The Russo Brothers bring the 2014 comic series Deadly Class to life on Syfy with the new television series set in the 1980’s and following a private assassin academy called King’s Dominion.
Deadly Class is based on the 2014 comic by Rick Remender and Wes Craig and the series picks up with the introduction of Marcus, a homeless yet cunning teenager, who is invited to join the academy and introduced to some deadly teens who come from the likes of mob bosses and mass murderers. It’s most definitely an unusual coming-of-age story, but it does well to chronicle the ups and downs of growing up.
The series comes from the Russo brothers, who are well-known for Doctor Strange and Avengers: Infinity War. Comic creators Remender and Craig also serve as co-showrunners on the series. In a previous teaser and interview video, Joe Russo said that “it does an amazing job of exploring teenage years and the sense of alienation that you feel. The first time we read the book we were blown away. That’s why we’re standing here working on the show.”
THE CHARACTERS
Master Lin (Benedict Wong): The headmaster of the School for the Deadly Arts. Deadly and feared. He’s an ever-changing chameleon who keeps his students desperate for his approval.
Marcus (Benjamin Wadsworth): At one point we were all Marcus, an awkward outcast full of social anxiety struggling to find his place in the cold and brutal world of high school. Marcus is bottled rage, if his life had been normal this kid might have been an artist, even a poet. Instead he’s had to survive life on the streets of San Francisco. His eyes show it. He’s morally centered in an unethical world.
Saya (Lana Condor): Mysterious and guarded with a deadly reputation. Saya was banished from one of the top Yakuza clans in Japan, sent to the School for the Deadly Arts to redeem herself. Driven to be the valedictorian, nothing will stand in her way.
Maria (Maria Gabriela de Faria): One minute Maria’s an extrovert and an exhibitionist, a tornado of ever changing emotions—fierce, charming, beautiful and oozing femininity — the next she’s murderous, feral, and crippled by rage. At the School for the Deadly Arts her instability is treated like a super power.
Willie (Luke Tennie): A hardened gangster, but underneath is an honest and thoughtful person who would rather be reading comic books and listening to music than engaging in blood work. Forced by his mother, leader of an LA gang, into the School for the Deadly Arts, he is under endless pressure to become the thing he hates most.
Billy (Liam James): Skater punk, son of a corrupt cop and now a misfit at the school. He’s off kilter and high energy. Billy combats every situation with sarcasm and humor. Always a glimmer of mischief in his eye.
Chico (Michel Duval): Scary, muscular, son of a cartel drug lord. Everyone knows not to mess with Chico. The only one who can hurt him is his girlfriend.
The series stars Benjamin Wadsworth (Teen Wolf), Lana Condor (X-Men: Apocalypse), María Gabriela de Faría (Pacific), Luke Tennie (Shock and Awe), Liam James (The Killing), and Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange).
Deadly Class premieres January 16th at 10pm on Syfy.
