that she should call him.
- Kirmani (Raoul Bhaneja)
- Bianca (Joanne Kelly)
- Susan Rodriguez (Rebecca McFarland)
- Ancient Mai (Jane McLean)
Differences from the book series
- Governing body of wizards is called the High Council; no reference has been made to the White Council on the show.
- The show gives Harry's specific age.
- Lt. Murphy does not have a daughter in the books.
- Harry is driving a Jeep on the show rather than the "Blue Beetle", a Volkswagen Beetle.
- Bob has a human form that comes out of the skull on the show.
Episodes
Season 1: 2007
| Screenshot | Title | Original airdate | Production code | # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Birds of a Feather" | January 21 2007 | TBA | |
|
A boy comes to Harry Dresden claming that monsters are after him. | ||||
| 02 | "The Boone Identity" | January 28 2007 | TBA | |
| 03 | "Hair of the Dog" | February 11 2007 | TBA | |
| 04 | "Rules of Engagement" | February 18 2007 | TBA | |
| 05 | "Storm Front" | February 25 2007 | TBA | |
References
- ^ SciFi Channel press release (October 11, 2005). "Nicolas Cage does some detective work for Sci Fi Channel". the futon critic. Retrieved 2005-10-12.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ SciFi Channel press release (May 24, 2006). "Dresden Gets SCI FI Pickup". SCI FI Wire. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ SciFi Channel press release (November 9, 2005). "Paul Blackthorne casts a spell over Sci Fi". the futon critic. Retrieved 2005-11-11.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Robert Hewitt Wolfe (November 29, 2005). "DF: Our Actual Cast!, Yes, real names and stuff! Plus trivia!". Ex Isle Forums. Retrieved 2005-11-29.
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External links
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