Executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, the reality series Back to the Frontier, from the Magnolia Network, which recently premiered on HBO Max, follows three American families as they leave behind every modern convenience to spend eight weeks living as 1880s homesteaders. The families are stripped of modern technology, electricity, running water, and contemporary tools and left to face the daily hardships of frontier life, which includes repairing shelters, raising livestock, growing and gathering food, and rationing their resources. While guided by historical experts, the series tests their resilience and adaptability while trying to survive in the authentic frontier lifestyle of the 1880s.

Stacey and Joaquin Loper, who took part in the series along with their two children, Maddox and Landen, and Joaquin’s mother, Shirley, recently spoke with SciFi Vision about learning to live without modern conveniences on Back to the Frontier.

Revival Sneak Peek - 7/24/25
1.07 - "Too Many Secrets"
Em Cypress Struggles to Recover

Dr. Ibrahim Ramin tends to an ailing Em Cypress as the military takes over the Reviver situation in this sneak peek of Revival Season 1, Episode 7: "Too Many Secrets." In this week's episode, martial law grips Wausau as Dana and Wayne uncover a conspiracy more personal than imagined.

The new Magnolia Network reality series Back to the Frontier, which is executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, follows three American families as they live as homesteaders as if it was the 1800s, trading their present-day comforts for a more analog life on the frontier. While guided by historical experts, the three families must live without the modern conveniences of technology, running water, or electricity for eight weeks and deal with fixing their shelters, raising livestock, growing and collecting food, and rationing their supplies, as they learn to experience the daily challenges of living on the American frontier in the lifestyle of the 1880s.

Joe Riggs and Jason Hanna, fathers from Dallas of twin boys Lucas and Ethan, recently spoke with SciFi Vision about what the experience was like going back to the frontier.

This week’s episode of Revival propels the town of Wausau into chaos as the revived increasingly become the target of violence and suspicion. While Dana (Melanie Scrofano) recovers in the hospital following the shooting in the woods, Anthony Check (CM Punk) and his brothers decide to expand their business venture of selling revival body parts after Deputy McCray (Nathan Dales) is arrested for the trafficking. Needing a female reviver, Dana’s deal with Anthony comes back to haunt her when he decides to kidnap her sister, Em (Romy Weltman), and her son, Cooper (Hudson Wurster).

Recently, SciFi Vision spoke with professional wrestler turned actor Phil Brooks, better known by the ring name CM Punk, about getting into character for Anthony, filming his fight scene with Weltman, and more.

During a recent interview with the press, the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds gave a look at what's in store for some of your favorite characters in season three, with insights from Celia Rose Gooding (Lt. Uhura), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Melissa Navia (Lt. Erica Ortegas).

Dr. M’Benga will be grappling with his inner demons this season. He's actively seeking a lighter path and trying to move past his dark experiences, even finding some fun on missions along the way. Will he successfully leave his troubled past behind? You'll have to watch to find the answer. Olusanmokun mentioned an "interesting" storyline involving a very ill protégé who "turns," causing "real pain" for Dr. M'Benga in his role as caretaker.

Lt. Uhura is undergoing a significant transformation. She's processing past trauma and engaging in new connections, both with the bridge crew and through new romances, including a surprising twist involving Ortegas's younger brother. We'll see a more romantic and caring side of Uhura, and her journey of emotional growth is even reflected in her changing hairstyles. According to Gooding, hair is an important way that she expresses herself and you can tell how things are going by how neat her hair is. When Uhura's hair is "cropped, coiffed, moisturized, and hydrated, she is in a good place.” Gooding also shared that the sixth episode was particularly challenging for her, stylistically, emotionally, and physically.

Recently, during an interview with the press, Jess Bush shared that Nurse Chapel's storyline this season on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is "fresh" and "genre-bending sci-fi." Expect to see significant "marks of growth" as Chapel steps up to the plate, finds solutions to intense problems, and explores new sides of herself outside of sickbay, even venturing into "explorer" territory.

Martin Quinn, who plays Scotty, hopes his character will stay "grumpy" and less of a “control freak” and not "show-off as much." Quinn also mentioned that the writers are mindful of keeping Scotty true to his classic "old Scotty" roots.

When asked about Chapel's perspective on her evolving relationship with Spock, Jess Bush revealed that Chapel doesn't approach it with a "binary" mindset. Instead, she embraces the "intimate humanity" of their connection, suggesting a "willful ignorance" of conventional expectations won't define their bond.

Martin Quinn spoke about keeping his Scottish accent for Scotty, expressing a desire to maintain it while ensuring he's understood. He wants to "keep true to the old Scotty," trusting the writers to honor the character's legacy. He also mentioned Carol Kane's character, Pelia. From Scotty's perspective, he feels Pelia is "annoying" and prevents him from "spreading his wings" but acknowledges there are "lessons to learn," and he "should listen up.”

This season on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) faces the challenge of taking command in Captain Pike (Anson Mount)'s absence, giving us a deeper look at her leadership style. During a recent interview with the press, Romijn shared that Una, who prides herself on being open with her crew, will deal with an "insubordinate crew member," most notably Ortegas (Melissa Navia). This dynamic will be explored multiple times, showcasing Una's ability to be both connected with her crew and stern when necessary. She'll also navigate "bending the rules for the greater good."

Una's journey this season sets itself apart as she's no longer "hiding behind her secret about being an Illyrian and genetically modified." Being "cleared," she's a "freer, lighter version of herself."

Romijn has felt that Una's relationship with Captain Pike is "never romantic." She feels they are "very good old friends," having been at Starfleet Academy together, and share a deep admiration and trust. Director Jonathan Frakes often guides them to approach scenes from the perspective of "old friends." Both are "service-hearted leaders" who share the "same values" and a "commitment to Starfleet's adherence to protocol," which is why they admire each other so much.

The eight-episode supernatural thriller series The Institute, which premieres tomorrow on MGM+, comes from executive producers Stephen King and Jack Bender (From) and is based on King’s novel. The series follows teen prodigy Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) who has been abducted and brought to the mysterious facility known as the Institute, as have other children, all who possess supernatural abilities. Meanwhile, former police officer turned “night knocker” Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) is looking to start over in the quiet Maine town, but when he starts to investigate the nearby secret facility, their stories are destined to collide.

Recently, SciFi Vision spoke with stars Barnes and Freeman about working on the series, including how they prepared for the roles, whether they would choose telepathy or telekinesis for themselves, and more.

Ballard, the most recent series expanding the Bosch based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, comes to Prime Video today. The police procedural follows Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), the leader of the new cold case division of the LAPD, as she, along with her team of under-resourced investigators, takes on the city’s unsolved cases, determined to bring justice to the victims. Among them is Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch), Ballard’s retired former partner, and former LAPD officer Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor).

Q, Lynch, and Taylor recently spoke with SciFi Vision about what drew them to the project, their preparation, and more.

Ballard is now available to stream on Prime Video.

The most recent episode of The Librarians: The Next Chapter, “And the Hangover from Hell” opens after a bachelorette party for Lysa (Olivia Morris)’s childhood best friend with the team in disarray when they all awaken with hangovers and total amnesia about the night before. With no memory of their actions, they must work together to reconstruct the events of the previous evening, uncovering magical obstacles along the way. Each member recounts their own version of events. Charlie (Jessica Green)’s perspective stands out as her recollection is presented in a classic noir detective story style as she tries to piece together what really happened.

Recently, Green spoke with SciFi Vision about working on the series, including her favorite episodes and artifact, what it was like dealing with the stunts this season, and more.