Alien: Earth’ – the series will feature different aliens from the movies, but promises to be respectful

After a brief teaser, the upcoming series Alien: Earth is starting to take shape, with its creator, Noah Hawley, offering fans a bit more insight into what to expect from the show. Hawley, known for his work on Fargo and Legion, recently shed some light on his approach to the iconic xenomorphs and their design.

The First Alien Series Set on Earth

Announced back in 2019, shortly after Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Alien: Earth marks the first time the terrifying xenomorphs will appear on the small screen. Despite the excitement surrounding the teaser, details have been kept under wraps for the most part. What we do know is that the series will finally bring the horror of the xenomorphs to Earth and will take place before the events of Ridley Scott’s original Alien film. Interestingly, it seems the show will be removing Prometheus and Alien: Covenant from its timeline.

Expected to premiere in 2025, Alien: Earth is set to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year, adding another major project to FX’s lineup, which recently had a huge night at the Emmy Awards, taking home 18 awards for its series Shōgun. Hawley, speaking at the Emmys, took the opportunity to share a bit more about how he’s approaching the design of the xenomorphs for the series.

A Fresh Take on the Xenomorph Design

In an interview with Deadline, Hawley talked about his excitement for the project and how he plans to stay true to the terrifying essence of the xenomorphs, while also bringing some fresh ideas to their design.

“It’s chilling to imagine the xenomorph among us on Earth,” Hawley said. “I can’t reveal exactly how or when you’ll see it, but when you do, you’re definitely going to want to lock your doors that night.”

One of the most intriguing aspects of Hawley’s approach is his decision to honor the creature’s original design, created by the legendary H.R. Giger, while also experimenting with how the xenomorph might evolve based on its host.

“What was fun for me was staying devoted to the creature’s silhouette because it’s sacred. But we know that certain elements of the xenomorph can shift depending on its host. I wanted to play with that idea and make it as terrifying as possible.”

This opens up some exciting possibilities, especially since the Alien franchise has long explored the idea of genetic variations in the xenomorph. From the Newborn in Alien: Resurrection to the Offspring in Alien: Romulus, the franchise has never shied away from mixing things up. In Alien 3, the xenomorph’s quadrupedal stance was justified by it emerging from a dog (or a cow, depending on which version you watch).

Corporate Greed and the Perfect Organism

Set decades before Alien, the series seems to have the creative freedom to reimagine how the xenomorph evolves and reproduces. Hawley also hinted that the show would dive deep into the corporate side of the Alien universe, specifically through the infamous Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

Could the show explore how the company first discovers this “perfect organism” and becomes obsessed with harnessing its power? Perhaps. There’s even speculation that a crashed ship on Earth might serve as a catalyst for the series’ events. One thing is clear: the series promises to blend terrifying new creatures with the corporate machinations that have been a hallmark of the Alien universe.

With so many questions still unanswered, it’s no wonder fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the show. For now, we know Alien: Earth is set to be released in 2025, with FX handling production and Disney+ expected to distribute the series internationally.

The Future of the Alien Franchise

While Alien: Earth is still in the works, it’s clear that this series will be a major event for fans of the franchise. And though it’s set to shake things up, it seems committed to honoring the legacy of the original films.