FORGOTTEN SCI FI TV PRESENTS: "Deadly Games" (1995)

Deadly Games is an American action sci-fi TV series that aired on UPN from September 5, 1995, to January 16, 1996. Created by Paul Bernbaum, S.S. Schweitzer, and Anthony Spinner, it follows antimatter physicist Gus Lloyd (James Calvert), who designs a video game to cope with his divorce. In the game, he’s the hero, "The Cold-Steel Kid," his ex-wife Lauren Ashborne (Cynthia Gibb) is his sidekick, and the villains, led by the sinister Sebastian Jackal (Christopher Lloyd), are based on people who’ve wronged him. When an antimatter experiment goes awry, the game’s characters come to life, forcing Gus, Lauren, and friend Peter Rucker (Stephen Kay) to battle them in the real world to stop their destructive schemes. Produced by Viacom Productions, with Leonard Nimoy as an executive producer, the series blends humor, action, and quirky sci-fi.

Despite its creative premise and notable talent, Deadly Games struggled with low ratings, a common challenge for UPN’s early programming as the network tried to establish itself. The show was canceled after airing only 10 of its 13 produced episodes, with the remaining three left unaired in the original run, largely due to poor viewership and the network’s shifting priorities. Its blend of absurdity and niche appeal didn’t resonate widely enough to survive the competitive TV landscape of the mid-90s.