NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - May 03, 2016) - Halfire Entertainment, Syfy, and Space announced today that real life couple James Tupper ("Revenge", "Men in Trees", "Big Little Lies" -- David E. Kelley's upcoming limited-series on HBO) and Anne Heche ("Hung", "Men in Trees") will star as husband and wife in the new post-apocalyptic thriller AFTERMATH. Created by William Laurin and Glenn Davis, and produced by Halfire Entertainment in association with Syfy and Bell Media's Space, the 13-episode series will premiere on Syfy in the United States and Space in Canada this summer. Production begins May 9 in Vancouver.

Tupper and Heche will play Joshua and Karen Copeland who, along with their three teenagers, must battle for survival after civilization comes to an apocalyptic end, triggered by devastating natural disasters -- and the rise of supernatural creatures.

James Tupper portrays Joshua Copeland, a university professor whose study of world cultures gives him unique abilities and insights that may help him decode the events of the apocalypse. Anne Heche plays his wife Karen Copeland, a fierce protector who, in her quest to keep her family safe, draws on the combat skills and survival training she received as an Air Force pilot.

Tupper and Heche join co-stars Julia Sarah Stone ("The Killing", "Falling Skies") and Taylor Hickson ("Deadpool"), who play their twin daughters Dana and Brianna, as well as Levi Meaden ("The Killing", "Olympus"), who portrays their eldest son Matt.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have James Tupper and Anne Heche take on the roles of Joshua and Karen Copeland," commented Noreen Halpern, President, Halfire Entertainment. "They are both such incredibly talented actors and no better way to create a family on screen then starting with a real one."

"Tupper and Heche are a perfect fit for AFTERMATH since they embody the tenacity and intelligence needed to lead viewers and our fictional family through the unpredictable, mysterious journey at the end of the world," said Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Program Strategy, Syfy & Chiller.

"These two characters are thrown into extreme circumstances, but at their very core, they are desperate to keep their family safe," added Tracey Pearce, Senior Vice-President of Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. "James and Anne will bring an intriguing depth to the action and chaos that encloses around them in the series."

AFTERMATH will feature guest stars throughout the season, including Leslie Hope ("Tyrant", "24"), who will also direct two episodes of the series.

AFTERMATH creators/showrunners will be William Laurin and Glenn Davis ("Missing", "Power Play", "John Woo's Once a Thief"). Jason Stone ("This is the End", "The Calling"), will direct the first two episodes. Laurin and Davis will executive produce along with Julie Hope. Suzanne Berger and Connie Dolphin will produce. In addition to his lead role on the series, James Tupper will also co-produce. Jason Stone is consulting producer.

Also set to direct this season are Stefan Pleszczinski ("Being Human", "Supernatural"), Kaare Andrews ("Altitude", "Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero"), April Mullen ("Killjoys") and James Marshall ("Smallville", "The Shannara Chronicles").

James Tupper is represented by Alissa Vradenburg (United), Mike Jelline (UTA), and Jamie Mandelbaum (Jackoway Tyerman). Anne Heche is represented by Alissa Vradenburg (United), Nick LoPiccolo and Alisa Adler (Paradigm), and Ashley Nissenberg (Morris Yorn).

Halfire will distribute in Canada. Universal Cable Productions will have international distribution.

About Halfire Entertainment
Halfire Entertainment was founded in 2013 by seasoned TV executive Noreen Halpern to develop, produce, and finance television series and mini-series for the Canadian, U.S., and international marketplace. Halfire produces exceptionally creative and commercial programming and employs non-traditional financing resulting in straight-to-series orders. The company has a robust development slate with projects set up at Syfy, Showtime, History, ABC, NBC, CBC, CTV Shaw and Sky. Halfire produced WORKING THE ENGELS (Andrea Martin) for NBC and Shaw in 2014 and begins principal photography in May 2016 on the apocalyptic thriller AFTERMATH for Bell Media's Space and Syfy. Halfire Entertainment has offices in Toronto and Los Angeles.

About Space
Space is home to phenomenal programming including imaginative dramas, epic movies, engaging reality series, and the daily entertainment talk show INNERSPACE, the source for all-things genre, and the popular after show AFTER THE BLACK. Named "Channel of the Year" in 2013 by Playback Magazine, Space is also home to original series ORPHAN BLACK and KILLJOYS, and the exclusive Canadian home for signature series DOCTOR WHO, THE EXPANSE, DARK MATTER, and the upcoming AFTERMATH. Space content is always available at Space.ca, and on Facebook, @SpaceChannel, and other social media platforms.

Space is part of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. (Syfy. Imagine Greater.)