While technically this isn’t a full second season order just yet, Syfy is already ordering up five new episodes of Riese: Kingdom Falling to continue its run as the flagship web series on Syfy.com. The new episodes, which had already been in the works, begin releasing today with the “Prey” (above) that mark the first time fans (in the US at least) will get to see the second half of the opening season that first popped up a year ago before signing its current deal.
Since its debut October 26th on Syfy.com, the Streamy Award winning steampunk series has been a winner for the cable network’s online hub.
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“We’ve had a surge of new fans, due to Syfy’s involvement,” co-creator Ryan Copple tells us. “Riese really is the best home for it. Overall, everyone’s really loving the story and the changes we made with Syfy. The quickened pace and added narrator (Amanda Tapping) really moves the story along and instills so much drive into Riese herself. The only complaints we’ve had are for longer episodes!”
The only other visible grumblings are from international fans who still can’t view the series outside of the US. This is due to the distribution deal in place with Syfy made after Riese signed on with international sales outfit Fireworks last February. One UK fan of the series commented on the SyFy site:
I’m in the UK so I can’t actually watch it yet but I’m very excited that it’s back online. The buzz surrounding it has been amazing. I can’t wait till it’s available outside of the USA.
Craig Engler, SVP of Syfy Digital tells us the series is performing “amazingly well” since its debut online. “We’re seeing online viewing as good as, or in some cases BETTER THAN, online viewing for our TV shows. That’s exactly what we wanted and hoped for.”
As for what to expect in the five new episodes, the headline talent addition is Smallville’s Allison Mack who comes on as the ‘scheming’ Marlise, a character who “threatens to change the balance of power in the politically charged kingdom of Eleysia while Riese continues her struggle to come to grips with her past.”
The four remaining episodes will release Tuesday and Thursdays through November 23. No word yet from either Syfy or the Riese team as to whether a full second season will be ordered up. “If the traffic continues to be strong through the full run of the series we would absolutely love to talk about doing all new episodes with the producers,” added Syfy’s Engler.
