Apparently, the thing TV schedules most desperately need right now is another post-apocalyptic alien drama. So says USA Network, who have issued powerhouse producer Carlton Cuse with his second pilot order of the season, for Colony.
Former Lost writer, showrunner and executive producer Cuse counts Bates Motel, The Strain and The Returned among his post-island projects, as well as the recent pilot ordered by Amazon – Point Of Honor. Colony is his latest creation, which he will executive produce alongside Ryan Condal (Hercules). Described as a “naturalistic drama,” the show will follow a family in near-future Los Angeles, trying to stay together and survive under the occupation of external forces. It seems that some members of their community choose to collaborate with the occupiers, while others rebel and risk punishment.
Casting choices have yet to be announced for Colony, but the projects of Carlton Cuse have a tendency to attract impressive names. The Strain nabbed Corey Stoll for its lead role, just ahead of his starring turns in upcoming films, such as This Is Where I Leave You and Ant-Man. Bates Motel boasts Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga in its lead, while the forthcoming The Returned will feature Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim Vs The World) as its main character.
Will Colony continue Cuse’s winning streak? Presumably the plot is sufficiently different from FX’s Falling Skies to warrant the commissioning of the pilot. Where that show features a more militaristic rebellion against an alien occupying force, Colony sounds as though it will focus more on a family unit facing issues which just happen to include living under alien occupation – in which case, it could prove to be an interesting prospect.