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'Revival' Premieres June 12 on SYFY: First Look at the Haunting, Haunted World of the Undead
Get ready for a resurrection — both literal and emotional — as SYFY’s highly anticipated new series Revival makes its debut on June 12, with an exclusive first look at the show’s opening minutes. Fans of genre-bending horror, psychological thriller, and emotional drama are in for a treat, as the series brings to life the eerie, genre-defying world of Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s Harvey Award-nominated comic — a dark, intimate exploration of what happens when the dead rise… not as mindless monsters, but as they were in life.
The premiere episode plunges viewers into "Revival Day" — the moment the world changes forever. In a powerful, visually stunning sequence, we witness a man trapped in a cremation chamber at Randy’s Crematorium in Wausau, Wisconsin, break free mid-burn, running through flames with eerie calm. The moment is 100% practical effect, no CGI — a bold choice by co-creator and showrunner Aaron B. Koontz, who wanted the horror to feel visceral and real.
“I wanted to set people on fire — but without CGI,” Koontz admitted with a grin. “We had every emergency responder in town on set. I remember thinking, ‘I hope nothing happens in Wausau tonight, because all the ambulances are on our stage!’”
That same raw, grounded approach extends to the show’s tone — a genre-blending mix of melodrama, existential dread, and biting dark humor, described by Koontz as a “Mare of Easttown meets Fargo” — a small-town mystery with larger-than-life characters and a chilling twist on the zombie mythos.
We’re introduced to Randy (Graeme Barrett, Divorced Dads, Court of Chaos), a quirky, deadpan funeral director who becomes a reluctant witness to the chaos. His dry wit and unflappable demeanor provide a jarring contrast to the surreal horror unfolding around him — a contrast Koontz says was key.
“One of my favorite script notes is how Randy says, ‘It’s not my fault.’ That line mirrors the very first line spoken by our protagonist, Wayne Cypress,” Koontz said. “It instantly establishes the emotional core of the series — the Cypress family’s fractured dynamic and the weight of guilt, denial, and love.”
That emotional anchor is driven by Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp) as Dana Cypress, a woman grappling with her husband Wayne’s secret past and the return of someone she thought she’d buried. The cast is a powerhouse of genre talent, including:
- David James Elliott (JAG)
- Andy McQueen (Mrs. Davis)
- Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead)
- Phil Brooks (CM Punk) (Mayans M.C.)
- Gia Sandhu (A Simple Favor)
- Katharine King So (The Recruit)
- Maia Jae (In the Dark)
- Nathan Dales (Letterkenny)
- Mark Little (Doomlands)
- Glen Gould (Tulsa King)
- Lara Jean Chorostecki (Nightmare Alley)
- Conrad Coates (Fargo)
Based on the 47-issue Image Comics series (2012–2017), Revival explores not just the logistics of the dead returning, but the moral, emotional, and spiritual fallout. These aren’t zombies — they’re people. And they remember everything.
Koontz emphasized that while the opening sequence is faithful to the comic, it’s also layered with hidden meaning. “When you watch it the first time, you think you’re seeing a shocking moment. But after later episodes, you realize how much was hidden in those first five minutes. The story is built on secrets.”
'Revival' premieres on SYFY on June 12, with a Peacock debut the following week. For fans of the original comic or lovers of smart, character-driven horror, this isn’t just a new series — it’s a cultural event.
👉 Watch the exclusive first look teaser now — and prepare to believe in the impossible.
For more from IGN Live, including behind-the-scenes insights and interviews, visit IGN.com/Revival.
