VIDEO: <i>THE ARK</i> – Interviews with Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner

The Ark - WonderCon 2023 - Key Art Press Room

THE ARK – Interviews with Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner

Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023

Location: WonderCon 2023 – Anaheim, CA

It is Day 2 of WONDERCON 2023 and, coincidentally, my first ‘con’ back since the pandemic. I was excited to talk with THE ARK series creator/showrunner/writer/executive producer Dean Devlin (Stargate, Independence Day, The Outpost, The Librarians (films and series)) and co-showrunner/writer/executive producer Jonathan Glassner (Stargate SG-1, The Outpost, Falling Skies, Covert Affairs).

Since my initial review of the series premiere, I have become a huge fan of the show and tune in weekly for my fix of catastrophes, conundrums, backstabbing and fun.

One of the most interesting facts I learned from Devlin is he wrote the original pilot but it was “way darker and edgier,” but Syfy “encouraged” him to make it like his previous shows. Devlin also jokingly states he “begged” Jonathan Glassner to join him on this project… blackmail may or may not have been involved. I’m sure Jonathan does not want those “Polaroids” getting out.

I ask Devlin if there was a reason why Syfy didn’t want the ‘darker, edgier’ version and his answer is quite surprising. You’ll have to watch to hear his response. He does say that after we all endured Covid and hard economic times, “escaping an hour a week is needed.” Indeed!

Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner - The Ark (Syfy) - WonderCon 2023 — L-R: Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner — Photo: : ©2023 Judy Manning/Your Entertainment Corner. All Rights Reserved.

My first question (after gushing about how much I love The Librarian films, especially The Librarians III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice, is: “Tell me about the inception of The Ark; what inspired you guys to write this series?” And I love Devlin’s answer. Here’s a snippet of his response:

DEAN DEVLIN: “You know, it’s a kind of a love letter, a throw back to the kind of science fiction that we both fell in love and made us want to do this for a living. I wrote the original pilot.”

These two gentlemen answer a variety of questions and talk about the back-to-back crisis that occurred in the first four episodes, the elusive “Season 18,” how to survive and how it looks different to everyone; inspiration of the pseudo-villain William Trust (Paul Leonard Murray), “the ego-maniac billionaire,” and the new threats being introduced; the reason why Lt. Sharon Garnet (Christie Burke) is a clone; and Glassner’s daughter Samantha Glassner who plays newly introduced character “Kelly” in episode 8 “Every Single Person Matters,” which aired Wednesday, March 22, 2023 (just before WonderCon 2023). And finally, what’s happened to Earth, and will they explore that?

In the video, please keep in mind that I and one other outlet are asking questions. I start off and then we do a sort of back and forth with questions.

THE ARK (Syfy) – Press Interviews with Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner

Video has transcription

Tune in to The Ark each week on Wednesdays at 10PM E/P on Syfy.

Streaming Next Day on Peacock

THE ARK Social:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheArkTVSeries
Instagram: https://instagram.com/TheArkTVSeries

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.