Powers is an American superhero television series developed by Brian Michael Bendis and Charlie Huston for PlayStation Network. It is based on the Image/Marvel comic book series of the same name by Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. The show depicts humans who have been granted special abilities, known as "Powers", that remain hidden until adulthood. The show centers around the character Christian Walker, who was once a hero who had the ability to fly and was known as Diamond.
The series was PlayStation Network's first venture into scripted original programming, and it premiered on March 10, 2015, with the final episode of the first season being released on April 28, 2015. It was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, which premiered on May 31, 2016, and was released through July 19, 2016. The series was canceled in August of the same year.
Contents
Overview
In a world where humans and superheroes called "Powers" co-exist, a former Power, Christian Walker, has reinvented himself as a homicide detective after his own powers were taken from him. He and his partner Deena Pilgrim work for the Powers Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, investigating crimes involving superhumans, who are at once crimefighting heroes and pop celebrities managed by specialized advertising agencies.
Cast
Main
Sharlto Copley as Christian Walker, formerly known as Diamond – a detective in the Powers Division. Christian was once an indestructible superhero with the ability to fly, and in his identity of Diamond was one of the most acclaimed heroes. However, his powers were later taken from him by his previous mentor, Wolfe. Now Christian uses his experience to help the Powers Division stop destructive Powers.
Susan Heyward as Deena Pilgrim – Christian's partner in the Powers Division. Her father is a successful retired policeman whom everyone admires.
Noah Taylor as Johnny Royalle (season 1) – another protégé of Wolfe, and former friend of Christian Walker. He owns the Here and Gone Club (which takes the name from his own motto) where younger Powers often gather. He has the power to teleport at will both himself and objects or people with which he's in contact. His power can prove extremely lethal when used to teleport away parts of a person's body, or the air in a room. Royalle recently synthesized a mysterious substance called Sway, which he plans to give to young Powers to help them enhance their abilities.
Olesya Rulin as Calista Secor – a wayward girl, possibly homeless. She is a "wannabe" as she hangs around Powers, believing her own powers will awaken someday. She intends to use her powers on her abusive father for hurting her mother. She befriends both Christian and Royalle.
Adam Godley as Captain Emile Cross – the head of Powers Division. He dislikes all Powers and often argues with Christian and Deena.
Max Fowler as Krispin Stockley – the teenage son of Christian's deceased former police partner. Krispin feels that the more unstable Powers should be held accountable for their mistakes and goes rage hunting after Powers along with Marigold forming ChaoticChic only to die and ironically come back from the dead as a Power with immortality.
Michelle Forbes as Janis Sandusky, a.k.a. RetroGirl (season 1) – a very popular, world-renowned Power who dated Christian when they were young and on the same team. They became estranged after Christian lost his powers. RetroGirl's powers include superhuman strength, invulnerability and flight. She's still active as a heroine and celebrity, aiming to use her powers for humanitarian reasons, as in the relief and containment of natural disasters.
Recurring
Logan Browning as Zora – a blooming Power kid with the ability to manipulate light. She admires Christian and is pushed by her management into trying to become the next Power big thing.
Andrew Sensenig as Harley Cohen, a.k.a. Triphammer – a non-powered hero, double amputee, and scientific genius who designed a suit of state-of-the-art armor to fight crime. A former member of the superhero team composed by Christian and RetroGirl, he now watches over the Powers prison and has built a device to drain the superhuman powers. Following RetroGirl's death, he becomes concerned with his legacy and inspiring a new generation of Powers.
Aaron Farb as Simons (season 1) – Royalle's assistant. He has the power to make multiple copies of himself, each with their own thoughts and personalities. He commonly uses his power to help Royalle, which includes running his club and assisting with his plans.
Claire Bronson as Candace Stockley (season 1) – Krispin's mother who's a good friend of Christian. She works as a publicist at PAR Agency for powers and takes Zora as a client.
Justice Leak as Kutter – a detective in Powers Division. He is friends with Christian and respects him, though they often butt heads.
Nicky Buggs as Eva Hamdam (season 1) – RetroGirl's personal assistant and confidante.
Jeryl Prescott as Golden (season 1) – a member of Powers Division. She is friends with both Deena and Christian.
Shelby Steel as Marigold Wygant, better known by her online handle Chaotic Chick – a girl who Krispin meets while playing a Powers-based online game. Like Krispin, she feels that Powers should be held accountable for their mistakes and forms ChaoticChic with him, after a Powers battle resulted in the death of her cousin.
Michael Lowry as Craig Sherman – a PAR Agency publicist who works for Zora and RetroGirl.
Episodes
Production
Development for FX
Sony Pictures had optioned the series for film production in 2001. Powers television show began the development on FX in 2009, with Brian Michael Bendis as the writer of the pilot for the show. In February 2011, a greenlit pilot of the show scripted by Charles H. Eglee was announced as a co-production by Sony Pictures Television and FX Networks. Soon after, Charles S. Dutton became the first cast member in May when he signed on to play Captain Cross. Imminent filming in Chicago within weeks was announced in June. The following week, Lucy Punch was cast as Deena Pilgrim. Katee Sackhoff had campaigned for the part. Although FX was rumored to be courting Kyle Chandler for the part of Walker, Jason Patric was cast in the part. Later in June, Carly Foulkes was cast as RetroGirl and Bailee Madison as Calista.
Filming on the pilot began in Chicago in early July 2011 and ended in early August. In November, FX began to retool and reshoot the Powers pilot. Bendis wrote at the time that the reshoots were planned for January and were "all about tone and clarity". In April 2012, more scripts were ordered and writing continued, but reshoots and recasting were being discussed by the network.
Move to PlayStation Network
Instead of premiering on FX, Powers became the first original television series for the PlayStation Network, and was announced to stream exclusively on PlayStation consoles in December 2014. That year in the summer, Susan Heyward, Max Fowler, and Adam Godley were cast as Deena Pilgrim, Krispin Stockley, and Captain Cross. Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor, and Olesya Rulin were cast in the roles of "Big Bad" Wolfe, Johnny Royalle, and Calista. Sharlto Copley was cast as Christian Walker and Michelle Forbes as RetroGirl. Mario Lopez guest stars in the pilot episode as the host of Extra wondering about Walker's current whereabouts.
The series was renewed for a second season in May 2015 for 10 episodes. It was canceled in August 2016.
Release
A trailer for Powers premiered at New York Comic-Con in Autumn 2014. Marking PlayStation Network's first venture into scripted original programming, the series debuted on March 10, 2015. The final episode of the first season was released on April 28, 2015. The pilot episode is available for free for people in the United States on YouTube, and the entire first season was available on Crackle from November 2015, until May 2016.
The second season of 10 episodes premiered on May 31, 2016, with the final episode released on July 19, 2016.
Reception
The first season received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a score of 48% based on 29 critic reviews, with an average score of 4.6/10. The critical consensus reads: "The interplay between the characters lacks spark, but the detailed world-building of Powers shows potential". On Metacritic, it has a score of 51 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
