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'Westworld' premiere date news: Premiere confirmed, EP defends sexual violence in narrative

Sheanne Aguila August 01, 2016 08:22 AM EST

Promotional Image for HBO\'s sci-fi thriller \"Westworld\" | Facebook/WestworldHBO

After a production delay in January, HBO's much-awaited science fiction thriller drama "Westworld" is all set to premiere later this year. Unfortunately, the show has already met several criticisms even before the pilot episode aired.

Episode 1 features the implied rape of a main female character, adding it to a number of HBO shows taking a lot of heat for depicting sexual violence against women as part of the storyline. During the recently concluded Television Critics Association summer press tour, co-creator and executive producer Lisa Joy weighed in on the issue.

"It was definitely something that was heavily discussed and heavily considered as we worked on those scenes," Joy explained (via Variety). "'Westworld' is a consideration of human nature. The best parts of human nature ... and the basest parts of human nature. That includes violence and sexual violence." In addition, Joy mentioned that the whole production team takes the matter of sexual violence against anyone seriously, further stressing that they do not condone "fetishization of those acts."

Actress Evan Rachel Wood recently caught up with Den of Geek and she has nothing but good words for her new show. She mentioned that it has surpassed her expectations and can't wait for everyone to see what they have been working on. "Yes, it has amazing production value and special effects, and the cinematography is amazing and the cast is amazing," she said. "But what's really blown me away is the writing. I mean it is on another level. The layers of the show, it's really going to be a feast for the eyes and the mind. And it's something that you just keep peeling away things. I don't even know how to explain it. But I can assure people that it's going to deliver and more."

Based on the 1973 film written and directed by American novelist Michael Crichton, the upcoming series follows the story of a futuristic amusement park. The park is divided into three regions: Westworld, Medieval World and Roman World â€“ where robots programmed to play certain characters in each area revolt against their masters.

The show is described as "a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin."

The first season of HBO's "Westworld" premieres on Oct. 2.

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