Origin (TV series)
A stranded spacecraft crew faces survival and hidden identity.
Origin is an American science fiction drama series created by Mika Watkins that premiered on November 14, 2018, on YouTube Premium. The series follows a group of strangers stranded on a spacecraft bound for a distant planet, who must work together for survival while realizing one of them is not who they claim to be. Despite a single season of ten episodes, the series garnered attention for its cast and premise before being cancelled by YouTube on March 25, 2019.
- created_by
- Mika Watkins
- premiered
- November 14, 2018
- cancelled
- March 25, 2019
- network
- YouTube Premium
- seasons
- 1
- episodes
- 10
- genre
- Science fiction drama
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction / Drama
- Creator
- Mika Watkins
- Starring
- Natalia Tena / Tom Felton / Sen Mitsuji / Nora Arnezeder / Fraser James / Philipp Christopher / Madalyn Horcher / Siobhán Cullen
- Composer
- Edmund Butt
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 10
- Executive Producer
- Andy Harries / Suzanne Mackie / Mika Watkins / Paul W. S. Anderson / Josh Appelbaum / André Nemec / Jeff Pinkner / Scott Rosenberg / Rob Bullock
- Producer
- John Phillips / Alice Pearse
- Cinematography
- David Higgs / Birgit Bebe Dierken / Guilio Biccari / Martin Fuhrer
- Camera
- Single-camera
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Origin was created by Mika Watkins, who also served as a writer and executive producer alongside Andy Harries, Rob Bullock, Suzanne Mackie, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg. Production companies included Midnight Radio, Left Bank Pictures, CiTVC, and Sony Pictures Television. On October 26, 2017, YouTube gave the series a series order for a first season of ten episodes, set to premiere in 2018. Paul W. S. Anderson directed the first two episodes. Principal photography took place in 2018 in South Africa. A teaser trailer was released on July 19, 2018, followed by a full-length trailer on October 4, 2018. The series premiered on November 14, 2018, and was cancelled on March 25, 2019.
Reader's Guide
Origin is significant as an early original series for YouTube Premium, showcasing the platform's investment in scripted genre content. The series featured a notable cast including Natalia Tena, Tom Felton, and Sen Mitsuji. Its premise of a group of strangers on a spacecraft with a hidden impostor drew comparisons to classic science fiction. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series held a 69% approval rating based on 16 reviews, with the critical consensus noting its 'overstuffed space drama mimics many genre classics' but that its 'stellar cast and withholding premise are intriguing enough.' The series' cancellation after one season reflects the challenges faced by streaming platforms in sustaining original programming. Its legacy lies in its brief but memorable contribution to the science fiction television landscape.
Did You Know?
- The series was created by Mika Watkins, who also wrote and executive produced.
- Paul W. S. Anderson directed the first two episodes.
- Principal photography took place in South Africa in 2018.
- The series was cancelled by YouTube on March 25, 2019, after one season.
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