FX's long-awaited upcoming Alien series has begun production in Thailand with some exciting new cast additions. Joining series lead Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Deadline have today exclusively announced that Alex Lawther (Black Mirror, The End of the F*cking World) and Essie Davis (The Babadook) will also battle the Xenomorphs. Fellow Black Mirror alum Samuel Blenkin and The White Tiger's Adarsh Gourav are also on board.
Deadline also confirmed that three SAG-affiliated actors in the cast (including Chandler) are not present at and "it’s understood the production has reworked its shooting schedule to delay their participation for as long as possible." The English Lawther, who will play a soldier named CJ, is an Equity-affiliated performer, and as such cannot legally strike in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA members.
Ridley Scott is on board as executive producer on Noah Hawley's prequel series, which has been described as both an “extension and reinvention” of previous entries into the Alien franchise. The series reportedly takes place before the days of Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ripley and stands as the first story that takes place in the Alien franchise on Earth, 70 years from current day.
Whatever we're in for, it looks set to be big, with Hawley having booked out most of the sound stages in Bangkok, as well as Bangkok’s Studio Park, where Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue and Disney’s Ms Marvel were also shot. Around 400 Thai nationals are said to be employed in the production's crew.
Depending on the outcome of the current strikes however, it could be a while before Chandler and the rest of the cast make their way over to Thailand to shoot. In the meantime, we've also got Fede Álvarez's upcoming Alien film to look forward to! Keep an eye out for more updates, release dates and trailers for both Alien projects as and when we get them!
