Syfy renews ‘Defiance’ and ‘Dominion,’ plans more sci-fi shows

Syfy viewers will have more angels and aliens to look forward to in 2015. The cable channel announced on Thursday that it was renewing two of its latest drama series, “Defiance” and “Dominion.”

“Defiance” is set in a future version of Earth, where seven distinct species of aliens have arrived and are attempting to find some way of coexisting peacefully. The series, produced by Universal Cable Productions, finished its second season in August. The series was launched in conjunction with a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter also called “Defiance.”

“Dominion,” based on the 2010 film “Legion,” follows the war between angels who don’t like humans and angels who think humans aren’t so bad. The series, also produced by Universal Cable Productions, stars Christopher Egan and Tom Wisdom and finished its first season earlier this summer. Though it received mixed reviews, it generated much discussion on Twitter. Syfy says the series was the most active series on social media on Thursdays, averaging 15,400 tweets.

Both renewals come ahead of a wave of new programming on the channel, which is attempting to revive its science fiction bona fides. “Ascension,” about an intergalactic expedition, is set to premiere in November. “The Expanse,” a space opera based on a series of novels, will premiere in 2015. A miniseries based on Arthur C. Clarke’s novel “Childhood’s End” is also set to begin production.

Follow me on Twitter: @patrickkevinday