Syfy's 12 Monkeys isn't a huge departure from Terry Gilliam's film starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt but it does tell a unique and dynamic story (and has fantastic, complex female characters). Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, and Emily Hampshire star in the Syfy version which is set to debut its third season next year. And this time, a time travel expert will be along for the ride.
Today they let us know that none other than Christopher Lloyd, of Back to the Future fame, will guest star. Syfy gave away some very interesting details about the character: “Lloyd will play Zalmon Shaw, a charming but deadly cult leader who preys upon other”s tragedies and losses in order to recruit new members into the apocalyptic cult the 'Army of the 12 Monkeys.' Shaw is the father of the series' most imposing villain, the enigmatic Pallid Man.”
While the show already brought in a 12 Monkeys legacy actor (Stowe) into the drama of Season 2, bringing in this time travel legend just feels right. And I'd wager this decision was helped along by showrunner Terry Matalas' longtime love of Back to the Future.
Speaking of, Matalas is also set to take on a new gig in Season 3, directing the premiere episode. They've just started production, so we don't know too much about the new season yet but here's the latest summary:
In season three, James Cole and Cassandra Railly 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 mean saving the world. But the journey will come at tremendous personal stakes for both Cole and Railly and will call into question new alliances, old bonds, and the virtue of the mission itself.
And the first teaser.