The Hot Zone (American TV series)
The Hot Zone | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre | Drama |
Created by | James V. Hart |
Based on | The Hot Zone by Richard Preston |
Developed by |
|
Directed by | |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 6 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | National Geographic |
Release | May 27 May 29, 2019 | –
The Hot Zone is an American drama television miniseries, based on the 1994 non-fiction book of the same name by Richard Preston. Six episodes aired from May 27 to May 29, 2019, on National Geographic.
The show is largely set in 1989, and follows U.S. Army scientist Nancy Jaax who is confronted the possibility of a potentially deadly outbreak of Ebola.
Jaax, a veterinary pathologist, first identifies the ebolavirus after it appears in monkeys in a Primate Quarantine Facility in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Cast and characters
Main
- Julianna Margulies as Col. Nancy Jaax (Army veterinary pathologist)
- Noah Emmerich as Col. Jerry Jaax (Army veterinary surgeon)
- Liam Cunningham as Wade Carter
- Topher Grace as Dr. Peter Jahrling (virologist)
- James D'Arcy as Trevor Rhodes
Recurring
- Paul James as Ben Gellis
- Nick Searcy as Frank Mays
- Robert Wisdom as Col. Vernon Tucker
- Robert Sean Leonard as Walter Humboldt
- Grace Gummer as Melinda Rhodes
- Lenny Platt as Capt. Kyle Ormond[1]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Arrival" | Michael Uppendahl | Story by : James V. Hart Teleplay by : James V. Hart & Jeff Vintar & Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson | May 27, 2019 | 1WBC01 | 1.38[2] |
After a lab accident, Dr. Nancy Jaax, who has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world handling deadly viruses, is faced with a possible Ebola outbreak on U.S. soil. | ||||||
2 | "Cell H" | Michael Uppendahl | Story by : James V. Hart Teleplay by : Brian Peterson & Jeff Vintar & James V. Hart | May 27, 2019 | 1WBC02 | 1.26[2] |
To determine the source of the virus before it spreads Dr. Nancy Jaax and her lab partner, Dr. Peter Jahrling, must take matters into their own hands. Samples from infected monkeys are handed over to Dr. Jaax from an employee she convince to get. | ||||||
3 | "Charlie Foxtrot" | Nick Murphy | Story by : James V. Hart Teleplay by : James V. Hart & Kelly Souders | May 28, 2019 | 1WBC03 | 1.10[3] |
When representatives from varying agencies disagree on how to handle Dr. Nancy Jaax's discovery, an employee at the monkey research facility falls ill. She realizes there are few protocols in place to containing a deadly virus on U.S. soil. | ||||||
4 | "Expendable" | Nick Murphy | Brian Peterson & James V. Hart | May 28, 2019 | 1WBC04 | 1.00[3] |
Dr. Wade Carter is obsessed with exposing the dangers of Ebola. Jerry Jaax searches for a way to protect his wife as she fears the virus has spread to the human population when an employee at the research facility falls ill. | ||||||
5 | "Quarantine" | Nick Murphy | Story by : James V. Hart Teleplay by : Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson & James V. Hart | May 29, 2019 | 1WBC05 | 1.01[4] |
Dr. Jaax is forced to make a choice between her family and her duty to her country as she works tirelessly to find out why the virus is behaving differently than expected in human victims. At the research facility unforeseen dangers arise. | ||||||
6 | "Hidden" | Michael Uppendahl | Story by : Kelly Souders & Jeff Vintar & James V. Hart Teleplay by : Kelly Souders & Jeff Vintar | May 29, 2019 | 1WBC06 | 0.94[4] |
At the research facility a volatile situation inside comes to a head. Exhaustion threatens the precision needed to sterilize the threat as Dr. Jaax steps up. Neighbors become aware of the danger next door as the press arrives. |
Production
Development
On April 18, 2018, it was announced that National Geographic had given a series order to the production. Executive producers were set to include Lynda Obst, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar, and Ridley Scott. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Fox 21 Television Studios, Scott Free Productions, and Lynda Obst Productions.[5][6][7] On August 9, 2018, it was announced that Kelly Souders and Brian Wayne Peterson were joining the series as showrunners, executive producers, and writers.[8][9] On February 8, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on May 27, 2019.[10]
Casting
On July 25, 2018, it was announced during the Television Critics Association's annual summer press tour that Julianna Margulies had been cast in the series' lead role.[11] On September 13, 2018, it was reported that Noah Emmerich, Liam Cunningham, Topher Grace, Paul James, Nick Searcy, Robert Wisdom, and Robert Sean Leonard had joined the cast in starring roles and that James D'Arcy would make a guest starring appearance.[12] On December 6, 2018, it was announced that Grace Gummer would appear in a recurring capacity.[13]
Filming
Principal photography for the series took place from September 13, 2018, to November 16, 2018, in Toronto and was also expected to film in South Africa.[14][11]
Exterior photography of the rear loading docks of the "monkey lab" took place at the now closed Life Savers Factory located at 100 Cumberland Ave, Hamilton, ON L8M 1Z1. Loading docks can be viewed from Burris Street as well as homes in reverse shots.
Exterior and interior shots of "Commuter Station" took place at historic Hamilton Canadian National Railway Station, 360 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H4. Site is currently a wedding venue.
Release
On December 20, 2018, a "first look" still image from the series was released featuring Julianna Margulies in character as Dr. Nancy Jaax.[15] On February 8, 2019, a trailer for the series was released.[10]
Going Viral
Going Viral is a 2019 one-hour documentary, companion to the miniseries.[16]
On February 8, 2019, it was announced that National Geographic had greenlit a companion documentary film to premiere alongside the series in May 2019. The film was set to be executive produced by Betsy Forhan and feature interviews with subjects including Richard Preston, Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Dr. Pardis Sabeti, and Dr. Ian Crozier. The production company involved with the film was slated to be National Geographic Studios.[16]
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes gave an approval rating of 85%, based on 20 reviews. Its critical consensus reads: "An anxiety-producing dramatization of real-world events, The Hot Zone acts as a sobering reminder of exactly how deadly a disease can be."[17] On Metacritic, the season had a score of 69 out of 100, based on 12 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]
References
- ^ Bandyopadhyay, Alakananda (May 20, 2019). "The Hot Zone's Lenny Platt says working on Nat Geo's Ebola mini-series 'made me more germaphobic than I ever was'". Meaww. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 29, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 30, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.28.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 30, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.29.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 18, 2018). "Nat Geo Greenlights Ebola Drama Series From Ridley Scott, Sets 3 Development Projects". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 18, 2018). "Ebola Drama Series From Scott Free Set as Nat Geo Grows Scripted Roster (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 18, 2018). "National Geographic Channel Orders Ebola Virus Drama 'The Hot Zone'". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 9, 2018). "Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson Ink Overall Deal With Fox 21 Television Studios; Will Showrun 'The Hot Zone'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 9, 2018). "Former 'Smallville' Showrunners Ink Overall Deal With Fox 21". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^ a b Lawrence, Derek (February 8, 2019). "Exclusive: Julianna Margulies races to stop an Ebola outbreak in 'The Hot Zone' trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 25, 2018). "Julianna Margulies To Topline Nat Geo's Ebola Virus Drama Series 'The Hot Zone' – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (September 13, 2018). "Topher Grace, Liam Cunningham Among Eight to Join Nat Geo Miniseries 'The Hot Zone'". Variety. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ Maglio, Tony (December 6, 2018). "Grace Gummer Joins Nat Geo's 'The Hot Zone' in Recurring Role (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ "Recently Wrapped: Toronto and Ontario". What's Filming?. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (December 20, 2018). "Exclusive: See Julianna Margulies in first look at scary Ebola miniseries 'The Hot Zone'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
- ^ a b Alcinii, Daniele (February 8, 2019). "Exclusive: National Geographic to launch Ebola doc special 'Going Viral'". Realscreen. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ "The Hot Zone: Season 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ "The Hot Zone (2019): Season 1". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
External links
- 2010s American drama television miniseries
- 2019 American television series debuts
- 2019 American television series endings
- Ebola
- English-language television shows
- National Geographic (American TV channel) original programming
- Television shows set in Maryland
- Television shows set in Virginia
- Television shows set in Africa
- Television series produced in Ontario
- Television shows filmed in South Africa
- Television series about viral outbreaks