WGN America's "Salem" (Season 3 Premieres Halloween Week)

[hagios]

This should be 'My Cup Of Tea'! Love this genre!! Can't wait till Spring for this series!!!

Believe it or not, there are more witches coming your way. WGN’s Salem takes place in 17th-century Massachusetts and tries to uncover the truth behind the town’s famous witch trials.

Created by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon, the show stars Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant, and Elise Eberle. We have an exclusive first look at Shane West, who plays John Alden, a “hardened war veteran” and onetime love interest of Montgomery’s Mary Sibley, the town’s “powerful enchantress.”

And below, we have another first look with Ashley Madekwe, who stars as the powerful witch’s accomplice:

Salem is slated to premiere in spring 2014 on WGN America. You can also check out a video teaser below.

Salem: Rope - YouTube

WGN America Travels Back to 'Salem'

The network has ordered 13 episodes of its first original scripted drama series that will begin production this fall for a 2014 premiere.

LOS ANGELES, CA — WGN America has ordered the drama series "Salem" from award-winning producers Brannon Braga ("24," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Voyager," "Enterprise") and Adam Simon ("The Haunting in Connecticut") it was announced today by Matt Cherniss, President/GM, WGN America. The series hails from Fox 21 ("Homeland," "Sons of Anarchy"), the prolific cable production division of Twentieth Century Fox Television, and marks the first original scripted series for WGN America as it begins to aggressively expand its programming slate.

Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, "Salem" explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. In "Salem," witches are real, but they are not who or what they seem. The show, which centers on an epic romance wrapped around this explosive revelation, delivers a bold new vision of Salem — and an even bolder new vision of witches.


WGN America has ordered 13 episodes entering production this fall in for a 2014 premiere. The series was created and written by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon, who will serve as executive producers alongside Prospect Park's Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz. The series will be produced by Fox 21.

Said Cherniss, "Brannon and Adam have an amazing vision for the world and characters that comprise Salem, Massachusetts, during the witch trials and we believe that a great adventure full of supernatural, romance, and action awaits the viewer. In addition, everyone here at WGN America feels fortunate to have the support of Fox 21 and 20th Television as we embark on our first foray in original scripted programming."

"As WGN America launches its strategy of programming distinctive original content, 'Salem' is the perfect vehicle, and Gary, Dana, Bert and everyone at 20th with whom we have worked in the past is the perfect studio for us to begin this journey," said Peter Liguori, CEO, Tribune Company. "Salem is a subject that has captivated readers and audiences, and this show gives us a chance to examine it with a fresh perspective through the eyes of great storytellers."

"Our studio has had a long and successful relationship with Peter and Matt, so we are thrilled to be back in business with them on this fantastic new project," remarked Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman. "And we're excited to be working again with co-creator Brannon Braga, whose history with this company dates all the way back to '24.' As we expand our cable television business through Fox 21, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities, and we couldn't be prouder to be the first studio to produce an original scripted series for WGN America."

Added Fox 21 President Bert Salke, "'Salem' is a passion project of ours at Fox 21, and Matt and Peter's enthusiasm for it was instantaneous and incredibly gratifying. We are excited to be delivering WGN America its inaugural scripted series and look forward to continuing to develop with the network in the years ahead."

source

http://moviepilot.com/series/1159724-salem

[stvn1974]

Looks worth a shot. I also love these kinds of shows and if it turns out half as good as something like Sleepy Hollow than I will be happy.

[mredman]

i will watch anything with Shane West since ha came from one of my favorite shows NIKITA i also here Xander Berkeley is in this another one from NIKITA

[djariya]

Ooh, Janet Montgomery from Human Target as a witch. This could be cool.

[SideEffect34]

Anyone gonna check Salem out tonight?

I'm recording it. Looks like it could be pretty good.

[Jutty]

Originally Posted by SideEffect34

Anyone gonna check Salem out tonight?

I'm recording it. Looks like it could be pretty good.

yup just set the DVR to record it

[RandyK]

Kept seeing little ads for this online and watched the trailer. Have it set on my DVR.

[HDMe]

Glad I saw this thread... I had forgotten about this. I'm always game to try the first episode of something that sounds interesting... so I have the DVR set now.

[djgeneral]

Metacritic averages

the new york times b-
the hollywood reporter c-
entertainment weekly d+
variety f
people weekly f
the a.v. Club f
tv guide f
new york post f

[Scottie]

My DVR has been set but I don't really want to see it, let alone see it after seeing those review scores...

[djgeneral]

Originally Posted by iScottie

My DVR has been set but I don't really want to see it, let alone see it after seeing those review scores...

I'm not sure how Metacritic calculates the reviews, based on how negative/positive the review sounds? for example, Entertainment Weekly gave it a B- on their website but on Metacritic it is classified as a D+

must be like how Rotten Tomatoes is different

[steve1971]

The wife and I are watching this right now. She wanted to watch so we are. Give my view on it tomorrow.

[djgeneral]

WGN AMERICA’S FIRST ORIGINAL SERIES ‘SALEM’ CASTS A RATINGS SPELL WITH

2.3 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AND 886,000 ADULTS 18-49 ON THE NIGHT

10P.M. ET AIRING DRAWS 1.5 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AND 647,000 ADULTS 18-49

Increases +635% Over Network’s Sunday 10 p.m. Adults 18-49 Average

Network’s Best Performance in More Than 7 Years

[Jbug]

My DVR is already booked (Resurrection) for Sunday when this comes on but I did want to check it out for myself. I should get the old VCR out (lol).

[steve1971]

All I will say is its a good start to a series. Will be watching more of it.

[Scottie]

I watched the pilot and I wasn't a fan, so I guess the show is a pass for me. The show seems like a reinterpretation of the Salem Witch Trials more than anything else.

I actually found myself laughing a few times at the acting quality, especially by Shane West.

[Shane665]

I downloaded the pilot off iTunes since it was free. I enjoyed it. Reminded me of American Horror Story. I'll watch a few more episodes to see how it turns out. Pilots can be deceiving on how the rest of the season goes.

[RandyK]

Originally Posted by Shane665

I downloaded the pilot off iTunes since it was free. I enjoyed it. Reminded me of American Horror Story. I'll watch a few more episodes to see how it turns out. Pilots can be deceiving on how the rest of the season goes.

Just watched the pilot. Feel the same way. I'll keep watching.

[drb999]

The show's ok but nothing great. I'm going to give it about 2 or 3 more episodes before deciding on it.

[mredman]

its an amazingly dark and twisted show. This is true horror and that Doll!!!

I also like that it mixes real stuff of witch hangings with the Supernatural. The witch Hunt of the show and hanging these innocent women accused of witchcraft is exactly how it happened in that time. What we see on the show with the Supernatural that is what the people believed happened back then. Pretty brilliantly put together

Since this is a whole new station i really do hope there will be a blu ray release