War of the Worlds (2019 TV series)

War of the Worlds is a science-fiction television series that aired on Fox and Canal+ from October 28, 2019 to September 26, 2022. The series is similar to Steven Spielberg's 2005 movie, but is a reimagining of the classic H.G. Wells novel.

Premise[]

In this new take on War of the Worlds, when astronomers detect a transmission from another star system in our galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extraterrestrial life. Earth's population waits for further contact with bated breath, but does not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out, with just pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. As alien ships appear in the sky, the survivors ask a burning question — who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on our destruction?

Cast[]

Main[]

Gabriel Byrne as Bill Ward
Elizabeth McGovern as Helen Brown
Daisy Edgar-Jones as Emily Gresham
Bayo Gbadamosi as Kariem Gat Wich Machar
Léa Drucker as Catherine Durand
Adel Bencherif as Colonel Mustafa Mokrani
Natasha Little as Sarah Gresham
Ty Tennant as Tom Gresham
Stephen Campbell Moore as Jonathan Gresham
Emilie de Preissac as Sophia Durand
Stéphane Caillard as Chloe Dumont
Mathieu Torloting as Sacha Dumont

Recurring and Guest[]

Aaron Heffernan as Ash Daniel
Guillaume Gouix as Noah Dumont
Leigh Williams as Miguel

Episodes[]

Season 1[]

#	Title	Sypnosis	Original Airdate
01	"Episode 1"	When astrophysicists detect a transmission from another galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. The world's population waits for further contact with baited breath. They do not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out; just pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world.	October 28, 2019
02	"Episode 2"	After the devastating alien attack, disparate pockets of survivors emerge into a shattered world. They quickly realise they must put their differences aside if they are to stand any chance of survival. For they are not alone. Something sinister lurks in the shadows and whatever it is, it won't consider its victory complete until it has killed every last human. But who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on destruction?	October 28, 2019
03	"Episode 3"	As the dust settles on their brave new world, the survivors are forced to face some cold truths. Catherine is stunned to discover the part she played in bringing about the alien attack. Helen becomes fixated on revenge. And Emily momentarily regains her sight. But is the miracle cause for celebration, or concern?	November 4, 2019
04	"Episode 4"	The survivors make some disarming discoveries not only about the aliens but also about themselves. Mokrani goes on the offensive, taking the fight to the aliens. Ash is forced to make the hardest decision of his life. And Chloe’s past catches up with her, threatening to rip apart the delicate semblance of normality she is so desperately clinging on to.	November 4, 2019
05	"Episode 5"	Cracks start to show as the survivors find different ways to cope. Jonathan’s increasingly perturbed by Sacha’s strange behaviour. Emily proves to be an exciting conundrum for Bill. And Mokrani is horrified as his men delight in the opportunity to exact revenge.	November 11, 2019
06	"Episode 6"	The alien’s connection to certain survivors raises difficult questions. Bill makes a startling discovery. Sacha’s behaviour is increasingly erratic. And Tom’s birthday proves cause for celebration. But at what cost?	November 11, 2019
07	"Episode 7"	Tragedy strikes, altering the course of the future forever. Catherine’s priorities change with the arrival of Sophia. Things come to a head between Jonathan and Sacha. And Emily’s so happy she can see again that she’s stopped asking why, even if others haven’t.	November 18, 2019
08	"Episode 8"	The survivors attempt to turn the tables on their aggressors once and for all. Mokrani and Catherine prepare for the fight of their lives. Emily seeks answers, at any cost. And Sacha’s visions continue, giving a confounding glimpse of the future.	November 18, 2019

Season 2[]

#	Title	Sypnosis	Original Airdate
09	"Episode 1"	London, four months after the attack. The survivors organize the Resistance. Bill continues his research on aliens and understands that their DNA is human but their organs are degenerating. In France, a seriously wounded dissident alien reaches the Observatory.	May 17, 2021
10	"Episode 2"	At the Observatory, Mokrani and Catherine clash over the fate to be reserved for Micah, whom Catherine considers to be a major source of information. Micah reveals to Catherine that she has to find Bill Ward. The latter, for his part, tries to find out more about Emily, still assailed by visions of Adina, the leader of the aliens urging him to kill Bill.	May 17, 2021
11	"Episode 3"	Without saying anything to Emily or her parents, Bill decides with Zoe to test on Emily the biological weapon he hopes to be able to use against the aliens. Catherine, for her part, has had difficulty managing her grief since Mokrani's death. Now she has only one thing on her mind: to find out who Bill Ward is and find him. Sophia is ready to help him, but Nathan hesitates.	May 24, 2021
12	"Episode 4"	Catherine, Sophia and Nathan make their way to London, accompanied by Victor, a survivor encountered by chance. Along the way, the dangers multiply. Sacha's feelings towards Emily intensify and the young man's behavior becomes more and more disturbing. Feeling threatened, Bill is forced to flee.	May 24, 2021
13	"Episode 5"	Bill joins the military group formed by Ethan, Dominic and Michael. The three men hold a young alien hostage, Isla. Catherine, Sophia and Nathan continue to search for Bill. Adina, and the aliens also set out to find Bill. Chloe accuses the blow when she realizes that Sacha killed Ash. She suggests to her increasingly unstable son to run away with her.	May 31, 2021
14	"Episode 6"	At the university, Sophia watches the videos recorded by Dylan, a young man they found dead, while Catherine focuses on the algorithms he left behind and which decipher the behavior of robots. Thanks to Bill's intervention, Isla manages to flee and join her family.	May 31, 2021
15	"Episode 7"	Emily agrees to help Bill test her for the virus, but soon experiences serious side effects. Sacha, who has secretly followed the group to stay close to Emily, tries to remove her from the group. For their part, Catherine, Sophia and Nathan set out again in search of Bill Ward.	June 7, 2021
16	"Episode 8"	Catherine, Sophia, Zoe and the other survivors, finally reunited, prepare for the ultimate attack. But it is Bill who is the only one to hold the fate of humanity in his hands, provided he is helped by Isla.	June 7, 2021

Season 3[]

#	Title	Sypnosis	Original Airdate
17	"Episode 1"	After saving humanity, Bill Ward finds himself locked up in prison. Bitter, he will take a close interest in a new subject: many people around the world are victims of mysterious visions, including MI5 agent Zoe. Meanwhile, the discovery of a black hole prompts Catherine to investigate this global phenomenon.	September 5, 2022
18	"Episode 2"	Astronauts Juliet Arquette and Richard Gallagher witness Catherine's theories in space as Adina plots revenge against humanity. Mourning over the death of her sister, Catherine decides to research the phenomenon with the help of Johannes. An unexpected encounter prompts Kariem to continue her investigation of global psychosis. Faced with the damage caused by Adina's latest attacks, Zoe decides to turn to Bill to thwart the alien's plans.	September 5, 2022
19	"Episode 3"	Richard discovers new data on the global phenomenon. Catherine must take a risk to continue her research, but is she ready to do it? Meanwhile, a new revelation tests Martha's loyalty, and Zoe is forced to make an urgent sacrifice with the help of her newfound allies.	September 12, 2022
20	"Episode 4"	Betrayed, Tom forges an unexpected alliance with Zoe. Confronted with the teenager, Bill must again answer for the consequences of his sacrifice. Zoe takes a drastic step to stop Adina's plan. From the alternate world, Catherine discovers that interstellar activity is badly affecting people. She sets out to find a solution, but is in serious danger.	September 12, 2022
21	"Episode 5"	Martha unwittingly unleashes a fatal gunfight resulting in severe damage. In the alternate world, Catherine and Sam arrive at their destination, but encounter some unforeseen events. Bill then tries to contact Catherine, but when he can't reach her, he turns to a drastic solution.	September 19, 2022
22	"Episode 6"	Bill investigates more of Catherine's findings and thwarts the aliens' deadly plans, but the group finds themselves in danger once again. Meanwhile, a run-in with the aliens ends tragically. Catherine secretly hatches a plan against her captors, but will she abandon Sam?	September 19, 2022
23	"Episode 7"	Catherine shares vital information about the black hole with Richard. Martha discovers Adina's destructive plan which the resistance group confronts. With little time left, the group is forced to take ever greater risks and make painful sacrifices to save the world.	September 26, 2022
24	"Episode 8"	Helpless against Adina's plan, Bill has no choice but to make a risky bet while his comrades prepare for a brutal end. In space, Richard and Juliet realize how close humanity is to annihilation, but will they be able to go to any lengths to save Earth?	September 26, 2022

Production Notes[]

Production took place in the United Kingdom, France and Belgium. The series was filmed in Bristol in March 2019, as well as filming in Cardiff, Newport and London.

Trivia[]

Instead of the Martians using the Tripods, they use mechanical hounds to hunt down humans. They resemble the robot model "Spot" from the Boston Dynamics company.