NBC’S ‘Revolution’ plugs into myth

TV viewers love mythology-rich genre shows that pose smart questions, but they have grown skeptical of producers who won’t — or can’t, thanks to cancellation — give the necessary answers. With NBC’s Revolution (premiering Sept. 17), a look at a dystopian world where electricity is gone, executive producer Eric Kripke ( Supernatural) promises to deliver. “We have the answers. The mythology will move forward at an aggressive pace. We will answer questions and then ask you questions,” he told an enthusiastic audience after screening the pilot episode.

If that’s not enough to persuade viewers, there are a couple of big names involved: Lost’s J.J. Abrams is an executive producer, and Iron Man’s Jon Favreau directed the pilot.

Kripke, a fan of “the big epic quest,” from The Odyssey to Lord of the Rings, hopes to bring that sensibility to Revolution. Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos), a spirited young woman, is on a journey to reunite her family, fight the militia, help restore the country and discover why the lights went out. Most people don’t have Charlie’s sense of adventure, but they can relate to the problem of no electricity. “Everyone can picture themselves in this world,” Kripke said. “How would they survive?” — BK

‘Thrones’ gets even more crowded

By now, the cast of HBO’s sprawling epic Game of Thrones could populate a small town. The series, shot in four countries, features many more characters than most series — and has shown it isn’t afraid to kill them off.

The pay-cable network announced 14 additions to that large cast and offered a sneak peek at Season 3 newcomers. Best-known: Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell, grandmother of Margaery and Loras Tyrell and known as The Queen of Thorns. “Emma Peel. Wow!” exclaimed moderator and Revolution: Tracy Spiridakos, left, Anna Lise Phillips and Zak Orth try to make their way in a world without electricity.

The Game is still afoot:

Lena Headey, left, and Peter Dinklage of HBO’s epic series. author George R.R. Martin, referring to Rigg’s famous turn in The Avengers — the ’60s British spy series, not the superheroes. Season 3 opens March 31, 2013. — BK

Following ‘The Following’

The Following poses a chilling concept: a charismatic serial killer with a devoted following, including other serial killers, willing to do his bidding. “He’s not your average serial killer,” says James Purefoy, who plays murderer Joe Carroll in Fox’s midseason drama. “He’s using social networking . . . to reach out to like-minded people to create this cult.”

Challenging Carroll, who breaks out of prison, is the man who put him there: ex-FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), who has fallen onto hard times but is brought in for his expertise. “I wanted to do something heroic, but I wanted it to be a hero who had some issues,” Bacon said in an interview with Purefoy and series creator Kevin Williamson ( Scream, Dawson’s Creek) Sunday on the show floor. “I feel like he’s got a lot of stuff in his past that makes him unable to embrace life. I think he’s someone who felt most energized and alive when he was in the hunt.”

Williamson says he had the idea more than a decade ago after following the case of a Florida serial killer. But he imagined the killer as a sexy, magnetic college professor who could cultivate a dedicated following: “I love life-and-death situations.” Bacon, in his first regular series role, says Williamson produced “a rocking script.” — BT

Watson, my dear

Producers and stars of the CBS drama Elementary, premiering Sept. 27, told a Comic-con audience that the gender switch for Sherlock Holmes’ (Jonny Lee Miller) sidekick — now Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) — is one of the things that sets

Elementary apart from other Holmes productions, including the BBC’S critically acclaimed Sherlock. “There’s something special there,” Liu says. “I’m not saying it’s romantic. It gives it a different shift. There’s a little bit of a tingle.” Executive producer Robert Carter says the man-woman dynamic would add new dimensions to the relationship — but promised it won’t go down a “will-they-orwon’t-they?” track. And producers all but promised an appearance by nemesis Prof. Moriarty. — BK