Filed under: Television, News
The Syfy cable channel has picked up the superhero series 'Alphas,' which stars David Strathaim, Ryan Cartwright, Laura Mennell, Azita Ghanizada, and Malik Yoba.
With a 90 minute pilot episode already completed, 'Alphas'" will begin shooting 11 episodes in Toronto in early 2011, with a summer debut planned for the show, states Deadline.com.
Written by Zak Penn ('X-Men: The Last Stand,' 'The Avengers,' 'The Incredible Hulk') and Michael Karnow, 'Alphas' follows a team of ordinary citizens whose brain anomalies imbue them with extraordinary mental and physical abilities.
Taking the law into their own hands, the unlikely team, led by Dr. Lee Rosen (played by Strathairn) investigates cases that suggest other Alpha activity to uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.
Yoba plays Alphas team member Bill Harken, a former FBI agent from working class roots. Harken's Alpha skill allows him to intentionally activate a "fight-or-flight mechanism" producing a power surge of adrenaline giving him increased strength, speed and immunity from pain.
The 43 year-old Bronx, NY native was last seen on the big screen in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married Too?,' opposite Janet Jackson and Michael Jai White.