Autumn Court

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Lore & Background

Harry Dresden is a reluctant hero, a professional wizard who often helps the police with cases involving 'unusual' circumstances and others who seek his help. Harry's mother Burdine Dresden, a powerful witch, died when he was young. He was raised by his father, a stage magician. When he was about 11, his powers began to emerge, and his uncle Justin Morningway wanted to take him and teach him about his abilities, so he murdered Harry's father with black magic when his father did not relinquish Harry to him. Bob makes reference to Harry 'self-defensing' his uncle to death. Justin Morningway left a programmed Doppelgänger behind to resurrect him if he died. It is later revealed Harry inherited a large amount of money that he gave to charity and owns the Morningway estate, in which he refuses to live.

In Their Own Story

The series follows Harry Dresden as he navigates supernatural crimes in Chicago. In the first episode, Bob is seen redesigning a 'Doom Box', which he describes as 'a supernatural jack-in-the-box' containing and amplifying magical energy. The original Doom Box formula was included in a grimoire Bob wrote while he was alive; the book had been in Justin's possession until Harry burned it. Bob's current state is a punishment; he was executed, his soul sealed into his own skull for all eternity, for using black magic to bring a sorceress he had loved (Winnifred) back from the dead several hundred years ago. Bob died from an axe blow to the back of the head in 900 AD.

Reader's Guide

The series ran for a single season of 12 episodes. The pilot film was made from a screenplay by television writers Hans Beimler and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and based on Butcher's novel Storm Front. David Carson directed and shooting took place in Toronto. Paul Blackthorne was cast in the lead role in November 2005. A two-hour pilot was originally intended to serve as the premiere, but certain last minute developmental and casting changes delayed its completion. Episode three (in production order) was aired in its place. Along with the re-shooting of several scenes, the pilot had been cut to an hour and was the eighth episode to air. A third version of the pilot, now movie length, was broadcast late at night on March 7, 2008 by SciFi Channel. Besides restoring cut scenes from the original version of the pilot, it incorporated footage from throughout the season, placing it outside of the main series' continuity.

Did You Know?

• The series premiered on January 21, 2007, on Sci Fi Channel in the United States and on Space in Canada.
• The series ran for a single season of 12 episodes.
• Sci Fi Channel revealed on August 3 that The Dresden Files was canceled and the second season was not picked up.
• The pilot film was based on Butcher's novel Storm Front.
• Nicolas Cage executive produced alongside Hans Beimler, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Norm Golightly, and Morgan Gendel.