FX’s Alien TV series from Fargo creator Noah Hawley casts its lead role, and it continues a trend for the long-running sci-fi franchise.
The Alien TV show has finally cast its lead role after limited production updates. First announced in 2020, the Alien series is created by Noah Hawley who returns to FX after finding success with Fargo and Legion. Though precise plot details are still under wraps, the upcoming Alien TV show will take place in the not-too-distant future on planet Earth, a rarity for the sci-fi franchise that started back in 1979.
Now, after limited Alien TV show updates in recent years, the project has finally made its first casting. According to Variety, the Alien series has cast Sydney Chandler in a lead role. Similar to Hawley, the Alien TV show will bring Chandler back to FX after she starred in the limited series Pistol. Another one of Chandler’s most notable credits is Don’t Worry Darling.
The Alien TV Show Casting Continues A Franchise Trend
Though details about her character are being kept under wraps, Chandler’s casting clearly continues a trend for the long-running sci-fi franchise. Sigourney Weaver debuted as the now-iconic Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott’s original Alien and later returned for three sequels. Even as the franchise has moved away from Ripley for the prequel Prometheus and its sequel Alien: Covenant, the iconic female character is a clear inspiration for Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Daniels (Katherine Waterston). Fede Álvarez’s new Alien movie will also feature a female protagonist played by Cailee Spaeny.
Since Ripley won’t be returning in the Alien TV show, it’s only appropriate for the franchise’s first small-screen iteration to continue its trend of featuring female protagonists. If past installments are any indication, a bit of Ripley will be infused into Chandler’s new lead character as well. The casting is the first major development after a prolonged period of limited updates, and now with casting underway, the Alien TV show should be able to begin production later this year, as previously promised by FX boss John Landgraf.
Source: Variety
