Alien Covenant

The Alien tv series is in pre-production

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The Alien prequel show, from writer Noah Hawley, is expected to land soon. 

With FX boss John Landgraf at the Television Critics Association press tour this week, we’ve heard an update on the highly anticipated Alien tv series.

The show, led by Noah Hawley (LegionFargo), is in pre-production and set to follow on after the production of Fargo season 5. While Hawley writes, it has the blessing of the franchise’s original director Ridley Scott, who has taken a producing role.

Alien 3 - Ripley and friend

FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf offered the following update:

“Noah is currently in production on the fifth season of Fargo but he’s in active preproduction on Alien. He’s written scripts. I think he’s meeting with his production designer in Austin this weekend, gearing up for production this year after he completes the fifth season of Fargo.”

Previously, we’ve heard that the show will be Earth-based; storylines will cover the rise of AI, cyborg enhancements and other technologies that prolong human life. Doubtless the Weyland-Yutani Corporation are involved. Plus, we imagine a number of Xenomorphs with acid for blood too!

The show is described (again by John Landgraf) as blending the timeless horror of the first Alien film with the non-stop action of the second. However, set at the end of the 21st century, it has no familiar franchise characters.

While it’s still early days, Collider suggests a 2023 airdate – although we wonder if that’s a touch optimistic? Either way, we’ll keep you posted on the Alien tv series.