''Dark Oracle'' is a Canadian teen fantasy television series that premiered in 2004 on
YTV. It was created by
Jana Sinyor
Jana Sinyor (born 1976) is a Canadian television writer and producer. She is best known as the creator of the television comedy-drama series ''Being Erica'' and ''Dark Oracle''.
Early life
Sinyor was born in Ottawa, Canada, and raised in the Jew ...
(former writer for ''
Degrassi: The Next Generation'' and creator of ''
Being Erica''), and co-developed by
Heather Conkie. In 2005, ''Dark Oracle'' won the International Emmy for Best Children's and youth program.
Overview
''Dark Oracle'' follows the adventures of teenage twins Cally and Lance Stone who discover a
comic book that gives them clues about the future of their lives. As they are suddenly thrust into a comic book world of danger, fear and uncertainty, the twins learn that Dark Oracle has a hidden agenda that threatens their very existence. In a unique blend of live action and comic book style
animation
Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
, the two confront their animated alter egos, Violet and Blaze, who possess the uncanny ability to manipulate their future. With events in the comic book world influencing ones in their own world, Cally and Lance struggle to stay one step ahead of their dark counterparts, or face a very unpleasant fate. The stakes become higher still, with Violet and Blaze trying to escape into the real world to wreak further havoc.
''Dark Oracle'' starred
Paula Brancati and
Alex House as Cally and
Lance Stone
''Dark Oracle'' is a Canadian teen fantasy television series that premiered in 2004 on YTV. It was created by Jana Sinyor (former writer for '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' and creator of ''Being Erica''), and co-developed by Heather Conkie. ...
, along with
Jonathan Malen
Jonathan Malen is a Canadian actor, best known for providing the voice for Jimmy Z in ''Wild Kratts''.
Personal life
Jonathan Malen and actress Lauren Collins
Lauren Felice Collins (born August 29, 1986) is a Canadian actress, best known f ...
as Dizzy, Lance and Cally's long-time childhood friend and Danielle Miller as Sage, who sparks Lance's interest.
"One of the things that drew us to ''Dark Oracle'', is that it applies a strong high concept, of a comic book coming to life, to the lives of ordinary
high school kids. Visually it is going to look amazing, and it is a terrific arena for great dramatic stories as Lance and Cally have to figure out how to deal with the predictions of the comic," explained Suzanne French, producer at
Shaftesbury Films.
''Dark Oracle''
's second season took a different turn from the first season, with the comic book characters intervening directly with the main cast. Dizzy and Sage learned about the comic and are going to have their own experiences with it.
Characters
Main
* Cally Stone (
Paula Brancati): Twin sister of Lance, pretty and prides herself on being level-headed. She's also the last person who would believe in a comic book that could warp you into new worlds. When she finds herself surrounded by the supernatural, she's faced with believing that anything can happen. In the comic book she is the figure Violet.
* Lance Stone (
Alex House): Cally's twin brother, prefers video games and comics to real people. Unlike his sister, he is very shy and tends to keep to himself. When he finds himself drawn into the comic world and meets Sage, this self-proclaimed oddball starts to come out of his shell. In the comic book he is the figure Blaze.
* Dizzy (
Jonathan Malen
Jonathan Malen is a Canadian actor, best known for providing the voice for Jimmy Z in ''Wild Kratts''.
Personal life
Jonathan Malen and actress Lauren Collins
Lauren Felice Collins (born August 29, 1986) is a Canadian actress, best known f ...
): Lance's best friend, and like Lance he shares a passion for gaming and comics. It's no question that high school poses challenges for Dizzy, especially with his crush on Cally. But with a little time he is able to shake his geek persona and become not-quite-cool... but almost. After a while Lance and Cally decide to tell him about the comic book.
* Sage LaPierre (
Danielle Miller): She works at Gamers Cave Comic Book Store and becomes Lance's girlfriend. She doesn't notice the supernatural events around her, although at one point she and Dizzy are told by Lance and Cally all about the comic book. She and Lance break twice over the course of the series due to the comic's influence. Vern has often tried to get her from Lance, but never succeeds.
Supporting
* Doyle (
Mark Ellis): He is the owner of Gamers Cave Comic Book Store. He spends a great deal of time in the back of his store, which also doubles as a meeting place for the secretive club of Necromancers. Lance and Cally have a suspicion that he is somehow connected to the strange comic book.
* Annie (
Barbara Mamabolo
Barbara Mamabolo (born November 30, 1985) is a Canadian actress and singer.
Career
Mamabolo has made guest-star appearances on the critically acclaimed series '' The Eleventh Hour'', '' Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye'', and '' Relic Hunter''. Her stage c ...
): She is Cally's best friend. She and Cally fight very often since the appearance of the comic. When they fight, Annie hangs out with Kathleen until they make up again. Annie will support Cally in almost everything. She disappears in season 2, never learning about the comic book, and is never mentioned again.
* Omen (
Kristopher Turner
Kristopher Turner (born September 27, 1980) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Gavin Murphy on the medical drama series ''Saving Hope'', and as Jamie Andrews on the CTV teen drama ''Instant Star''.
Early life
Turner was ...
): He was turned into a frog by Doyle so he could keep his magic under control. In the first episode of the series, Omen sees Lance and overhears his comment on "how you can learn a lot from a comic". Omen then uses the remainder of his magic to transform a previous comic into Dark Oracle. When Lance was invited to Doyle's gaming group, Omen escapes from his cage, hiding in Cally's backpack. Omen is unknowingly taken to the Stone household. Cally names him Nemo, getting the name from the comic. He doesn't regain his human form until Lance gives Nemo a kiss (taken from the story of the frog prince) and Omen's curse is lifted.
* Vern (David Rendall): He is a fellow goth classmate of Lance and Cally. He is neither a friend, nor a true enemy. He always hangs around Simone who might have feelings for him and tries to learn of the powers Omen and Doyle possess. Sometimes he causes trouble for the twins and other times he comes to their aid. Vern saved Lance's life when he was pushed into the mirror by Vern who meant it to be a harmless prank. The outcome was Lance's evil alter-ego taking over Lance's identity, but Vern helped Cally and her friends dispel him from Lance's body.
* Emmett (
Nathan Stephenson): He begins to like Cally, but because of the comic, and Omen, their relationship ends.
Episodes
Season 1 (2004–05)
Season 2 (2006)
Home media
Mill Creek Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 on August 17, 2010.
Accolades
Notes
References
External links
Dark Oracleat
Cookie Jar Entertainment TV.com listing for Dark Oracle
Dark Oracle clip
*
{{Former YTV original series
2000s Canadian children's television series
2004 Canadian television series debuts
2006 Canadian television series endings
Canadian children's fantasy television series
Canadian television series with live action and animation
YTV (Canadian TV channel) original programming
Television shows set in Toronto
Television shows filmed in Toronto
Television shows about comics
Television series about siblings
Television series about teenagers
Television series about twins
Television series by Shaftesbury Films
Television series by Cookie Jar Entertainment
Television series by DHX Media