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SYFY’s Revival Premieres June 12 — Watch the First Five Minutes and Get Inside the Mind of Creator Aaron B. Koontz
Get a chilling first look at Revival, the highly anticipated new series from SYFY, premiering June 12, as IGN brings you the exclusive first five minutes of the adaptation — along with an in-depth interview with showrunner and co-creator Aaron B. Koontz.
Based on the critically acclaimed, Harvey Award-nominated comic by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, Revival reimagines the resurrection of the dead not as a zombie apocalypse, but as a haunting, deeply personal phenomenon. The series follows Wayne Cypress (played by David James Elliott) as he returns to his hometown on Revival Day — the day the dead inexplicably rise, unchanged and fully aware, to reclaim their lives.
The opening sequence, which faithfully adapts the iconic first pages of the comic, kicks off with a jarring and unforgettable moment: an undead man escaping during cremation at Randy’s Crematorium. A masterclass in practical effects — not CGI — the scene was filmed on location in a real Wisconsin town, where production had to contend with limited emergency services. “We were literally filming in a small town where the fire department was five minutes away,” Koontz admitted with a laugh. “I kept worrying about an actual emergency interrupting the shoot!”
Koontz praised the original comic’s storytelling, calling the opening sequence “brilliant” and rich with foreshadowing. “This scene hooked us immediately. What viewers won’t realize yet is how every detail — every glance, every line — pays off later in the series.”
The show’s tone strikes a unique balance between horror, melodrama, and dark humor, described by Koontz as “Mare of Easttown meets Fargo” — a blend of small-town secrets, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. The character of Randy (Graeme Barrett) — discovered by Koontz on Instagram for his perfect comedic timing — delivers a standout line: “Not my fault.” That line echoes Wayne’s own opening narration, instantly establishing the show’s core theme: family, guilt, and the cost of second chances.
The ensemble cast brings depth and texture to the series:
- Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp) as Liz Cypress
- David James Elliott (JAG) as Wayne Cypress
- Andy McQueen (Mrs. Davis)
- CM Punk (as a surprise return to television) in a major role
- Megan Fox (in a supporting role, confirmed in later episodes)
Revival will stream on Peacock starting June 19, giving fans a second chance to dive in before the full series premieres on SYFY.
Don’t miss the full Revival trailer and exclusive coverage from IGN Live, where you can explore the show’s eerie world, behind-the-scenes secrets, and why this isn’t just another zombie story — it’s a story about what it means to come back.
Premieres June 12 on SYFY | Streams June 19 on Peacock
Based on the award-winning Image Comics series by Tim Seeley & Mike Norton (2012–2017).
