Episodes 1 & 2 are available FREE on YouTube! (looks like they're region restricted now)
Episodes 3 & 4 are available at MTV.com or the MTV app (requires a TV provider login)
Premiere: 10/9c, Tuesday 5 January 2016 (double episode premiere)
Length: 10 episodes, each 42 minutes long
Network: MTV
Studios: Sonar Entertainment, MTV
Executive Producers: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Jon Favreau, Jonathan Liebesman, Terry Brooks, Dan Farah, Gene Stein
Based on: The Elfstones of Shannara, part of the Shannara book series by Terry Brooks
Genres: High fantasy, post-apocalyptic, action adventure
Filming location: New Zealand
Opening theme song: "Until We Go Down" by Ruelle
In the Elven capital of Arbolon, the Ellcrys tree is withering. Created ages ago by Elven magic, the Ellcrys imprisons evil Demons within its branches, one for each leaf, trapping
them beyond the physical realm. But now the tree is dying, and each leaf that falls releases another horror into the world. Now, a small band of adventurers must embark on a
quest to save the Ellcrys before the Four Lands are overrun by Demons...
Manu Bennett as Allanon, a Druid who has lived for centuries. His leadership, wisdom, and elemental power will be crucial in the quest to save the Four Lands.
Poppy Drayton as Amberle, the granddaughter of King Eventine and princess of Arbolon. Inexperienced but determined, she is one of the last Chosen who can save the Ellcrys.
Ivana Baquero as Eretria, a rogue, huntress and member of the hostile and nomadic Rover clan. She will cross paths with our adventurers more than once.
Austin Butler as Wil, a half-Elf and Healer with a connection to the Elfstones, powerful artifacts that can be used to fight Demons.
John Rhys-Davies as King Eventine, the ruler of Arbolon and grandfather of Amberle, and his sons Ander (Aaron Jakubenko) and Arion (Daniel MacPherson).
"One of the first great new shows of 2016 and one of the best new shows of the 2015/2016 television season."
- Forbes
"Offers an alternative to Game of Thrones dim and grim fantasy, focusing on optimism and mythology more than devastating emotional stories and dire situation after dire situation."
- Collider
"Fantasy fans hankering for a breezy (if low-budget) epic are likely to find things to enjoy in this energetic saga."
- Variety
"An excellent addition to a season of television that promises to be practically bloated with fun, watch-worthy fare."
- Polygon
"The world-building is imaginative and impressive, but the mythology is exhausting to keep up with, especially when the reward is basically just a romance-novel version of The Lord of the Rings."
- Entertainment Weekly
"But damn if The Shannara Chronicles isnt earnest about what its doing; its going to fantasy the living hell out of itself or die trying."
- AV Clubhttp://www.avclub.com/review/shannara-chronicles-fantasy-drinking-game-you-hope-230245
"When the characters stop talking and start acting, Shannara becomes a simple thrill. But it's a long and winding quest to get there."
- The Verge
"It could become something a lot better than what it delivered in its two-hour series premiere."
- IGN
"Elfstones of Shannara is a pretty straight-faced, even solemn read. Moving pictures require something different; messianic folderol is best served there with a little sex, and a little seltzer. That has been provided."
- LA Times
"Whats clear is that The Shannara Chronicles has yet to remake the familiar into that thing all great fantasies require: something fantastic."
- The Atlantic
"MTV tries - and fails - for a Game of Thrones all their own with this goofy, garish tale of warring elves and demons."
- The Hollywood Reporter
"Its a bit glossy, [...] and the special effects are sometimes rickety. But its diverting enough if you allow yourself to be drawn in and can banish the urge to play the comparison game."
- The New York Times
"First rate production value, interesting characters and an intriguing story make for a world well worth escaping to."
- The Gazette
"I'm not sure what I was expecting, [...] but I have to say, The Shannara Chronicles is quite good."
- The Toronto Sun
"The Shannara Chronicles could be everything MTV wants it to be - a chance to break out of their reputation and be a leader in basic cable."
- SpoilerTV (contains exposition spoilers and character quotes)
"It feels like the same world I read, but its modern and clever with the way it brings the pieces together. The show is also one of the best Ive seen on television in months."
- The Gate
"The characters I fell in love with in Brooks novels are so wonderfully alive and exactly as I imagined them, in no small part due to the phenomenal and passionate cast."
- Hypable (book fan review)
"The world is rich and mesmerizing, the characters are instantly compelling, and enough mystery is set up from the beginning that youll want to stick around to see your questions answered."
- Hypable (non-book fan review)
"The Shannara Chronicles probably wont scratch that Game of Thrones itch you have. But if its willing to stop trying to be something else and stand apart, it could be a welcome change of pace."
- Uproxx
"Shannara is like watching someone else play a prepackaged Dungeons & Dragons campaign, only not as much fun."
- Las Vegas Weekly
"Shannara aims to follow [Teen Wolf's]suit, and if any grown-ups are put off, well, the show wasnt talking to them anyway."
- Flavorwire
"The amazingly beautiful visuals, the strong cast and characterization, and the world building in the premiere have me hooked, and I cant wait for future episodes."
- GeekDad
"Whatever visual beauty this pretender to Game of Thrones' high fantasy throne does possess is undone by wooden performances, formulaic execution and dialogue so howlingly bad it resembles subpar fan fiction."
- We Got This Covered
"It isnt perfect (which may or may not be largely due to the source material) but if you like good fantasy stories full of creatures and magic, I think youll enjoy it."
- Nerd Approved
"An exciting and impressive adaptation of Terry Brooks equally impressive novel."
- Cinema Retro
"It may not win any awards, but it signals that the network isnt just going to keep churning out sexy teens doing scandalous things as their only programming."
- Seat 42F
"My overall thoughts on Shannara are mixed."
- Geeks of Doom
"This is the answer to what I feel is lacking in the entertainment landscape - a real strong fantasy element."
- Beyond the Trailer
Episodes 3 & 4 are available at MTV.com or the MTV app (requires a TV provider login)
Premiere: 10/9c, Tuesday 5 January 2016 (double episode premiere)
Length: 10 episodes, each 42 minutes long
Network: MTV
Studios: Sonar Entertainment, MTV
Executive Producers: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Jon Favreau, Jonathan Liebesman, Terry Brooks, Dan Farah, Gene Stein
Based on: The Elfstones of Shannara, part of the Shannara book series by Terry Brooks
Genres: High fantasy, post-apocalyptic, action adventure
Filming location: New Zealand
Opening theme song: "Until We Go Down" by Ruelle
In the Elven capital of Arbolon, the Ellcrys tree is withering. Created ages ago by Elven magic, the Ellcrys imprisons evil Demons within its branches, one for each leaf, trapping
them beyond the physical realm. But now the tree is dying, and each leaf that falls releases another horror into the world. Now, a small band of adventurers must embark on a
quest to save the Ellcrys before the Four Lands are overrun by Demons...
Manu Bennett as Allanon, a Druid who has lived for centuries. His leadership, wisdom, and elemental power will be crucial in the quest to save the Four Lands.
Poppy Drayton as Amberle, the granddaughter of King Eventine and princess of Arbolon. Inexperienced but determined, she is one of the last Chosen who can save the Ellcrys.
Ivana Baquero as Eretria, a rogue, huntress and member of the hostile and nomadic Rover clan. She will cross paths with our adventurers more than once.
Austin Butler as Wil, a half-Elf and Healer with a connection to the Elfstones, powerful artifacts that can be used to fight Demons.
John Rhys-Davies as King Eventine, the ruler of Arbolon and grandfather of Amberle, and his sons Ander (Aaron Jakubenko) and Arion (Daniel MacPherson).
"One of the first great new shows of 2016 and one of the best new shows of the 2015/2016 television season."
- Forbes
"Offers an alternative to Game of Thrones dim and grim fantasy, focusing on optimism and mythology more than devastating emotional stories and dire situation after dire situation."
- Collider
"Fantasy fans hankering for a breezy (if low-budget) epic are likely to find things to enjoy in this energetic saga."
- Variety
"An excellent addition to a season of television that promises to be practically bloated with fun, watch-worthy fare."
- Polygon
"The world-building is imaginative and impressive, but the mythology is exhausting to keep up with, especially when the reward is basically just a romance-novel version of The Lord of the Rings."
- Entertainment Weekly
"But damn if The Shannara Chronicles isnt earnest about what its doing; its going to fantasy the living hell out of itself or die trying."
- AV Clubhttp://www.avclub.com/review/shannara-chronicles-fantasy-drinking-game-you-hope-230245
"When the characters stop talking and start acting, Shannara becomes a simple thrill. But it's a long and winding quest to get there."
- The Verge
"It could become something a lot better than what it delivered in its two-hour series premiere."
- IGN
"Elfstones of Shannara is a pretty straight-faced, even solemn read. Moving pictures require something different; messianic folderol is best served there with a little sex, and a little seltzer. That has been provided."
- LA Times
"Whats clear is that The Shannara Chronicles has yet to remake the familiar into that thing all great fantasies require: something fantastic."
- The Atlantic
"MTV tries - and fails - for a Game of Thrones all their own with this goofy, garish tale of warring elves and demons."
- The Hollywood Reporter
"Its a bit glossy, [...] and the special effects are sometimes rickety. But its diverting enough if you allow yourself to be drawn in and can banish the urge to play the comparison game."
- The New York Times
"First rate production value, interesting characters and an intriguing story make for a world well worth escaping to."
- The Gazette
"I'm not sure what I was expecting, [...] but I have to say, The Shannara Chronicles is quite good."
- The Toronto Sun
"The Shannara Chronicles could be everything MTV wants it to be - a chance to break out of their reputation and be a leader in basic cable."
- SpoilerTV (contains exposition spoilers and character quotes)
"It feels like the same world I read, but its modern and clever with the way it brings the pieces together. The show is also one of the best Ive seen on television in months."
- The Gate
"The characters I fell in love with in Brooks novels are so wonderfully alive and exactly as I imagined them, in no small part due to the phenomenal and passionate cast."
- Hypable (book fan review)
"The world is rich and mesmerizing, the characters are instantly compelling, and enough mystery is set up from the beginning that youll want to stick around to see your questions answered."
- Hypable (non-book fan review)
"The Shannara Chronicles probably wont scratch that Game of Thrones itch you have. But if its willing to stop trying to be something else and stand apart, it could be a welcome change of pace."
- Uproxx
"Shannara is like watching someone else play a prepackaged Dungeons & Dragons campaign, only not as much fun."
- Las Vegas Weekly
"Shannara aims to follow [Teen Wolf's]suit, and if any grown-ups are put off, well, the show wasnt talking to them anyway."
- Flavorwire
"The amazingly beautiful visuals, the strong cast and characterization, and the world building in the premiere have me hooked, and I cant wait for future episodes."
- GeekDad
"Whatever visual beauty this pretender to Game of Thrones' high fantasy throne does possess is undone by wooden performances, formulaic execution and dialogue so howlingly bad it resembles subpar fan fiction."
- We Got This Covered
"It isnt perfect (which may or may not be largely due to the source material) but if you like good fantasy stories full of creatures and magic, I think youll enjoy it."
- Nerd Approved
"An exciting and impressive adaptation of Terry Brooks equally impressive novel."
- Cinema Retro
"It may not win any awards, but it signals that the network isnt just going to keep churning out sexy teens doing scandalous things as their only programming."
- Seat 42F
"My overall thoughts on Shannara are mixed."
- Geeks of Doom
"This is the answer to what I feel is lacking in the entertainment landscape - a real strong fantasy element."
- Beyond the Trailer
