The Dead Zone (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series was cancelled on a major cliffhanger in December 2007 without a series finale.
• The first season averaged 6.4 million viewers, while season six averaged 2.1 million.
• The series premiere held the record for highest premiere on USA Network until The 4400 premiere drew 7.4 million viewers.

Plot

Small-town teacher Johnny Smith is involved in a car accident that leaves him comatose for about six years. After regaining consciousness, he begins having visions of the past and future triggered by touching items or people; doctors attribute these to activity in a previously unused 'dead zone' of his brain. Johnny learns his fiancée Sarah gave birth to his son during his coma but has since married another man. With help from Sarah, her husband Sheriff Walt Bannerman, and physical therapist Bruce, Johnny uses his abilities to solve crimes, though his efforts are complicated by apocalyptic visions tied to congressional candidate Greg Stillson.

Cast and characters

Anthony Michael Hall plays Johnny Smith, a retired schoolteacher who develops psychic abilities after a car accident. An encounter with a carnival trickster before the accident suggests he already had some psychic intuition, but after the coma his abilities become visions that require urgent action. Johnny can manipulate time within his visions, allowing him to stop, slow, reverse, or forward time relative to himself. Nicole de Boer portrays Sarah Bracknell Bannerman, Johnny's former fiancée and mother of his son J.J., who married Walt Bannerman during Johnny's coma. John L. Adams appears as Bruce Lewis (seasons 1–5 main, guest star season 6). Chris Bruno plays Sheriff Walter T. Bannerman (seasons 1–5 main, guest star season 6). Connor Price appears as Johnny/JJ Bannerman/Smith (season 6). Bill Mondy plays Deputy Roscoe. Sean Patrick Flanery portrays Greg Stillson. Garry Chalk appears as James Stillson (seasons 1–4). Spencer Achtymichuk plays Johnny/JJ Bannerman (seasons 1–5). Kristen Dalton appears as Dana Bright (seasons 1–2, 5). Frank Whaley plays Christopher Wey (seasons 2–3). Sarah Wynter appears as Rebecca Caldwell (seasons 1–4). Martin Donovan plays Malcolm Janus (seasons 4–6). Laura Harris appears as Miranda Ellis (seasons 4–5). Cara Buono appears as Acting Sheriff Anna Turner (season 6). Grant L. Roberts plays Big Man (season 6). At the end of season 5, Sarah is pregnant with Walt's child; at the beginning of season 6 she gives birth to a daughter named Hope.

Music

The pilot episode features the music class practicing 'Mr. Sandman' and Johnny and Sarah making out in his car to 'Sleep Walk' by Santo & Johnny. The theme song for seasons 1–3 is 'New Year's Prayer' by Jeff Buckley. From season 4 onward, the theme is 'Dead Zone Epic' by Blues Saraceno. Promos for season 4 used 'Brace Yourself' by Howie Day; season 5 promos used 'By My Side' by INXS; season 6 promos used 'Touch Me' by The Doors.

Home media

Lionsgate Home Entertainment released all six seasons on DVD in Region 1, while CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount) released them in Region 2. A complete series set was released on DVD in Canada only on June 26, 2012, by Lionsgate, and in Europe by Paramount. In Australia, all six seasons were released on DVD from 2006 to 2009; Madman Entertainment/Via Vision Entertainment released a complete series box set on January 6, 2021. The series is available on demand in the United States on YouTube and the Pluto TV app. The DVD episode order follows production order rather than broadcast order.