BYUtv Debuts Original Sci-Fi Series, Extinct, on Oct. 1 at 9pm ET/7pm MT

First eight episodes of Extinct will be available on all BYUtv's digital platforms immediately following the Oct. 1 premiere

PROVO, Utah, Sept. 20, 2017 -- BYUtv today announced the Oct. 1 premiere of its second original scripted drama series, Extinct. Created exclusively for BYUtv by New York Times bestselling author Aaron Johnston and Ender's Game author and science-fiction legend Orson Scott Card, Extinct is a co-production of Taleswapper, Go Films and BYUtv. Starring Chad Michael Collins (Sniper), Victoria Atkin (Assassin's Creed: Syndicate) and Yorke Fryer (How to Get Away with Murder), this 10-episode sci-fi series will air beginning with the first two episodes on Sunday, October 1 at 9pm ET/7pm MT.

In Extinct, 400 years after the extinction of humankind by evil aliens called the Kariks, a colony of revived humans, the Reborns, attempt to understand and trust a group of mysterious, peaceful and highly advanced aliens known as the Originators who brought them back to life. The Reborns are guided by Drones who are the face and voice of the Originators. They guide and protect the Reborns throughout their fight against the Kariks, and the parasitic Skin Riders who take control of a "host" or person's cognitive abilities, to restore the human race and end the alien threat that drove mankind to extinction.

"We are pleased to announce the premiere of an original sci-fi thriller created exclusively for BYUtv by two of the most notable science fiction writers in the world and directed and produced by respected independent filmmakers," said Michael Dunn, managing director of BYUtv. "Extinct is an exciting, suspenseful, series about second chances, everlasting love, family and commitment to doing the right thing even under difficult and life-threatening conditions. The series mixes these timeless traits with cutting edge science fiction drama that fills a void in the family entertainment market."

Extinct carries the colony of revived humans through struggles with the aliens who claim they want to restore the human species. The "reborn" humans uncover new dangers, hidden agendas and powerful secrets that challenge and threaten to annihilate humankind all over again. Nothing is as it seems to be.

Actor Chad Michael Collins plays the lead character, Ezra, a fearless and natural leader of the Reborns who is determined to restore his wife and daughter and to save his brother Silas, from the menacing Skin Riders. Collins is best known for his work in the feature film Sniper series (Sniper: Reloaded, Legacy and Ghost Shooter) and has also appeared in films and TV shows including Lake Placid 2, CSI: Miami, New Orleans and New York, NCSI, Once Upon a Time and 2 Broke Girls.

Actress Victoria Atkin plays the female lead, Feena, a reformed criminal hacker who is haunted by the mistakes of her previous life and becomes part of the Resistance once the Kariks arrive. Best known for her work on Channel 4 and Hulu's television show, Hollyoaks, Atkin was cast as Evie Frye in the game Assassin's Creed Syndicate. In 2015, she was named 'International Star You Should Know' by Variety Magazine.

Actor Yorke Fryer portrays Abram, a widowed man of unshakable faith and former therapist who becomes the de facto spiritual counselor of the reborn humans and provides a voice of hope for the survivors. Fryer's credits include the feature film, Accepted, and television series How to Get Away with Murder, Hart of Dixie and Zoey 101.

Other cast members include Jaclyn Hales (Unicorn City), Jack Depew (Mad Men, The Fosters) Matthew Bellows (Grimm, Fuller House) and Jake Stormoen (Mythica).

Aaron Johnston is a co-creator of Extinct, along with Orson Scott Card, and wrote the pilot episode. Johnston is a New York Times bestselling author, comics writer and film producer and was an associate producer on the movie Ender's Game.

Director Ryan Little, is a Canadian-born cinematographer who along with producing partner Adam Abel has won 16 "Best Picture" awards on the film festival circuit, including two nominations for the Independent Spirit awards.

Producer Adam Abel started his career at Paramount Pictures before founding Go Films in 2002 with Ryan Little. In 2016, he produced the documentary film, The Journey Home, which chronicled the experiences of Vietnam Veterans as they returned home from the war.

Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender's Game and its sequels, Speaker for the Dead and Ender's Shadow. The book was the basis for the science fiction action film Ender's Game, which Card co-produced, and starred Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Viola Davis and Ben Kingsley.

About BYUtv

Owned by Brigham Young University and based in Provo, Utah, BYUtv is a groundbreaking High Definition cable television network that has created a breadth of original "see the good in the world" programming that fills a void in entertainment the entire family can enjoy together, including sketch comedy, scripted, history, music and documentary offerings. The cable television network's original programming slate includes the long-running, viral sensation and sketch comedy series Studio C, which has an extraordinary following of over 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube; Relative Race, the first family-history based competitive reality show that follows four couples as they meet relatives linked by DNA for the first time in a race across the States; and Random Acts, an unscripted hidden-camera reality show that highlights the altruistic nature of human beings by featuring real people who are the recipients of random acts of kindness. The non-commercial station is available in more than 65 million households in every state of the country via cable, satellite and multiple digital media platforms including Dish Network, DirecTV, byutv.org, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon FireTV, iOS and Android.