XIII: The Series is a Franco-Canadian conspiracy thriller action drama television series developed by Duane Clark, based on the graphic novel series created by Jean Van Hamme and William Vance and following the events of the 2008 TV film XIII: The Conspiracy which follows a skilled and lethal former secret agent who can't remember his past and sets out on a quest to uncover his true identity.
The series entices viewers into the ultimate conspiracy theory, starring Stuart Townsend (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Queen of the Damned).
The suspense thriller centres on XIII (Townsend), a skilled and lethal former secret agent who can't remember his past and sets out on a quest to uncover his true identity.
Hunted by a dark anti-government organisation, XIII quickly realises that the closer he gets to uncovering the riddle of his past life, the more complex and deadly his mission becomes.
Alongside Townsend, XIII stars Aisha Tyler (24, CSI, Friends) as Jones, a top CIA operator; Virginie Ledoyen (The Beach) as Irina, a mercenary hired by the former U.S. President to track XIII; and Caterina Murino (Casino Royale) as Sam, XIII's trustworthy ally and love interest.
The cast is rounded out by Greg Bryk (Saw V, Cra$h & Burn) as Amos, a national security officer, Stephen McHattie (Happy Town, 2012) as President Carrington and Ted Atherton (The Border) as Wally Sheridan, the former U.S. President and a possible traitor.
Tom Berenger (Inception, Training Day) guest stars as Gerhardt, a mysterious European industrialist who wields power from the shadows.
XIII was developed and produced by Prodigy Pictures and French production company, Euopacorp Television, the television division of Luc Besson's Europacorp (La Femme Nikita). In addition to airing in Canada on Showcase, the series will air on Canal Plus in France.
The creative forces behind XIII include Prodigy Pictures' Jay Firestone, Executive Producer, along with Cipango's Edouard De Vésinne and Thomas Anargyros. Frederic Bruneel co-produced the series.
Gil Grant (NCIS: Los Angeles, 24) wrote the pilot and is the series' Showrunner and Executive Producer. Peter Mohan (Lost Girl, The Bridge) is the Co-Executive Producer for the series along with Damien Couvreur. The series is produced by Wanda Chaffey.
XIII is based on Jean Van Hamme's popular graphic novel of the same name, which has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide since the first volume was published in 1984. The series was filmed in Toronto.
Broadcast Notes
The series originally aired in France on Canal+ from 18 April, 2011 to 19 November, 2012. There are 26 hour-long episodes in two seasons.