If you are not a fan of sci fi, you might have a few preconceived notions about what shows in the genre might look like.
Your stereotypes could include the assumption that all sci fi shows include some aspect of alien machination or that the plotlines are intentionally over-the-top.
It’s in this regard that Killjoys breaks the mold.
Space’s latest offering, the brainchild of Lost Girl creator Michelle Lovretta, tells the story of three reclamation agents, (dubbed “Killjoys”) as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad (a planetary system on the brink of class warfare).
At first glance, it might appear that this set-up is standard for futuristic fiction but, after a deeper examination of the show, it appears that Killjoys simply uses elements of sci fi to enhance its character development as the most intriguing element of the series is undoubtedly the dynamic shared between the Killjoy leads.
The 10-episode series follows Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), a gorgeous former assassin as she teams up with veritable tech expert John (Aaron Ashmore), and his brother D’avin (Luke Macfarlane) in their efforts to chase down the warrants that they are assigned. On every mission and in every episode, the three Killjoys track down people, places and things as they are undeniably the baddest bounty hunters around.
While the premise of the show is both episodic and serial, its heart truly lies in what fuels each character’s motivation. While it’s interesting to see Dutch, John, and D’avin operate without equivocation or without allegiance to anyone or anything (pledging their loyalty only to the the fulfillment of the warrant to which they are assigned), it’s their interaction with each other that is the most fascinating. Does John harbor secret feelings for Dutch? Does Dutch prefer one brother to the other? Why did they all decide to join the nomadic R.A.C. (Reclamation Apprehension Coalition)? These are all questions that the series will attempt to answer in its first season.
Last week, I caught up with Aaron Ashmore to discuss Killjoys ahead of its series premiere this week. We discussed a variety of topics including the way that little tidbits of each character’s backstory are revealed in each episode (and why John’s past is presented as ambiguously as it is). I asked him why this show is unlike others in its genre and he opened up about why Killjoys is as unique as it is. I also asked Aaron to elaborate on whether we might see a love triangle develop between the two brothers and their respective feelings for Dutch. We discussed why the team is so small and if this will actually work in the show’s favour as it allows audiences to truly understand each Killjoy’s motivations and rationale (instead of only seeing glimpses had the team included more members). Ashmore discussed the appeal of working on a sci fi series and I also talked to him about the possibility of me being added to the Killjoy team as a ‘Bringjoy’ in Season 2.
Check out the interview above!
The series premiere of Killjoys airs this Friday at 9 p.m. on Space.
