So the motivation behind Atlantis is that there was this huge, gaping hole in the schedule after Merlin went off the air (sorry to bring it up, but it is what it is), that the head honchos at BBC were desperately trying to fill with something appropriately sci-fi/fantasy. They brought in the production team behind Merlin and the creator of Misfits, and Atlantis was born. Based on Greek mythology, the show revolves around the adventures of Jason (as in, Jason and the Argonauts) as he washes up on shore of the fabled land of Atlantis. Its first episode got great viewing numbers, and it looks like it will be a more than worthy replacement for Merlin. We need at least one fantasy epic on the telly, and Atlantis seems like a genuinely interesting take on the legend. It's been airing on BBC One since October, but fear not, North Americans -- Atlantis can also be seen on Space in Canada and BBC America in the US. Less than a fortnight after it premiered, the BBC commissioned a second series to air in 2014, so we should all be spared that special brand of pain that occurs when a wonderful program is cut down in the glory of its youth. Status: Renewed
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
