Falling Skies
Survivors fight back after an alien invasion devastates Earth.
Falling Skies is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction television series created by Robert Rodat and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. It aired on TNT from June 19, 2011 to August 30, 2015, spanning five seasons. The series follows a group of survivors, the 2nd Mass, fighting back after an alien invasion that killed over 90 percent of the human population.
- created_by
- Robert Rodat
- executive_producer
- Steven Spielberg
- network
- TNT (US), Super Channel (Canada first-run)
- premiere_date
- June 19, 2011
- finale_date
- August 30, 2015
- number_of_seasons
- 5
- genre
- Post-apocalyptic science fiction
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction · Post-apocalyptic · Drama
- Creator
- Robert Rodat
- Composer
- Noah Sorota
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 5
- Num Episodes
- 52
- List Episodes
- List of Falling Skies episodes
- Executive Producer
- Steven Spielberg · Darryl Frank · Justin Falvey · Robert Rodat · Graham Yost · Greg Beeman · Remi Aubuchon · David Eick
- Producer
- John Ryan · Noah Wyle · Darren King · Grace Gilroy
- Editor
- Donn Aron · Jon Koslowsky · Robin Russell
- Location
- Hamilton, Oshawa and Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Falling Skies begins six months after an alien invasion that neutralized Earth's power grid, destroyed militaries, and killed over 90 percent of humanity. The aliens include mechanical drones called mechs, six-legged Skitters, and the mastermind Espheni. The story follows the 2nd Mass, led by retired Colonel Dan Weaver and history professor Tom Mason, who searches for his son Ben. Children aged 8 to 18 are captured and fitted with biomechanical harnesses; a surgical method to safely remove them is developed in the second season. The Espheni plan to extract helium-3 from the Moon and use humans as slave soldiers. In the fifth season, Tom's biological daughter Alexis, who was turned into a hybrid, sacrifices herself to destroy a power core on the Moon. Tom is later rescued by the Dornia, ancient enemies of the Espheni, and uses a Dornia bioweapon to kill the Espheni Queen, ending the invasion.
Reader's Guide
Falling Skies is significant as a long-running post-apocalyptic series that explored themes of survival, family, and resistance against overwhelming odds. It was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Visual Effects and 14 Saturn Awards. The series was added to Netflix for streaming on January 1, 2026. Its legacy includes a detailed alien hierarchy and a focus on the psychological and tactical challenges of rebuilding society. The show's conclusion, with humanity united and rebuilding, offered a hopeful resolution to the invasion narrative. The series stands as a notable entry in Spielberg's television work, emphasizing family and brotherhood as central themes.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally called Concord, referencing the battles of Lexington and Concord.
- The Espheni Queen's invasion was motivated by revenge for her daughter being killed and eaten 1550 years earlier.
- The Volm alien race is led by a character nicknamed Cochise by Tom Mason.
- The series was added to Netflix for streaming, but no future date has been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Falling Skies?
Falling Skies is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction TV series that follows a band of human survivors known as the 2nd Mass as they wage guerrilla war against the alien forces that invaded Earth. It was created by Robert Rodat with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer, and it ran on TNT for five seasons between 2011 and 2015.
Who is behind Falling Skies?
Robert Rodat conceived and wrote the series, while Steven Spielberg attached his name as executive producer to lend production oversight. The show was broadcast primarily on TNT in the United States and on Super Channel in Canada.
How many seasons of Falling Skies aired and when did it run?
The series spanned five seasons, debuting on June 19, 2011 and concluding with its finale on August 30, 2015. Each season picked up where the last left off, tracking the 2nd Mass's escalating conflict with the alien invaders.
What is the core premise of Falling Skies?
An alien invasion annihilates more than ninety percent of the human population in a matter of days, leaving scattered groups of survivors to rebuild and resist. The story centers on the 2nd Mass, a loosely organized militia led by Tom Mason, as they attempt to reclaim territory and ultimately strike back at the enemy's command structure.
Why do fans consider Falling Skies a notable entry in alien-invasion TV?
It was one of the few long-running cable dramas to commit to a full five-season arc around a post-invasion resistance narrative, giving it narrative depth that shorter shows rarely achieved. Spielberg's executive involvement also gave the production a level of visibility and budget that set it apart from typical genre entries of the era.
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