Netflix has recently become the home of some very high profile television series. With the runaway success of both House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, Netflix has begun to have some serious clout in Hollywood. Then, back in March, 2013, Netflix announced development of a new science fiction series called Sense8. I was curious, and after reading more about the show, I’m genuinely excited for it.
The show revolves around eight people from all around the world who share a violent vision. Afterward, they find they are telepathically linked with each other, sought by a man who is trying to unite them and hunted by another who is trying to kill them.
Perhaps the biggest reason I’m geeked about this show is the talented and respected individuals developing the show: Joe Michael Straczynski (writer) and Andy and Lana Wachowski. All three of these individuals have created some great entertainment, and their collaboration could mean something truly special.
Straczynski has had a long and successful career as a writer and producer. Some of his credits go all the way back to episodes of animated series like He Man and the Masters of the Universe, and The Real Ghostbusters. Episodes written by Straczynski for The Real Ghostbusters are among fan favorites for that series.
Straczynski has also written for shows such as Murder She Wrote, Jake and the Fat Man and, most famously, Babylon 5, for which he also served as Executive producer. Some of his big-screen credits include the highly underrated Changeling and Underworld: Awakening.
Babylon 5 was and still is loved by its fans. Straczynski went to great lengths to map out an entire story over five seasons, which gave the show a feeling of direction and continuity between seasons. Where some shows seem aimless and not thought out, Babylon 5 always knew where it was going. Although the production sometimes showed its low budget, the show’s enormous and intertwined stories carried it with characters that we could all related to in one way or another.
With Straczynski behind the writing of Sense8, we can expect the show to be filled with interesting characters and a strong story that carries from episode to episode and season to season. In fact, the show was planned out as a five season story from beginning to end, then pitched that way. The cast has reportedly been signed on for the full run of the show too, so fans can rest assured that the series will run its full course without being cancelled (I’m looking at you, broadcast networks).
The other two thirds of the Sense8 creators are Andy and Lana Wachowski, creators of the mega hit franchise The Matrix.
The two also have writing and producing credits for V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas and the upcoming Jupiter Ascending. Their geek cred is also further extended, since they have written for the comic book medium early in their careers. The Wachowskis admit that they like telling multi-part stories, making a series the perfect medium for them. Add to that their visual style and creativity to potentially make Sense8 something much better than your average show.
On top of the powerhouse show runners, is a strong cast made up of several sci-fi alums. The cast includes Naveen Andrews (Lost), Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill), Tuppence Middleton (Jupiter Ascending), Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who) and Brian J. Smith (Stargate Universe). Sci-fi lovers rejoice!
Sense8 has potential to do for science fiction what House of Cards has done for political dramas. With Netflix on board and a top-notch group of people producing and writing the show, it’s something that I’m very much excited to see. The show is slated for release either in late 2014 or early 2015. I will be binge-viewing!
Dale Crangle Freelance Writing 