lyssie: (black air pwns torchwood)
lyssie ([personal profile] lyssie) wrote2009-12-30 11:22 pm

Fake TV Show: 'Outlands'

eta: I have gone to bed, silly work in the morning. sigh.

1. Comment to this post with "I surrender!" "please, may I have one?" or something like that and I'll assign you the basis of some tv show idea. (Science fiction show, medical drama, criminal procedure, etc...)
2. Create a cast of characters, including the actors who'd play them
3. Add in any actor photos, character bios and show synopsis that you want.
4. Post to your own journal.

[livejournal.com profile] havocthecat gave me the paranormal federal witness protection program? Which, unfortunately, spawned into more than that. What? I looove ensemble shows!

Welcome to Outlands, hope you don't mind the urban decay...

The problem is, that as much as I loooove In Plain Sight, it really is the Mary Shannon show. And as much as I love that as a concept, I really do like ensembles more? So, I sort of expanded a little. Let me see if I can get this all down right from my notes at work...

Outlands is set in the fading and dying downtown of an unnamed city in middle-America. The name comes from the fact that the federal government has been using it as a dumping ground for the supernatural witnesses that aren't supposed to exist, though most of them have been there since the program began, and some were there already.

Because of urban flight, the government believes no one will notice the slow upsurge of 'people' arriving/being dumped in Outlands. More than witnesses are left at the outskirts and make their way into town. Some come for perceived sanctuary, some arrive out of a sense of needing a community to belong to (Outlands has become a haven for werewolves, and several clans have taken up residence in the suburbs around the crumbling downtown). Some come for other reasons. Most of the police in the area have had at least one encounter with a supernatural being, but most won't admit it. Those that do get assigned to the preternatural task force that doesn't officially exist. Yet.

Elves and fairies have been arriving, flocking to the slowly-growing magical power-base that all the werewolves and other beings represent. Some of them feel that this near-human magic is their last hope to restore a crumbling civilization.

It is pertinent to note that the average man/woman/child doesn't believe in things that go bump in the night, though residents of Outlands are slowly coming to a new awareness of how the world Really Is.

Trouble is, the number of supernatural/unusual/abnormal witnesses has been growing. Used to be, there'd be one or two a year, now that number is more like one or three a month. And some of the resulting problems aren't exactly standard rules in the WitSec handbook. People talk and those iron-clad policies are slowly looking less and less useful.

Into this maelstrom is dumped Carla Brandon, fresh off her first case involving an elf and his addiction to meth.

Our Team (main cast):


Marshall Carla Brandon (Rekha Sharma)
When Carla joined the US Marshalls, she wasn't expecting to get seconded to witness protection. One attempt on her life and a magical encounter later, and she finds herself in the crappiest office the USM has ever managed: Witness Protection of non-humanoids. Her clients range from half-dwarves to full-blooded witches to vampires who are a smirk away from being staked.

Life might have been boring once, but it isn't now. And she's wondering if she should have gotten up on the other side of the bed that morning.


Marshall Betsy Mae McDonald (Katee Sackhoff)
Carla's partner in their under-staffed and over-booked office. Comes from a gigantic family, and frequently curses that fact as her mother knows more about her sex life than she'd prefer. Betsy is empathic and prone to trying out spells she thinks 'might help' a situation. Sometimes they do. Sometimes, Carla regrets letting her anywhere near the black candles.


Karen Sommers (Naomie Harris)
Carla's boss. No one knows what Karen did to get her ass landed in their tiny office, but it must have been pretty awful (though not awful enough to get banged out of the Marshalls). It's probably best not to ask, really. Karen has contacts everywhere and knows that you're thinking of eating the last doughnut before you've started reaching for it.


Billy Jameson (Paul Campbell)
Office boy. He only has the vaguest idea what's going on, but figures that's ok. May or may not have a crush on Carla's partner. shut up, his name is forever BILLY

The Local Fuzz:


Detective Sheri Taylor (Jaime Ray Newman)
A local cop, part of the under-paid supernatural crimes unit, Laura keeps finding Tory Carla at all the wrong places at the right times. She's no believer in coincidence, and word on the street has it there's more to this than meets the eye.


Detective Inspector Andrew Grant (David Harewood)
Sheri's partner, seconded from Scotland Yard's preternatural crimes division. He's recently had a scare that he might be a werewolf, but he's not letting it slow him down. If he can help it. He's arrived with background on the assassin, and a worry about whether his family might become a target.

(yes, I should maybe have more cops, but I've been busy doing other things)

Recurring characters:


Claudia Grant (Bianca Lawson)
Claudia is Andrew's wife, and contrary to what he believes, she was the one who's now a werewolf. She's keeping it a secret, for now, and being extra-careful as she takes care of their four-year-old daughter. Claudia is afraid if she tells him he'll see no choice but to take their daughter away, and she doesn't know if she can handle that. Robert Harper knows her secret, but finds her marriage and her love for her family charming and entertaining enough not to spill it.


Ilia deMayne (Nicki Clyne)
Ilia is a half-elf, one of Carla's clients who keeps popping up and getting in trouble. Or getting Carla in trouble. She doesn't quite play by the rules, and she's a lot older than she looks. Rumor has it that if her mother knew where she was, there'd be hell to pay.


Camilla Anderson (Beth Riesgraf)
Carla's cousin-by-marriage, who showed up out of the blue and decided that Carla's apartment was the perfect place to set down roots. Carla's never sure if she's coming or going, but she makes excellent coffee and muffins, and that's enough to keep Carla from kicking Camilla off her couch. For now.


Renee Schmidt (Kandyse McLure)
Camilla's seemingly ditzy best friend, in reality she's an undercover operative for some creepy government agency. She's also tracking the assassin, but more as an attempt to hire them for some useful clean-up work. Her best friend was stolen and replaced with a changeling by fairies, and she's never forgiven them for it. She's got a decent kill ratio for fairies, elves, and even a vampire or two. Always in self-defence.


Mai Fletcher (Naoko Mori)
Betsy's coven leader. Very down-to-earth. She prefers jeans and t-shirts to floaty skirts, but she still manages to look like she knows what she's doing when mixing blood, earth, air and fire to perform a ritual. Carla finds her a welcome relief after all the double-talk she's getting from the local wizards and vampires. That doesn't say that Mai doesn't imagine casting a spell on herself and running away to another dimension to lead a more exciting life, however.

Mai cast the most recent version of the original wards that keep those intent on killing Outlands' resident's from entering without a lot of effort. Lately, those wards have been fading, though she's not sure if it's due to the introduction of so many new people or something more sinister.

The not-so-good, maybe-neutral and/or bad guys:


Gina Fraser-Smith (Tamzin Outhwaite)
Recently-arrived master vampire, she has little use for the legends surrounding her people and is more at home in a boxing ring than in a stylish gown. She can play at being elegant if she needs to, but she'd rather be trying to find the assassin that's been tracking and killing paranormals for the last three years. Especially since the assassin seems to have an ear in the Marshall's office.


Gabriel Slade (James Thornton)
Gina's best friend, a werewolf and a gentleman. He's known her since before she was turned, but he doesn't let that stop him from plotting to kill her (if it's worth his while). Meanwhile, he's also worried about the assassin and what it could mean for his people, though he's begun hearing that the person can be bought.


Spencer Tracy (Michael T. Weiss)
Rumor has it, he might have once been the real deal, but fairy magic and a fondness for plastic surgery have altered him beyond recognition. He's the go-to guy for double-dealings and underworld information. If you can afford his prices. If you can't, he isn't above informing on you for the cash.


Bella Turner (Chloe Annett)
Spencer's assistant. She knows more than he does, but she'll never let on. Not until she's ready to destroy him and take over his place in the pecking order. She's a witch and efficient.


Alicia Carter (Michelle Yeoh)
Werewolf. Spencer's muscle. She's Bella's lover, and firmly of the opinion that Spencer's time is long overdue.


Peter Smith (Michael Trucco)
Wizard. Thief. Smart-ass. Also want's Spencer's piece of the pie, but keeps getting distracted by running into Betsy at the strangest of times. Went to school with Bella and might know more about her than he should. Is not related to Gina, so far as he knows.


Tania deMaurier (Famke Janssen) I've always wanted to name someone deMaurier
Queen of the Fairies. Not particularly interested in mortal affairs, but this assassin business is beginning to piss her off. Miiight have once destroyed the entire planet out of pique before bringing it back again at the request of her favorite mortal. Ilia's mother.


Daphne Wyngarde (Claudia Black)
Queen of the Unseleighe Court. Ambitious, with ties to several government agencies and may possibly know who the assassin is. Daphne always tends to come out on top, unless up against Tania. They've lost and won fairly evenly over the centuries. It's almost just a game to them now.


Cordelia Mace (Angela Bassett)
King vampire of the city (Yes, I said King-it's like being King of the pirates: no one cares what you are so long as you can take the damned job). No one pisses her off and enjoys telling the tale of it.


Robert Harper (Christopher Judge)
The head of the oldest werewolf pack in the area, older than God, and possibly related to tricksters in his past lives. Might be the person who hired the assassin (the sort of thing he'd do for laughs, if he was in the mood). He's gaining a new respect for law enforcement thanks to some encounters with Carla, her back-up, and Claudia Grant.

Er. There are probably some humans, too. Off the top of my head, I'd probably grab Alessandor Juliani, Michelle Ryan, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Tahmoh Penikett, Leah Cairns, Lara Gilchrist, Alisen Downs and Leela Savasta to play some of them. And James Callis might be needed as a local cult leader.

[identity profile] bluediamond421.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
Heee, I would totally watch this.

Okay, me, I want to do this meme, give me a TV plot.
ext_18106: (Azkadellia)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
THAT IS GOOD. I... am sort of sad it is not around.

This is harder than it looks, oh god. Um.

ok, I'm going with what I thought up at first and then discarded as silly.

Paranormal investigators try to stop the end of the world.
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ext_18106: (Kara smirks at Kat)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
I KNOW.

You should cast the girl!geek version of Big Bang Theory. ;D
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[identity profile] tafkarfanfic.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, this casting is all awesome, but I'm especially pleased with the characters for Chris Judge (yes yes YES, that's totally awesome for him) and Katee Sackhoff (it would be AWESOME to have her play someone less over-the-top-angsty, with some occasional comedy involved).
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I was so happy to hear Chris was working on something with... Michael, iirc? And now there's nothing more about it, which is sad. I think he's an awesome guy who should be making tv and occasionally smiling like a loon =D

And I will freely admit Katee's casting was for exactly that reason (I demand a show with dark dark moments and some high comedy at times. It makes everything better.)

[identity profile] karate0kat.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
God, why can't we all just get jobs working for TV. We're way more awesome than most of the crap on right now.

I would watch this in a fraction of a heartbeat.

Gimme gimme gimme a prompt. Because I don't have enough challenges that I'm not getting done.
ext_18106: (Callandra Tyrol pwns everyone)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I KNOW. I really want Havoc's space pirate show. SIGH.

ok. Um. I made a list while at work!

Not that it is helping.

Space opera about a girl and her shotgun chasing monsters.
ext_18985: (happy)

[identity profile] aj.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
*falls over dead laughing* OMG, BILLY. BILLY!!!

Also, BWAHAHAHA! HIPPIE AND JO ARE SUPERNATURAL BFF'S WHO PLOT TO KILL EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY'RE BORED. I adore it beyond all reason. Also, LAURA. Man, I should do another one of these just to cast MY BOY and other people I keep forgetting.

Meh, hit me.
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
HIPPIE AND JO ARE SUPERNATURAL BFF'S WHO PLOT TO KILL EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY'RE BORED

I KNOW. I COULD NOT RESIST. Also, there might be hideously athletic sex a few times. You know. To stave off boredom.

OH MAN.

I CANNOT DECIDE.

*covers eyes and points to a spot on her list*

Superhero pirate heist. *flees*

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[identity profile] spockette.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, you need to start making TV, because I would so totally watch this show (and I am already shipping Carla/Sheri like whoa).

Can I have a prompt so I can play too, please?
ext_18106: (Cadman is more awesome than you. Deal.)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
(I hope so, I would be pleased if my fanbase took that on right quick. ;D)

Archeologists discover the lost city of Atlantis.

[identity profile] timjr.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Pleeeeease?
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
BECAUSE THEY ARE ON MY BRAIN (if you were asking for one)

Ninjas vs pirates. EPIC GAME SHOW or swashbuckley adventure drama, YOU DECIDE.

[identity profile] meganbmoore.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
I surrender.
ext_18106: (Azkadellia)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
You realize I want frying pans, somewhere?

Hrm.

Regency spies with supernatural powers against aliens.

[identity profile] samstareagle.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
I want a concept too!!! :D And this is ME, so make it the wackiest mania you can come up with!!! ;)

I find nothing wrong with Paul being "Forever Billy". He looks like the quintessential "Billy" damn it, and there's NOTHING wrong with that!!! lol



ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
He is a Billy. Which is why it works. =D

Oh, man. Um.

Science-based search for the Loch Ness Monster which may hold the key to ending a plague that has decimated the planet.
ext_26799: (Adam - reborn)

[identity profile] nique.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
I gave you my running commentary, so...

Uh. Go ahead and give me a concept and I will try. I'll fail at the casting part, but...
ext_18106: (Anders sweet)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Steampunk ninjas who solve crime.

[identity profile] crazedturkey.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
OMG that is AWESOME. And I want to see Chris Judge in that roll!

Can I play too?
ext_18106: (Jenna princess)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Dear Chris, if I had a production company, I would hire you...

sigh.

Colonizing Mars.
ext_61669: (Hybrid Approved)

[identity profile] emmiere.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
Hi. I love you.

There are no words to describe how much I adore this concept and casting. Though I was worried about waking up the roommates with laughter when I saw "Michael Trucco. Wizard." And now I can't stop the glee at the concentrated awesome of everyone.

Aw, Forever Billy.

Also, oh hi Michael T. Weiss! I haven't seen you around in awhile.

ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
HE WOULD BE ADORKABLE AS A WIZARD. And confused. A lot. Yes. =D

Did you want a prompt?

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[identity profile] alryssa.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
Guh. Just, GUH. ILU.

I want to watch this like RIGHT NOW.

(also can Paul Gross be a guest star pretty please?)
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Paul can be the infrequent government official who, um, is trying to figure out how to re-write the policies without alerting Washington. Possibly with a squirrelly CKR as his assistant with a Past.

And the problem is, Paul thinks Karen and Carla are right, but HIS superiors are like "wtfno, keep sending the freaks there and shut up about it."

Or something like that. Yes. =D

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[identity profile] rodlox.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
I'd watch this for Naoko Mori! (I started watching Rome for one actor, then expanded into Journeyman, Torchwood, and more)...and I've no doubt I'd get hooked on the show itself.

though I apologize that my Dresden Files muses are excited about the prospect of a crossover with your show - two Mai(s) in one town could be fun...or world-breaking fun.

excellent cast and season arc.


(can I comment?)
ext_18106: (Kara smirks at Kat)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I was halfway through when I went "I need more women. Oh, hey, Naoko's free..."

And then I remembered how frustrated I was that she really didn't get more in TW, and so she ended up with more than a paragraph. =D

Were you looking for a prompt?

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[identity profile] mfirefly10.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
This is made of so much awesome, I don't know where to start!!!

I love that your list of 'bad guys' is HUGE compared to your list of 'cops':) And yay for Trish and Grace getting to play humans.

And, what the heck?...I'll try this:)
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It is my list of "these might be bad guys, I haven't decided yet" =D

um. um.

alternate medieval history: aliens invaded King Arthur's court.
ext_10249: (tory pwns you)

[identity profile] nicole-anell.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 08:14 am (UTC)(link)
I WOULD WATCH THE CRAP OUT OF THIS SHOW. *wild applause*

...I may want to try? I know I have another meme I haven't finished.
Edited 2009-12-31 08:16 (UTC)
ext_18106: (Can't be arrested for thoughts)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
I feel I should give you something robot-themed.

*ponders*

Toasters plot world domination, and plucky *insert agency here* agents have to stop them. (my other option is 'space vampires invade a remote colony of robots')

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/radon_/ 2009-12-31 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
I would totally watch this show and TiVo it and preorder its DVDs and attend the Con panels mmkay. TV land would be a much better place if my flist produced shows.

James Callis might be needed as a local cult leader.
Awwww he's gonna be forever ~typecasted~
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
WHOOT. I would, too. OMG.

Well, that was why I said might. Maybe he can be the captain of the precinct.

[identity profile] wishfulaces.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Mostly, I love the thought of Betsy's family. Particularly her mother. And OMG your ensemble cast is huuuuuuge. You'd need at least five seasons! It'd be awesome!
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
I would like five seasons. And I would refuse to compromise and shorten things in case we got canceled, either!
havocthecat: the lady of shalott (Default)

[personal profile] havocthecat 2009-12-31 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
THIS IS WHY I WISH YOU WOULD WRITE URBAN FANTASY, DAMN IT.

Because you would do it RIGHT and there wouldn't be any of this women getting overwhelmed by alpha males who know better than they do bullshit.
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
I KNOW. I have a bad feeling it would end up unpublished, though.

Some of this is sort of making me want to write it, so I'm sort of jotting ideas down when they wander into my brain.

[identity profile] kurukami.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee! Lovely dreamcasting. : )

I have a book you might enjoy -- Rosemary and Rue, by Seanan McGuire. Fantastical detective fic, and definitely not the potboiler stuff that Jim Butcher puts out. *grin*
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
*makes note*

I am notoriously picky about books now, too. :/ bad me.

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[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
AHAH. I hadn't thought of that, but sort of, yes. =D

Thank you!
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[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
I wanted Rekha in a starring role and then everyone else snuck in.

I think I do! Hrm.

high-tech space adventurers vs zombies and the difficulties of early colonization. (is that too much? not enough?)
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[identity profile] rosewildeirish.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
*waves* Me, pls? :)
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Scientists discover space vampires wait. That's Atlantis.

Haunted space ship ferries lost souls to oblivion, but not all of them want to go.
ext_5608: (Default)

[identity profile] wiliqueen.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Not only would I watch this, I suspect it would become my primary fandom in about 40 seconds flat.
ext_18106: (Default)

[identity profile] lyssie.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Bwah. Sigh. I would probably be all "vampires are boring" and watch it on the sly, then be all "oops, I LOVE IT SO" in the end. =D

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[identity profile] noybusiness.livejournal.com 2010-01-01 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, why isn't this a show?

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