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, and follows a group of survivors fighting back after an alien invasion devastates Earth. The series is notable for its focus on family and survival themes, and for its depiction of a long-term alien occupation.
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 the world's militaries, and killed over 90 percent of the human population. The remaining 700 million humans are under ongoing attack by mechanical drones called 'mechs', six-legged 'Skitters', and the mysterious 'Overlords' or 'Espheni'. The Espheni plan to extract helium-3 from the Moon and use enslaved humans as frontline troops in a war against another alien race. Children aged 8 to 18 are fitted with biomechanical harnesses; a surgical method to safely remove the harness is developed midway through the first season.
The story follows the '2nd Mass', a group led by retired Colonel Dan Weaver, with history professor Tom Mason as second-in-command. In the second season, the Volm, another species conquered by the Espheni, arrive to help. The fourth season reveals that Tom's daughter Alexis has half-Espheni heritage and psychic powers; she sacrifices herself to destroy the Espheni power core on the Moon. In the fifth season, Tom is rescued by the Dornia, the Espheni's ancient enemy, and uses a Dornia bioweapon to kill the Espheni Queen, ending the invasion. Humanity rebuilds with technology from the Espheni, Volm, and Dornia.
Reader's Guide
Falling Skies ran for five seasons on TNT, from 2011 to 2015, and was added to Netflix for streaming on January 1, 2026. Over its run, the series was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Visual Effects and 14 Saturn Awards, including three nominations for Best Television Presentation and one for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series. The series was created by Robert Rodat from an idea co-conceived with Steven Spielberg, who was attracted to its themes of survival and family. Originally titled 'Concord', the name was changed to 'Falling Skies' by Spielberg. The show's depiction of a post-invasion world, with children harnessed by aliens and a focus on guerrilla resistance, set it apart from other alien invasion stories. The series concluded with humanity freed and united, with Tom Mason refusing the offer of leadership.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally called 'Concord' before Steven Spielberg came up with the title 'Falling Skies'.
- The Espheni Queen's daughter was killed and eaten by humans 1550 years before the series events, prompting the invasion as revenge.
- The Volm are led by a character nicknamed Cochise by Tom Mason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Falling Skies?
Falling Skies is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction drama that aired on TNT from 2011 to 2015, following a band of human survivors who organize resistance against an alien occupation that has devastated Earth. The series was created by Robert Rodat with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer.
Who created Falling Skies?
The show was written and created by Robert Rodat, while Steven Spielberg held an executive-producer credit across its entire run. It was produced for and broadcast on the TNT network in the United States.
How many seasons did Falling Skies have and when did it end?
The series ran for five seasons, debuting on June 19, 2011, and wrapping up with its final episode on August 30, 2015.
What is the main conflict in Falling Skies?
The central story revolves around a group of survivors who band together to push back against an alien force that has invaded Earth and established a long-term occupation. Themes of family loyalty and the daily struggle to survive under enemy control drive the narrative across all five seasons.
Why is Falling Skies notable in the alien-invasion genre?
It distinguishes itself by depicting a sustained, multi-year alien occupation rather than a single counterattack, while keeping family bonds at the heart of the survival story. The involvement of Steven Spielberg as executive producer also gave the series a level of prestige uncommon for the genre on cable television.
More in Television Series About Extraterrestrial Life 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced