Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

A journey back to Gotham’s golden age of animation with exclusive roundtable interviews from New York Comic Con 2018. Join host Tony as he sat down with the creative titans and voice legends behind Batman: The Animated Series, including:

• 🎨 Bruce Timm – visionary co-creator and guiding force

• 🛠️ Eric Radomski – series producer and stylistic architect

• 🎭 Diane Pershing – the voice of Poison Ivy

• 🦸 Loren Lester – Robin/Nightwing himself

• 🦇 Kevin Conroy – the definitive voice of Batman

• 🗣️ Tara Strong – Batgirl and voice acting powerhouse

Together, they reflect on the series’ legacy, its groundbreaking artistry, and the enduring emotional resonance that continues to captivate fans decades later.

Tony also dives into the show's unprecedented creative synergy—how writers, animators, and voice actors collaborated in ways rarely seen in television production. From the noir-inspired visuals to the emotionally rich scripts, Batman: The Animated Series redefined what animated storytelling could be.

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Star Trek III’s Valkris, actor of stage and screen, and star of the new film The Filmmaker

This week on Trek Tuesday, we’re joined by the magnetic Catherine Shirriff, best known to Star Trek fans as Valkris, the Klingon operative who risked everything to obtain the Genesis data in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Catherine brings warmth, humor, and a treasure trove of behind‑the‑scenes stories from across her remarkable career.

In This Episode

⭐ Her New Film: The Filmmaker

Catherine dives into her latest project, The Filmmaker, a bold and intimate story told entirely from the main character’s point of view. She shares what drew her to the film’s unusual narrative style, how the production challenged her creatively, and why this project feels unlike anything she’s done before.

⭐ Becoming Valkris

Catherine reflects on her time in the Star Trek universe, including:

• The makeup and prosthetic process that transformed her into the mysterious Klingon spy

• What it was like working under the direction of Leonard Nimoy, both as a filmmaker and as a Star Trek icon

• A few delightful words spoken in Klingon, proving she still remembers the language of the Empire

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Go behind the scenes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season Two with Showrunner and Executive Producer Matthew B. Roberts and Executive Producer Maril Davis as they discuss the creative decisions, character journeys, and historical storytelling that shape the latest chapter of the Outlander universe.

In this roundtable discussion, fellow journalists and I explore how Season Two balances its multiple storylines while remaining emotionally grounded in the relationships that have made the series resonate with fans. Roberts and Davis offer insight into the season's development, the importance of the writer's room in guiding long-form storytelling, and how the characters begin to take greater ownership of their destinies as the political and personal stakes continue to rise.

The conversation also examines the evolving role of women within the series, particularly through the friendship between Julia Moriston and Davina Porter, whose growing bond reflects the broader scope and agency afforded to female characters in the narrative.

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On this episode of Byte, we dive into the animated adventure Forgotten Island with voice stars H.E.R., Liza Soberano, and Dave Franco, courtesy of Universal Pictures for the audio.

H.E.R., who voices Jo, Liza Soberano, who brings Raissa to life, and Dave Franco, the voice of Raww, discuss what drew them to the project and the unique challenges of creating memorable characters. The animated film is based on Filipino culture as a basis.

The conversation explores how the filmmakers balanced action-packed adventure with comedy and genuine emotional stakes. The cast reflects on the film's themes of friendship, courage, self-discovery, and belonging, highlighting how Forgotten Island delivers thrills and laughs while maintaining a heartfelt story at its center.

They also discuss the animation techniques and visual styles that make the film stand out. From the lush environments and dynamic action sequences to the expressive character designs, the cast explains how multiple artistic influences were blended to create a distinctive animated world that feels both imaginative and immersive.

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In this special on-location edition of Byte, we head deep into the Amazon rainforest to speak with stars Jessica Rothe and Kiana Madeira, along with director Mike Nelson, from the set of the upcoming horror film Beware the Boiuna with audio courtesy of Lionsgate. 

The cast reflects on what drew them to this ambitious project, discussing the film's unique blend of folklore, suspense, and psychological terror.

Director Mike Nelson dives into the mythology behind the Boiuna, exploring how the creature's origins in Amazon folklore helped shape the film's atmosphere and themes. 

The conversation makes a compelling case for experiencing Beware the Boiuna on the biggest screen possible. From its immersive landscapes to its escalating sense of dread, the filmmakers explain how the theatrical experience amplifies the film's scale, tension, and haunting visuals.

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“Voices Across the Timeline: Conversations from Seasons 1–4”

In this special edition of Rewind: On For All Mankind, we’re celebrating the journey of Apple TV+’s alternate‑history epic by bringing together interview moments from across the show’s first four seasons. 

Whether you’re revisiting the early days of the space race or reflecting on the seismic shifts of the Helios era, this episode offers a rare look at how the world of For All Mankind evolved—on screen and behind the scenes.

🚀 Featured Guests

🎙 Shantel VanSanten (Karen Baldwin)

🎙 Ronald D. Moore (Co‑Creator)

🎙 Maril Davis (Executive Producer)

🎙 Wren Schmidt (Margo Madison)

🎙 Jodi Balfour (Ellen Wilson)

🎙 Edi Gathegi (Dev Ayesa)

🎙 Joel Kinnaman (Ed Baldwin)

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In this special throwback episode, we sit down with the ever-compelling William Fichtner to explore the craft behind some of his most memorable roles. From covert ops to cosmic wonder, Fichtner brings a quiet intensity to every performance—and in this conversation, we unpack how he does it.

🎬 In This Episode:

• All the Devil’s Men – Fichtner reflects on stepping into the world of black ops and moral ambiguity, and how he approached the role of a seasoned CIA handler navigating a world of shifting loyalties.

• Contact – A deep dive into his portrayal of Kent, the blind astrophysicist. Fichtner shares how he spent two months preparing for the role, working with visually impaired consultants to embody Kent’s physicality and inner vision with authenticity and respect.

• The Dark Knight – Fichtner shares his impressions of working with Heath Ledger, describing the presence Ledger brought to set and the haunting brilliance of his Joker.

Welcome to another episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi. A deep dive into the world of Octavia Butler, the legendary science fiction writer whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the genre and challenge the way we look at our society. Host Tony Tellado is joined by guests Damien Duffy and John Jennings, the minds behind the graphic novel adaptations of Butler’s iconic works, including "Kindred" and, most recently, "Parable of the Talents."

In this episode, Tony shares his own personal encounter with Octavia Butler, setting the stage for a heartfelt discussion about her influence, vision, and the challenges of adapting her complex and prescient novels into the graphic format. Damien and John offer behind-the-scenes insights into their creative process, the collaborative efforts involved, and the unique storytelling opportunities presented by "Parable of the Talents." Together, they reflect on Butler’s legacy, the importance of amplifying Black women’s voices in literature, and the ongoing impact her work has on readers and creators alike.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Butler’s novels or discovering her work for the first time, this episode offers an inspiring look at how visionary science fiction continues to explore—and expand—what it means to be human.

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In this episode, Tony Tellado Zooms  with the rising stars in London as they step into three of the most beloved characters in modern fantasy: Jaxon Knopf as Harry Potter, Rhys Mulligan as Ron Weasley, and Nina Barker‑Francis as Hermione Granger. Together, they unpack the emotional core of the trio’s journey—friendship, fear, growing up, and the quiet moments that shape legends.

This conversation goes beyond wands and wizardry. It’s about the human story beneath the magic.

✨ Inside the Episode

⚡ Harry & Ron: When Friendship Fractures

Jaxon and Rhys open up about portraying the tension between Harry and Ron

📚 Hermione’s Transformation

Nina Barker‑Francis reflects on Hermione’s evolution from brilliant girl to young woman finding her voice.

🔥 The Scene Before the Showdown

The most difficult moment to film wasn’t the confrontation with the one‑who‑must‑not‑be‑named—it was the quiet, intimate scene right before it.

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As Season Two of Outlander: Blood of My Blood unfolds against the backdrop of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, the series places its characters in increasingly difficult emotional and political circumstances. In this roundtable discussion, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Hermione Corfield, and Jeremy Irvine explore the bonds that define their characters, the hardships that test them, and the surprises they encountered along the way. From questions of love and sacrifice to the strength of women navigating wartime realities, the cast offers thoughtful insight into one of the season's most compelling chapters.

 

Available commercial-free on Sci-Fi Talk Plus, including a companion video edition featuring two Season Two clips that complement the discussion and bring the world of Outlander: Blood of My Blood to life.