Universal Cable Productions (UCP) announced why will reunite with Psych star James Roday. The performer is slated to direct two episodes of the 2017 SyFy series “Blood Drive.” The new series will be in the style of classic grindhouse and UCP have stated that they are very excited to be working with Roday.
The man who will helm two episodes of the new scripted series played Shawn Spencer on Psych. Not only did Roday play the keen-eyed consulting detective on the USA network series, but he wrote and directed a number of that show’s episodes.
His first feature film, Gravy, a comedy horror film, debuted last year. Roday also just finished working on Pushing Dead; a dramedy due for release 29 September. James has also directed a number of episodes on other television shows: Rosewood, Battle Creek and Rush Hour.
Executive Vice President of Current Programming at UCP Richard Rothstein said in the 12 September statement that they were excited to have James “back in the family.” Accepted as a fan favorite from Psych, the VP explained that they knew Roday as an incredibly gifted director who loves the horror genre.
James calls the upcoming project a “ gooey, dystopian all-you-can-eat buffet.” He admits being a fan for the genre and went on to explain that there is nothing like Blood Drive currently on television. Roday admitted to signing up “with aplomb.”
The actor and directer confessed that it was great to be back and to work with the collaborative folks at UCP.
James Roland is the series creator and he wrote the pilot episode of Blood Drive as well. The series takes place in a “near-apocalyptic” future and will run for13 episodes. The show will follow Arthur Bailey (Alan Ritchson) who is the “last good cop” in LA.
Bailey works with a dangerous “vamp” partner named Grace (played by Christina Ochoa). She has a hidden agenda and is not happy to be stuck with Arthur as a partner. Grace will, however, find out that this “moral” cop is a born survivor. Apparently they have a lot in common.
The series will be executive produced by John Hlavin, Fredrik Malmberg and David Straiton. Mark Wheeler serves as series producer and Roland, the show’s creator will also executive produce Blood Drive. The new SyFy production is currently filming in South Africa.
Roday’s feature film debut, Gravy, is a splendid first time effort. As a comedy horror film, the plot is outlandish and not afraid to take liberties with good taste. If this is indicative of James’t taste in the genre, the two episodes he directs of Blood Drive will be very special.
UCP currently work with SyFy on three current shows, The Magicians, 12 Monkeys and Killjoys. They have a number of scripted, and digital content, on offer across a number of networks. Their shows include Mr. Robot, Colony and Suits. UCP also has Hulu’s Difficult People as a notch on their metaphorical belt. .
Both SyFy and Universal Productions are part of NBCUniversal which is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. The “imagination-based” entertainment network has the tagline, “Imagine greater.”
Blood Drive is set to air in 2017.
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