SEASON FINALE

VICTIMS OF A TERRIBLE PLAGUE ARE EXILED TO SPACE, UNTIL AN AMBASSADOR FROM EARTH MAKES THEM AN OFFER THEY CAN'T REFUSE, ON ABC'S "MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION"

Brian Dennehy, John Hurt and James Denton ("Desperate Housewives") Star

"The Discarded" � The mutant victims of a terrible plague that almost wiped out Earth's population are exiled to outer space aboard a ramshackle ship. They have no hope of returning home, until an ambassador from Earth ("Desperate Housewives'" James Denton) arrives and offers them a desperate pact, on the season finale of "Masters of Science Fiction," SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Brian Dennehy and John Hurt also star.

"The Discarded" stars Brian Dennehy as Bedzyk, John Hurt as Samswope, James Denton as Curran, Gina Chiarelli as Annie, Vicky Lambert as Frenchy, Alex Zahara as Bucky, Donny Lucas as Steve, Leanne Adachi as Sharon, Jason Diablo as Smiler, Lori Triolo as Harmony Teat, Brian Dobson as voice of Samswope 2, Barbara Kottmeier as Sis, Harlan Ellison as Nate, Ken Kramer as Schmool and Gillian Barber as Dr. Goldstein.

"The Discarded" is based on the short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison. The episode was written by Ellison and 2005 Academy Award nominee Josh Olson ("A History of Violence"). Jonathan Frakes ("Star Trek") directed.

"Masters of Science Fiction" is filmed on location in Vancouver, B.C., and is from Starz Media, in association with Industry Entertainment and Reunion Pictures. John Hyde is executive producer for Starz Media. Industry Entertainment's Keith Addis, Brad Mendelsohn and Andrew Deane are executive producers. Sam Egan and Lisa Richardson are co-executive producers. Industry's Ben Browning and Adam Goldworm are co-producers.

The series is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-14,S,V parental guideline.