H.G. Wells‘ seminal tale “The War of The Worlds”— one of the first alien invasion stories in literature —has been adapted dozens and dozens of times over the years, perhaps most famously when Orson Welles caused panic in the U.S. with his all-too-real radio adaptation in 1938. Steven Spielberg’s 2005 “War Of The Worlds” with Tom Cruise probably earns the second spot in pop culture for impact and influence. But these kinds of landmark stories always get retold every few years. Next up is a three-part drama produced by Mammoth Screen for the BBC. Written by Peter Harness and directed by Craig Viveiros (“Rillington Place”), this new “The War Of The Worlds” stars Eleanor Tomlinson (“Poldark”), Rafe Spall, Rupert Graves, Robert Carlyle, and Jacob.R Molloy.
“The War Of The Worlds” is generally told in a contemporary American setting, but the creators have noted this will be the first version to be set in London and the Home Counties during the Edwardian period.
“The version of The War of the Worlds that I wanted to make is one that’s faithful to the tone and the spirit of the book, but which also feels contemporary, surprising and full of shocks: a collision of sci-fi, period drama, and horror,” Harness said last year. “There is nothing cozy or predictable about Wells’ novel, and that’s what I want to capture in the show. We have an incredible cast, a brilliant director and a wonderful crew – and I can’t wait for them to explode the terrifying story of the first alien invasion on to our screens.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
This is the original alien invasion story. Staring Eleanor Tomlinson, Rafe Spall, and Robert Carlyle, this tense and thrilling drama follow a young couple’s race for survival against escalating terror of an alien enemy beyond their comprehension.
There’s no release date for the show yet, but the new trailer says “The War Of The Worlds” comes to the BBC this fall. Watch the clip and let that tide you over for now.
