Syfy orders a pilot based on George R.R. Martin’s Nightflyers

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

HBO has a pop culture phenomenon on their hands with Game of Thrones, the TV series adaptation of author George R.R. Martin's series of medieval fantasy novels. Now Syfy is seeking some Martin-based success of their own, ordering a pilot based on Martin's novella Nightflyers.

First published in 1980 alongside Vernor Binge's story True Names in Binary Star #5, Nightflyers was later included in a 1985 collection of short stories by written by Martin – and that collection was named after Nightflyers. The story then served as the basis of a 1987 film starring Catherine Mary Stewart, Lisa Blount, and James Avery.

I've never seen the NIGHTFLYERS film, but given the fact that it has faded into obscurity with a 3.9 rating on IMDb, it doesn't sound like that first adaptation went over well. Hopefully this pilot will score higher than a 3.9 with the Syfy execs, otherwise this show won't be going to series.

The description of NIGHTFLYERS '87 goes like this: 

In the tradition of ALIEN, NIGHTFLYERS is an electronic ghost story that will horrify and amaze science fiction fans of all ages.

Packed with action and suspense, NIGHTFLYERS stars Catherine Mary Stewart, who heads a team of rag-tag scientists threatened by an evil presence aboard the ancient space freighter Nightflyer. Terror grows as a series of deadly "accidents" begin to claim the lives of the mission members. Rock star Michael Des Barres makes his screen debut as the tormented telepath who's the crew's only hope to save them from their terrifying destiny.

Take off with NIGHTFLYERS, the incredible journey that soars beyond the limits of high tech horror.

Jeff Buhler has written the TV pilot, which NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment's Bill McGoldrick says "encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness."

A sci-fi horror show that explores the depths of madness sounds like a good time to me.

Buhler is executive producing Nightflyers with Doug Liman, Gene Klein, David Bartis, Alison Rosenzweigh, Michael Gaeta, Lloyd Ivan Miller, and Alice P. Neuhauser. The show will be produced by Robert Jaffe, screenwriter of the 1987 film.