Alien: Earth – What to Know Before You Watch the Latest Alien Prequel
Overview in Plain English
*Alien: Earth* is the first TV entry in the Alien franchise, created by Noah Hawley (who gave us *Fargo*). It’s set in the year 2120, two years before the original 1979 *Alien* movie, and follows a team that responds when the deep-space vessel **USCSS Maginot** crash-lands on Earth. The lead is Wendy, played by Sydney Chandler. She’s a hybrid—part human consciousness, part synthetic body—and she’s sent with a tactical squad to investigate... and gets more than she bargained for.
Release & Streaming
The series premiered on **August 12, 2025**, with two episodes dropping back-to-back on **FX and FX on Hulu** in the U.S. Internationally, it’s available on **Disney+** starting **August 13**. New episodes arrive weekly on Tuesdays.0
Cast & Characters
The cast features a mix of fresh faces and familiar actors. Sydney Chandler leads as Wendy, supported by Timothy Olyphant (as her synthetic guardian Kirsh), Alex Lawther as her brother CJ "Hermit," and others including Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, Samuel Blenkin, Kit Young, Babou Ceesay, and more.1
Why It’s Worth a Look
Critics are already praising the show’s confident world-building and tense atmosphere. It’s less about jump scares and more about creeping dread—social science fiction with sleek visuals and tough themes like corporate overreach and the ethics of creating hybrid life. The horror elements stay true to Alien DNA, while feeling fresh.2
Quick Facts Table
| Series | Alien: Earth |
|---|---|
| Creator | Noah Hawley |
| Release Date | August 12, 2025 (US), August 13 (Intl) |
| Platform | FX, Hulu (US); Disney+ (Intl) |
| Episodes | 8 for Season 1 |
| Genre | Sci-Fi Horror, Prequel |
| Set Year | 2120, two years before original Alien (1979) |
| Lead | Wendy (Sydney Chandler) |
FAQs (What People Are Asking)
When did Alien: Earth come out?
The series launched on August 12, 2025, with international release following on August 13.3
Where can I watch it?
In the U.S., it's on FX and Hulu. International viewers can stream it on Disney+.4
Who stars in it?
Key cast includes Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, and more.5
Is it more horror or sci-fi?
It blends both—Alien is horror at heart, but this version leans into sci-fi themes like AI and corporate tech control. Critics like that the dread is subtle and cumulative.6
How many episodes are there?
There are eight episodes in Season 1, with a 2-episode premiere followed by weekly releases.7
In Closing
If you’ve ever wondered what happened before the Nostromo crew stumbled across that spaceship, *Alien: Earth* offers a smart, chilling answer. It respects the original while forging its own path. For anyone into sci-fi with real emotional and moral weight, this one’s worth your time.