FX has announced that Sydney Chandler will be heading up the cast of their Alien series currently under development.
The television adaptation, created by Noah Hawley, is one of FX's most anticipated projects. Based on the universe created by the original film Alien, released in 1979, the franchise has spawned numerous sequels, books, and games featuring the battle of humans against extraterrestrial invaders in space. The first several installments starred Sigourney Weaver in her iconic Ellen Ripley role as one of horror’s ultimate final girl/survivor characters.
FX announced a new leading actress, Chandler, will take over in FX's Alien TV series, though not in the famed role fans might expect. While specific plot and character details have been kept under wraps, FX boss John Landgraf has confirmed the character of Ellen Ripley will not be featured in the series, which means a host of new characters, settings, and situations for this portion of the franchise. The show has revealed it will take place in the not-too-distant future.
Chandler is no stranger to FX, having starred in the 2022 limited series Pistol, chronicling the British band The Sex Pistols, where she stars as the Pretenders' lead singer Chrissie Hynde. She also starred in Olivia Wilde's Don’t Worry Darling and Facebook Watch's series SKAM Austin. Her latest role is in the Apple TV series Sugar opposite Colin Farrell.
According to Landgraf, the Alien show’s development is still in the early development stages. He announced in January at the 2023 Television Critics Association that the show would begin production this year as soon as Hawley, who is also writing and producing the series, wraps up another project. “I think he’s meeting with his production designer in Austin this weekend, gearing up for production this year after he completes the fifth season of 'Fargo,'" Landgraf said.
Chandler's casting is an exciting step forward for the Alien series, which has a great opportunity to create a new and dynamic heroine that will fill Weaver's formidable, slime-covered shoes. Weaver recently revealed that she has little interest in reprising her famous role, which opens the door to entirely new protagonists. Since Weaver left the fold, there have been two additional recent films, Prometheus (2012) and Alien Covenant (2017), with discussions on other features in the works, including the Alien sequel by Fede Álvarez currently in production.
FX's Alien series is anticipated to begin production this year.
Source: Variety