As a lifelong fan of the “Alien” franchise, the announcement of “Alien: Earth” was a momentous occasion for me. The series, set two years before Ridley Scott's 1979 classic, promised to delve deeper into the lore surrounding Earth while being a fascinating character drama. With Noah Hawley at the helm, known for his work on “Legion,” I was eager to see how the narrative would unfold.
Now that the first season has wrapped, I can confidently say I love it. “Alien: Earth” is everything I love about sci‑fi, packed into a show that balances gripping character drama with genuinely terrifying horror. There’s so much to sink your teeth into, and Hawley has absolutely nailed it. He knows the “Alien” universe backwards and forwards, giving fans exactly the kind of story we’ve been waiting for.
While the series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase (me included), the burning question remains: will there be a second season on Hulu? As of now, FX has not officially renewed the series. However, both Hawley and the cast have hinted at the potential for future installments. Here are the latest updates from the show's creator and cast regarding the possibility of “Alien: Earth” season 2.
Noah Hawley says it’s all about the ‘viewership numbers’
Following the season 1 finale of “Alien: Earth,” Hawley offered a small update on the show’s future. Speaking with Screen Rant, he addressed the status of a potential season 2 and how FX is weighing the decision:
“We’re talking about the future of the show, and FX does their homework. They really make sure that they understand what the viewership numbers are. And on some level, it’s where you end more than where you started that tells you what the appetite for a season 2 is. So, we’ve got our last episode next week, and I’ve been doing my part creatively and really thinking about where I would take the show going forward.
“Certainly, I don’t want the show to be off the air for any longer than it absolutely has to be. So, there’s some urgency there to get us going as quickly as possible. But ultimately, this is a Disney decision, so I’m excited to see what they do. There’s so many great hard rock songs left to play.”
Meanwhile, Timothy Olyphant, known for his role as the Prodigy synthetic Kirsh, mentioned that conversations continue about the potential path for season 2 (also with Screen Rant): “I know it was on the record. We’re well into those conversations, and there’s no off-switch in Noah Hawley, so he is laying down stuff.”
When asked about whether or not the show will tie into the movies, he said: “I don’t get in the weeds about that. I only get in the weeds about what’s in front of me.”
Olyphant’s comments echo Hawley’s own, reinforcing that while nothing is set in stone yet, the creative team is already thinking ahead. For fans, that at least signals there’s momentum behind the scenes, even if the official renewal is still pending.
A second season is apparently being ‘talked about’ though
Hawley told Entertainment Weekly that discussions about a second season are already happening, even if there’s no clear timeline yet for a decision. In the interview, he also touched on the show’s current status:
“We're certainly having conversations about it, and I’ve been thinking on the creative front. It was very encouraging, the success of the show globally, and FX is very deliberate in their process. I think that's why they’ve been so successful, is they don’t spend more than the show can realize in its return value. Part of it is not just, ‘Are we gonna make more?’ but, ‘Are we gonna make more at what price and what’s the timeline for it?’ So all those factors are being discussed, but I don’t have a timeline for you.”
Hawley also went on to explain his initial vision for the show in terms of more seasons: “In some ways, that was the assignment when I talked with FX about it. We always discussed it as a recurring series. I have a sense of where the journey goes in the long run, but I don't necessarily know how long it'll take me to get there.
“I think that this is such a huge story to explore, but then again, we also have to fit into the timeline of the films. So there's some creative constraints that can often be helpful in terms of it's not completely open ended.”
His comments suggest that “Alien: Earth” was never intended as a one-off, but rather as the opening chapter of a much larger story. While the creative roadmap seems clear in Hawley’s mind, the real question now is whether FX and Disney will commit to letting him see it through.
The creators have a multi-season vision for 'Alien: Earth'
Hawley isn’t just thinking about the here and now of “Alien: Earth” as he’s already plotting a multi-season journey. From the way he talks about the series, it’s clear he has a long-term vision for the story, the characters, and even how it could tie into the wider “Alien” universe.
In an interview with GamesRadar Plus, he said “With 'Legion,' I had a three-act structure. I didn't know if that was going to take three seasons or five seasons, but I knew what the three major thoughts of the story were. And here, I feel like I have that as well. We created it as a recurring series, and I have great plans and ambitions for it as such. On the film side, I've had some conversations with them.”
He continued, “This is not a Kevin Feige Marvel Universe moment. I'm not saying that in success, that we shouldn't be coordinating or thinking big picture about that – the show has to be a hit before you can really have those conversations.”
Hawley is also viewing season 1 as a testing ground when looking at the show’s future (h/t Variety): “Season 1 is the proof of concept. And if it works commercially, then season 2 is about building a model upon which we can envision making a season 3, 4, 5.”
Hawley emphasized that the series was conceived as a recurring story, adding, “I don’t know how many seasons that would be. I believe that endings are what give a story meaning, so I have a sense of where I’m going with it.”
Echoing the creative optimism, FX executive Gina Balian also hinted at the series’ potential, noting, “There are a lot of places that could stand in for where the show could go next.”
Sydney Chandler is ‘excited and hopeful’ for a potential season 2
In “Alien: Earth,” Sydney Chandler portrays Wendy, the first synthetic being to be infused with human consciousness by the Prodigy Corporation. Wendy is a member of “The Lost Boys,” a group of six hybrid prototypes created from terminally ill children.
Chandler shared her thoughts with Rolling Stone on the future of the series: “So far, there’s no word on series two. We’re not picked up yet. I’m really hoping we are. Because, not to give anything away, but with my character, we’re really vacillating between the natural and the synthetic.
“There are some great ideas that Noah has kind of whispered my way as far as where we might go. So I’m excited and I’m hopeful.”
While fans remain eager for news, the cast has so far stayed silent regarding any continuation or future plans for the series.
So, is ‘Alien: Earth’ season 2 likely?
Given the overwhelming critical acclaim, strong viewership, and the creative team’s clear vision for the series, a second season of “Alien: Earth” appears not only likely but almost inevitable.
The series has garnered a remarkable 95% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 70% audience score, indicating strong approval from both critics and viewers. Its premiere episode attracted 9.2 million global views within the first six days as well, proof that people want to stream it.
In fact, when discussing the potential connection to the original “Alien” movies in an interview with Vanity Fair, Hawley revealed: “I do know that at a certain point, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation is going to divert the Nostromo to that planet [LV-426].”
Considering these factors, it's highly probable that “Alien: Earth” will continue its journey, and I’m certainly crossing my fingers that it will.
Stream “Alien: Earth” on FX on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney Plus in the U.K now.
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