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12 MONKEYS SyFy, Fri 27 Feb
Terry Gilliam’s grimy twisty turny sci-i 12 Monkeys (1995) has been transformed into a TV series. The basic set up is the same, as James Cole is sent back in time in a bid to save the world from an extinction level virus. Aaron Stanford (probably best known as Pyro in the X-Men movies) steps into Bruce Willis’ shoes as damaged time traveller Cole who jumps from 2043 to 2013 seeking help from Doctor Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull). ‘She is very accomplished in her i eld and her specialism is disease containment,’ explains Schull. ‘She has a very comfortable life but Cole upsets her entire world.’ Much like Gilliam’s i lm there are darker forces at work. ‘At i rst she’s very suspicious of Cole but he is able to convince her and she begins to realise that there are several groups behind the plague.’
The movie is just the jumping off point, more of an inspiration rather than a direct remake. ‘It’s only the i rst episode that is most similar to the i lm before we head off on our own journey,’ adds Schull. ‘We would love the series to go for a few seasons, I love my character and I i nd the writing so smart. They have written this woman who evolves over the course of the series and if we’re able to do more she’ll grow even further.’ (Henry Northmore) ■ See list.co.uk for the full interview.
94 THE LIST 5 Feb–2 Apr 2015