‘The Ark’ premiere sets up a sci-fi survival saga in outer space

Outer space has never been so terrifying.
Flooding cable airwaves today is “The Ark,” a new 12-episode sci-fi series on SYFY directed by “Independence Day” screenwriter Dean Devlin and featuring Christie Burke, Richard Fleeshman, Reece Ritchie, Stacey Read and Ryan Adams.
“The Ark” debuts Wednesday (February 1) at 10:00 p.m. EST exclusively on SYFY and can also be viewed the following day on Peacock, NBC Universal’s official streaming platform. To entice viewers, SYFY just released an extended preview of the first five minutes of the pilot that you can loop and watch the entire inciting incident unfold in the cold expanses of deep space.
This melodramatic clip follows a familiar science fiction trope: a sudden catastrophic event that befalls an interplanetary spacecraft en route to its destination in deep space and the ensuing aftermath.
Related: Shattering Asteroids, Hollywood Style: Could Atomizing An Asteroid Save Earth?
Promotional art for “L’Arche”. (Image credit: SYFY)
Here is the full synopsis of the series:
Created by Dean Devlin, “The Ark” is set 100 years in the future when planetary colonization missions began as a necessity to help ensure the survival of the human race. The first of these missions on a spacecraft known as Ark One encounters a catastrophic event causing massive destruction and loss of life. With over a year to go until they reach their target planet, a lack of vital supplies, and a loss of leadership, the remaining crew must become the best version of themselves to stay the course and survive.
“‘The Ark’ is a perfect fit for SYFY audiences and we know fans will be drawn to this thrilling story by Dean Devlin, one of the most accomplished and respected science fiction writers working today,” said said Lisa Katz (opens in new tab), President, Scripted Content, NBCU Entertainment and Streaming in an interview last year with Deadline. “With the recent success of ‘Resident Alien’ and ‘Chucky,’ the network is home to many of the most creative storytellers working in all of television.”
Hull breach causes panic in ‘The Ark’ (Image credit: SYFY)
This space-centric survival show is created by co-showrunners and executive producers Dean Devlin (“Independence Day,” “Stargate”) and Jonathan Glassner (“Stargate SG-1”), alongside Marc Roskin and Rachel Electric Entertainment’s Olschan-Wilson. Balkanic Media’s Jonathan English and Steve Lee are also on board the flagship project as producers.
“The Ark” drifts into your living room Wednesday (February 1) at 10:00 p.m. EST on SYFY and can be viewed the following day on Peacock.
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