Syfy Announces 2012 Winter Programming Lineup

Syfy will kick off 2012 by launching two new series, the reality show Monster Man and the supernatural drama Lost Girl - which will be paired with last year's sensation Being Human to comprise Powerful Mondays - as well as the second season premiere of the hit Face Off along with the return of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International and Merlin.

Highlights of Syfy's 2012 Winter Programming Schedule (All ET/PT)

JANUARY

MERLIN (SEASON FOUR PREMIERE)

Friday, January 6 at 10PM -- The fourth season finds Camelot on the brink of a Golden Age of magic, mystery and action-adventure. With Morgana now a dangerous outcast, Merlin must use all his powers to ensure Arthur fulfills his destiny as the Once and Future King. Colin Morgan returns as Merlin alongside Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Angel Coulby as Gwen and Katie McGrath as Morgana. Anthony Head reprises his role as King Uther and Richard Wilson as Gaius. The show is produced and created by the award winning team at Shine TV. FME holds the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to Merlin (known as The Adventures of Merlin in the rest of the world outside the US and UK) and has sold the series to over 52 broadcasters in more than 180 countries including Network Ten in Australia, MICO in Japan and RTL in Germany.

GHOST HUNTERS (SEASON EIGHT PREMIERE)

Wednesday, January 11 at 9PM -- On Wednesday nights at 9PM for over seven years, Ghost Hunters has set the standard for paranormal series, offering viewers spine-tingling cases from the files of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) - led by Rhode Island plumbers Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. Since its 2004 premiere, the show has spawned two spin-offs (with over 200 episodes among the three series), cementing its place as the #1 paranormal franchise in cable. 20 all-new episodes for season eight are slated to premiere.

FACE OFF (SEASON TWO PREMIERE)

Wednesday, January 11 at 10PM - The hit reality-competition series set in the magical world of top-notch special effects and make-up artistry returns for a second season featuring 14 aspiring special effects make-up artists competing for their shot at make-up-effects stardom and the chance to breakout in the competitive field. This season, contestants will re-imagine iconic characters from the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," create a waterproof sea creature, bring to life terrifying phobias and craft an elaborate body painting challenge that must incorporate two live models. Judging the series is multiple Academy Award-winner Ve Neill, famed special make-up effects artist Glenn Hetrick and director and creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos. McKenzie Westmore hosts the series. The season also contains a number of guest appearances including Vivica Fox, musical artist Asher Roth and noted horror makeup artist Tom Savini. Face Off is a production of Mission Control Media with Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith serving as executive producers.

BEING HUMAN (SEASON TWO PREMIERE)

Monday, January 16 at 9PM - Being human: nobody ever said it was easy. But when you're a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf, like the three twenty-something roommates of Being Human, it may be completely impossible. The second season of Syfy's hit drama picks up where the explosive season finale left off. Aidan tries to steer a leaderless Boston while resisting his deadlier vampire instincts, as he finds himself tempted and tormented by a figure from his past. Sally must face the consequences of missing her door, while figuring out how to navigate life on earth as a ghost. Werewolf Josh searches for a cure for his condition while struggling to maintain his relationship with Nora and, like the rest of his roommates, trying to build a future for himself beyond simply being a monster. Being Human is a Muse Entertainment production in association with ZODIAK USA. It is based on the acclaimed UK series, Being Human, created by Toby Whithouse and produced by Touchpaper. Executive producers are Michael Prupas (The Kennedys, Pillars of the Earth), Jeremy Carver (Supernatural) and Anna Fricke (Men in Trees, Everwood) who are both writers/showrunners, Adam Kane (The Mentalist, Heroes), and Rob Pursey and Toby Whithouse. Irene Litinsky is series Producer.