Charlie Jade is coming to the Scifi Channel starting June 6th! I have to say that I’m surprised that Scifi picked up the Canadian/South African co-produced show that, like all great science fiction television shows, was canceled well before its time. I first discovered it last spring while browsing Canada’s Space Cast channel website and was instantly drawn to it. The show centers on title character, Charlie Jade, played by American actor Jeffery Pierce, a detective based in present day South Africa who finds himself stuck between three different universes while battling an evil corporation bent on exploiting each of those realities. With a distinctive visual style and strong cast consisting of mostly Canadian, South African, and French actors, Charlie Jade is sure to please fans looking for something less space opera and more substantive. Not only is the tone of the show much darker and grittier than any American science fiction show currently on television (including BSG), but also intellectually stimulating as it tackles some deep philosophical and dogmatic issues.
The thing I’m most concerned with is the amount of censoring the Scifi network will apply to Charlie Jade due to a plethora of intense adult situations and some strong language. Still, I think it’s commendable that Scifi is finally changing it’s programming and being creative with the network. Not to call out anyone specific (ahem, Bonnie Hammer), but now that they’ve lost the dead weight and added a new head of programming the Scifi Channel is well on it’s way to being watchable again. If only they could do something about those horrid B-movies…
