Syfy’s ‘The Magicians’ Adaptation Finally Gets Series Order

Syfy may have lowered its titular quotient with the cancellation of Helix last week, but already the network seems to have picked up its newest high-profile series. After a lengthy development, The Magicians has finally been granted a series order, adapting Lev Grossman’s best-selling novels.

For those unfamiliar with the series, which was optioned for development back in 2011 at FOX, The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater (Aquarius star Jason Ralph), a brilliant grad student who enrolls in Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy , a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real – and poses grave danger to humanity.

Beginning its 12-episode shoot this July in Vancouver, the series also stars Stella Maeve, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta and Summer Bishil. The pilot itself was written by Aquarius helmer John McNamara and Supernatural alum Sera Gamble, both of whom will executive produce alongside Michael London and Janice Williams.

Says Syfy of its latest acquisition:

The Magicians pilot beautifully delivers a world filled with wonder, fantasy and intrigue. We can’t wait to delve deeper into the lives of Quentin and his college friends, as they struggle with the enormity of their burgeoning powers – and unleash them upon the world.

Adds author Lev Grossman:

Ever since The Magicians was published I’ve wanted to see this story on screen. I’m so thrilled that it’s finally happening, and I’m beyond thrilled that we found the right people to do it. Get ready; you’ve never seen anything like this.

Time will tell if Syfy’s Magicians can prove themselves anything more than Harry Potter for adults, but does the adaptation of Lev Grossman’s bestsellers sound positively magical?