The award for "Most Intriguing TV pilot of 2011"...

Has a front-runner, NBC's Precinct 17. Created by Battlestar Galactica's Ronald Moore, the new show has so far only been described as "an ensemble drama set in the town of Excelsior, where science takes a back seat to magic and the supernatural".

That sounds interesting by itself, and Ron Moore has some pretty serious geek-cred stored up after BSG. Now we're getting some major casting reveals, and it easily bumps the show to the top of the must-see pile...at least for now.












From L to R: Eamonn Walker (Oz); Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica, Outcasts); James Callis (Battlestar Galactica, Eureka); Stockard Channing (The West Wing, Grease); Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice)

A showrunner from a cult classic and some recognizable genre actors don't guarantee a good show, but they don't hurt. We'll have a lot more coverage of the upcoming TV season as we hear more casting news and move towards full season pickups. Consider this a taste of things to come.