Extant (TV series)
Extant | |
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Genre | Science fiction Mystery Drama |
Created by | Mickey Fisher |
Starring | |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
Cinematography |
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Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | July 9, 2014 September 9, 2015 | –
Extant is an American science fiction television drama series created by Mickey Fisher and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. The story revolves around astronaut Molly Woods (Halle Berry)[1] who returns home to her family inexplicably pregnant after 13 months in outer space on a solo mission.
On August 7, 2013, CBS announced that it had placed a 13-episode straight-to-series order, bypassing the traditional pilot stage.[2] Steven Spielberg served as one of the executive producers.[3][4] Production began in Los Angeles on February 10, 2014.[5] The series was broadcast in the United States on the CBS television network, and was a production of Amblin Television.
Extant premiered on July 9, 2014. On October 9, 2014, CBS renewed Extant for a second season,[6] which premiered on July 1, 2015 and concluded on September 9, 2015.[7] On October 9, 2015, CBS cancelled Extant after two seasons.[8]
Premise
Molly Woods, an astronaut with ISEA (International Space Exploration Agency) is assigned a 13-month solo mission aboard space station Seraphim. She returns home to her husband John, a robotics engineer who created their son Ethan, a prototype android called a "humanich". When Molly discovers that she has mysteriously become pregnant despite years of infertility, she begins a search for answers.
Cast
Main
- Halle Berry as Molly Woods, an ISEA astronaut and scientist who mysteriously becomes pregnant after seeing her dead former lover while on the Seraphim space station.
- Goran Visnjic as Dr. John Woods, Molly's husband, a robotics engineer heading the Humanichs Project. (Season 1–2)[9]
- Pierce Gagnon as Ethan Woods, Molly and John's son, a humanoid robot and the prototype for the Humanichs Project.[10]
- Grace Gummer as Julie "Jules" Gelineau, John Woods' assistant on the Humanichs Project.
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan as James Daniel "JD" Richter (Season 2), a cop working special patrol (bounty hunting) who teams up with Molly.
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Hideki Yasumoto, owner of the Yasumoto Corporation. (Season 1)
- Michael O'Neill as Alan Sparks, Director of ISEA. (Season 1)
- Camryn Manheim as Dr. Sam Barton, a physician employed by ISEA and Molly's friend. (Season 1)
Recurring
- Tyler Hilton as Charles "Charlie" Arthurs, the Chief Coder on the Humanichs Project alongside Julie.[11]
- Lynnanne Zager as the voice of G.I.N.A., the Woods family personal home A.I. system and helper.
- Shannon Merrill Brown as the child "Offspring".
Season 1
- Annie Wersching as Femi Dodd, a member of the Yasumoto Corporation Board of Directors. She's highly skeptical of the Humanichs Project and is revealed to be part of Odin's underground group that seeks to eradicate advanced technology from Earth.
- Brad Beyer as Harmon Kryger, an ISEA astronaut who saw his dead mother on the Seraphim; he faked his own suicide and now lives in isolation.
- Maury Sterling as Gordon Kern, the new Deputy Director of ISEA.
- Sergio Harford as Marcus Dawkins, an astronaut and Molly's deceased lover, who died in the car accident in which he and Molly were involved years ago.[12]
- Tessa Ferrer as Katie Sparks, an astronaut and daughter of Alan and Anya Sparks. She died in space under mysterious circumstances.[13]
- Louis Gossett Jr. as Quinn, a retired doctor and Molly's undependable, estranged father.[14]
- Charlie Bewley as Gavin Hutchinson (alias Odin James), a man Julie begins dating. He secretly leads an underground organization dedicated to eradicating advanced technology, and has targeted the Humanichs Project.
- Jeannetta Arnette as Anya Sparks, Alan's ex-wife and mother of Katie.
- Adam O'Byrne as Ryan Jackson, the new ISEA Director, replacing Alan Sparks. Kern says Molly can trust him as he was unaware of the conspiracy between Yasumoto and Sparks.
- Enver Gjokaj as Sean Glass, an ISEA astronaut.
- Jimmy Jean-Louis as Pierre Lyon, a French astronaut.
- Eric Martsolf as the voice of B.E.N., the on board, sentient computer aboard the Seraphim.
- Owain Yeoman as Dr. Mason, a scientist assigned by Yasumoto to help Molly.
Season 2
- Henderson Wade as the adult "Offspring" ("Hybrid"), now self-christened with the name Ahdu.
- Brody Nicholas Lee as the teenage "Offspring".
- David Morrissey as General Tobias Shepherd, Head of the Global Security Commission. Shepherd has a personal history with Molly Woods, a fact that complicates his work (and his life) in the face of a deadly new threat to humanity.
- Necar Zadegan as Shayna Velez (fka Martine), a former Lt. Colonel, now Chief of Staff to Tobias Shepherd. Strong, smart, opinionated, her agenda doesn’t always jibe with her boss’s — which may bring her into direct conflict with Molly Woods.
- Hilarie Burton as Anna Schaefer, a government operative charged with overseeing the militarization of the Humanichs program.
- Kiersey Clemons as Lucy, a more advanced humanoid robot and Ethan's new sister.
- Lyndon Smith as Kelsey Richter; JD’s estranged and rebellious daughter.
- Michael Gladis as Nate Malone; a GSC biologist who works with Molly to crack the genetic code of the hybrids.
- Kate Burton as Fiona Stanton, the president of GSC who oversees the progress of Lucy and the Humanichs.
Reception
Critical reception
Extant has received generally favorable reviews. On Metacritic, the first season holds a score of 68 out of 100, based on 31 critics, and season 2 has a score of 63 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[15] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a "certified fresh" rating of 83% based on 40 reviews, with the consensus reading: "While many of its ideas are clearly borrowed from other sources, Extant benefits from a unique approach to some familiar stories and a strong lead in Halle Berry."[16] The second season holds a "fresh" rating of 73% based on 11 reviews, with the consensus reading: "Extant amps up the action in Season Two, adding much-needed stamina to shore up Halle Berry's compelling performance."[17]
Ratings
Including Live + 3 day (DVR) viewing, the series premiere was watched by 11.88 million viewers and attained an 18-49 rating of 2.2.[18]
Accolades
In 2014, Extant was chosen, along with six others, for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series.[19]
Episodes
26
Home media releases
On December 16, 2014, CBS Home Entertainment released the first season on DVD & Blu-ray in Region 1.[20]
Broadcast
The series is available for streaming on Amazon Video devices four days after broadcast on CBS.[21] In Canada, the series premiered on July 9, 2014, on Global Television Network.[22] In Australia, the series premiered on July 13, 2014, on Network Ten.[23] The series premiered in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2014, on Amazon Video.[24] It made its television premiere on January 20, 2015 on Syfy.[25] In New Zealand, it debuted on July 23, 2014 on Prime.[26]
References
- ^ Bibel, Sara (October 4, 2013). "Academy Award Winner Halle Berry to Star in 'Extant'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (August 8, 2013). "Steven Spielberg new sci-fi drama 'Extant' ordered by CBS". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ "CBS Orders "Extant," a New Drama Series from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios, for Broadcast in Summer 2014". The Futon Critic. August 7, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Hinckley, David (August 7, 2013). "Steven Spielberg to launch 'Extant,' new CBS series about astronaut's return to Earth". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 11, 2014). "CBS Summer Schedule Scoop: Big Brother Bows Early (Again), Extant Debut Shifts and More". TVLine.com (Press release). Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 9, 2014). "'Extant' & 'Under the Dome' Renewed by CBS for New Seasons Next Summer; 'Reckless' Cancelled". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 26, 2015). "CBS Announces Premiere Dates for Zoo, Extant & More + Under the Dome Moves to Thursdays". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 9, 2015). "'Extant' Cancelled After 2 Seasons, Halle Berry To Produce Legal Drama For CBS". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ^ Lesley, Goldberg; Philiana, Ng (29 January 2014). "'ER' Star Cast as Halle Berry's Husband in CBS' 'Extant'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (October 22, 2013). "'Looper' Breakout Cast as Halle Berry's Son in CBS' 'Extant'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (1 May 2014). "CBS' Extant Adds Tyler Hilton (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
- ^ Pearman, Mikaela Ian (26 March 2014). "Exclusive: Mixing it with Hollywood elite". Bermuda Sun. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
- ^ Thomas, Kaitlin (April 9, 2014). "Tessa Ferrer joins CBS's Extant". TV Guide. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (10 March 2014). "Extant Exclusive: Louis Gossett Jr. to Play Halle Berry's Father". TV Guide.
- ^ "Extant: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Extant: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Extant : Season 2". rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 14, 2014). "'Extant' Premiere Adds 2.3 Million Viewers in L + 3 Viewing Categories: Network TV Press Releases". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 9, 2014). "Critics' Choice TV Awards Name Top New Series, Sets Ryan Murphy For Icon Honor". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ^ "Extant DVD news: Announcement for Extant - The 1st Season - TVShowsOnDVD.com". tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Extant, Season 2: Amazon Digital Services , Inc". amazon.com. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "'The Amazing Race Canada,' 'Extant,' 'Hemlock Grove' and more top this week's TV". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ Network Ten. "Episodes". TenPlay - Episodes.
- ^ Mark Sweney. "Amazon acquires UK rights for Halle Berry sci-fi drama Extant". the Guardian.
- ^ "Syfy UK Sets Premiere Date For 'Extant'". TV Wise. December 3, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ "Who watched our new sci-fi mystery EXTANT last night?". Prime TV. Facebook. July 24, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
External links
- 2010s American television series
- 2014 American television series debuts
- 2015 American television series endings
- American drama television series
- American science fiction television series
- Androids in television
- CBS network shows
- English-language television programming
- Robots in television
- Serial drama television series
- Space adventure television series
- Television series by Amblin Entertainment
- Television series by CBS Television Studios
- Television series set in the future