The first five minutes of the first episode ofNightflyershas been released online. SyFy and Netflix have partnered to bring George R.R. Martin’s novella to the small screen and this is perhaps our best look at what to expect from the new show yet. Martin is known best as the man behind the novels that inspired HBO’sGame of Thrones. This, however, showcases a very different side of the author, as it’s straight-up space horror at its bloodiest.
Things are getting off to an exciting start.Dr. Agatha Matheson(Gretchen Mol) is frantically floating around the titular spaceship, which has sustained heavy damage. She then activities the ship’s artificial gravity, but that only helps so much. An ax-wielding nut shows up who clearly isn’t handling this whole space travel thing too well, as he looks like Jack Torrance fromThe Shining. The clip gets very bloody before it’s over with. But, you know, in space. It definitely plays more like sci-fi horror than anything else, which might not be what those only familiar withGame of Throneswould expect from a guy likeGeorge R.R. Martin. In any event, it’s an intriguing entry point into this new series.
SyFy andNetflix, understandably, want to be in the George R.R. Martin business right now.Game of Thronesis the biggest series on the planet and, while it’s doubtful thatNightflyerswill be anywhere near that successful, just having the author’s name attached will certainly give the series a boost. Though,Martin will only be an executive producer in name. Unfortunately, his contract with HBO prevents him from being able to produce anything for another network. So the series will be basing this purely on the novella and the 1987 movie of the same name, with no direct input from Martin.
The series will air on SyFy in the U.S., while Netflix has obtained the rights to broadcast the series on their streaming service worldwide. That meansNightflyerswill eventually wind up on the streaming service in the States for those who want to watch it, but not nearly as soon as it will be made available elsewhere. The cast for the series also includes Eoin Macken as Karl D’Branin, David Ajala as Roy Eris, Sam Strike as Thale, Maya Eshet as Lommie, Angus Sampson as Rowan, Jodie Turner-Smith as Melantha Jhirl and Brian F. O’Byrne as Auggie.
Set in the year 2093,Nightflyersfollows ateam of scientists as they embark on a journeyto find other life forms all across the solar system. It may not be the final season ofGame of Thrones, but it will give fans something to watch while they wait to see what’s going on in Westeros next year. Jeff Buhler (Jacob’s Ladder) penned the adaptation with Daniel Cerone (The Blacklist) on board as showrunner.Nightflyersis set to premiere on December 2. Be sure to check out the new clip from the SyFy YouTube channel below.
