Though at first glance the Shannara Chronicles may seem out of place being promoted on a science fiction website like Scified, the new TV series to be aired on MTV next January, based on the novels by author Terry Brooks is actually set in the future. Brooks series of novels are set after a "Great War" in which the might of the worlds superpowers was unleashed with apocalyptic results. From the ashes the survivors, with no more advanced technology, electricity or even society reverted back to medieval values and levels of technology. Most of humankind has forgotten what it was like before the "Great War", except for the Druids. The Shannara novels re-introduced us to character types typically seen in fantasy novels such as elves and orcs, but with their origins explained within the series' post apocalyptic setting.
Hoping to emulate the success of Game of Thrones, The Shannara Chronicles has been developed for TV by Jon Favreau, Al Gough and Miles Millar, whom also produce the show. The all new series is reported to follow the second novel in th franchise; the Elfstones of Shannara, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles director Jonathan Liebesman directing the first two episodes.
