The TV Column

Real-life couple Heche, Tupper in new Syfy show

Syfy’s Aftermath finds Anne Heche and James Tupper as a couple leading their family through a bizarre world of disasters and mythical creatures.
Syfy’s Aftermath finds Anne Heche and James Tupper as a couple leading their family through a bizarre world of disasters and mythical creatures.

Let's see now. Just how long has it been since we've had a new post-apocalyptic science fiction thriller debut on TV? Has it been 15 minutes? Well, here's the latest.

TV is nothing if not derivative and now we have Aftermath, a 13-episode Canadian/American production that will premiere at 9 p.m. today on Syfy.

The action-heavy adventure stars real-life couple Anne Heche and James Tupper as survivors Karen and Joshua Copeland.

Fans will know the 47-year-old Heche most recently from the miniseries Dig, and from her previous work in Save Me and Men in Trees.

The 51-year-old Tupper is best known as Heche's co-star in Men in Trees and as David Clarke on ABC's Revenge. He and Heche have been together since 2007. They have one son, Atlas Heche Tupper.

Back in the apocalypse, Karen and Joshua have three kids.

Julia Sarah Stone (The Killing, Falling Skies) plays 16-year-old twin Dana. She's the practical, cynical and quick-witted one who is a whiz at science. That should come in handy.

Taylor Hickson (Deadpool) is Dana's twin, Brianna. She's emotional, romantic and rebellious.

Levi Meaden (The Killing) plays their ex-jock brother Matt. He's a fierce competitor who is pushed by circumstances into brutality.

In an interview with the online entertainment outfit Den of Geek, Tupper says that despite, the "after" in Aftermath, the show will be something different.

"It's not post-apocalyptic," he says, "it's during the apocalypse. It's more like we don't understand exactly what's happening.

"We're not sure that it's the end of days. We're just trying to battle it. But it gives the writers this leeway to go in every different direction, because it's all these myths and legends that suddenly have the freedom to come to life."

The series will have the Copelands navigating epic natural disasters and the appearance of supernatural demons and creatures from assorted mythologies.

Disasters include massive storms, earthquakes, meteor impacts, plague and the rapid decline of civilization. How about mythological creatures and demonic possession?

"In every world religion and culture, there're different touch points of creatures and things that they've invented to help describe themselves or events around them," Tupper says. "And this poses the question: What happens if those are real?"

In tonight's pilot, Dana is kidnapped by ... something ... and hauled off into the sky. The family hops into the RV and races off to the rescue.

Fortunately, Joshua is a scientist and theologian and is well-versed in religion and myths. That gives the family a leg up on figuring out what the heck is happening. Karen has a military background and can take names and kick butt.

Each family member will bring something to the table as the series goes forward.

Guest stars will include Leslie Hope (Tyrant, 24) who will also direct a couple of episodes.

WEDNESDAY

TV Land rolls out fresh episodes of Younger and Impastor on Wednesday.

Younger, 9 p.m. The series stars the marvelously gifted two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster (Bunheads) as Liza Miller, a divorced 40-something who has problems finding work in a youth-oriented world.

Best bud Maggie (Debi Mazar) gives Liza one heck of a makeover so that she passes as 26. She quickly lands a job and becomes friends with young co-worker Kelsey Peters (Hilary Duff).

Poignant comedy/drama ensues that frequently has something to say about the human condition.

The series was created and produced by Darren Star, the guy who gave us Melrose Place; Beverly Hills, 90210; and Sex and the City.

With far fewer than a million viewers each week, Younger may just be the best show you aren't watching.

Impastor, 9:30 p.m. The series begins its second season with Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) continuing to play Buddy Dobbs, a gambler on the run from loan sharks who is hiding by assuming the identify of a deceased gay Lutheran pastor in a small town.

Thus, the pastor is an imposter. Impastor. Get it?

Criminal Minds, 8 p.m., CBS. It's Season 12 for the series, which will soldier on without the fired Thomas Gibson.

Code Black, 9 p.m., CBS. The medical drama begins its second season with Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Hardin (Pollock) heading up the country's most chaotic ER.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Style on 09/27/2016

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