Syfy showcases Magicians, Helix unraveled

US cable channel Syfy has sent its fantasy drama pilot The Magicians to series days after cancelling sci-fi series Helix.

The Magicians is based on Lev Grossman’s New York Times best-selling magical fantasy trilogy book series, and was brought to NBCUniversal-owned Syfy as a pilot last year.

The thriller series follows Jason Ralph (Aquarius) as brilliant grad student Quentin Coldwater who enrolls in a secret upstate New York university specialising in magic.

“The Magicians pilot beautifully delivers a world filled with wonder, fantasy and intrigue,” said Dave Howe, president of Syfy. “We can’t wait to delve deeper into the lives of Quentin and his college friends, as they struggle with the enormity of their burgeoning powers – and unleash them upon the world.”

Syfy stablemate Universal Cable Productions will begin filming a 12-episode series in Vancouver in July. Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Janice Williams (Milk) executive produce, with the pilot’s writers, John McNamara (Aquarius) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural), doing the same.

The news comes days after Syfy cancelled Ronald D. Moore-produced drama Helix after two seasons.

The Magicians will sit on a scripted slate at Syfy that also includes 10-part drama The Expanse, Arthur C. Clarke miniseries Childhood’s End, Gale Ann Hurd thriller Hunters, Superman prequel Krypton and Incorporated, a pilot from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.