Syfy ventures into mythology

US network Syfy has ordered a mythological drama from the team behind the channel’s recent miniseries Tin Man, Neverland and Alice.

Olympus (13×60′) is being produced by Canada’s Reunion Pictures and London’s Olympus TV in association with financing firm Great Point Media. It follows the a young man living among monsters and gods who transforms into a ruthless leader.

Production will begin this summer in Vancouver and London, with the first episode set to be written and directed by Nick Willing (Tin Man, Alice, Neverland).

Exec producers include Robert Halmi Sr for The Halmi Company, Robert Halmi Jr and Jim Reeve for Great Point Media, and Matthew O’Connor and Lisa Richardson for Reunion Pictures.

The show will be distributed by the UK’s Content Media Group outside of the US, Germany and Canada and has been slated to premiere on Syfy in 2015.Tele München Gruppe has acquired rights in all German-speaking territories for the 13 episodes and any additional ones produced.

“Olympus is a fantastic blend of action, intense thrills, creatures and great storytelling. It will feature characters from mythology in a way never before imagined,” said Chris Regina, senior VP of programming at Syfy.

Syfy has also ordered Z Nation, from the production firm behind hit mock horror show Sharknado.

The 13-part series will be produced by US-based Asylum and take viewers into a world that has been destroyed by a zombie virus. Karl Schaefer (Eureka) is attached as showrunner and exec producer.