The Purge: What we learned from SDCC

The Purge creators and cast showed up at San Diego Comic-Con to discuss the new series as well as reveal a frightening trailer. Here’s what you missed.

The horror film franchise that became a phenomenon is now hitting the small screen in The Purge. The show will have the same premise of the movies before it, which means that crime will be legal for 12 hours, including murder, in order for people to “purge” and release their demons for one night.

The 10 episode television event will premiere simultaneously on the USA Network and Syfy on Tuesday, September 4, at 10 p.m.

The Purge will take place between the first and second movies in the franchise. The plot will revolve around Miguel (Gabriel Chavarria), a US Marine who returns on Purge night after receiving a cryptic text message from his sister, Penelope (Jessica Garza), who has pledged to become a sacrifice in a Purge worshipping cult. Miguel will now have to witness and take part in Purge night in order to save his sister. The series also stars Lili Simmons, Lee Tergesen, Amanda Warren, Colin Woodell, and Hannah Emily Anderson.

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Below is the official synopsis for The Purge. 

"Based on the hit movie franchise from Blumhouse Productions, The Purge revolves around a 12-hour period when all crime, including murder, is legal. Set in an altered America ruled by a totalitarian political party, the series follows several seemingly unrelated characters living in a small city. As the clock winds down, each character is forced to reckon with their past as they discover how far they will go to survive the night."

The biggest reveal from the panel was the new trailer. The video clip portrays four or five different storylines that will intertwine with each other as James DeMonaco, writer and producer, promises the series will “go a lot deeper into the world than the movies.” The gory violence and frightening sequences that fans have come to love are also on full display in the trailer.

The showrunner of the series is Tom Kelly, who also serves as an executive producer. Joining Kelly as a producer are DeMonaco, who created the Purge franchise, and Jason Blum, the CEO of Blumhouse. Anthony Hemingway, who has directed episodes of American Crime Story and Shameless, will direct the premiere episode.

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Will you be watching The Purge this fall? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @danny_giro!

The Purge premiere will simulcast on USA Network and Syfy on Tuesday, September 4, at 10 p.m.