Sci-fi Talk

A look into the heart of Merlin Season Four with two of the series’ most iconic performers. Anthony Stewart Head (King Uther Pendragon) and Bradley James (Prince/King Arthur) join us for a pair of candid, insightful interviews that explore the emotional turning points, behind‑the‑scenes challenges, and legacy‑defining moments that shaped this pivotal season. Please donate for my walk against Pancreatic Cancer.  

In this episode, we dive deep into the icy, post-apocalyptic world of Impact Winter, Audible’s hit audio drama created by writer and world‑builder Travis Beacham. You may know Travis from his story treatment that became Pacific Rim and his work as writer and co‑creator of Carnival Row. Now he’s turned his imagination toward a world plunged into darkness after a catastrophic impact event—one where vampires rise and humanity fights to survive. We explore how Impact Winter blends horror, survival, and character‑driven storytelling, and how the audio format lets Travis build tension and atmosphere in ways screen media can’t. About Impact Winter Set seven years after a meteor strike blots out the sun, Earth has become a frozen wasteland where vampires thrive in the endless dark. At the center of the story is Darcy, a fierce and determined vampire hunter navigating this new world of shadows. As she protects her small band of survivors, Darcy must confront not only the monsters outside but the shifting loyalties and

In this episode of Byte, we continue our deep dive into the making of Project Hail Mary with an extraordinary lineup of creative talent shaping the film’s visual, physical, and emotional identity. With exclusive audio provided by Amazon MGM Studios, we explore how the world of Ryland Grace is being built—from the spacecraft around him to the alien life he encounters, all the way to the music that carries the story’s heart. Interviews Include:  Charles Wood — Production Designer known for Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, and Avengers: Infinity War Greig Fraser — Oscar‑winning Cinematographer behind Dune, The Batman, and Rogue One Neal Scanlan — Legendary Creature Designer whose work includes Star Wars, Prometheus, and Jurassic World Daniel Pemberton — Award‑winning Composer known for Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse, Steve Jobs, and The Trial of the Chicago 7 Please Support My Walk Against Pancreatic Cancer for Purple Stride I’m participating in Purple Stride to help defeat pancreatic cancer

This episode of Byte takes you inside the creative engine behind Project Hail Mary, the highly anticipated adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel. With exclusive audio provided by Amazon MGM Studios, we explore how this ambitious sci‑fi story is being brought to life by an all‑star team. Joining the conversation are: Andy Weir — original author of Project Hail Mary, The Martian, and Artemis Drew Goddard — Academy Award–nominated screenwriter known for The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods, and Daredevil Phil Lord & Chris Miller — the visionary directing duo behind Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse, The Lego Movie, and 21 Jump Street Support the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer I’m participating in Purple Stride to help defeat pancreatic cancer—a cause that means a great deal to me.

In this episode of Rewind, we dive into two powerful installments of the Quantum Leap sequel series—each showcasing the heart, humanity, and high stakes that define the franchise. Episode Spotlight #1: “Family Style” — Directed by Deborah M. Pratt We begin with Family Style, directed by the legendary Deborah M. Pratt—the first African‑American drama and sci‑fi Executive Producer in television. Pratt co‑created the original Quantum Leap, wrote 25 episodes, and co‑wrote another 15, shaping the DNA of the series from the ground up. In Family Style, Ben Song (Raymond Lee) leaps into 2009 and finds himself in the middle of a struggling Indian family’s fight to save their restaurant. The episode blends cultural nuance, family tension, and the classic Quantum Leap urgency as Ben works to keep the family together and their dream alive. Episode Spotlight #2: “Ben Song for the Defense” Next, we examine Ben Song for the Defense, where Ben leaps into the body of an overwhelmed public defender—one of the few people who be

This month's news includes:  Dune 3 Selling Out in 70MM Dark Matter Season Two News Paradise Season 2 Finale The Terror Details Batman 2 Films Aaron Pierre in Superman Sequel Weapons Prequel Supergirl Backlash Wheel Of Time Projects King Conan X-Men Reboot Writers Spider-Man Brand New Day New Shoots Phil Lord And Christopher Lord Honored The Testaments Review The Boys Season Five Review Film: The Grind Review Battle Los Angeles: An Appreciation List: 10 Sci-Fi Shows Without A Bad Season SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode, we sit down with writer Landon Lee and director Allison Roberto to dive into their sharp, funny, and delightfully twisted short film Girls Night In—a satirical horror story born from one deceptively simple question: What happens when you build a film around the Bechdel test… and then immediately break it in the most absurd way possible? The Bechdel test, of course, asks whether a work of fiction includes at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. Landon and Allison took that premise and flipped it on its head, asking: “Where is the most ridiculous place two women could be fighting over some guy?” The result is a genre-bending short that blends horror, comedy, and social commentary with a wink—and a few splashes of blood.

This week on Trek Tuesday, we’re joined by actor Ike Eisenmann, a performer whose career spans beloved Disney classics and one of the most emotionally charged moments in Star Trek cinema. Most fans first discovered Ike as Tony in Escape to Witch Mountain and its sequel Return to Witch Mountain, where he shared the screen with legends like Christopher Lee and Bette Davis. In this episode, Ike opens up about what it was really like working with these iconic performers—offering candid, funny, and heartfelt stories from the set. But to Star Trek fans, Ike holds a special place in Federation history. He is Peter Preston, Scotty’s nephew and the young engineering cadet whose sacrifice in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan remains one of the film’s most powerful emotional beats. His performance helped shape the tone of the movie’s final act, and his character continues to resonate with fans decades later. And now, Peter Preston has taken on a new life:

“Voices Across the Timeline: Conversations from Seasons 1–4” In this special edition of Rewind: On For All Mankind, we’re celebrating the journey of Apple TV+’s alternate‑history epic by bringing together interview moments from across the show’s first four seasons.  Whether you’re revisiting the early days of the space race or reflecting on the seismic shifts of the Helios era, this episode offers a rare look at how the world of For All Mankind evolved—on screen and behind the scenes.

More Byte"s dive into the dark side of the galaxy with an exclusive look at the new season of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. Executive Producer Athena Yvette Portillo, Executive Producer/Supervising Director Brad Rau, and Executive Producer/Writer Matt Michnovetz. Thanks to Lucas Film for the audio. This episode features:  A look at a new character that meets up with Maul Some new and returning voice actors See The Video Version On Plus with two clips and SAVE 17%  

A look into the dark side of the galaxy at the new debut season of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. Executive Producer Athena Yvette Portillo, Executive Producer/Supervising Director Brad Rau, and Executive Producer/Writer Matt Michnovetz join us for a series of illuminating conversations about bringing one of Star Wars’ most iconic figures back into the spotlight.

In this episode, we sink our teeth back into The Strain, the FX series that dared to reimagine vampirism not as gothic romance, but as a full‑scale biological outbreak. Running from 2014 to 2017, the show fused Guillermo del Toro’s signature creature design with a chilling epidemiological lens—long before global pandemics became part of everyday conversation. But The Strain’s path to television was anything but straightforward. This week, we rewind through its evolution from page to screen, explore the creative battles behind its world‑building, and revisit how its viral take on vampirism reshaped the genre. Featured Interviews Guillermo del Toro – co‑creator, visionary, and architect of the strigoi Miguel Gomez – “Gus Elizalde,” street‑smart survivor turned warrior Natalie Brown – “Kelly Goodweather,” whose transformation remains one of the show’s most haunting arcs Sean Astin – “Jim Kent,” navigating moral gray zones in the CDC Jonathan Hyde – “Eldritch Palmer,” the billionaire with a dangerous ba

In this episode, a tribute to Ray Harryhausen, a true pioneer of stop motion animation. Discover how his innovative filmmaking techniques brought iconic monsters to life, shaping the landscape of visual effects and cinema history forever. From an interview with the master from 1999.   SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

This episode features an in‑depth interview with James Marsters, the actor and musician best known for bringing the iconic vampire Spike to life on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. James reflects on the role that made him a fan favorite, but the conversation goes far beyond Sunnydale—touching on his work in superhero television, science fiction, animation, and even the Dragon Ball universe. Caprica — His role in the Battlestar Galactica prequel series and the philosophical questions the show explored We chatted about how he does Spikes's British accent. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

This episode features a conversation with Brandon Sanderson, one of the most influential fantasy authors of the 21st century. Known for his intricate magic systems, expansive worldbuilding, and astonishing productivity, Brandon has reshaped the genre through both his original works and his stewardship of one of fantasy’s most beloved series. Your discussion centers on Warbreaker, his standalone novel full of color‑based magic, political intrigue, and character‑driven storytelling. You also explore his monumental role in completing The Wheel of Time after the passing of Robert Jordan. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

This episode features an engaging conversation with Kelly Hu, the Hawaii‑born actor whose career spans modeling, blockbuster films, hit television series, and a remarkable body of voice work in animation. One of Kelly’s most memorable roles is Cassandra in The Scorpion King, starring opposite Dwayne Johnson in his first major film role. Kelly has become a standout voice in the world of animation, especially within the DC universe. Her work includes multiple animated films and series, where she brings precision, intensity, and emotional depth to her characters. A major highlight is her role as Lady Shiva in Batman: Soul of the Dragon. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

This episode of Byte brings together two of the creative forces shaping Daredevil: Born Again Season Three. Executive Producer and Showrunner Dario Scardapane and Executive Producer Sana Amanat sit down to discuss how the new season honors the legacy of the comics while pushing the story—and its characters—into bold new territory. Interview audio provided courtesy of Disney+. Topics: 

This episode of Byte takes into the making of Project Hail Mary, the highly anticipated adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel. A sit down with Ryan Gosling—thanks to Amazon MGM Studios for providing the interview audio—to explore how the film came together, why the story grabbed him instantly, and what it meant to step into one of sci‑fi’s most compelling modern characters. Topics: 

This episode features an in‑depth interview with Cas Anvar, an actor whose career spans some of the most immersive corners of modern storytelling—video games, genre television, and feature films.  One of Cas’s most beloved roles is Alex Kamal, the pilot of the Rocinante in The Expanse. His performance helped define the emotional core of the series and made Alex a fan favorite. Cas also brought a sharp, unsettling presence to Sanjay Desai in The Strain, a character whose moral compromises made him one of the show’s most memorable antagonists. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

This episode features an insightful conversation with Chin Han, the Singaporean actor whose career bridges Hollywood blockbusters, prestige television, and international cinema. Known for his sharp intelligence on screen and his ability to bring nuance to morally complex characters, Chin Han has become one of the most recognizable Asian actors working today. We explore his journey to major roles in The Dark Knight, Mortal Kombat. SAVE 17% ON PLUS