SDCC 2012 : Hot TV Panels

This year’s San Diego Comic Con begins on Wednesday 11th July with panels starting on Thursday 12th. Last year saw TV panels take over the massive Hall H, usually used for new release movies, and this year they’re back. So which are the panels you should be lining up for / manically refreshing youtube for?

Most Popular

Firefly 10th Anniversary Friday 12.30-1.30pm Ballroom 20

This year’s ‘don’t even bother trying’ panel is the ten year reunion panel for Joss Whedon’s Firefly. Most of the cast are scheduled to appear as well as Joss himself, and giveaways and ‘surprises’ are promised. People are probably starting to line up now so unless you fancy getting up at 4am and standing in line all day, you might want to give up hope on this one.

Game of Thrones Friday 2.45-3.45pm Hall H

Moving Game of Thrones to Hall H may make it a little more likely that you will get to see this one. Alfie Allen (Theon Grayjoy), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) and Richard Madden (Robb Stark) will be joined by creator George R.R. Martin who will moderate the panel. Don’t expect to see any footage from Season 3 yet though, as filming has only just started.

The Walking Dead Friday 1.25 – 2.25 Hall H

The Walking Dead will be showing a season 3 preview and the majority of the main cast including Andrew Lincoln and new boy David Morrissey will attend alongside showrunner Glenn Mazzara. It looks like TV fans will be camping out most of the day in Hall H so if you’re keen on seeing anything in the afternoon you’ll be spending a long time queuing.

The Big Bang Theory Friday 12.05 – 1.05 Hall H

Making its debut in Hall H is one of SDCC’s most popular comedies. No official word about who will be attending as yet but you can expect the four stars. TBBT is nestled within a lot of popular panels and has had no trouble in filling Ballroom 20 with people left outside in the past, so plan ahead.

Community Friday 10-11am Ballroom 20

Easing some of the pressure on Hall H on Friday will be Community and Breaking Bad which are both taking place in B20. Community fans will be keen to hear how the show is going to bounce back post-Harmon but it will be interesting to hear whether the stars have anything to say outside of their scripted ‘statements’ in the immediate aftermath of his sacking.

End Of Show’s Picks

Spartacus : War of the Damned Friday 5.45 – 6.45 Room 6BCF

The Spartacus panels have proved very popular in the last two years and we think the series will bow out in good style with War of the Damned. The panel is bound to be bitter sweet as it was two years ago that Andy Whitfield appeared to a standing ovation after seemingly recovering from cancer (he died in September 2011). Expect an emotional panel and some sneak previews of season 4 and the Whitfield fan funded documentary ‘Be Here Now’.

And Then What Happened? Serialised Shows That Ended Too Soon Friday 7-8pm Room 7AB

Tucked away late on Friday night when all those who queued from dawn for Hall H will be collapsed in a corner somewhere is a panel which promises to reveal what would have happened on shows such as Firefly, Dollhouse and Flashforward. Writers and showrunners alike will bring necessary closure and/or let us know when the first clip show would have been rolled out.

Spotlight On Ben Edlund Saturday 2.30-3.30pm Room 8

Getting a look into Ben Edlund’s brain is not necessarily a good idea, but we’re willing to take the risk. Edlund will reflect on his career today which includes The Tick, Angel, Firefly, Supernatural and Point Pleasant. Bring your own tinhat and prepare yourself. Best not to take any stimulants beforehand.

Buffy Turns 20 : Celebrating 20 Years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sunday 2.15 – 3.15 Room 6BCF

Writers , stars and producers discuss the legacy of Buffy 20 years after the original film was released. Kristy Swanson (Movie Buffy) will be joined by Nicholas Brendan and Claire Kramer (Xander and Glory), writer Jane Espenson, comic editor Scott Allie and illustrator Georges Jeanty.

About Kirsty Walker

Kirsty Walker is a University of Manchester graduate with possibly their most pointless degree - Television Production. She is the content editor for End of Show and has contributed one chapter to True Blood : The Fangbanger's Guide for Smartpop Books and two words to Morgan Spurlock's 'Comic Con Episode 4 : A Fans Hope. She also once came third on The Weakest Link, and is therefore Runcorn's most successful media professional.