Deepwater Black
Encyclopedia
Deepwater Black is a 1995 novel, first in the Deepwater trilogy
, by the New Zealand
science fiction
writer Ken Catran
, where a cast of young characters are supposedly stranded in space while a virus
ravages Earth
. The book series itself is quite different from the television series later developed. The approach of the novels focused on the characters as younger children, around 13-14 rather than the television approach where the characters were much older.
and leaves the human
s residing on Earth doomed. However, in a desperate attempt before the end, all humanity's resources are dedicated to a crash program to produce a deep space
ark
, capable of seeding humanity on a new world. The ship is crewed by six clone
s; teenage
versions of people who achieved great works during the ark project and equipped with the memories of their donor
s. Prior to its arrival, however, the crew is awoken prematurely to face a threat to the ship, before their memories are complete. They must come to terms with the workings of the ship, the dangers faced by their ship, the realization that they are clones, and their ultimate destiny to save their race.
in 1997
under the name Mission Genesis. In the United Kingdom
and in Canada
, where the show was co-produced by the YTV Network, the series retained the original title, Deepwater Black. Only one season of 13 episodes was made, and involved a relatively small cast and heavy use of CGI. Soon after production ended, lead actress Nicole de Boer
joined the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
and lead actor Gordon Michael Woolvett
joined the cast of Andromeda
.
The series was filmed in Toronto
, Canada.
Deepwater trilogy
The Deepwater trilogy is a series of science fiction novels written by the author Ken Catran for teenagers or young adults. The three books are respectively titled Deepwater Black, Deepwater Landing and Deepwater Angels. The books address a number of current issues like pollution, racism and politics...
, by the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer Ken Catran
Ken Catran
Ken Catran is a children's novelist and television screenwriter from New Zealand.Catran is the author of many teen novels, including Taken at the Flood, Voyage with Jason, Doomfire on Venus, Space Wolf, Jacko Moran:Sniper, Talking to Blue and its sequel Blue Murder...
, where a cast of young characters are supposedly stranded in space while a virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
ravages Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. The book series itself is quite different from the television series later developed. The approach of the novels focused on the characters as younger children, around 13-14 rather than the television approach where the characters were much older.
Plot
The main plot involved a virus that breaks outOutbreak
Outbreak is a term used in epidemiology to describe an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected at a particular time and place. It may affect a small and localized group or impact upon thousands of people across an entire continent. Two linked cases of a rare infectious...
and leaves the human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s residing on Earth doomed. However, in a desperate attempt before the end, all humanity's resources are dedicated to a crash program to produce a deep space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
ark
Interstellar ark
An interstellar ark is a conceptual space vehicle that some have speculated could be used for interstellar travel. The concept was first developed by Dr...
, capable of seeding humanity on a new world. The ship is crewed by six clone
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
s; teenage
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
versions of people who achieved great works during the ark project and equipped with the memories of their donor
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s. Prior to its arrival, however, the crew is awoken prematurely to face a threat to the ship, before their memories are complete. They must come to terms with the workings of the ship, the dangers faced by their ship, the realization that they are clones, and their ultimate destiny to save their race.
TV series
The trilogy was adapted as the Sci Fi Channel's first original television seriesTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
in 1997
1997 in television
The year 1997 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1997.- Events :-Debuts:-Miniseries:*Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, a reunion of the 1979–93 series*The Last Don...
under the name Mission Genesis. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where the show was co-produced by the YTV Network, the series retained the original title, Deepwater Black. Only one season of 13 episodes was made, and involved a relatively small cast and heavy use of CGI. Soon after production ended, lead actress Nicole de Boer
Nicole de Boer
Nicole de Boer is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1998 to 1999 and as Sarah Bannerman on The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
joined the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
and lead actor Gordon Michael Woolvett
Gordon Michael Woolvett
Gordon Michael Woolvett is a Canadian-born actor from Hamilton, Ontario Canada, best known for his work as Seamus Zelazny Harper on the television series Andromeda . Previous to Andromeda he starred in another science fiction TV show, Deepwater Black...
joined the cast of Andromeda
Andromeda (TV series)
Andromeda is a Canadian-American science fiction television series, based on unused material by the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, developed by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and produced by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry. It starred Kevin Sorbo as High Guard Captain Dylan Hunt...
.
The series was filmed in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada.
Cast
The cast only had 7 members:- Gordon Michael WoolvettGordon Michael WoolvettGordon Michael Woolvett is a Canadian-born actor from Hamilton, Ontario Canada, best known for his work as Seamus Zelazny Harper on the television series Andromeda . Previous to Andromeda he starred in another science fiction TV show, Deepwater Black...
- Reb (captain and engineer) - Nicole de BoerNicole de BoerNicole de Boer is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1998 to 1999 and as Sarah Bannerman on The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
- Yuna (pilot and navigator) - Jason Cadieux - Bren (defense and weapons expert)
- Julie KhanerJulie KhanerJulie Khaner is a Canadian television and film actress, best known for her roles in as Alana Robinovitch in Street Legal, Sidney Dernhoff in The Newsroom, Gen in Deepwater Black and Bridey Jones in Videodrome. She also appeared in the 1995 Susan Dey vampire flick Deadly Love.-External links:...
- Gen (onboard computer) - Craig KirkwoodCraig KirkwoodCraig Kirkwood in is an American film and television actor and lawyer. He is best known for his role as Jerry "Rev" Harris in the 2000 film Remember the Titans.-Career:...
- Zak (computer and cybernetics technician) - Sara Sahr - Lise (doctor)
- Kelli Taylor - Gret (geneticist and communications expert)
Episodes
The show only had 13 episodes before it was canceled. They were:| # | Title | Original Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Awakening" | July 21, 1997 |
| 2. | "Lullaby" | July 28, 1997 |
| 3. | "Legacy" | August 4, 1997 |
| 4. | "Reflections" | August 11, 1997 |
| 5. | "Plague" | August 18, 1997 |
| 6. | "Cycles" | August 25, 1997 |
| 7. | "Refugee" | September 8, 1997 |
| 8. | "Hunt" | September 15, 1997 |
| 9. | "Fugue" | November 10, 1997 |
| 10. | "Siege" | November 24, 1997 |
| 11. | "Prime" | December 1, 1997 |
| 12. | "Infestation" | December 15, 1997 |
| 13. | "Aurora" | December 22, 1997 |
External links
- Plot Guide for Deepwater Black