Alien: Earth is coming up this summer, and we know it's going to be a scary ride. The first-ever TV show in the sci-fi franchise is set to channel the horror vibes of Ridley Scott's Alien as the terrifying xenomorphs land on planet Earth. With a few teasers already released and plenty of clues about the story, there is a lot for fans to be excited about.
We've gathered everything you need to know about the Alien: Earth release date, cast, plot, trailers, and more, as we get ready for the FX show's imminent arrival on Hulu and Disney Plus - and the aliens' imminent arrival on Earth of course.
The new TV show is expanding the franchise only a year after the release in cinemas of Alien: Romulus, which debuted to mixed reviews. However, it's clear by now that showrunner Noah Hawley (known for his work with the critically-acclaimed show Fargo) is bringing something different, and potentially terrifying. Scott is on board as an executive producer too.
As one of our most anticipated new TV shows of the year, Alien: Earth will have to deal with the fans' high expectations, and the legacy of such a beloved saga. While many of the details are still shrouded in mystery, we know where it falls on the Alien timeline: it's a few years before the first Alien.
Ready to face the xenomorphs again? Check out all the details about Alien: Earth below. We're keeping this page updated, too, so make sure you check back for all the latest news.
Alien: Earth release date speculation
Alien: Earth will be released this summer. While we don't have an exact release date for the upcoming Alien TV series, this was confirmed in a teaser which showed new footage from the series.
Filming on Alien: Earth wrapped last summer, and creator Noah Hawley confirmed that the team was busy in post-production afterwards. While editing and adding visual effects on anything sci-fi-related takes time, it makes sense for Alien: Earth to capitalize on the renewed hype for the franchise that the 2024 movie Alien: Romulus created as well.
So, fingers crossed, we get confirmation for an exact Alien: Earth release date soon! We'll keep you posted as soon as more news heads our way.
In the meantime, you can read our Alien: Romulus review for more details on the latest entry in the franchise.
Alien: Earth trailer
The first teaser trailer for Alien: Earth was a 15-second clip featuring a blood-dripping xenomorph, and ending with a jump scare.
We see Planet Earth before it slowly morphs into a Xenomorph which screetches at the viewer. Because we know that Noah Hawley doesn't play around when it comes to violence (thanks to Fargo) and that he plans to follow the aesthetic from Alien and Aliens, we know this is going to be quite the scary ride. Movie-goers who went to see Alien: Romulus were treated to the Alien: Earth trailer beforehand.
Since then, FX has released a couple of different teasers. One of them, released in November 2024, confirmed revealed that the show takes place in 2120, only a few years before the events of the original Alien movie.
The most recent Alien: Earth teaser, released in late January 2025, put us in the xenomorph's point of view. The footage (which you can see below) follows a xenomorph racing through a human spacecraft, with emergency lights flickering red, and an automated voice repeating "Containment Breach".
Alien: Earth plot
Unfortunately, not much is known about the plot for Alien: Earth. However, we do know that the upcoming TV series will be a prequel to the original 1979 Alien. The new Alien TV show will take place in 2120, just two years before Ellen Ripley encountered her first Xenomorph on the Nostromo.
Per the official logline: "When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat." Chandler's character Wendy is a woman who has the body of an adult and the consciousness of a child. Timothy Olyphant plays Kirsh, Wendy's synth mentor and trainer.
However, Alien: Earth will not bridge the gaps between the Alien timeline, as it takes place on Earth. According to Deadline, it will be focused on the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's race to develop robotic life. That doesn't mean we won't be seeing Xenomorphs, mind.
The eerie extraterrestrials will make an appearance as Hawley revealed to Deadline that the creatures will feature in the upcoming show, and will make a chilling entrance. "There’s something about seeing a Xenomorph in the wilds of Earth with your own eyes," Hawley teased, adding, "I can’t tell you under what circumstances you’ll see that, but you’ll see it – and you’re going to lock your door that night."
The director then stated, although he refrained from going into specifics, that the creature will look different from what we have seen before but will still keep the same silhouette, calling that detail "sacrosanct." Hawley added, "But some of the elements as we know, whatever the host is, informs what the final creature is. I just wanted to play around a little bit to make it as scary as it should be."
We cannot even imagine what monstrous form an earthly Xenomorph may take, but we would like to see it regardless, so we're keeping an eye out for any more plot details and news!
Alien: Earth cast
The cast for Alien: Earth is stacked with stars who have appeared in several of the best TV shows around, such as Game of Thrones, Shadow and Bone, and Fargo. You may recognize names such as Timothy Olyphant (who starred in the likes of The Mandalorian and Scream 2) or Alex Lawther (as seen in The Last Duel and Andor).
We also know that Noah Hawley is writing and directing the upcoming Alien TV series, and plenty of cast announcements have already been revealed for undisclosed character – exciting stuff!
Below is the complete Alien: Earth cast list:
- Sydney Chandler as Wendy
- Alex Lawther as CJ
- Samuel Blenkin as Boy Kavalier
- Essie Davis as Dame Silvia
- Adarsh Gourav as Slightly
- Kit Young as Tootles
- Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh
- David Rysdahl
- Babou Ceesay
- Jonathan Ajayi
- Erana James
- Lily Newmark
- Diêm Camille
- Adrian Edmondson
- Moe Bar-El
- Sandra Yi Sencindiver
Where can I watch Alien: Earth?
Once it releases, you'll be able to watch Alien: Earth on Hulu if you are in the US and on Star via Disney Plus if you're not. We're still waiting for confirmation for a streaming platform for UK readers, though.
However, given how other FX series, such as What We Do In The Shadows, have arrived on Disney Plus or the BBC, we assume that the upcoming Alien series will be heading to either of those two streaming hubs in the future.
Keep your eyes on this guide as we update you on the latest streaming news. While we wait, you can also check out our list of the best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now!
For more outer-world fun, check out our list of the best alien movies of all time and all the movies and shows you should watch before Alien: Romulus.
