Sci-fi Talk

Recorded Live at the Tribeca Film Festival In this special retrospective episode, we revisit two standout conversations recorded live at the Tribeca Film Festival — moments that capture the raw creative pulse of independent filmmaking. First, actor and producer Elijah Wood joins us to discuss his darkly comedic thriller Come To Daddy, reflecting on the film’s twisted emotional core, its genre‑bending tone, and the joy of championing bold, off‑kilter storytelling. Then, acclaimed director Mary Harron sits down to explore Charley Says, her haunting and humanistic portrait of the women once under Charles Manson’s influence.  Together, these conversations form a living archive of Tribeca’s spirit — fearless, curious, and deeply committed to the power of character‑driven stories. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

Shirley, Knox, Martha, Carla, and the evolving machinery of rebellion In this episode of Rewind, Tony returns to the claustrophobic, pressure‑cooker world of Silo as Season Two pushes deeper into the political fractures, emotional loyalties, and mechanical realities of life 244 levels underground. With Juliette’s actions reverberating through every floor, the people who keep the Silo running — literally and spiritually — step into the spotlight. Tony speaks with Remmie Milner, Shane McRae, Harriet Walter, Claire Perkins, and Overall VFX Supervisor Daniel Rauchberger to explore how Season Two expands the world, sharpens the stakes, and reveals the human cost of truth in a society built on lies. Production Designer Nicole Northridge’s work also takes center stage as the Silo’s environments evolve in scale, texture, and tension.

Rebecca Ferguson, Common & Graham Yost on identity, control, and Juliet’s rise In this episode of Rewind, Tony revisits the world of Silo, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Hugh Howey’s bestselling trilogy about a future where humanity survives in a massive underground structure — 244 levels deep — built on rules, fear, and a carefully curated version of the truth. After years of development attempts and false starts, Silo finally found its home on Apple TV+, becoming one of the platform’s most acclaimed sci‑fi dramas. Tony sits down with Rebecca Ferguson, Common, and creator Graham Yost to explore the show’s central themes and the emotional and moral weight carried by its characters. What Is Truth? The question that haunts every level of the Silo. Rebecca Ferguson reflects on Juliet’s relentless pursuit of truth — not as an abstract ideal, but as a survival instinct. Common on Robert Sims: A Rough First Season Graham Yost on Juliet’s Arc SAVE 17% ON PLUS   

Colman Domingo, Steven Spielberg, Wyatt Russell, Emily Blunt & David Koepp on character, craft, and the film’s core themes For the New York City premiere of Disclosure Day, a buzzing red carpet to talk with the cast and creative team behind one of the year’s most anticipated films. From character dynamics to thematic undercurrents to the collaborative spark between actors and filmmakers, this episode captures the premiere’s energy and the artistry behind the movie. Featuring interviews with: Steven Spielberg — Director Colman Domingo — “Hugo Wakefield” Colin Firth (discussed in context) — “Noah Scanlan” Wyatt Russell — “Jackson” Emily Blunt — “Margaret Fairchild” David Koepp — Writer Colman Domingo — on the emotional and psychological layers of playing Hugo, and how his dynamic with Colin Firth’s Noah becomes one of the film’s most charged relationships. Steven Spielberg — reflecting on shaping the film’s tone, balancing suspense with humanity, and why New York premieres always feel like

Steven Spielberg, Eve Hewson, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo & Josh O’Connor on music, dual roles, confrontations, and the train sequence In this special UK‑premiere edition of Byte, Tony takes listeners straight onto the red carpet for Disclosure Day, gathering exclusive conversations with the film’s powerhouse creative team and cast. From the emotional architecture of John Williams’ score to the film’s most explosive character moments, this episode captures the artistry and ambition behind one of the year’s most talked‑about releases. Featuring interviews with: Steven Spielberg — Director Eve Hewson — in a striking dual role as Jane Blankenship Colin Firth — “Noah Scanlon” Colman Domingo — “Hugo Wakefield” Josh O’Connor — “Dr. Daniel Kellner Steven Spielberg — on shaping the film’s emotional spine, collaborating once again with John Williams, and why the score had to feel both intimate and operatic. Eve Hewson — breaking down the challenge and thrill of playing two characters whose identiti

Inside the writing, world‑building, and production design of Apple TV+’s alternate‑history epic In this behind‑the‑scenes deep dive, Tony sits down with the creative minds who shape the emotional, political, and scientific backbone of For All Mankind. From the writer’s room to the surface of Mars, this episode explores how the series continues to reinvent itself each decade — narratively, visually, and thematically. Executive Producers Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert break down the evolving creative process behind the show’s long‑arc storytelling, while Ronald D. Moore returns to discuss the sociopolitical architecture of the Mars colony. Production Designer Seth Reed, Esther Marquis Costume Designer for Season Four’s Margo arc, and NASA Tech Advisor Garrett Wiesman round out a conversation that reveals how every detail — from a jumpsuit seam to a habitat layout — supports the show’s realism and emotional truth. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

A modern reinvention of fear, faith, and the price of peace In this episode of Rewind, Tony revisits ABC’s reboot of V — the ambitious, effects‑driven reimagining of Kenneth Johnson’s iconic 1983 miniseries. The modern series once again chronicles the arrival of an alien species who promise peace, healing, and technological miracles… while secretly plotting humanity’s downfall. Through conversations with stars Elizabeth Mitchell and Morena Baccarin, along with executive producers Scott Rosenbaum and Steve Pearlman, this episode explores how the creative team rebuilt V for a new era of political anxiety, media manipulation, and global distrust. The cast — including Morris Chestnut and Charles Mesure — brought emotional depth to a story where every alliance is fragile and every promise from the Visitors hides a darker truth. SAVE 17% ON PLUS    

In this episode, Tony sits down with the cast and creative team behind the first season of Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest — the acclaimed workplace comedy set inside a fictional video‑game studio building one of the world’s biggest MMORPGs. Through conversations with F. Murray Abraham, Ashly Burch, David Hornsby, Charlotte Nicdao, Rob McElhenney, and Megan Ganz, the episode explores how the series blends absurdity, ego, artistry, and the real‑world pressures of game development. The team reflects on crafting the world of Mythic Quest, the dynamics inside the studio, and the creative tensions that fuel both the comedy and the characters’ growth. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY  

The scale, the controversy, the characters, and the heart behind the chaos In this special retrospective, Tony revisits the groundbreaking, controversial, and culturally seismic series The Boys. Through archival conversations with creator Eric Kripke, cast members Giancarlo Esposito, Antony Starr, Aya Cash, Karl Urban, Laz Alonso, Jack Quaid, and Erin Moriarty, this episode explores how the show pushed boundaries, redefined the superhero genre, and carved out a legacy that still sparks debate. Eric Kripke on Scale, Chaos & Creative Courage Giancarlo Esposito on Joining The Boys Antony Starr, Aya Cash & Karl Urban — The Faces of Chaos Laz Alonso on Mother’s Milk — The Backstory & The Burden Romantic Relationships in The Boys Watch all seasons on Amazon Prime SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

In this vintage conversation from the 1990s, Lois McMaster Bujold joins Tony Tellado and Ernest Lilley at a moment when her acclaimed Vorkosigan Saga is evolving in bold, emotionally resonant ways. Speaking from the era of her then‑latest novel, Memory (1996), Bujold offers a candid, thoughtful look at the craft behind one of science fiction’s most beloved universes. Now 76 and living in Minneapolis, Bujold remains a towering figure in speculative fiction — but here, listeners get to hear her voice from the period when Miles Vorkosigan’s journey was taking its most introspective and transformative turn. BONUS: Vintage Radio Texture: Patrick Stewart & Ernest Lilley In this archival clip, Patrick Stewart reflects on what made Star Trek: First Contact such a defining moment for both Jean‑Luc Picard. Ernest Lilley Reviews Barbara Hambly Ernest offers a sharp, insightful review of Barbara Hambly   SAVE 17% ON PLUS    

Building a Story About Secrets, Consequences, and the Human Cost of Truth In this companion episode, Steven Spielberg and Colman Domingo take us deeper into the creative and philosophical spine of Disclosure Day. Where the first conversation explored character, this one unpacks the why — why this story, why now, and why these characters carry the emotional weight of a world on the brink of revelation.Special Thanks To Universal Pictures for the Audio.  The Evolution of the Story Colman Domingo on Working With Steven Spielberg Could a “Disclosure Day” Really Happen On Margaret Fairchild & Daniel Kellner SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode of Byte, we sit down with Emily Blunt (Margaret Fairchild) and Josh O’Connor (Daniel Kellner) to explore the emotional and creative engine behind Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg’s latest character‑driven thriller. The conversation moves from the craft of performance to the moral questions at the heart of the film — and why this story feels so urgent right now. Special Thanks To Universal Pictures for the Audio.  Working on a Spielberg Film Emily Blunt And Josh O'Connor on the characters The Driving Force Of The Story Are there lessons to be learned SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

Sci‑Fi • Fantasy • Horror • Comics June arrives with a surge of cross‑genre developments — from DC’s cosmic ambitions to reboots of cult classics, evolving timelines in prestige sci‑fi, and fresh movement across film and television. This month’s roundup captures the stories shaping the speculative landscape. Supergirl Takes Flight Toward the Big Screen Spider‑Noir Spotlight: Li Jun Li’s Dream Role Stargate Revival Rejected by Amazon Silo Splits Its Timeline Zack Snyder to Write & Direct Escape From New York Reboot Sydney Sweeney Saddles Up for Sleepy Hollow Jeffrey Combs Reflects on Weyoun Greg Mottola to Direct Bane & Deathstroke Film Shawn Levy’s Next Project: Somewhere Out There Harry Potter TV Series Renewed for Season Two The List: Ranking the Superman Actors SAVE 17% ON PLUS

Thrawn, Expanding the Galaxy, and Building Worlds Beyond the Empire In this vintage conversation recorded at a 1990s convention, Tony and Ernest Lilley of SF Revu sit down with acclaimed author Timothy Zahn, whose groundbreaking Thrawn Trilogy helped revive global interest in Star Wars long before the prequels arrived. Zahn reflects on crafting new corners of the galaxy, developing one of the franchise’s most iconic villains, and balancing tie‑in storytelling with his own original universes. SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

Weyoun, Brunt, Shran… and What Happens When They All Show Up in the Same Scene In this Trek Tuesday episode, at a convention, Tony and Dr Howard Margolin of Destinies The Voice Of Science Fiction sat down with Jeffrey Combs, one of the franchise’s most versatile and beloved performers. From the icy diplomacy of Weyoun, to the scheming ferocity of Brunt, to the honorable fire of Shran, Combs has shaped some of the most iconic alien characters in modern Trek. This conversation dives into the craft behind those transformations — the makeup, the mindset, the physicality — and the delightful chaos of imagining what would happen if two of his characters ever had to share the same scene. SAVE 17% ON PLUS    

Tony revisits the award‑winning documentary Science Fair, a vibrant and deeply human look at the students and educators who push the boundaries of what young scientists can achieve. Through conversations with teacher and mentor Serena McCalla, finalist Kashfia Rahman, and director Cristina Costantini, this episode explores the emotional stakes, the competitive fire, and the personal journeys behind one of the world’s most intense academic competitions.   Save 17% On Plus Today

NYCC Conversations with Emily Beecham & Aramis Knight In this episode of Byte, Tony revisits Into the Badlands, AMC’s visually stunning, genre‑defying martial‑arts saga that never got the mainstream recognition it deserved. Recorded live at New York Comic Con, Tony speaks with Emily Beecham (The Widow) and Aramis Knight (M.K.) Together, they reflect on the series’ ambitious fight choreography, its bold world‑building, and the character journeys that made Into the Badlands a cult favorite.   SAVE 17% ON PLUS  

In this episode of Byte, Tony sits down with writer J. Holtham to explore his work on Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye — the SiriusXM audio drama set decades after the villains have won and the heroes have fallen. Holtham digs into what it means to write a Clint Barton who’s older, damaged, and carrying the weight of a world he couldn’t save. The conversation blends craft, character, and the emotional architecture of storytelling in a universe where hope is scarce and survival is an act of defiance. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

In this episode of Rewind, Tony sits down with author and pop‑culture historian Herbie J Pilato to explore his acclaimed work on Elizabeth Montgomery, the beloved star of Bewitched. Herbie shares the story of meeting Montgomery in her later years, how that encounter shaped his understanding of her life and artistry, and how it ultimately inspired the books that reintroduced her to a new generation of fans. This is a conversation about legacy, compassion, and the power of telling someone’s story with care. SAVE 17% ON PLUS

Tony chatted with Michael James Shaw, who plays Mercer, the Commonwealth’s formidable head of security in The Walking Dead. Shaw dives into Mercer’s psychology, his shifting loyalties, and the emotional cost of enforcing order in a world built on fragile promises. From the iconic red armor to the character’s evolving moral compass, this episode explores why Mercer became one of the most compelling figures in the show’s final chapters.   SAVE 17% ON PLUS