Sci-fi Talk

In this episode, I zoomed with Ruby Cruz, one of the most compelling young actors shaping genre storytelling today. Known for her breakout roles in Mare of Easttown, Willow, Bottoms, and now For All Mankind, Cruz brings a rare blend of emotional intelligence, sharp wit, and fearless vulnerability to every character she inhabits. Our conversation traces her journey to the alternate‑history cosmos of For All Mankind, exploring how she builds characters who challenge expectations. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

This month on Trek Tuesday, Tony chats with celebrated Star Trek artist Kavita Maharaj, whose work has become instantly recognizable across the fandom for its emotional precision, striking detail, and uncanny ability to capture the essence of beloved Trek characters. For many fans, Kavita’s portraits feel like stepping into a moment of truth — a look, a gesture, a spark of humanity that defines who these characters are. And it all began with one figure who changed her life as an artist:

In this episode of Rewind, we journey into the fractured, reality‑bending world of Constellation, the Apple TV+ mini‑series that blends science fiction, psychological horror, and intimate human drama. The story follows Jo Ericsson, played with raw intensity by Noomi Rapace, an astronaut who returns to Earth after a catastrophic incident aboard the ISS — only to find that the world she left behind is not the one she comes home to. Through interviews recorded at the height of the show’s release, we sit down with the cast and creative team behind this haunting series:  Jonathan Banks, delivering dual performances that anchor the show’s mystery James D’Arcy, exploring fractured identity and emotional truth Peter Harness, the creator weaving a non‑linear narrative full of dread and wonder Michelle MacLaren, the visionary director shaping the show’s claustrophobic tension and cosmic unease Together, they pull back the curtain on a series that refuses to be easily categorized. SAVE 17% ON PLUS 

In this second chapter of Journey to Arrakis, we continue our deep exploration of the Dune universe with returning guest Brian Herbert, author, biographer, and steward of his father Frank Herbert’s legacy. This episode shifts from the origins of Dune to its earliest screen lives, as Brian reflects on the bold, controversial, and often misunderstood adaptations that paved the way for today’s resurgence. From David Lynch’s visually arresting 1984 film to the SyFy Channel’s ambitious early‑2000s miniseries, Brian offers rare insight into how these interpretations honored, challenged, and expanded the world his father created. SAVE 17% ON PLUS   

In this special Rewind edition, we journey back to the heavenly (and hellishly fun) world of Good Omens, the beloved adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s classic novel. At New York Comic Con 2019, the cast and creator gathered to celebrate the series’ breakout success, reflect on its emotional resonance, and tease the cosmic possibilities ahead. This episode brings together the voices that helped shape the show’s heart: Neil Gaiman, co-creator and showrunner Jon Hamm, the ineffably smug Archangel Gabriel Miranda Richardson, the deliciously wicked Madame Tracy David Tennant, the serpentine demon Crowley Michael Sheen, the ever-hopeful angel Aziraphale SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode, we return to the frozen, fear‑haunted world of Impact Winter — Audible’s hit post‑apocalyptic vampire saga — for a conversation that cuts straight into the heart of Season Two. Joining us is Christina Chong, who brings to life the enigmatic and formidable Kexian, a high‑ranking member of the vampire elite whose presence reshapes the political and emotional landscape of the series. Christina opens up about embodying a character who is both predator and philosopher, a creature of immense power navigating a world where survival, loyalty, and dominance are constantly in flux. She also gave us a  look ahead at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season Three.   SAVE 17% ON PLUS

A young woman who models by day and descends into the internet’s most disturbing corners by night, becoming obsessed with the idea of “red rooms” — alleged dark‑web spaces where people gamble on real-time torture and murder. The film explicitly centers on the mythology and horror of “red rooms” — online spaces where viewers supposedly pay to watch a person’s death. In Red Rooms, Kelly-Anne becomes consumed by the trial of Ludovic Chevalier, accused of broadcasting the murders of teenage girls in such a room. Director Pascal Plante has said his inspiration came not from the dark web itself, but from the phenomenon of people who become fans of killers — the groupies who haunt trials and online forums. The dark‑web element came later as a way to deepen the story’s psychological terrain. Kelly-Anne’s descent is portrayed as methodical, icy, and unsettlingly rational. She’s not just curious — she’s compelled, and the film follows her as she crosses ethical boundaries with unnerving calm. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

In this episode, Tony chatted with Anastasia Baranova, the dynamic actor behind Addison “Addie” Carver on SyFy’s cult‑favorite zombie series Z Nation. Known for her fierce presence, emotional depth, and the iconic Z‑Whacker, Anastasia reflects on her journey through the apocalypse — both on screen and behind the scenes. From the early days of the series to Addie’s evolution as a survivor, leader, and fan‑favorite character, Anastasia offers an honest, funny, and thoughtful look at what it meant to bring heart and humanity to a world overrun by the undead. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

In this episode of Byte, Tony talked with Casey Johnson, the actor behind one of the most heartbreaking and polarizing figures in For All Mankind: Danny Stevens. Born into the shadow of two American heroes—astronauts Gordo and Tracy Stevens—Danny’s life was shaped by legacy, expectation, and the impossible weight of living up to icons.   SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode of Byte, Tony dives into the mind‑bending Apple TV+ series Constellation, a psychological sci‑fi thriller where space, memory, and identity collide. When a mysterious object strikes the International Space Station, one astronaut is killed—or so it seems. Another, Johanna “Jo” Erickson, survives the catastrophic event and makes it back to Earth… only to find that the world she returns to feels subtly, disturbingly wrong. To unravel the show’s layered reality, Tony sits down with two of its stars—James D’Arcy and William Catlett—both of whom deliver dual performances as characters who exist in fractured versions of themselves. SAVE 17% On Plus 

Recorded in 2018, just ahead of the highly anticipated ten‑episode return of The X‑Files, this conversation with Mitch Pileggi is a heartfelt, insightful look at the legacy of one of television’s most influential genre series. Mitch reflects on the show’s cultural impact, the passionate fandom that has kept it alive for decades, and the evolution of Assistant Director Walter Skinner — a character who became far more than the stern bureaucrat he first appeared to be. With warmth, humor, and the grounded honesty fans love him for, Mitch explores Skinner’s deepening bond with Mulder and Scully, the shifting loyalties inside the FBI, and the emotional weight of returning to a character who has shaped his life and career. This episode is a celebration of the show’s past, a reflection on its present, and a nod to the mysteries still waiting in the shadows. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY  

In this heartfelt and wide‑ranging conversation, I sit down with the legendary Jonathan Frakes—director, actor, advocate, and beloved member of the Star Trek family. Together, we reflect on our shared participation in PurpleStride, the nationwide walk to fight pancreatic cancer, and the powerful community that continues to push research forward. Jonathan shares insights into advances in treatment, the work of PanCAN, and why this cause remains deeply personal to him. From there, we dive into the world of Star Trek: the creative energy behind Starfleet Academy, Jonathan’s experience directing the milestone episode “300th Night,” and the emotional weight of the season finale “Rubicon.” We also lament the current pause in new Star Trek productions—a moment of uncertainty for fans and creators alike The conversation expands into Jonathan’s admiration for his longtime friend Noah Wyle, including his role as emcee at Noah’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. We also bond over our shared love of For All Mankind, and I

Tony talked with acclaimed composer Atli Örvarsson, the musical architect behind the haunting, pressure‑cooker atmosphere of Silo. Atli’s score has become one of the show’s defining signatures — a blend of restraint, tension, and emotional clarity that mirrors life inside the underground society. From the instantly recognizable main theme to the razor‑thin balance between music and sound design, Atli breaks down how he shaped the sonic identity of a world built on secrets. And as a special bonus, Tim Robbins joins the episode to talk about embodying Bernard, the enigmatic head of IT — a man who knows far more than he ever says. Help Fight Pancreatic Cancer SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode, Tony Zooms with Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo to dig into the scripts and the new villian at the heart of the new season of Criminal Record. Capaldi returns as DCI Daniel Hegarty, a detective whose old‑school instincts and ethically murky methods continue to deliver results—though not without fallout. Opposite him, Jumbo’s DS June Lenker remains a sharp, principled counterweight, navigating the pressures of police work while trying to maintain a personal life that’s increasingly strained by the job. On Plus, Subscribers get access to the full video version of this conversation, featuring clips from the new season woven throughout the interview. SAVE 17% On Plus Fight Pancreatic Cancer

In this episode, we sit down with the incomparable Amanda Tapping—actor, director, producer, and one of the most influential creative forces working in genre television today. Known to many for her iconic role as Samantha Carter in Stargate SG‑1, Amanda has since built an extraordinary directing career that spans some of the most beloved sci‑fi and fantasy series of the last decade. Fans will have several opportunities to meet Amanda at upcoming events: Starfury: Ascension 2 Gate Cruise 2027, featuring stars from Stargate SG‑1 and Atlantis Donate to My Team for my walk with members and survivors for Purple Stride to fight Pancreatic Cancer

We’re back with more insights from our roundtable conversation on The Mummy, featuring director Lee Cronin and producers James Wan and Jason Blum. With audio courtesy of Warner Bros., this segment digs deeper into the creative heartbeat of the film—how horror becomes personal, what audiences can expect from this reimagining, and why the genre continues to evolve. What’s Inside This Segment Making the Horror Personal What Audiences Can Expect On Horror Audio courtesy of Warner Bros. Fight Pancreatic Cancer On The Purple Stride Walk   

In this episode of Byte, we dive into the creative resurrection of The Mummy with an all‑star trio: Director Lee Cronin, Producer James Wan, and Producer Jason Blum. This conversation explores how this new vision of the classic monster film came together—its tone, its mythology, and the creative instincts that shaped it. Audio courtesy of Warner Bros. Inside the Episode Why Lee Cronin was chosen to direct Lee Cronin on crafting the film A shared fascination with Egyptian lore  Help Fight Pancreatic Cancer Join My Fight  

This special episode shines a spotlight on PurpleStride, the nationwide walk to end pancreatic cancer, and the powerful community behind Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer. I’m joined by two extraordinary guests—Armin Shimerman (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Quark) and his wife, actor and pancreatic cancer survivor Kitty Swink—for a heartfelt, inspiring, and deeply personal conversation. We talk about the upcoming PurpleStride event at the Santa Monica Pier, the lifesaving work of PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network), and the stories of courage, loss, and resilience that fuel this movement. From promising new drug trials to the emotional testimony of a woman who recently completed her walk while battling cancer, this episode is a reminder of why awareness and research matter. And because it wouldn’t be a conversation with Armin without diving into Trek, we also explore the legacy of Deep Space Nine, the mystery behind the end of Starfleet Academy, Sirroc Lofton’s return as Jake Sisko, and how James Darren fou

In this premiere episode of Journey to Arrakis, we open the doors to the vast, windswept universe of Dune by going straight to the source. Author and biographer Brian Herbert joins us for an intimate conversation about his father, Frank Herbert, the mind behind one of the most influential science‑fiction sagas ever written. Brian reflects on Frank’s creative process, the philosophical roots of the Dune universe, and the personal experiences that shaped the novel’s themes—ecology, power, religion, and human potential. Together, we explore how a single story about a desert planet grew into a cultural touchstone that continues to challenge and inspire readers more than half a century later. Featured Audio With permission from Macmillan Audio, this episode includes select clips from the audiobook of Dune, offering listeners a vivid entry point into the world of Arrakis: Princess Irulan’s private writings, which frame the political and historical tensions surrounding Paul Atreides A dramatic moment in which Pa

A return to the dark, rain‑soaked streets of Batman: Arkham City — and explore how it became a landmark in storytelling, performance, and game design. This deep‑dive episode features reflections from the legendary Mark Hamill (The Joker), a heartfelt conversation with the late Kevin Conroy (Batman), an inside look at the game’s soundscape with Audio Director Nick Arundel, and a narrative breakdown with writer Paul Dini. Please Support my walk against Pancreatic Cancer with surivors and other volunteers.