The Dresden Files (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Dresden Files is an American
television series based on the books by Jim Butcher
. It premiered January 21, 2007 on the Sci Fi Channel
in the United States
and on Space in Canada
. It was picked up by Sky One
in the UK and began airing on February 14, 2007.
The series ran for a single season of twelve episodes, and has since been released on DVD. The Sci Fi Channel announced on August 3, 2007 that The Dresden Files would not be renewed for a second season.
announced that it had optioned The Dresden Files as a two-hour film
and backdoor pilot
. Nicolas Cage
executive produces alongside Hans Beimler, Robert Hewitt Wolfe
, Norm Golightly, and Morgan Gendel
. It was produced by Lionsgate Television
in association with Cage's Saturn Films. Production began during the Autumn of 2005. Originally, a Summer 2006 release was anticipated, but on May 23, 2006, a January 2007 airdate and 11 episode pick-up was announced on JBAnnounce, the official Jim Butcher announcement list. It was confirmed the next day by Sci-Fi.
The pilot film was made from a screenplay
by television writers Hans Beimler and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and based on Butcher's novel Storm Front
. David Carson
directed and shooting took place in Toronto
. It was announced in November 2005 that Paul Blackthorne
had been cast in the lead role. The two hour pilot was originally intended to serve as the premiere, but certain last minute developmental and casting changes delayed its completion. Episode three (in production order) was aired in its place. Along with the re-shooting of several scenes, the two hour pilot has been cut to an hour and was the eighth episode to air. The full version of the pilot was broadcast late at night on March 7, 2008 by SciFi Channel but did not adhere to later Television revised continuity.
Most notable in the re-edited version of the pilot was the fact that Bob, played by Terrance Mann in the series as a full apparition, was limited to only a disembodied voice who was centered around the familiar rune covered skull with animated lighting to symbolize the spirit within, more akin to the Bob of the novels. This re-editing was done later in the series as Mann did not join the series until after the original filming of the pilot had already been concluded. The full pilot version of "Storm Front" was not included in the original DVD release of the complete series.
stated "The show is not the books. It is not meant to follow the same story. It is meant as an alternate world, where the overall background and story-world is similar, but not all the same things happen. The show is not attempting to recreate the books on a chapter-by-chapter or even story-by-story basis." continuing by saying that viewers should not expect a duplicate of the books, and those expecting it would be disappointed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series based on the books by Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher is a New York Times Best Selling author most known for his contemporary fantasy book series The Dresden Files. He also wrote the Codex Alera series. Butcher grew up as the only son of his parents, and has two older sisters. He currently lives in Independence with his wife, Shannon K...
. It premiered January 21, 2007 on the Sci Fi Channel
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and on Space in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was picked up by Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
in the UK and began airing on February 14, 2007.
The series ran for a single season of twelve episodes, and has since been released on DVD. The Sci Fi Channel announced on August 3, 2007 that The Dresden Files would not be renewed for a second season.
Main cast
- Paul BlackthornePaul BlackthornePaul Blackthorne is a British actor on film, television and radio. Although born in Shropshire, England, he spent his early childhood on British Military bases in both England and Germany. Blackthorne broke into acting via television commercials in England...
as Harry DresdenHarry Dresden (TV character)Harry Dresden is a fictional character on the television series The Dresden Files. He is portrayed by Paul Blackthorne.Harry Dresden is a wizard living and working in the city of Chicago...
– a reluctant hero, a professional wizard who often helps the police with cases involving "unusual" circumstances and others who seek his help. Harry's mother, a powerful witch, died when he was young. He was raised by his father, a stage magician. When he was about eleven, his powers began to emerge, and his uncle Justin Morningway wanted to take him and teach him about his abilities, so he murdered Harry's father with black magic when his father did not relinquish Harry to him. Bob makes reference to Harry "self-defensing" his uncle to death. Justin Morningway left a programmed doppelgängerDoppelgängerIn fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
behind to resurrect him if he died. It is later revealed Harry inherited a large amount of money that he gave to charity and owns the Morningway estate, in which he refuses to live. - Valerie CruzValerie CruzValerie Cruz is an American actress.Cruz was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey of Cuban ancestry. She attended Florida State University and received a BFA theatre degree....
as Lt. Connie MurphyConnie Murphy (TV character)Connie Murphy is a fictional character on the television series The Dresden Files. She is based on the character of Karrin Murphy in Jim Butcher's novels. This page pertains only to the television character, as significant details differ from that in the books....
– the Chicago police officer who often seeks out Harry's help with cases that are hard to solve and may be supernaturally related — although she refuses to outright believe in magic, because such things do not fit with her "rules." She is dedicated and takes her job seriously, even going as far as seeking out the only wizard in the phonebook to help with cases. Lt. Murphy is a tough, no-nonsense woman who is divorced and has a daughter (Anna) who she says spends a lot of time with her father because of the long hours she has to work. Connie apparently has some romantic feelings toward Harry. She pointed out at the end of season one that if he kissed her again, she wouldn't slap him. - Terrence MannTerrence MannTerrence Vaughan Mann is an American actor, director, singer, songwriter and dancer who has been prominent on the Broadway stage for the past three decades...
as Hrothbert "Bob" of BainbridgeBob (The Dresden Files)Bob is a fictional character in the book series The Dresden Files and its TV series spin off, in which he is portrayed by Terrence Mann. The following biography pertains strictly to the television version of the character, who is significantly different from the literary version.- Fictional...
– the old spirit owned by Dresden. He was once owned by Dresden's uncle, Justin Morningway, before Dresden "self-defensed" him to death. He advises Dresden on both personal and magical matters. Bob is an invaluable source of knowledge which Dresden taps to solve supernatural crimes. In the first episode, Bob is seen redesigning a "Doom Box," which he describes as "a supernatural jack-in-the-box" containing and amplifying magical energy. The original Doom Box formula was included in a grimoireGrimoireA grimoire is a textbook of magic. Such books typically include instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms and divination and also how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels, spirits, and demons...
Bob wrote while he was alive; the book had been in Justin's possession until Harry burned it. Bob's current state is a punishment: he was executed, his soul sealed into his own skull for all eternity, for using black magic to bring a sorceress he had loved (Winnifred) back from the dead several hundred years ago. Bob died from an axe blow to the back of the head in the year 900 A.D. - Conrad CoatesConrad CoatesConrad Coates is a Canadian actor. He has primarily been cast as bit parts, but has carried supporting character roles in several television series, including Dresden Files, Kyle XY, The Zack Files, Le Femme Nikita, and These Arms of Mine. He appeared in Degrassi: The Next Generation as Jimmy...
as Warden Donald MorganWarden Donald MorganMorgan is a fictional character in the book series The Dresden Files, and its TV series spin off, portrayed by Conrad Coates in the Sci-Fi series. Though his given name in the novels is Donald, it has yet to be confirmed on the show...
– a Warden of the High Council, the governing body of the wizarding community, and is assigned to the Chicago area. He is a stickler for the rules, powerful, and will often confront Harry because of their differing ideals and personalities; nonetheless, he will often work with Harry - albeit under the table - where innocents are involved. - Raoul BhanejaRaoul BhanejaRaoul Bhaneja is a Canadian actor. He was one of the stars on the short lived TV series Train 48 on Global...
as Det. Sid Kirmani - an original character who appears to be an amalgamation of all the skeptical detectives who doubted Harry in the novels. A sarcastic cop who is deeply suspicious of Dresden, Kirmani often functions as Murphy's partner, or lead detective, and more than once has implicated Dresden to be guilty of the crimes he is investigating, more than once arresting the wizard simply due to the crime being otherwise unexplainable. In the final episode he works with Murphy's father to ensure the partnership between Dresden and Murphy dissolves.
Recurring cast
- Matt Gordon as M.E. Waldo Butters – a Chicago PD medical examiner who has assisted Lt. Murphy on several of her more bizarre cases.
- Daniel KashDaniel KashDaniel Joshua Kash is a Canadian actor and director.He was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Canadian opera singer Maureen Forrester and violinist/conductor Eugene Kash. He is also the brother of actress Linda Kash. He studied at the Drama Center in London, England and has appeared in dozens...
as Justin Morningway – warden of the High Council and Dresden's uncle, believed to be dead. - Joanne KellyJoanne KellyJoanne Kelly is a Canadian actress, known for her appearances in films such as Going the Distance and in TV series such as Warehouse 13, in which she plays Secret Service agent Myka Bering.- Career :...
as Bianca – one of the most powerful vampires in Chicago, and a member of the Red Court. - Jane McLean and Elizabeth Thai as Ancient Mai – the High Council's "top dog" who handles contact with other supernatural powers.
- Natalie LisinskaNatalie LisinskaNatalie Lisinska is a Canadian actress.Lisinska was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England and grew up on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, attending St. Michaels University School...
as Laura Ellis – a waitress in a local diner, Harry's love interest in two episodes.
Minor magical characters
- Dylan EverettDylan Everett- External links :...
as Scott Sharp – a ten-year-old adoptee with magical talent who was targeted by a skinwalker. - Kathleen MunroeKathleen MunroeKathleen Munroe is a Canadian actress.Munroe was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and currently resides in Los Angeles. She studied cinema at the University of Toronto. She won the 2010 ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance. Munroe writes and plays music. She speaks fluent French.- Filmography...
as Heather Bram – a recently-converted lycanthrope who has left Chicago to face her new condition on her own. - Kim CoatesKim CoatesKim Coates is a Canadian-American actor who has worked in both Canadian and American movies and television series. He has worked on Broadway portraying Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire and in the lead role of Macbeth performed at the Stratford Theatre...
as Sirota – an earth-bound demon responsible for converting humans into hellspawn. - Kerry LaiFattKerry LaiFattKerry LaiFatt is a Canadian actress.LaiFatt was born in Burlington, Ontario, but lived in Jamaica for the first four years of her life. With a flare for fashion and dance, Kerry attended Ryerson University in Toronto specializing in Fashion Design, and has been involved in dance since she was very...
as Sharon Mirell - a former Chicago PD coroner who practices the very dark art of reanimationResurrectionResurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
. - Nathan StephensonNathan StephensonNathan Stephenson is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his starring roles in Radio Free Roscoe as Robbie and in System Crash as James . He has also guest starred on Naturally, Sadie, Dark Oracle and in the TV film Cyber Seduction: His Secret Life. As of 2008 he has a recurring role in...
as Dante Arrias – a magically-talented college student who temporarily wielded the power to create doorways. - Christine HorneChristine HorneChristine Horne is a Canadian actress who co-starred with acclaimed Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn in the movie The Stone Angel, which was adapted from a Canadian novel of the same name....
as Amber – a Warden of the High Council, she helped Morgan protect Ancient Mai from a Kirtonian Dracoform. - Yannick BissonYannick BissonYannick Bisson is a Canadian film and television actor.-Career:Born in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, Bisson moved to Toronto as a teenager and there he began acting lessons; he has been acting since the age of 13. His big break was in CBC's critically acclaimed 1984 movie of the week Hockey Night with...
as Sgt. Darren Munzer – a daring Chicago detective who cheated death by stealing other people's second chances.
Development
In 2005, the SciFi ChannelSyfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
announced that it had optioned The Dresden Files as a two-hour film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and backdoor pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
. Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
executive produces alongside Hans Beimler, Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Robert Hewitt Wolfe is an American television producer and screenwriter. He is mostly known for his work as a writer on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and for developing and producing the series Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda...
, Norm Golightly, and Morgan Gendel
Morgan Gendel
Morgan Gendel is a screenwriter and television producer who has written for such television shows as Nash Bridges, Law & Order, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Wiseguy and 21 Jump Street. Gendel won the coveted Hugo Award for writing the popular Star Trek: The Next...
. It was produced by Lionsgate Television
Lionsgate Television
Lionsgate Television is the television division of Lions Gate Entertainment, an entertainment company. It is located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Productions :The following is a partial list of the division's productions:...
in association with Cage's Saturn Films. Production began during the Autumn of 2005. Originally, a Summer 2006 release was anticipated, but on May 23, 2006, a January 2007 airdate and 11 episode pick-up was announced on JBAnnounce, the official Jim Butcher announcement list. It was confirmed the next day by Sci-Fi.
The pilot film was made from a screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
by television writers Hans Beimler and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and based on Butcher's novel Storm Front
Storm Front (novel)
Storm Front is a 2000 novel by science fiction and fantasy author Jim Butcher. It is the first novel in The Dresden Files, his first published series that follows the character of Harry Dresden, professional wizard.-Plot Summary:...
. David Carson
David Carson (director)
David Carson is a British television director. He has directed episodes of many TV series, including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Smallville, Doogie Howser, M.D., and L.A. Law...
directed and shooting took place in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. It was announced in November 2005 that Paul Blackthorne
Paul Blackthorne
Paul Blackthorne is a British actor on film, television and radio. Although born in Shropshire, England, he spent his early childhood on British Military bases in both England and Germany. Blackthorne broke into acting via television commercials in England...
had been cast in the lead role. The two hour pilot was originally intended to serve as the premiere, but certain last minute developmental and casting changes delayed its completion. Episode three (in production order) was aired in its place. Along with the re-shooting of several scenes, the two hour pilot has been cut to an hour and was the eighth episode to air. The full version of the pilot was broadcast late at night on March 7, 2008 by SciFi Channel but did not adhere to later Television revised continuity.
Most notable in the re-edited version of the pilot was the fact that Bob, played by Terrance Mann in the series as a full apparition, was limited to only a disembodied voice who was centered around the familiar rune covered skull with animated lighting to symbolize the spirit within, more akin to the Bob of the novels. This re-editing was done later in the series as Mann did not join the series until after the original filming of the pilot had already been concluded. The full pilot version of "Storm Front" was not included in the original DVD release of the complete series.
Departure from novels
In a forum post Jim ButcherJim Butcher
Jim Butcher is a New York Times Best Selling author most known for his contemporary fantasy book series The Dresden Files. He also wrote the Codex Alera series. Butcher grew up as the only son of his parents, and has two older sisters. He currently lives in Independence with his wife, Shannon K...
stated "The show is not the books. It is not meant to follow the same story. It is meant as an alternate world, where the overall background and story-world is similar, but not all the same things happen. The show is not attempting to recreate the books on a chapter-by-chapter or even story-by-story basis." continuing by saying that viewers should not expect a duplicate of the books, and those expecting it would be disappointed.
See also
- Chicago fiction
- Urban fantasyUrban fantasyUrban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...
- Fantasy television