Sci-fi Talk

In this episode, Tony Zoomed with Dayo Okeniyi, the Atlanta‑based Nigerian‑American actor who brings one of Dark Matter’s most fascinating and volatile characters to life: Leighton Vance, the CEO of Velocity Labs and a central architect of the show’s multiverse project. Okeniyi’s performance stands for its range — portraying multiple versions of Leighton across alternate realities, each with distinct philosophies, flaws, and ambitions. It’s a role that demands precision, imagination, and a willingness to explore the darker edges of human potential. Leighton Vance is introduced as a visionary CEO working alongside Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) and Daniela (Jennifer Connelly). His mission begins with noble intentions: using multiversal science to solve global problems. But as the possibilities expand, so does Leighton’s ambition — and the ethical lines begin to blur. SAVE 17% ON PLUS AND GET A FREE MONTH TOO  

For the sixth chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits a remarkable 2009 conversation with Leonard Nimoy — actor, director, photographer, author, musician, and the man who originated Spock, one of the most iconic characters in science fiction history. But Nimoy’s creative life extended far beyond the ears and the uniform. He directed films — including Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Three Men and a Baby — released albums, wrote poetry, taught acting, served in the U.S. Army, and built a respected career in photography and stage performance. This episode centers on Tony’s interview with Nimoy, where he reflects on his early theater company, his artistic roots, and his evolving relationship with Star Trek. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

In this chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits Star Trek: Insurrection, the ninth film in the franchise and the third cinematic adventure for the Next Generation cast. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and released on December 11, 1998, the film centers on a moral crisis: when the crew of the USS Enterprise‑E uncovers a conspiracy between Starfleet and the alien Son’a to forcibly relocate the peaceful Ba’ku in order to exploit their planet’s rejuvenating properties, Captain Picard and his crew choose to rebel — against orders, against politics, and against the erosion of Starfleet’s ideals. Featuring performances by Patrick Stewart, F. Murray Abraham, Donna Murphy, and Anthony Zerbe, Insurrection blends ethical drama with character‑driven humor and romance. Though critics offered mixed responses — some praising Stewart’s gravitas and Frakes’s direction, others comparing the film to an extended TNG episode — the movie earned $118 million worldwide and secured nominations for both the Saturn Award and Hugo Award.

For the fourth chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony sits down with Ethan Peck, the actor who has carried the mantle of Spock across four modern Star Trek series — Star Trek: Discovery, Short Treks, Strange New Worlds, and Very Short Treks. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Peck comes from a remarkable artistic lineage: he is the grandson of legendary actor Gregory Peck and Greta Kukkonen, and the son of Stephen Peck, a former actor, documentary filmmaker, Vietnam veteran, and longtime leader of U.S. Veterans Initiative. His mother, Francine Matarazzo, is an abstract artist. Before Trek, Ethan made his mark with a main ensemble role as Patrick Verona in the television adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You. But it was the role of Spock — one of the most recognizable characters in genre history — that transformed his career and connected him to a global fandom. This episode compiles Tony’s conversations with Ethan from New York Comic Con before Discovery Season Two and again at the start of Strange New Worlds Seaso

In this episode of Star Trek at 60, Tony dives into Star Trek: Lower Decks, the ninth series in the franchise and the first animated Trek since 1974 — as well as the first full‑on comedy in Trek history. Created by Mike McMahan for CBS All Access (later Paramount+), the series debuted in 2020 as part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded universe and quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of heartfelt storytelling, deep‑cut references, and chaotic energy. As the foul‑mouthed, no‑nonsense Caitian chief medical officer Dr. T’Ana, Gillian Vigman brings a feral charm and comedic bite that instantly made the character iconic. SAVE 17% ON PLUS    

A 59-Year Celebration Through Voices, Memories, and Missions My combined three-volume oral history and tribute, weaving together rare interviews, behind-the-scenes reflections, and heartfelt anecdotes from cast and crew across Star Trek: First Contact, Insurrection, and Nemesis. Supplemented by intimate conversations with actors from The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and even a special Star Trek literary event.   Featuring 

In this installment of Star Trek at 60, Tony turns to the tenth Star Trek series — Star Trek: Prodigy, created by Kevin and Dan Hageman and released from 2021 to 2024 as part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded universe. As the franchise’s first fully 3D‑animated series and the first designed specifically for younger viewers, Prodigy carved out a unique place in Trek history. Set in the 24th century, the story follows a group of young aliens who discover the abandoned starship Protostar and, through its holographic mentor Kathryn Janeway, begin learning what it means to be Starfleet. It’s a coming‑of‑age tale wrapped in Trek’s deepest values: curiosity, cooperation, and the courage to grow. This episode features Tony’s conversations with: Kate Mulgrew — on playing both Admiral Janeway and the AI Hologram Janeway Brett Gray —  Dal Ella Purnell —  Gwyn Together, they illuminate how Prodigy became a gateway for new fans while still honoring the legacy of Trek’s past. SAVE 17% on PLUS

To launch Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits the series that dared to go earlier than ever before: Star Trek: Enterprise. Premiering in 2001 and set a century before Kirk and Spock, Enterprise chronicles humanity’s first true leap into deep space — fragile, inexperienced, hopeful, and determined. This episode blends franchise history with fresh reflections from two beloved cast members: Linda Park, who played linguist Hoshi Sato, shares candid memories of the show’s earliest promos, her admiration for Scott Bakula’s leadership, and the emotional vulnerability built into her character. John Billingsley, the ever‑delightful Dr. Phlox, revisits his standout episode Dear Doctor, where the Denobulan physician navigates ethics, attraction, and the complexities of early interspecies relationships. Together, their stories illuminate why Enterprise remains one of the franchise’s most thematically daring chapters — from the Temporal Cold War to the Xindi attack that reshaped the series and devastated Earth. SAVE 17%

Roundtable with Norman Reedus and Gale Ann Hurd from New York Comic Con.

Interview with paranormal investigators Dave Schrader and Cindy Kaza about their eight part series where they investigate the paranormal in Butte, Montana. This old mining town has greed, murder, and many vices. A prime reciepe for the paranormal.

I talk to the talented composer about his score for the classic 1931 film which is performed live in a variety of ways including an operatic version.

Actor talks about her new movie, Bite Me, a kind of vampire romcom. We also talk about her role as Pepper on American Horror Story plus her one woman shows.

The Early Days Of A Groundbreaking Series In this Rewind episode, Tony revisits the formative era of Person of Interest, when the show was still defining its identity — a fusion of crime drama, artificial intelligence, and moral complexity. Recorded at the start of its run, these conversations capture the cast and creators as they shaped what would become one of television’s most influential sci‑fi thrillers. Jim Caviezel-The Mystery Of John Reese Kevin Chapman - Detective Fusco's Grit  Taraji P. Henson  - Detective Carter - A sense of justice grounded Executive producer Greg Plageman -  breaking down the show’s early creative vision Amy Acker - Root becomes central to The Machine Sarah Shahi - Sameen Shaw- dry humor, and great aim Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free, uncensored genre.

REVISTING A CULT WORLD REBORN FOR TV In this Rewind episode, Tony heads back to New York Comic Con for an inside look at the TV adaptation of From Dusk Till Dawn, the pulpy, supernatural crime saga reimagined for a new generation. The cast reflects on expanding the mythology, deepening character arcs, and honoring the wild, genre‑bending spirit of the original film. D.J. Cotrona discusses stepping into the role of Seth Gecko Eiza González shares how she approached transforming Santanico from an iconic film presence into a fully realized character with agency, vulnerability, and power.  “Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free, uncensored genre

Pen Densham returns to my podcast with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes. Pen Densham returns to Sci‑Fi Talk with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes. Densham shares the behind‑the‑scenes story of a key scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves — one he passionately defended during production. “Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free, uncensored genre storytelling.  

Garret Dillahunt reflects on joining the Terminator franchise through Cromartie — one of the most chilling, relentless cyborgs in The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He breaks down how he approached the physicality, precision, and eerie calm required to play a machine built for one purpose. We explore how he found humanity within the inhuman, how the show’s tone shaped his performance, and what it meant to step into a legacy defined by iconic characters, mythology, and fan expectations. Long before his turns in Fear The Walking Dead and Lanterns, Dillahunt was already proving his range — shifting from genre action to psychological nuance. His reflections here show how each role sharpened his instincts and expanded his creative toolkit. “Unlock a  audio visual universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free, uncensored genre. 

The DC Animated Movie Universe didn’t just celebrate ten years — it marked a turning point. This retrospective revisits how the creative team unified standalone films into a shared continuity, aligning animation style, character arcs, and story events across multiple releases. What began as bold experimentation became a defining era for DC’s animated storytelling. our conversations at New York Comic Con brought together the architects and performers who shaped this era: Bruce W. Timm  Alan Burnett   James Tucker Vanessa Marshall  James Krieg  Jason O’Mara  Tara Strong  “Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free, uncensored genre.

Interviews with Jennifer Connelly, Joel Edgerton & VFX Supervisor John Heller In this episode, Tony steps back into the fractured realities of Dark Matter — Blake Crouch’s mind‑bending multiverse thriller — to explore the emotional, philosophical, and technical layers shaping Season Two. Jennifer Connelly and Joel Edgerton return to reflect on the consequences of the Box, the expanding moral terrain of identity and choice, and how Season Two pushes their characters into even more volatile territory. As a bonus, Tony is joined by John Heller, the Visual Effects Supervisor from Season One, who breaks down the creation of alternate Chicagos, digital doubles, and the visual logic behind the show’s shifting realities. This episode blends performance, craft, and world‑building into a single, cohesive exploration of Dark Matter. Jennifer and Joel offer emotional clarity, while John Heller provides the technical backbone that makes the multiverse believable. It’s essential listening for fans of the series, lovers

Tony Zoomed with Russell Dodgson, Visual Effects Supervisor and Sequence Director for Prehistoric Planet. Season Three expands the show’s ambition in every direction — more creatures, more environments, more scientific nuance — and Russell walks through how his team pushes CG to the edge of believability. From saber‑toothed predators to deadly otters, from La Brea Tar Pits reconstructions to planet‑scale environmental enhancement, Russell reveals how natural history filmmaking becomes cinematic world‑building. The conversation also dives into his earlier work on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the National Geographic series Mars, and the Emmy‑winning Black Mirror episode “USS Callister.” “In the shadows of the genre… Sci‑Fi Talk Plus reveals what’s hidden. Enter.”  

Tony Zooms  with Tim Soergel, Emmy‑nominated stunt performer for Fallout, whose work inside the iconic Power Armor helped define the series’ brutal, immersive action. Tim shares what it’s really like to embody one of the most recognizable figures in the Fallout universe — from the physical toll to the creative thrill — and how the stunt team brought the wasteland to life with authenticity and grit. Inside The Power Armor  The physical challenges — weight, heat, restricted movement, and the mental discipline required Daily coping strategies — staying centered, staying safe, staying sharp Working alongside Jeremy Fitzgerald — his fellow Emmy nominee and partner inside the armor Casey O’Neill’s stunt coordination — the Emmy‑nominated architect behind the show’s action language “Unlock the universe. Stories unfiltered. Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your journey begins now.”