Here are all the most exciting NYCC 2020 panels within the realms of sci-fi and fantasy. In a world that has become increasingly virtual over the past decade, the humble comic con was a refuge for old-fashioned fun and interaction, with mind-bogglingly intricate costumes, star-studded panels and a positive, welcoming atmosphere of togetherness. Unfortunately, 2020 had other ideas. Just like work meetings and wedding receptions, NYCC 2020 has been forced to go virtual, with a series of panels streaming on the NYCC YouTube channel between October 8th and October 11th. Cast and crew from across the film and TV spectrum will once again be able to share their thoughts and answer questions while still wearing their pajama bottoms and comfy slippers.
NYCC 2020 follows the precedent set by SDCC At Home back in July. Unfortunately, the socially-distanced hurdle proved too much for SDCC to overcome, and the event was somewhat of a disappointment, lacking the usual buzz and major reveals. However, DC proved the “online comic con” concept was very much workable with FanDome in August. The onus now falls to NYCC to prove that, as much as everyone misses being stuck in a hall with hordes of fellow sweaty fans, virtual panels can plug the gap while the world remains in limbo.
NYCC has a wide variety of exciting panels lined up, from M.O.D.O.K. and The Hunger Games to The Boys and The Walking Dead. And, of course, fans of the science fiction and fantasy genres will be very well catered for during NYCC 2020. Here are all the best panels to look for over the coming days.
Star Trek Universe (Oct 8th 12pm ET)
No sci-fi line-up would be complete without input from Star Trek, and the “Star Trek Universe” panel holds much promise thanks to the sheer volume of projects currently on the boil over at CBS towers. The NYCC 2020 panel will include a discussion among the Star Trek: Discovery cast ahead of season 3’s release later this month, but given how close the premiere is, there are unlikely to be any major announcements or new trailers not already covered during the SDCC “Star Trek Universe” panel. More exciting will be the Star Trek: Lower Decks segment with creator, Mike McMahan. When the Star Trek: Lower Decks cast appeared (virtually) at SDCC, the animated series had yet to begin, and the cast spoke optimistically about their new venture. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1 wasn’t universally beloved by fans, and it’ll be interesting to hear more about the show’s future and any possible word on season 2.
Among the Star Trek deluge, NYCC 2020’s panel might also offer some information on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Prodigy and the unnamed Section 31 spin-off. All three have been announced, but details remain scarce at present, especially surrounding the latter two. Although the focus will be firmly on Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, NYCC might also bring word on Star Trek: Picard season 2.
Doctor Who (Oct 8th 1:40pm ET)
It feels like an lifetime since Doctor Who fans last heard from Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. After season 12 wrapped up with the controversial Timeless Child reveal back in March, Doctor Who has been more focused on the “Time Lord Victorious” multi-platform event than the primary TV series, and with Doctor Who season 13 reportedly only just starting production, there likely won’t be any news on that front. With that said, the “Revolution of the Daleks” Christmas special is set to drop in a few months, and a trailer is widely expected in the near future, especially after Doctor Who‘s social media platforms recently refreshed their design with updated artwork. The Doctor’s NYCC visit will almost certainly bring news of the upcoming Dalek-based episode, and might address the future of Tosin Cole’s Ryan, who was rumored to be leaving Doctor Who ahead of the new season.
Predictably, Jodie Whittaker and the gang will be keen to avoid dropping any major spoilers, but given the franchise-shifting cliffhanger that concluded the previous episode, any insight into the future (or, indeed, the past) of Doctor Who would be greatly received. The iconic character has been turned on its head, ruffling over 50 years of mythology in the process, and those changes will be the elephant in the (chat)room during Doctor Who‘s NYCC panel.
The Expanse (October 8th 5:10pm ET)
While it still flies criminally under the radar for many, The Expanse has arguably been the defining sci-fi TV show of the past five years. Running for 3 seasons on Syfy before a controversial cancellation, The Expanse season 4 moved to Amazon Prime, and is currently gearing up for its fifth run. The Expanse‘s NYCC panel will feature the show’s main cast and, most exciting of all, will be geared towards discussion of the upcoming season 5. Fans will be keen to hear about how The Expanse plans to adapt the Nemesis Games novel and any changes that could be made in the transition. And after the shocking conclusion to season 4, any information on the Rocinante’s future, the arrival of Marco Inaros, or the lengthy book time jump that The Expanse is rapidly approaching would be welcome.
The Expanse season 5 wrapped filming earlier this year before the pandemic took hold, so it certainly wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a trailer and premiere date during the show’s NYCC 2020 panel. Unfortunately, The Expanse‘s season 5 panel does come with baggage. In July, it was announced that actor Cas Anvar was being independently investigated following accusations (that Anvar strenuously denies) of misconduct. There has been no official update since, and it’s unlikely Anvar will participate in the panel while the investigation is ongoing, but the NYCC panel does provide an opportunity to update fans on the situation.
Lost Anniversary Q&A (Oct 10th 7:25pm ET)
To say Lost left fans with questions would be an understatement of epic proportions, so any opportunity to sit down with the show’s producers is a major event. Moderated by Josh Horowitz, the Lost anniversary panel will see Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse take questions from fans (using the #lostinthemetaverse hashtag) in a rare chance to lift some of the smoke around this groundbreaking series. Running for 6 seasons between 2004 and 2010, Lost redefined cinematic television with its unique ensemble cast and treasure trove of mysteries, but shed fans as the story progressed and delivered a predictably divisive finale to rival even Game of Thrones. The Lost finale also left many questions and mysteries unaddressed, and while Lindelof and Cuse have been repeatedly questioned over the past decade, new information has been few and far between.
It remains to be seen whether the duo will be drawn into more conclusive replies in their NYCC 2020 panel, or whether their answers will only lead to more questions, but the cultural relevance and enduring popularity of Lost means fans will be hungry for more details, however minor. Furthermore, recent years have seen rumblings of a Lost revival or sequel series. Lindelof and Cuse might have an update as to how likely (or otherwise) another trip to the Island might be.
The Stand (Oct 9th 12:40pm ET)
As well as bringing the Star Trek universe to NYCC 2020, CBS All Access will also offer a first look at The Stand, a brand new series based on the fantasy novel of the same name by Stephen King. The original 1978 book came from King’s desire to tell a Tolkien-esque high fantasy tale within his own tradition setting of contemporary America. The result was The Stand – a post-apocalyptic story of a world ravaged by a deadly virus. The Stand‘s NYCC panel will feature showrunner Benjamin Cavell, as well as the star-studded cast of Whoopi Goldberg, James Marsden, Greg Kinnear, and many more. The Stand premieres on December 17th, so NYCC represents perhaps the final opportunity for one big marketing push before the first episode, and CBS All Access will be keen to add another jewel to their crown after relying so heavily on Star Trek until now.
Amazon’s Utopia suffered from its pandemic storyline hitting too close to home in 2020, and similarities to real-world events will no doubt be near the top of agenda during The Stand‘s NYCC panel.
Other Sci-Fi & Fantasy Panels At NYCC 2020
Snowpiercer (Oct 8th 6:20pm) – A first look at the highly anticipated second season of TNT’s series. Panel includes stars Jennifer Connelly, Sean Bean and Daveed Diggs.
The Watch (Oct 9th 1:15pm) – Based on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, The Watch comes from BBC America and NYCC brings the cast together in conversation ahead of the 2021 premiere.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (Oct 9th 2:40pm) – After season 1 of Jurassic World‘s Camp Cretaceous spin-off, Colin Trevorrow joins the show’s writers for an in-depth look into their creative process.
Resident Alien (Oct 9th 4:55pm) – Syfy’s adaptation of the Dark Horse comic book miniseries, Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk as an extra-terrestrial solving crimes on Earth and eluding the authorities. The panel features the first 10 minutes of the premiere episode, as well as a Q&A session with Tudyk.
American Gods (Oct 9th 5:50pm) – NYCC’s American Gods panel promises juicy details around the upcoming third season of the STARZ series, and will be followed by a Q&A with cast members including Ricky Whittle.
Helstrom (Oct 9th 9:05pm) – Arriving on Hulu later this month, fans can see the opening 10 minutes of Helstrom at NYCC, as well as hearing from cast and crew.
A Discovery of Witches (Oct 10th 12:20pm) – Currently in the process of filming their third season, the Discovery of Witches panel are at NYCC to discuss season 2 of the Sky series,
Kipo & The Age of Wonderbeasts (Oct 11th 2:15 pm) – Season 3 of Kipo & The Age of Wonderbeasts arrives on Netflix shortly. The cast and crew join NYCC to talk about the final season of the animated series.
