Goyer Offers More “Flash Forward” Details

One of the most anticipated new genre shows of the fall is the adaptation of Robert J. Sawyer’s best-selling novel, “Flash Forward.”

As the premiere gets closer, executive producer David Goyer has been promoting the series and giving fans a better idea of what they can expect when the series debuts in September.  Goyer spoke to critics during the recent ABC presentation at the TCA tour, saying that the show is an “ensemble” piece with at least 11 regular characters when the action begins.

In the series, every person in the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, during which time everyone has a vision of the future—April 29, 2010, to be specific—and the show’s characters begin to piece together what happened.

Goyer said that one of the first things fans will notice is the show isn’t going to “just tread water” waiting for April 29.

“It will become abundantly clear within the first four episodes that’s not what we’re doing. We try to sit down and think “What would the audience expect or not expect?” and, again, as viewers, “What would we want to see?”,” he told SciFi Wire. ” I would be annoyed if a show like this just treaded water, so we make some very bold moves in the first few episodes.”

“We are going to be telling a lot of sometimes an A, B, C and D story,” he continued. “Not every character will be in every episode, but the promise we made to the network is every episode you would at least see more of one of our cast member’s flash-forward, and you would see a new character’s flash-forward.”

Goyer added that he and the writing team have a three-year plan for the series.   He said the team wants to “swing for the fences” instead of playing it safe.  He also said it was important to make sure the pay-offs for the audience are mapped out and reached.

“They’re certainly going to get a lot of answers by episode 13,” Goyer said. “I also know that Steve and the rest of the group at ABC have shown an enormous confidence in us and have extended an enormous amount of commitment to the show. So, look, if you’re not going to try to be ambitious, what’s the point? Yes, shows get canceled, and some of my favorite shows have been canceled, but I think that’s like saying I had a bad date, and I’m never going to date again.”

“Flash Forward” debuts in September on ABC.