Alien: Earth Finally Has a Release Date, Episode Count, and New Story Details
In a recent announcement, IGN can confirm that the highly anticipated series, Alien: Earth, is set to premiere its first two episodes on August 12 on Hulu at 8pm ET, and on FX and Disney+ at 8pm PT / ET (August 13 in the UK and internationally on Disney+). According to IGN, new episodes of the eight-episode season will debut each following Tuesday.
The series, created by Noah Hawley, is set in 2120, two years before the events of the original Alien film and well after the events of Prometheus. As IGN reports, the story follows a young woman named Wendy, played by Sydney Chandler, and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers who make a "fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat" after the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth.
In the Alien timeline, Earth is governed by five corporations: Weyland-Yutani, Prodigy, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. IGN notes that in this world, cyborgs and synthetics coexist with humans, and the boss of Prodigy has invented hybrids, humanoid robots with human consciousness. Wendy, the first hybrid prototype, is at the centre of the story, which explores the theme of immortality, a running thread throughout the Alien franchise.
According to the official blurb, obtained by IGN, "In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named ‘Wendy’ marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, ‘Wendy’ and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined."
IGN has confirmed that the series features a talented ensemble cast, including Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adrian Edmondson, David Rysdahl, Essie Davis, Lily Newmark, Erana James, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Kit Young, Diêm Camille, Moe Bar-El, and Sandra Yi Sencindiver.
As IGN previously reported, showrunner Noah Hawley explained that he chose not to use the backstory provided in Prometheus for Alien: Earth, citing his preference for the "retro-futurism" of the original films. Hawley revealed that he consulted with Alien chief Ridley Scott on various elements of the series, but ultimately decided to diverge from the bioweapon backstory.
The Alien franchise is experiencing a resurgence, with IGN confirming that Alien: Romulus 2 is in the works, and a crossover with the Predator franchise in the upcoming Predator: Badlands.
As noted by IGN, the series promises to deliver a fresh and terrifying take on the Alien universe, with mysterious life forms and hybrids at the forefront of the story. Fans of the franchise will have to wait until August 12 to experience the first two episodes of Alien: Earth.
The series’ plot thickens as Wendy and the hybrids encounter mysterious life forms "more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined" after Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides with Prodigy City. It is reported that there will be five of these life forms in total, although it remains to be seen if they will be Xenomorphs or other creatures altogether.
As reported by IGN, showrunner Noah Hawley has provided some insight into his vision for the series, stating that he aims to explore the intersection of humanity and technology in the Alien universe.
The release of Alien: Earth is highly anticipated, and fans of the franchise are eagerly awaiting the premiere of the series. With its talented cast, intricate plot, and terrifying life forms, Alien: Earth is set to be a thrilling addition to the Alien franchise.
