On SYFY’s new series Revival, the recently deceased are returning to life — along with a host of unexpected abilities, including extraordinary healing. While some residents of the small Wisconsin town want to see these so-called “revivers” detained, others have more sinister intentions, hoping to profit from their powers in dangerous and unethical ways.
Phil Brooks — best known to WWE fans as CM Punk — stars as Anthony Check, one of the three Check brothers, who orchestrates an underground operation trafficking reviver body parts on the black market.
PopWire recently connected with Brooks to discuss how he joined the series, the action-packed fight scene in Episode 6, and whether there may be more to come for his “despicable” character.
Brooks’ journey to Revival began years ago. While filming his 2019 horror film Girl on the Third Floor in Chicago, he was approached by Revival comic creator Tim Seeley and Paper Street Pictures founder Aaron B. Koontz.
“They popped by to say hi, and they mentioned that they were developing Revival as a television show and they had me under their bucket list of people they wanted to be in the show,” Brooks tells PopWire.
“And being a fan of the comic book, I, of course, was like, ‘Two thumbs up, guys. Let’s do this!’ And then, luckily, it came to fruition this many years later.”
Since joining the series, Brooks has had several intense and memorable scenes as Anthony Check. However, it’s Episode 6, titled “Bloodlines,” where his character truly takes center stage. In addition to delivering a compelling performance, Brooks showcases the physicality he’s known for from his wrestling profession.
In a particularly brutal fight sequence, Brooks worked alongside stunt coordinator Max White, co-star Romy Weltman (who plays Martha ‘Em’ Cypress), and stunt double Chanelle Hunter. Because Brooks prefers to perform his own stunts, the scene was able to push physical boundaries, allowing for dynamic, close-up shots that highlight his involvement.
Lavivier Productions/SYFY
“Romy was all for it; she was all excited,” Brooks explains of Weltman’s reaction after learning that she can go all-in on the scenes when her character attacks Anthony. “I entrusted in her like, ‘Hey, listen. You’re not going to hurt me no matter what you do.'”
Brooks adds that while movie magic is always an option, the fight scene between Anthony and Em had to feel authentic — especially since Em, who has brittle bone disease, is now empowered by her reviver status to take on a much larger opponent.
“We needed to see her get angry and mad and release all this frustration on this character that was harming her family. I think we did that.”
Reflecting on “Bloodlines,” Brooks describes the episode as having a “satisfying ending to a pretty despicable character.” But could Anthony Check return from the dead as a reviver himself?
“Selfishly, I would love it,” he says on the possibility of his character’s return. “I don’t know what the future holds for Revival. I love the show. Yeah, I’m in it, so it might be easy to say that. But even if I wasn’t in it, I was a fan of the source material, I’m a fan of the show, I watch it with my wife. So it’s very enjoyable.
“Knock on wood, fingers crossed, this gets picked up [for another season] and they can tell more of the story,” Phil Brooks continues. “I love everybody involved in it. I wish them nothing but continued success. And if that means season two, I want to see season two.
“Does that mean Anthony Check comes back? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Revival airs Thursdays at 10/9c on SYFY. Episodes are available to stream on Peacock the following week.
