IGN Live had the exclusive opportunity to unveil the first five minutes of SYFY's upcoming series adaptation of 'Revival,' and we spoke with the show's co-creator and showrunner, Aaron B. Koontz. He discussed why this story, centered on the dead returning to life in unexpected ways, is a must-watch.
Debuting on SYFY on June 12, 'Revival' is adapted from the Harvey Award-nominated comic by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, which published 47 issues from 2012 to 2017. In the exclusive clip below, we're introduced to this world on 'Revival Day'—the day the dead rise. However, they are not mindless zombies; these revived individuals remain essentially unchanged from their living selves.
These initial minutes faithfully follow the comic's opening, and Koontz explained why this approach was so effective.
"This scene is among the first in the comic, and it's what immediately hooked us," Koontz stated. "I found it incredibly compelling and had no clue where the story was headed. Without spoiling future reveals, this opening sequence is more than it seems. After watching later episodes, viewers will realize these first few minutes concealed far more than they initially appeared."
A pivotal moment in the clip involves an undead individual at Randy's Crematorium in Wausau, Wisconsin, breaking free during cremation and running engulfed in flames. This was achieved with practical effects, not CGI.
"I aimed to be ambitious," Koontz remarked. "I wanted to set people on fire but avoid CGI. Filming in a small town, we felt responsible for tying up local medical resources on standby. I recall thinking, 'I hope nothing happens in town tonight because all the emergency responders are on our set!'"
We also meet Randy, played by Graeme Barrett (known for 'Divorced Dads' and 'Court of Chaos'). Koontz discovered Barrett on Instagram, noting he "perfectly embodies the quirky vibe we wanted to contrast with the show's serious themes."
"One of my favorite script details is how we transition from these side characters to our protagonists," Koontz added. "Randy's defensive line, 'It's not my fault,' mirrors the very first line spoken by Wayne Cypress. That immediately throws viewers into the conflict between Wayne and Dana, establishing the dynamic of the Cypress family, which is the emotional core of the entire series."
Overall, 'Revival' isn't intended as unrelentingly grim horror. It blends scary moments, melodrama, and humor. Koontz describes it as a hybrid of 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Fargo,' populated with eccentric characters, genuine horror-thriller elements, and a unique twist on familiar zombie tropes.
'Revival' premieres on SYFY on June 12 and will be available on Peacock the following week. The cast includes Melanie Scrofano ('Wynonna Earp'), Romy Weltman ('Backstage'), 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'), and Conrad Coates ('Fargo').
The series is based on the Harvey Award-nominated 2010s comic of the same name by writer Tim Seeley and artist Mike Norton, published by Image Comics across 47 issues from 2012 to 2017.
For more, explore our exclusive trailer reveal for 'Revival' and all the latest from IGN Live.
