Early in 2016, Syfy is bringing The Magicians to a TV near you. Based on Lev Grossman’s fantasy trilogy of the same name, the show tells the story of students at Brakebills University (in earlier versions: College for Magical Pedagogy) — a secret, exclusive upstate New York university of magic. Since these are grad students and at least one of the trailers mentions drinking and “screwing,” think Hogwarts, but without the saltpeter.
The Magicians stars Jason Ralph (Quentin Goldwater), Stella Maeve (Julia), Olivia Taylor Dudley (Alice), Hale Appleton (Eliot), Arjun Gupta (Penny), and Summer Bishil (Margo). Set to recur are Rick Worthy (Dean Fogg), Anne Dudek (Professor Sunderland), Jade Tailor (Kady), and Esme Bianco (Eliza). Scroll down for more details from Syfy, and two videos: a “Welcome to Brakebills” sneak peek and the “Magic is a Drug” trailer, which debuted at New York Comic Con.
From Syfy:
Based upon Lev Grossman’s best-selling books, The Magicians stars Jason Ralph (A Most Violent Year, Aquarius) as Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant grad student who enrolls in Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his 20-something friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real— and poses grave danger to humanity. Stella Maeve (Chicago P.D.), Olivia Taylor Dudley (Vatican Tapes, Paranormal Activity 5), Hale Appleman (Teeth), Arjun Gupta (Nurse Jackie), and Summer Bishil (Towelhead, Lucky 7) also star in this one-hour drama.
Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Janice Williams (Milk) will executive produce. John McNamara (Aquarius) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural), writers of the pilot, will serve as executive producers.
Lev Grossman’s Magicians trilogy is an international sensation, published and widely praised in more than twenty countries. The epic conclusion to the series, The Magician’s Land, opened at #1 last summer on The New York Times Hardcover Best Seller’s list, and was widely acclaimed as one of the best books of the year.
“Ever since The Magicians was published I’ve wanted to see this story on screen,” said Lev Grossman. “The people, the school, the other worlds, the magic. I’m so thrilled that it’s finally happening, and I’m beyond thrilled that we found the right people to do it. Get ready; you’ve never seen anything like this.”
Watch the “Welcome to Brakebills University,” sneak peek:
Bonus! Watch the New York Comic Con “Magic is a Drug” trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxB9thaew_c
What do you think? Do you like the looks of the new Syfy fantasy TV series, The Magicians? Should Draco Malfoy apply? Do you plan to check it out? Let us know.
