It’s not a bird, and it’s not a plane, but it is another superhero series although it does take place long birth before the birth of our beloved Superman is born.
Krypton is set 200 years prior to the birth of Superman and it will follow Seg-El, Superman’s grandfather — whose House of El was ostracised and shamed — as he fights to redeem his family’s honour and save his beloved world from chaos. Now rankless, Seg tries to live his life, except it only becomes more complicated with the arrival of Adam Strange—a man from both the future and Earth who travelled across the galaxy and time to help prevent a threat to Krypton that could ultimately wipe out the planet way before Superman could even be born.
At the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, the producers already have a seven to eight year plan for where the series could go and that doesn’t necessarily follow Kryptonian lore. “The time travel element does give us some unpredictability and some creative license to do some stories you don’t know or stories that play out differently than what people might assume,” said DC Entertainment CCO Geoff Johns.
While this is a DC television series, it isn’t tied to the DCTV universe that includes The Flash and Gotham, so Krypton will more than likely explore their own versions of characters. With the Phantom Zone being teased towards the end of the new trailer, it seems the series will have plenty of characters, planets and times to visit, which will offer up a very intriguing show ahead.
We’ve included some details about each of the houses and the central characters which will be popping up!
HOUSE OF EL
The House of El are founders of the Kandorian science guild and they are one of Krypton’s oldest and most accomplished houses. They are known for their resolve, sacrifice and their defiance in the face of oppression. More than anything, they are defined by a belief in a better tomorrow.
The El sigil comes from an ancient Kryptonian word that means “hope.” Seg-El is our main character, however, after Seg’s family was de-ranked, the El sigil was outlawed. Seg grew up as a Rankless street rat, scamming drunk Guildsmen with his best friend, Kem.
Val-El is Seg’s grandfather, who is a great scientist and will do anything to protect his house and home planet. Charys and Ter-El are Seg’s parents and after their de-ranking, Ter worked as Daron’s clerk in the Lawmakers Guild. Before the Voice of Rao took power, Charys was a Military Guild pilot who had plans to explore space.
HOUSE OF ZOD
The Zods are an ancient house dating back to pre-cataclysm times. Zods are the protectors of Krypton, defined by their honour, not their blood. All Zod children undergo a test of honour endurance and loyalty to officially earn their place in the house. Once they prove themselves, Zods kneel to no one.
In the series, Lyta-Zod is a Private in the Sagitari who is set to bind with fellow Sagitari Commander Dev-Em. Lyta disagrees with the increasing militarisation of the Sagitari, yet she knows a Zod’s duty is to defend Kandor and protect Krypton. Donor, not blood, is what makes a Zod. It is placed above all else: family, love and life. Meanwhile, her mother is Jayna-Zod, the Primus of the Military Guild.
HOUSE OF VEX
The Vexes are the lawmakers and Krypton’s most powerful political family. They live lavishly and stay tightly bound to Krypton’s other power families through carefully arranged marriages. The House of Vex is synonymous with cunning, ruthless manipulation and lead by Daron-Vex who believes that he is the only man with the vision and strength to lead Kandor.
Nyssa is a Junior Magistrate in the Lawmakers Guild. As Daron’s daughter, she grew up learning how to manipulate others and use them to achieve her political agenda. Her father married into House Vex twenty years ago and continued to rise through the ranks of Kandorian society.
HOUSE OF EM
The founding father of House Em lost to a Zod in a Kandarian duel. The two house have been linked ever since with the Ems offering deference to the Zods. Ems tend to rise to the top rank of the military guild, finding inner peace in their duty and purpose.
Dev-Em is a loyal Sagitari commander and Lyta-Zod’s intended. He comes from a traditional house, but only goes through the motions of Raoism. His heart lies with Lyta and his loyalty lies with his Primus, Jayna-Zod. Dev-Em’s family was killed in an attack by Black Zero. Though Dev survived, he is haunted by the fact that those responsible were never found.
Krypton stars Cameron Cuffe (The Halycon), Georgina Campbell (King Arthur: Legend of The Sword), Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones), Elliot Cowan (Da Vinci’s Demons) and Ann Ogbomo (Wonder Woman).
Based on DC characters, Krypton is executive produced by David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Dark Knight trilogy). Damian Kindler (Sleepy Hollow) will serve as executive producer and showrunner.
Krypton premieres Wednesday, March 21 at 10/9c on Syfy.
