Defiance (TV series)

{{Infobox television

| image = Defiance (TV series) poster.jpg

| caption =

| genre = {{Plainlist |

Science fiction

}}

| developer = {{Plainlist |

}}

| creative_director =

| starring = {{Plainlist |

}}

| composer = Bear McCreary

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 3

| num_episodes = 38

| list_episodes = List of Defiance episodes

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist |

Scott Stewart
Rockne S. O'Bannon
Kevin Murphy
Michael Taylor

}}

| producer = {{Plainlist |

Paul M. Leonard
Michael Nankin
Anupam Nigam

}}

| location = Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| cinematography =

| camera =

| runtime = 40–45 min
85 min ("Pilot")

| company = {{Plainlist |

Five & Dime Productions
Universal Cable Productions
Open 4 Business Productions

}}

| network = Syfy

| first_aired = {{Start date|2013|4|15}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2015|8|28}}

}}

Defiance is an American science fiction Western drama television series{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/defiance-review_b_3082390.html|title='Defiance' Review: New Syfy Drama Comes Out With Guns Blazing|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=April 15, 2013|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=April 15, 2013}} developed by Rockne S. O'Bannon, Kevin Murphy, and Michael Taylor; the series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

The show takes place in a post-apocalyptic future on a radically transformed Earth containing new species, some having arrived from space, many others the result of haphazard contamination by the terraforming technology used by the alien race the Votans, which has transformed native flora and fauna in unforeseen ways. The story begins in the year 2046 when Earth has been considerably changed, with new topography, the extinction of plant and animal species and the emergence of new species. The series follows Joshua Nolan (Grant Bowler), his adopted alien daughter Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas), and the town's new mayor, Amanda Rosewater (Julie Benz), in addition to an ensemble of actors portraying different characters in the growing town{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Details On Syfy's New Series Defiance |url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/02/exclusive-details-on-syfys-new-series-defiance/ |first=Patrick |last=Munn |publisher=TVWise |date=February 21, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708095646/http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/02/exclusive-details-on-syfys-new-series-defiance/ |url-status=dead }} in the city-state of Defiance, built on the ruins of St. Louis.

The series was broadcast in the United States on the cable channel Syfy and in various international markets. It premiered on April 15, 2013, in the United States and that same week in most countries that picked up the series.{{cite press release |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/07/defiance-to-premiere-monday-april-15-on-syfy/164227/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114195628/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/07/defiance-to-premiere-monday-april-15-on-syfy/164227/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |title='Defiance' to Premiere on Monday, April 15 on Syfy|publisher=Syfy |date=January 7, 2013 |location=New York |access-date=January 7, 2013}} Defiance was renewed for a 13 episode third season on September 25, 2014, which premiered on June 12, 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://seriable.com/defiance-renewed-season-3-syfy/ |title=Defiance Renewed For Season 3 By Syfy! |work=Seriable |date=September 25, 2014|access-date=September 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721220204/http://seriable.com/defiance-renewed-season-3-syfy/ |archive-date=July 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.trionworlds.com/defiance/en/2015/04/10/defiance-season-3-premieres-june-12-at-87c/ |title=Defiance Season 3 Premieres June 12 at 8/7c - Defiance |work=trionworlds.com}}

On October 16, 2015, the show was cancelled by Syfy, citing financial reasons after having completed its third season.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/16/defiance-follows-dominion-to-cancellation-at-syfy/479013/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017121047/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/16/defiance-follows-dominion-to-cancellation-at-syfy/479013/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |title='Defiance' follows 'Dominion' to cancellation at Syfy |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=October 16, 2015|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 16, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/defiance-cancelled-by-syfy-no-season-four-38800/|title=Defiance: Cancelled by Syfy; No Season Four|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=October 16, 2015|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 16, 2015}} However, the companion video game, Defiance, continued to be supported until April 2021 when all servers and community services were shut down.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} On March 1, 2016, Trion Worlds announced a major update for the game, promoted as season four of the show.{{cite web |url=http://www.trionworlds.com/defiance/en/2016/03/01/dark-metamorphosis-is-live-in-defiance/ |title=Dark Metamorphosis is Live in Defiance - Defiance}} They also stated they had no plans of making a sequel, instead they will continue to update the game with new content. The new version, titled Defiance 2050, was released on July 10, 2018, for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and recreates the original game (set in 2046) into the year 2050, 20 years after the Human-Votan war-ending Arkfall event.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/defiance-2050-is-a-reimagined-sci-fi-shooter-coming-this-summer/ |title='Defiance 2050 is a 'reimagined' sci-fi shooter coming this summer |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=February 27, 2018 |publisher=PC Gamer|access-date=June 22, 2018}}

Plot

In 2013, seven species of extraterrestrial refugees (the Votans) arrived in orbit around Earth. They had expected to find the planet uninhabited and suitable for terraforming and colonization, and were as surprised by humanity's presence as humanity was by their arrival. Confusion over what to do about the alien refugees led to a series of events including the "Arkfall", wherein most of the Votans' spaceships were destroyed in orbit, and a series of conflicts called the Pale Wars. These events resulted in the destruction of most nation-states and the accidental and uncontrolled deployment of Votan terraforming technology, which radically altered Earth's landscape and mutated its ecosystems. A seventh alien race, the Volge, also arrived at Earth during the Pale Wars, to the surprise of both humans and Votans. These wars ended in the Battle of Defiance, which took place at Fort Defiance in San Francisco, formerly the Palace of Fine Arts.

Decades later, one of the veterans of that battle, Joshua Nolan, and his adopted Votan daughter, Irisa, arrive in the town of Defiance, named after the battle and built on top of the ruins of St. Louis. Defiance is a melting pot of human and alien cultures and insists on remaining neutral between the Western hemisphere's two major nation-states: the human-dominated Earth Republic, centered in New York City, and the alien-dominated Votanis Collective, headquartered in Brazil. Intending only to salvage a "terrasphere" from some Arkfall wreckage, Nolan and Irisa discover a plot by the town's former mayor to hire Volge mercenaries to destroy the town. After saving the town, they decide to stay a while, with Nolan being appointed "lawkeeper" (a sheriff, more or less). This position allows Nolan to investigate various crimes and conspiracies related to the ex-mayor's attempt to destroy the town, and how those plots are all related to Irisa, the apocalyptic cult from which she was rescued as a child, and a Votan spaceship buried under the town. He must also contend with drama unrelated to Irisa and the ex-mayor, such as the blood feud between the town's two richest families—the human McCawley family, which owns and operates the Gulanite mines on which the town's economy depends, and the alien Tarr family, which runs organized crime.

Cast

= Main =

Grant Bowler as Joshua Nolan{{cite web|title=Grant Bowler Signs On For Lead In SyFy's Upcoming Epic Science Fiction Series, Defiance|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/17/grant-bowler-signs-on-for-lead-in-syfys-upcoming-epic-science-fiction-series-defiance/116791/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121020049/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/17/grant-bowler-signs-on-for-lead-in-syfys-upcoming-epic-science-fiction-series-defiance/116791/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2012|first=Bill |last=Gorman |publisher=TVByTheNumbers|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=February 9, 2012}}{{cite magazine|title=Defiance Review|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20700576,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217004151/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20700576,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2013|first=Jeff|last=Jensen|date=May 17, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=Sep 18, 2013}}
Julie Benz as Amanda Rosewater{{cite web|title=Julie Benz Gets Female Lead In Syfy Series 'Defiance', Pilot 'Rewind' Casts First Actor|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/julie-benz-gets-female-lead-in-syfy-series-defiance-pilot-rewind-casts-first-actor-241600/|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=March 8, 2012 }}{{cite web |title=Four Actors Join Cast Of Syfy's Defiance |url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/03/four-actors-join-cast-of-syfys-defiance/ |first=Patrick |last=Munn |publisher=TVWise |date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001106/http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/03/four-actors-join-cast-of-syfys-defiance/ |url-status=dead }}
Stephanie Leonidas as Irisa Nyira
Tony Curran as Datak Tarr
Jaime Murray as Stahma Tarr
Graham Greene as Rafe McCawley{{cite web |title=Oscar Nominee Graham Greene Joins the Cast of Syfy's Series "Defiance" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/03/27/oscar-nominee-graham-greene-joins-the-cast-of-syfys-series-defiance-388303/20120327syfy01/ |publisher=The Futon Critic|date=March 27, 2012 |access-date=July 22, 2012}}
Mia Kirshner as Kenya Rosewater (season 1; guest season 2){{cite web|title=Mia Kirshner And Fionnula Flanagan Join Syfy Series 'Defiance'|url=https://deadline.com/2012/04/mia-kirshner-and-fionnula-flanagan-join-syfy-series-defiance-259414/|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 20, 2012|access-date=July 22, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Syfy Returns To Defiance For Season 3 And More Alien Action|url=http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/scifi/syfy-returns-defiance-season-3-alien-action.html|first=Patrick |last=Munn |publisher=TVWise|date= Sep 26, 2014|access-date=Sep 26, 2014 }}
Jesse Rath as Alak Tarr (seasons 2–3; recurring season 1){{cite web|last1=Topel|first1=Fred|title=Exclusive Interview: Jesse Rath on 'Defiance' Season 2|url=http://www.craveonline.com/tv/interviews/710785-exclusive-interview-jesse-rath-on-defiance-season-2|publisher=Crave Online|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
James Murray as Niles Pottinger (season 2; special guest season 3){{Cite web|url = http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/james-murray-cast-as-series-regular-on-defiance-season-2/|title = James Murray Cast as Series Regular on Defiance Season 2|date = July 31, 2013|access-date = June 20, 2014|publisher = TV Fanatic|last = Richenthal|first = Matt}}
Anna Hopkins as Jessica "Berlin" Rainier (season 3; recurring season 2){{cite web|last1=Bibel|first1=Sara|title=William Atherton & Anna Hopkins Join Cast of Syfy's 'Defiance'|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/09/05/william-atherton-anna-hopkins-join-cast-of-syfys-defiance/201195/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908233929/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/09/05/william-atherton-anna-hopkins-join-cast-of-syfys-defiance/201195/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2013|publisher=Zap2It|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}
Nichole Galicia as Kindzi (season 3)

= Recurring =

Trenna Keating as Doc Yewll{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Robert|last2=Johnson|first2=Jen|title=Our Interview with Trenna Keating aka Defiance's Doc Yewll|url=http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/defiance/103215/our-interview-with-trenna-keating-aka-defiances-doc-yewll|publisher=Den Of Geek|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
Dewshane Williams as Tommy LaSalle{{cite web|last1=Ghostbusters News|title=Interview with Dewshane Williams & Julie Benz from Defiance|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iAvnGuFUGA|publisher=You Tube|date=August 30, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}
Justin Rain as Quentin McCawley{{cite web|last1=Eramo|first1=Steve|title=Lost & Found: Interview with Defiance's Justin Rain|url=http://scifiandtvtalk.typepad.com/scifiandtvtalk/2013/06/lost-found-interview-with-defiances-justin-rain.html|publisher=SciFiAndTvTalk|date=June 24, 2013|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
Nicole Muñoz as Christie McCawley Tarr{{cite web|last1=The Arts Guild|title=Nicole Munoz chats about 'Defiance', Dance and More - Exclusive Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7Pw5dS6CRQ|publisher=You Tube|date=October 4, 2013|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
Fionnula Flanagan as Nicolette "Nicky" Riordon (season 1)
Brittany Allen as Tirra (season 1){{cite web|last1=Bibel|first1=Sara|title=Brittany Allen Joins Syfy's 'Defiance' in Recurring Role|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/08/23/brittany-allen-joins-syfys-defiance-in-recurring-role/145971/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231333/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/08/23/brittany-allen-joins-syfys-defiance-in-recurring-role/145971/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|publisher=TV by the Numbers|date=August 23, 2013|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
Gale Harold as Connor Lang (seasons 1–2){{cite web|last1=Griffin|first1=Jennifer|title=Gale Harold Talks Politics in the Post Apocalypse, New Movie 'Thirst' & More with ScreenSpy|url=http://www.screenspy.com/interviews/gale-harold-talks-politics-in-the-post-apocalypse-new-movie-thirst-more-with-screenspy/|publisher=Screen Spy|date=May 6, 2013|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
Noah Danby as Sukar (season 2; co-star season 1){{cite web|last1=Danby|first1=Noah|title=#DanbyDoodad Happy B'day Canada from Sukar! Watch #Defiance tonight.|url=https://twitter.com/NoahDanby/status/351755969014951936|publisher=Twitter|date=July 1, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}
William Atherton as Viceroy Mercado (season 2)
Amy Forsyth as Andina (seasons 2–3)
Linda Hamilton as Pilar McCawley (seasons 2–3){{cite web|last1=Seikaly|first1=Andrea|title=Linda Hamilton Tapped for Season Two of Syfy's 'Defiance'|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/linda-hamilton-tapped-for-season-two-of-syfys-defiance-1201155639/|publisher=Variety|date=April 10, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2014}}
Ryan Kennedy as Josef (season 2){{cite web|last1=Bryant|first1=Adam|title=Major Crimes Scoop: Meet Capt. Raydor's Son!|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Major-Crimes-Scoop-1084106.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=gatehouse&profileid=breaking|publisher=TV Guide|date=July 9, 2014|access-date=July 18, 2014}}
Kristina Pesic as Deirdre Lamb (season 2){{cite web|title=Kristica Pesic Bio|url=http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/whensparksfly/cast/Kristina_Pesic|publisher=Hallmark Channel|access-date=July 18, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725193635/http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/whensparksfly/cast/Kristina_Pesic|url-status=dead}}
Douglas Nyback as Sgt. Frei Poole (seasons 2–3){{cite web|last1=Nyback|first1=Douglas|title=Some pics of my new character in Season 2 of @DefianceWorld to come|url=https://twitter.com/dnyback/status/476694305755901952|publisher=Twitter|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Nyback|first1=Douglas|title=Enter the #EReps! Tonight on @DefianceWorld with @AnnaBananaHops.|url=https://twitter.com/dnyback/status/482213968040456192|publisher=Twitter|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}
Robin Dunne as Cai (season 2){{cite web|last1=Sparkythewoodchuck|title=DEFIANCE: In the Future…There Shall be Cross-Dressing|url=http://scifi4me.com/2014/08/20/defiance-in-the-futurethere-shall-be-cross-dressing/|publisher=SciFi4Me|date=August 20, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919022716/http://scifi4me.com/2014/08/20/defiance-in-the-futurethere-shall-be-cross-dressing/|archive-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=dead}} / Reimlu (guest season 2) / Miko (guest season 1)
America Olivo as Alethea (season 2){{cite web|last1=Eichinger|first1=Elle|title=Five minutes with… America Olivo|url=http://splash.suntimes.com/2014/06/23/five-minutes-with-america-olivo/#.VBD2FhagTH0|publisher=Splash Suntimes|access-date=September 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725112110/http://splash.suntimes.com/2014/06/23/five-minutes-with-america-olivo/#.VBD2FhagTH0|archive-date=July 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}
Lee Tergesen as General Rahm Tak (season 3){{cite web|last1=Bibel|first1=Sarah|title=Syfy's 'Defiance' Season 3 Begins Production in Toronto|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/02/syfys-defiance-season-3-begins-production-in-toronto/358201/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203021743/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/02/syfys-defiance-season-3-begins-production-in-toronto/358201/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2015|publisher=TV Guide|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
Conrad Coates as T’evgin (season 3)
Billy MacLellan as Lieutenant Bebe (season 3)
Tony Nappo as Indur (season 3)
Rainbow Sun Francks as Uno (season 3)
Demore Barnes as Dos (season 3)

Additional characters:

Emmanuel Kabongo as EMC Soldier

Episodes

Production

= Development =

In June 2011, Syfy announced that they would be producing a television series which was being developed by Rockne S. O'Bannon and would be produced by Universal Cable Productions.{{cite web |title=Trion And Syfy Reveal Defiance, The First Interconnected Video Game And Television Series |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/06/trion-and-syfy-reveal-defiance%E2%84%A2-the-first-interconnected-video-game-and-television-series/94850/ |first=Bill |last=Gorman |publisher=TVByTheNumbers |date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815170035/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/06/trion-and-syfy-reveal-defiance%E2%84%A2-the-first-interconnected-video-game-and-television-series/94850/ |archive-date=August 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} It was also announced that the TV series would be connected to a video game being produced by Trion Worlds. It was later confirmed that Syfy had ordered thirteen episodes for the show's first season, which would premiere in either late 2012 or the summer of 2013. In July 2012, the network announced that the series and game would debut in April 2013.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/23/syfys-defiance-commences-production-in-toronto-july-24/142442/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725221337/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/23/syfys-defiance-commences-production-in-toronto-july-24/142442/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2012|title=Syfy's 'Defiance' Commences Production in Toronto July 24|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=July 23, 2012|publisher=SyFy Press Release|access-date=July 24, 2012}}

Casting announcements began in January 2012, with Grant Bowler being the first to be cast. Bowler plays Joshua Nolan, "the law keeper in a bustling frontier boomtown that is one of the new world's few oases of civility and inclusion."{{cite web|title=Grant Bowler Cast As The Lead In New Syfy Series 'Defiance' |url=https://deadline.com/2012/01/grant-bowler-cast-as-the-lead-in-new-syfy-series-defiance-215832/|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=January 17, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2012 }} On February 8, TVWise revealed profiles for five of the main characters. It was later reported that Gillian Anderson had been briefly considered by the show's producers to play either Amanda or Stahma. However, that casting did not move forward as they assumed she would not be interested in returning to episodic television.{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Gillian Anderson Was Considered For Lead Role In Syfy's Defiance|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/02/exclusive-gillian-anderson-was-considered-for-lead-role-in-syfys-defiance/|first=Patrick |last=Munn |publisher=TVWise|date=February 8, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2012 }} On March 8, 2012, it was announced that Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran and Jaime Murray had been cast in the series. Julie Benz plays Amanda Rosewater, the mayor of Defiance;{{cite web|title=Defiance SyFy Star Julie Benz Says Series is an "Addictive Experience" – Exclusive!|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/the-lying-game/articles/defiance-syfy-star-julie-benz-says-series-is-an-addictive-experience-exclusive|first=Carole |last=Glines |publisher=Wetpaint|date=April 15, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2013 }} Stephanie Leonidas plays Irisa, "a beautiful warrior who is part of an alien race called the Irathients"; Tony Curran plays Datak Tarr, "the right hand to Amanda"; and Jaime Murray plays Stahma Tarr, "Datak’s beautiful and proper wife".

Production of the first season began in April 2012 in Toronto.

For season 1, conlanger David J. Peterson developed two full languages for the Castithans and the Irathients. Basic language sketches were prepared for two of the other races, the Indogenes and the Liberata,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/11/30/it-is-known-game-of-thrones-linguist-has-coolest-job-ever/|title=Forbes.com|website=Forbes |access-date=January 6, 2013}} the latter of which was never used. By the end of the series, Peterson had developed four full languages (Castithan, Irathient, Indojisnen, and Kinuk'aaz), and their respective scripts.{{cite journal|first=David J.|last=Peterson|title=Remembering Defiance|date=December 1, 2015|journal=Fiat Lingua|page=FL-000033-00|url=http://fiatlingua.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fl-000033-00.pdf|access-date=August 29, 2016}}

On May 10, 2013, Syfy renewed Defiance for a 13-episode second season to air starting in June 2014, with production from August to December 2013.{{cite magazine|title='Defiance' Renewed By Syfy |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/05/10/defiance-renewed-by-syfy/|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=May 10, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=Sep 18, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Seat42f|title=Syfy Renews DEFIANCE For A Second Season|url=http://www.seat42f.com/syfy-renews-defiance-for-a-second-season.html|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2013}}

= Alien races =

Votan races:

Castithans: The Castithans are an aristocratic and ethereal race from the planet Daribo. Known for their pale skin and beautiful features, they have a cunning intelligence and unbridled ambition that helped them adapt to life on Earth. Very conservative in many aspects of life, including politics and a rigid caste system, Castithans are liberal with sexuality. They are disliked by the other members of the collective for their perceived arrogant and imperialist manner. The role of bathing as a family in their culture is another quirk that sets them apart from the other races. In season 2, it was confirmed that they can reproduce with humans.
Irathients: Irathients are the most common Votan race living on Earth, hailing from the planet Irath. Other races, including Humans, often view them as feral due to their tribal nature and love of the natural world. Irathients have deep red hair, highly athletic builds and bronze skin covered in naturally occurring contrasting patterns. While they're quite able to succeed at any occupation, most Irathients prefer to be farmers in order to honor their forefathers. Irathients are able to produce viable offspring with humans.
Indogenes: Indogenes are a manufactured species.episode "The Last Unicorns" They tend to be slender, bald, with hexagonal-patterned skin, which is called "protoform" and it can heal injuries in Omecs, of a solid color (most often pure white) who augment their bodies with a variety of cybernetic implants specifically designed for their chosen profession. They revere science and knowledge above all, and invented most of the technology used by the other alien races.
Sensoth: The Sensoth physically resemble apes and giant sloths, being fur covered, and originated in a specific region of Irath. They have many of the Earth's sloth-like characteristics, speaking and acting quite slowly. They have great physical strength and imposing presence, so they can be intimidating to many, despite almost always having kind personalities. This strength of body leads to many of them being hard laborers, more often than not in the employ of a Castithan.
Liberata: The Liberata are physically short and stocky with thick hair around their head and face. They often fill the role of servants for the other races, performing menial tasks and labor. The other Votan races look down on them due to their history of greed and avarice. They breathe nitrogen instead of oxygen.
Gulanee: The Gulanee are the biggest mystery of the Votan races. Many believe they are beings of pure energy, appearing as large balls of light; however this is just an image projected by their "encapsulation suits", required to sustain Gulanee life. There are very few Gulanee on Terraformed Earth as most Gulanee stayed on their home Gula, confident they'd survive the destruction of the Votanis system. Most other races know very little about the Gulanee, as they have only recently established relationships with the other races.
Volge: The Volge are feared by humans and Votans alike for their warmongering attitude. Originating from a different system from the Votans, the Volge conquered the Votan planet Omec. Volge stand over eight feet tall and always wear armor, which sustains them on Earth because they cannot breathe oxygen. During the Votan exodus, the other races chose to leave the Volge behind – their appearance during the Pale Wars was a surprise to all. They are seldom seen since the Armistice, having retreated to caves.
Omec: The Omec developed on the planet Omec, possessing technology long before the other Votan races. Every 76 years their planet would come into range of the other Votan worlds and the Omec would raid them, collecting the other Votans to be used as slaves, sexual playthings and eventually food. They are a vampire-like race that preys on other sentient beings. Physically they have purple skin and white hair, and much greater physical strength and resistance to injury. At some point they were conquered by the Volge{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}} but a few of them survived and made the journey to Earth. They are considered devils and enchanters by the other Votan races and are widely feared for their predatory natures.

Other non-human races include:

Hellbugs: The Hellbugs are a once harmless crustacean race that were mutated with Butterfly DNA during the Terraforming. They are vicious predators who live in large collectives. They have a very similar hierarchy to ants or bees, headed by a Matron who commands Warriors, Archers, Skitterlings, and Monarchs. While very dangerous and always posing a threat to sentient life, they are not eradicated as they produce a valuable energy source: Petrohol.
Biomen: Biomen are not aliens, but were commissioned as a super-soldier product by Earth's human militaries during the Pale Wars. Biomen are tall and very well muscled, coming in a range of colors and skin tones, but always with a batch number branded across their chest. All Biomen have an off switch somewhere in their bodies. Now effectively useless since the Armistice, they still suffer from the rage built into their personae and need to be given a focused outlet. They have trouble integrating into peacetime, and are stigmatized by humans and Votans alike.

= Music =

The musical score for both the series and the game was assigned to Bear McCreary. Bear said that he had to be sure that each version (for the series and the game) had its own unique characteristics, suited to its needs, but also that musical threads united the franchise. He also stated that scoring a project like Defiance was a rare situation for a composer. "Heavy synths and ethnic soloists played a key role in defining the sound of Defiance, but the cinematic quality came from working with a string orchestra.[...] I was asked to help bring the alien cultures to life by developing a distinct musical heritage for each. I fashioned Votan instrumentation and lyrics into a variety of popular songs and ceremonial pieces. I wrote pieces for street musicians that float through open-air marketplaces. I produced alien classical music, jingles, jazz, rock-anthems and torch songs."{{Cite web|author = Bear McCreary|url = http://www.bearmccreary.com/#blog/defiance-tv-series/|title = Defiance: TV Series – Music|date = April 16, 2013}}

Broadcast

Defiance was aired in multiple countries around the world without much delay, atypical of global syndication norms.

The series premiered on April 15, 2013, in the U.S. on Syfy and Canada on Showcase.{{cite web|title=DEFIANCE TO PREMIERE MONDAY, APRIL 15 at 10 PM ET/PT ON SHOWCASE|url=http://shawmediatv.ca/press/read/?1869|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219193143/http://shawmediatv.ca/press/read/?1869|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2013|date=July 19, 2012}}
The show also premiered in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Syfy, in France on Syfy and in Germany on Syfy Universal on April 16, 2013.{{cite web|title=Syfy UK Acquires Rights To 'Defiance'|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/01/syfy-uk-acquires-rights-to-defiance/|first=Patrick|last=Munn|work=TVWise|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=January 31, 2013}}
In Australia, the pay tv premiere was on April 18, 2013, on SF{{cite web|title=Express from the US: 'Defiance' to premiere on SF|url=http://www.sftv.com.au/tv/defiance/|date=April 3, 2013|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407041536/http://www.sftv.com.au/tv/defiance/|archive-date=April 7, 2013|url-status=dead}} (now Syfy Australia), while the free-to-air premiere was almost a year later on February 12, 2014, on the Seven Network.

Reception

Defiance received an approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes of 61% based on 18 reviews for the first season,[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/defiance/s01 Defiance Season 1] Rotten Tomatoes 100% based on 8 reviews for season 2,[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/defiance/s02 Defiance Season 2] Rotten Tomatoes and 75% based on 8 reviews for season 3.[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/defiance/s03 Defiance Season 3] Rotten Tomatoes The first season of Defiance was rated "mixed or average" by Metacritic, with a 57% rating according to 17 reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/defiance|title=Defiance: Season 1|website= Metacritic |access-date=June 11, 2013}}

Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post called it "a smart, well-crafted TV show with a good cast and an adventurous flavor" and added "it's also indisputably science fiction, which is a relief," saying that she felt too many science fiction shows were "watered-down ... genre-lite dramas". She also praised the casting, performances and the production design.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/defiance-review_b_3082390.html|title='Defiance' Review: New Syfy Drama Comes Out With Guns Blazing|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|date=April 15, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=April 16, 2013}} Ellen Gray of the Philadelphia Daily News noted that "the TV show may not break new ground ... but it does stand on its own as a watchable sci-fi series, with a Wild West vibe mixed with a bit of "Farscape-meets-West Side Story."{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2013-04-15/news/38558935_1_tv-show-video-game-ashley-rickards|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616034539/http://articles.philly.com/2013-04-15/news/38558935_1_tv-show-video-game-ashley-rickards|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|title='Awkward,' 'Defiance': Strangers in a strange world|last=Gray|first=Ellen|date=April 15, 2013|work=Philadelphia Daily News|access-date=April 16, 2013}}

David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave it one star out of five and found it to be "incomprehensible", but said "if you’re a sci-fi fan for whom this stuff can never be too complex, have at it."{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/defiance-television-review-article-1.1315429|title='Defiance': Television Review|last=Hinckley|first=David|date=April 13, 2013|work=New York Daily News|access-date=April 16, 2013}} Other reviewers gave Defiance average reviews and noted its similarity to previous television series,{{cite web|url=http://articles.redeyechicago.com/2013-04-14/entertainment/38535278_1_video-game-spirit-riders-defiance|title=TV review: 'Defiance' a messy mash-up, with potential|last=Wagner|first=Curt|date=April 14, 2013|work=RedEye.com|access-date=April 16, 2013}} while at the same time praising its "breathtaking" landscapes and "impressively rendered" monsters;{{cite web|url=http://unclebarky.com/reviews_files/c3ff88cb349959d6519f4a9248098fcc-1538.html|title=Syfy's Defiance a visual plus but often an audio minus|last=Bark|first=Ed|date=April 11, 2013|work=UncleBarky.com|access-date=April 16, 2013}} its "intriguing" cast and setting;{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/tv-radio/tuned-in-weak-story-development-torpedoes-syfys-new-defiance-683386/|title=Tuned In: Weak story development torpedoes Syfy's new 'Defiance'|last=Owen|first=Rob|date=April 14, 2013|work=Phittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=April 16, 2013}} its digital effects and performances;{{cite web|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/tv/article/Defiance-review-Interspecies-feudin-4427469.php|title='Defiance' review: Interspecies feudin'|last=Wiegand|first=David|date=April 12, 2013|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=April 16, 2013}} and its mythology and "interesting" story.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/defiance-defiance-1798176495|title=Defiance|date=April 15, 2013|work= The A.V. Club |access-date=April 16, 2013}}