FX’s upcoming Alien: Earth is shaping up to be a massive production, and it’s clear that the network is hoping it could be the next Game of Thrones or The Last of Us. The show, created by Noah Hawley (creator of Fargo), is set to explore new territory in the Alien universe, breaking away from the rigid continuity of Ridley Scott’s prequels. 
While its scale is being compared to that of FX’s hit series Shogun, the focus is on creating something fresh, not necessarily adhering to every established lore.
At the heart of the story is the mysterious deep-space vessel USCSS Maginot, which crashes onto Earth. This sets the stage for an unexpected encounter with xenomorphs and an array of new, grotesque alien species that are sure to unsettle fans of the Alien franchise. The show promises to maintain the franchise’s tradition of blending sci-fi and horror, with unsettling alien designs and a dark, immersive atmosphere.
FX President Gina Balian stated that Alien: Earth will be even bigger than Shogun, which had a reported budget of $250 million, and the show will be aiming for similarly high production values. Though the exact budget for Alien: Earth remains undisclosed, it’s clear that FX is investing heavily in this project.
The show’s plot will unfold in parallel with the events of the original Alien franchise, but it won’t be beholden to the continuity established in the prequels. Noah Hawley has made it clear that fans don’t need to worry about Alien: Earth fitting into the timeline like the MCU does. According to Balian, “everything doesn’t have to fit together the way you expect from Marvel. Fans don’t expect that in this universe.” This means that the show will explore the xenomorphs and other creatures without being shackled by the complex backstory of Prometheus or Alien: Covenant.
Set just a few years before the iconic Alien film, the series will explore what the megacorporation Weyland-Yutani knew about the alien threat and how the situation was kept under wraps. It’s also revealed that Earth is now ruled by five major corporations, including Weyland-Yutani and Prodigy, the latter of which owns the city the Maginot crashes into. Prodigy’s involvement introduces a new layer to the story, as the corporation’s CEO invents humanoid robots with human consciousness, with the show’s lead character, Wendy, being the first prototype.
While Alien: Earth promises to break new ground with its story and setting, the biggest question remains: can it live up to the legacy of its predecessors? The show will premiere its first two episodes on August 12, with new episodes releasing weekly. Fans can only hope that Alien: Earth will deliver the kind of gripping, edge-of-your-seat storytelling that the franchise is known for.