XIII: The Series

XIII: The Series
Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	April 2011; 15 years ago
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario; Paris, Canada; France
Products	Television show

XIII: The Series is an English-language television show produced through a Franco-Canadian collaboration, which debuted in April 2011 across both France and Canada. Adapted from the Belgian graphic novels XIII created by Jean Van Hamme and William Vance, the narrative centers on a protagonist suffering from amnesia who embarks on a journey to rediscover his concealed history. This series serves as a continuation of the 2008 TV movie XIII: The Conspiracy, with its initial season closely following the storyline of the comics, while the subsequent season introduces a fresh, original plot.

Production

On July 9, 2010, Shaw Media (formerly known as Canwest) revealed plans to produce several new drama series for the 2010–11 television season, including XIII. This announcement marked the company’s largest investment in original scripted content to date. Filming commenced on September 13, 2010, primarily taking place in Toronto and Georgetown, Ontario, with additional scenes shot in Paris.

Characters

Stephen Dorff (XIII: The Conspiracy) and Stuart Townsend (seasons 1–2) portray Ryan Flay/"XIII": A former covert CIA agent suffering from memory loss but retaining expert combat and infiltration abilities. His pursuit to uncover his obscured past reveals layers of governmental deception and international intrigue. Known by multiple aliases, by the end of Season 2, XIII is in hiding alongside his pregnant partner Betty and their ally Barnabis in South America.
Greg Bryk plays DNI Samuel Amos (seasons 1–2): A former US Army Colonel who serves as Director of National Intelligence under President Carrington. Amos prioritizes state security above all else, often circumventing rules and viewing XIII as a significant threat. After being dismissed for killing Sheridan, he assumes the role of CEO at Synequanon. Following a tragic bombing that claims his family’s lives, Amos seeks revenge against XIII but eventually collaborates with him to defeat Victor and dismantle HEARPE. He also works alongside President-elect Harriet Traymore to depose Carrington and spearheads the government’s pursuit of XIII.
Stephen McHattie embodies President Ben Carrington (seasons 1–2): A former four-star General in the US Army turned President who operates pragmatically within ethical ambiguities to safeguard government interests. After jointly exposing conspiracies with XIII, he places trust in him but faces a challenging re-election campaign against Harriet Traymore. Following an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law for power consolidation, he is arrested and incarcerated, publicly declared deceased but secretly subjected to torture for information about XIII.
Aisha Tyler appears as Agent/Secretary Lauren Jones (seasons 1–2): A former US Army Major and Ivy League graduate who excels as a Secret Service agent. Jones shares a multifaceted relationship with XIII as friend, partner, and past lover. Initially aiding Amos in tracking XIII, she later becomes Secretary of State. She is fatally wounded during an encounter involving XIII’s double, revealing her deeper connections to the New World Order.
Roxane Mesquida portrays Betty Barnowsky (season 2): A French environmental activist affiliated with the anti-globalization group The Veil. Secretly fleeing her father Leon’s faction within the New World Order, Betty becomes XIII’s romantic partner and is pregnant, uncertain about which version of XIII fathered her child. She remains resolute in protecting her unborn child amid ongoing conflicts involving Xu Corporation and the New World Order.
Stuart Townsend also plays Victor Gong/"XIII.2" (season 2): The physical double of XIII and an operative for Xu Corporation leading the HEARPE weather control initiative through acts of terrorism in the United States. Despite his apparent ruthlessness, Victor aims to dismantle the New World Order responsible for creating him and previous clones. His fate remains unresolved following a virtual confrontation with XIII that results in HEARPE’s destruction.
Virginie Ledoyen acts as Irina Svetlanova (season 1): A merciless Russian mercenary employed by Wally Sheridan to retrieve the Renelco weapon. She frequently opposes XIII and is ultimately killed by him at Season 1’s conclusion.
Ted Atherton portrays President Walter "Wally" Sheridan (season 1): An ambitious ex-US President who orchestrated his sister’s assassination to ascend to power. Blackmailed into resignation by Carrington yet continuing political manipulations behind the scenes, his attempt to reclaim office ends with his death at Amos's hands. His demise clears the path for Harriet Traymore's presidential candidacy.
Paulino Nunes appears as DCI Frank Giordino (season 1): CIA Director under Carrington reporting to Amos; tasked with investigating XIII’s previous missions. Revealed as Sheridan’s informant, he turns rogue before being killed by XIII.
Ingrid Kavelaars plays President Harriet Traymore (season 2): Former Governor of Alaska who wins the 2016 presidential election following Sheridan’s death. Ambitious and ruthless, she allies with Amos while opposing Carrington's attempts to retain power. She officially takes office on January 20, 2017.
Kristi Angus portrays Mischa Martin (season 2): A journalist covering key developments throughout the series.
Demore Barnes acts as Chief of Staff Martin Reynolds (season 2): A loyal aide supporting Carrington during his mental decline; serves as his protector amid political turmoil.
Wole Daramola appears as Mozambique (season 2): A devoted member of The Veil dedicated to safeguarding Betty; sacrifices himself while held captive by Xu Corporation.
Caterina Murino plays Samantha "Sam" Taylor (season 1): Owner of a photography shop in New York; assists XIII’s investigations and becomes romantically involved before being killed by Irina.
Bruce Ramsay portrays Max Vargas (season 2): Founder of The Veil who is revealed as an operative for the New World Order; dies in a suicide bombing orchestrated by XIII.2.
Tom Berenger acts as Rainer Gerhardt (season 1): Wealthy industrialist collaborating with Sheridan on global dominance via Renelco weaponry; killed by XIII.
Jack Yang appears as Winslow Wong (season 2): Xu Corporation agent competing with Victor; dies during Season 2 finale explosion.
Lisa Berry portrays Grier (seasons 2 onward): Operative within the New World Order serving under Leon Barnowsky.
Aaron Ashmore acts as Dillon Masters (season 1): Skilled hacker allied with Jones; injured by Irina at Season 1 finale; subsequent status unknown.
Ho Chow plays Terrance Pong (season 2): CEO of Chinese conglomerate Xu Corporation; framed for murder by Betty and incarcerated.
Rob Ramsay appears as Barnabis (seasons 2 onward): Computer specialist recruited by XIII’s team; goes into hiding alongside XIII and Betty after Season 2 finale.
Tara Rosling portrays Heike (season 1): Gerhardt’s trusted intermediary working with Sheridan.
Matthew Bennett acts as Max Serle (season 1): Survivor of Renelco mission pursued by multiple factions; fatally shot after disclosing crucial information to XIII.
Peter MacNeill plays Sean Mullway (season 1): CIA asset overseas and possible biological father of XIII; killed before confirming paternity.
Michael Ironside portrays Leon Barnowsky (season 2): Leader within the New World Order; father to Betty and Frederick; directs Victor’s mission against XIII while unveiling significant past connections.
Sarah Lian acts as Ai Ning (season 2): Heiress to Xu Corporation; involved in deceptive schemes regarding XIII's identity; murdered by Betty who frames Pong for the crime.
Ephraim Ellis plays Frederick Barnowsky (season 2): Government scientist working covertly for The Veil; killed by Victor while transmitting intelligence to Betty.
Vanessa Matsui appears as Laura Amos (seasons 1–2): Wife of Samuel Amos; perishes in Synequanon bombing attributed to XIII.
Jessica Field portrays Abigail Amos (seasons 1–2): Daughter of Samuel Amos; also killed during Synequanon bombing incident.
Christian Martyn acts as Roger Hansby (season 1): Sheridan's illegitimate son with Kim Rowland; placed under government protection.

The Conspiracy (2008)

This two-part miniseries acted as a backdoor pilot, featuring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff portraying "XIII," with supporting roles by Stephen McHattie, Greg Bryk, Ted Atherton, and Caterina Murino. It initially aired on France's Canal+ in October 2008, followed by broadcasts in Canada (Global Television Network) and the United States (NBC) in February 2009. Later, it was shown in Australia (Nine Network) in November 2009 and the United Kingdom (Five) in December 2009. The Canadian channel Showcase re-aired the series in 2010, and the U.S. network ReelzChannel broadcast it again in 2012 prior to the launch of Season 1.

Season 1 (2011)

The debut season of XIII consists of 13 episodes under the leadership of showrunner Gil Grant. It premiered on Canal+ in France on 18 April 2011, with two episodes airing each Monday evening. In Canada, the series began on Mystery TV at 10:00 am ET on Tuesdays starting 19 April 2011, later moving to a prime-time slot on Showcase Wednesdays at 10:00 pm ET in high definition. Due to the return of Weeds, the final two episodes were rescheduled to Tuesdays. In the United States, Season 1 was broadcast during Friday prime-time slots on ReelzChannel beginning 29 June 2012.

{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=18 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=16 |altdate=16 |airdateT=France air date |altdateT=Canadian air date |episodes=

Season 2 (2012)

After some uncertainty about continuation, lead actor Stuart Townsend confirmed via Twitter on 11 December 2011 that the show would return for a second season featuring a "major retooling" to alter its narrative approach. Production started on 13 February 2012 in Toronto, Canada. This second installment comprises 13 episodes with showrunner Roger Avary at the helm and premiered on Canal+ in France on 15 October 2012. The episodes were broadcast two to three times weekly over a six-week period. A rerun was anticipated on M6 during 2013.

{{Episode table |background=#FF8566 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=18 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=16 |altdate=16 |airdateT=France air date |altdateT=Canadian air date |episodes=

External links