Nightflyers (TV series)

''Nightflyers'' is an American horror science fiction television series on Syfy that premiered in the United States on December 2, 2018, and on Netflix, internationally on February 1, 2019. The series is based on the novella and series of short stories of the same name by George R. R. Martin. The first season consisted of ten episodes, which concluded on December 13, 2018. Syfy canceled the series in February 2019.

Premise

In 2093, a team of scientists embark on a journey into space aboard an advanced space ship called the ''Nightflyer;'' in order to make first contact with alien life-forms. When terrifyingly violent events begin to occur aboard, the team begins to question each other, but come to the realization that there must be something else on board the ''Nightflyer'' with them. It is up to the crew to save the ship themselves, to complete their mission.

Cast

Main

* Eoin Macken as Karl d’Branin, an astrophysicist and leader of the ''Nightflyer'' expedition
* David Ajala as Roy Eris, the reclusive captain of the ''Nightflyer''
*Jodie Turner-Smith as Melantha Jhirl
* Angus Sampson as Rowan, a xenobiologist
* Sam Strike as Thale, an L-1 telepath
* Maya Eshet as Lommie Thorne, a cyberneticist who communicates with the ''Nightflyer''s computers via a neuro-port surgically implanted in her arm
* Brían F. O'Byrne as Auggie, chief engineer of the ''Nightflyer''
* Gretchen Mol as Agatha Matheson, a psychiatrist who specializes in working with telepaths

Recurring

* Phillip Rhys as Murphy
* Gwynne McElveen as Dr. Tobis
* Zoë Tapper as Joy d'Branin
* Miranda Raison as Tessia
* Bronte Carmichael as Skye d'Branin
* Youssef Kerkour as Hartley Suczek
* Joplin Sibtain as Lommie's father
* Josette Simon as Cynthia
* Brielle Olaleye as young Cynthia
* Daniel Adegboyega as Henry Eris
* Olwen Fouéré as Connie
* Ned Dennehy as Captain Judson

Production

Development

In 2016, Syfy began developing a series based on Martin's novella after its acquisition. The series is also based on the film adaptation from 1987. George R. R. Martin was not involved directly with the series due to his exclusive contract with HBO, but was credited as an executive producer.

Filming

The series started its production in early 2018 on location in Limerick, Ireland, and also at the Limerick-based Troy Studios, with Daniel Cerone serving as the showrunner. Cerone also serves as a series executive producer, along with Gene Klein, David Bartis, and Doug Liman of Hypnotic; Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta of Gaeta Rosenzweig Films; and Lloyd Ivan Miller and Alice P. Neuhauser of Lloyd Ivan Miller Productions.

For the visual effects, Spin VFX is the main vendor, with Territory Studio supplying user interfaces and Switch Visual Effects providing additional support. The visual effects have to work seamlessly with the huge practical set built for the ship.

Episodes

Release

Netflix joined the series as a co-producer, and holds international airing rights in addition to secondary airing rights in the United States. ''Nightflyers'' premiered on Syfy on December 2, 2018. The first season consisted of ten episodes. The first season became available to stream on Netflix worldwide on February 1, 2019. Syfy canceled the series in February 2019.

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 33% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 5.41/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Unsettling without being particularly scary, ''Nightflyers's'' low-budget aesthetics and over-reliance on homage betray its intriguing philosophical pondering and impressive creative pedigree". Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 47 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club was disappointed that the show does not do more to upend genre conventions the way ''Game of Thrones'' successfully did, writing "the showrunner Jeff Buhler doesn’t quite know how to make it feel new again". McLevy praised the show for its "appealing visual style" despite budgetary limitations, and of the acting cast he singled out Maya Eshet, "who elevates every scene in which she appears". He compared the show to the film ''Event Horizon'' and called the show engaging but lacking depth, suggesting the show may appeal more to those who already enjoy the sci-fi horror genre.

Ratings

Accolades

References

External links

* at Syfy
*

{{Syfy Shows

2018 American television series debuts
2018 American television series endings
2010s American science fiction television series
English-language Netflix original programming
Space adventure television series
Television series about extraterrestrial life
Syfy original programming
Television shows based on American novels
Television shows filmed in the Republic of Ireland
Television series by Universal Television