The Whispers (TV series)
An invisible alien communicates only with children.
The Whispers is an American science fiction drama television series created and co-executive produced by Soo Hugh, with executive producers including Steven Spielberg. The series is loosely based on the 1951 Ray Bradbury short story "Zero Hour" from The Illustrated Man. It aired on ABC for one season, debuting on June 1, 2015, and was canceled on October 19, 2015.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Thriller
- Drama
- Based on
- "Zero Hour", Ray Bradbury
- Developer
- Soo Hugh
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 13
- Executive producers
- Justin Falvey
- Darryl Frank
- Zack Estrin
- Steven Spielberg
Facts from the source article.
Cast
Lily Rabe portrays Special Agent Claire Bennigan, an FBI child specialist who investigates events linked to an invisible alien entity named Drill that communicates only with children. She is the wife of Sean, mother of Henry, and former lover of Wes. Milo Ventimiglia plays Captain Sean Bennigan, a U.S. Air Force pilot believed dead in a plane crash who resurfaces under Drill's influence, becoming the target of a manhunt; he is Claire's estranged husband and Henry's father. Kyle Harrison Breitkopf appears as Henry Bennigan, Claire and Sean's young son, whose deafness is cured by Drill, leading him to become a friend and player of Drill's game. Barry Sloane plays Wes Lawrence, a high-ranking Defense Department operative heading the Special Projects Division, previously assistant director of the FBI; he is estranged from his wife Lena, father of Minx, and former lover of Claire. Kristen Connolly portrays Lena Lawrence, Wes' estranged wife and Minx's mother, who becomes vulnerable when Drill turns her daughter against her. Derek Webster plays Special Agent Jessup Rollins, a freshly divorced, rigid FBI agent and Claire's new partner, initially skeptical of the investigation. Catalina Denis appears as Dr. Maria Benavidez, a doctor taken hostage by Sean. Kylie Rogers plays Millicent "Minx" Lawrence, Wes and Lena's young daughter who befriends Drill. David Andrews portrays Haley Frommer, the Secretary of Defense and Wes' boss. Dee Wallace plays Willie Starling, Claire's mother and Henry's grandmother. Alan Ruck appears as Alex Myers, executive director of the FBI. Jamison Jones plays Harrison Weil, a nuclear scientist heading the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Autumn Reeser portrays Amanda Weil, whose accident caused by Drill initiates the series' events. Abby Ryder Fortson plays Harper Weil, the first child identified by the FBI as a player of Drill's game. Alison Araya appears as Callie, Lena's friend.
Production
On May 23, 2014, the series' filming location was moved from Los Angeles, California, to Vancouver. Brianna Brown, originally cast as Lena Lawrence, exited the series on June 11, 2014, due to creative reasons. Production on the first season wrapped on December 20, 2014. On June 30, 2015, ABC let the cast contracts expire, indicating that if a second season were ordered, Lily Rabe would appear only in a limited number of episodes. The series was canceled on October 19, 2015.
Reception
The Whispers received generally favorable critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 74% approval rating with an average rating of 6.8/10 based on 32 reviews; the site's consensus describes it as a structurally sound supernatural mystery with an enjoyable ensemble of creepy kids, though predictable and at times poorly paced. On Metacritic, the series has a score of 61 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews.
More in American Broadcasting Company Science Fiction Dramas
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