First look at 'Caprica,'

Source: LA Times

On Sunday afternoon, a zombiefied press corps at the Beverly Hilton perked up slightly for Sci Fi Channel's "Caprica" panel.

"Caprica" is the "Battlestar Galactica" prequel, and it takes place 51 years before "Battlestar's" action begins. Its story revolves around two rival families, the Graystones and the Adamas. Esai Morales plays Joseph Adama -- "Battlestar" fans will already know that Joseph is the father of Edward James Olmos' Admiral William Adama. Polly Walker and Eric Stoltz will also star in the prequel.

During the panel, "Battlestar" overlord Ronald D. Moore said that the terrestrial "Caprica" will have a "completely different tone, a completely different mood” from its progenitor. And indeed, one critic pointed out that the "Caprica" art direction resembles "Mad Men." Executive producer Remi Aubuchon agreed with that description, saying "“there is a bit of a retro feel" to the show's look.

When viewers will actually see "Caprica" is still an open question. Mark Stern, Sci Fi's executive vice president of original programming, said that the two-hour backdoor pilot will either air as a stand-alone movie or will serve as the pilot episode for the series. Stern also didn't know -- or wouldn't say -- whether it would air before, during or after the final 10 episodes of "Battlestar Galactica" begin running in January.

-- Kate Aurthur