Station Eleven (miniseries)
Station Eleven | |
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Genre |
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Created by | Patrick Somerville |
Based on | Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel |
Starring |
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Music by | Dan Romer |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production locations |
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Cinematography |
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Editors |
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Running time | 44–59 minutes |
Production companies |
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Release | |
Original network | HBO Max |
Original release | December 16, 2021 January 13, 2022 | –
Station Eleven is an American post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction miniseries created by Patrick Somerville based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel. The miniseries premiered on HBO Max on December 16, 2021.[1]
Premise[]
Twenty years after a flu pandemic resulted in the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors who make their living as traveling performers encounter a violent cult led by a man whose past is unknowingly linked to a member of the troupe.[2]
Cast[]
Main[]
- Mackenzie Davis as Kirsten, a young woman who is now the star actress with the Traveling Symphony
- Matilda Lawler as Young Kirsten, a child actress at the onset of the pandemic, starring in a show with Arthur Leander
- Himesh Patel as Jeevan Chaudhary, an audience member the night of the pandemic who takes care of Kirsten
- David Wilmot as Clark Thompson, Arthur Leander's former best friend who now leads an isolated compound at the Severn City airport
- Nabhaan Rizwan as Frank Chaudhary, Jeevan's brother, a writer who became a recluse after an injury left him disabled
- Daniel Zovatto as Tyler Leander, the son of Arthur and Elizabeth, he leads a group of rogue children and is known as the Prophet
- Julian Obradors as young Tyler
- Philippine Velge as Alexandra, a younger member of the Traveling Symphony
- Lori Petty as Sarah, the co-founder of the Traveling Symphony
Recurring[]
- Gael García Bernal as Arthur Leander, a famous actor who dies on stage the night the pandemic began, formerly married to Miranda and Elizabeth, father to Tyler
- Danielle Deadwyler as Miranda Carroll, Arthur's first wife and the author of the graphic novel Station Eleven
- Caitlin FitzGerald as Elizabeth, Arthur's second wife and Tyler's mother, who became a famous actress in German cinema
- Andy McQueen as Sayid, a member of the Traveling Symphony
- David Cross as Gil, a founder of the Traveling Symphony and Sarah's former partner
- Enrico Colantoni as Brian, Elizabeth's associate and an agent for the Museum of Civilization
- Deborah Cox as Wendy, a member of the Traveling Symphony
- Luca Villacis as Cody
- Prince Amponsah as August, a member of the Traveling Symphony
- Dylan Taylor as Dan
- Joe Pingue as Dieter
- Maxwell McCabe-Lokos as Vlad
- Ajahnis Charley as Chrysanthemum
- Milton Barnes as Miles, an employee at the Severn City airport who forms a romantic relationship with Clark
- Kate Moyer as Haley Butterscotch
- Timothy Simons as Jim, Miranda's coworker
Episodes[]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
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1 | "Wheel of Fire" | Hiro Murai | Patrick Somerville | December 16, 2021 | |
When famed actor Arthur Leander dies on stage, audience member Jeevan Chaudhary is left caring for child actor Kirsten Raymonde who was abandoned backstage. It soon becomes apparent that Chicago is suffering at the hands of a mysterious virus, and Jeevan is faced with a difficult decision in the name of survival. | |||||
2 | "A Hawk from a Handsaw" | Jeremy Podeswa | Patrick Somerville | December 16, 2021 | |
Twenty years after the outbreak of the virus, Kirsten is a member of the Travelling Symphony; a nomadic group of actors and musicians who perform Shakespearean plays. On their travels Kirsten meets a mysterious man, who references a prophecy. Twenty years earlier at the outset of the virus, Kirsten learns her parents are deceased. | |||||
3 | "Hurricane" | Hiro Murai | Shannon Houston | December 16, 2021 | |
In the past, Arthur meets and spends time with love interest Miranda, who is the author of the Station Eleven graphic novel Kirsten continually references. In 2020, the couple have separated, but Miranda visits Arthur to deliver a published copy of the graphic novel. A young Kirsten watches on in interest. Later, Miranda attempts to flee a work trip in Malaysia as the virus spreads, but is told by mutual friend Clark Thompson that Arthur died on stage that night. Miranda chooses to stay in Malaysia, taping up her door in an attempt to keep the virus out as she sees images from her graphic novel. | |||||
4 | "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Aren't Dead" | Helen Shaver | Nick Cuse | December 23, 2021 | |
After her run in with the mysterious stranger, Kirsten warns her fellow actor Alex to be wary of outsiders. Alex finds a note that reads "beware of the prophet", and shows Kirsten who recognises from a drawing that the prophet is the stranger she encountered earlier. The Travelling Symphony visits the home of their former conductor, where they are told The Prophet has kidnapped all of their children. | |||||
5 | "The Severn City Airport" | Lucy Tcherniak | Cord Jefferson | December 23, 2021 | |
At the outset of the pandemic, Clark is stuck at Severn City airport with Elizabeth; Arthur’s second wife, and Tyler; Arthur and Elizabeth’s child. Those inside the airport set up a settlement, while a plane full of travellers is left stranded on the tarmac after potential exposure to the virus. The identity of The Prophet is revealed. | |||||
6 | "Survival is Insufficient" | Helen Shaver | Sarah McCarron | December 30, 2021 | |
Kirsten sets off in search of Alex, who has disappeared after an attack orchestrated by The Prophet. In the woods, Kirsten meets with The Prophet and his group of children, agreeing to help them gain access to the community at Severn City airport in an attempt to ensure the safety of the Travelling Symphony. | |||||
7 | "Goodbye My Damaged Home" | Lucy Tcherniak | Kim Steele | December 30, 2021 | |
Kirsten revisits memories from her younger self, remembering her time with Jeevan in his brother Frank’s apartment at the beginning of the virus outbreak. In the present, Kirsten struggles with a serious ailment. | |||||
8 | "Who's There?" | Helen Shaver | Patrick Somerville and Sarah McCarron | January 6, 2022 | |
Kirsten and The Prophet continue on their way to Severn City airport, where the rest of the Travelling Symphony are being held in quarantine. Clark welcomes the pair to the airport, but forces them to perform a scene from a play to prove they are actors. The duo perform a sequence from Station Eleven. Prior to the outbreak, Clark fights with Arthur, before meeting his son Tyler for the first time. In the present, The Prophet enacts a plan of revenge against Clark at the airport. | |||||
9 | "Dr. Chaudhary" | Jeremy Podeswa | Will Weggel and Patrick Somerville | January 6, 2022 | |
Almost a year after the outset of the virus, Kirsten and Jeevan seek refuge in a cabin during winter. The pair are at odds over Kirsten’s persistent reading of Station Eleven. Jeevan argues that the pair need to find more people, while Kirsten is mad that Jeevan made them leave Frank’s apartment. The duo are separated, and Jeevan is forced to deal with a medical situation among a group of strangers, while Kirsten has disappeared prior to joining the Travelling Symphony. | |||||
10 | "Unbroken Circle" | Jeremy Podeswa | Patrick Somerville | January 13, 2022 | |
At the outset of the virus outbreak, Miranda asks Clark to care for Elizabeth and Tyler. She calls the pilot of a plane arriving from Chicago and tells him to keep all passengers on board when arriving at Severn City airport so as to not spread the virus to those inside. In the present, Kirsten and the Travelling Symphony are freed from their quarantine to perform a play for the community at the airport. The Prophet attempts to reconnect with his past. Jeevan searches for Kirsten, almost 20 years since their separation. |
Production[]
Development[]
In February 2015, producer Scott Steindorff acquired the TV and film rights to the novel.[3] On June 25, 2019, the series was ordered by the streaming service HBO Max, created by Patrick Somerville with Hiro Murai attached as a director. Both are executive producing alongside Scott Delman, Dylan Russell, Scott Steindorff, Jessica Rhoades, Jeremy Podeswa, and Nate Matteson.[1][2] The miniseries premiered on December 16, 2021. Podeswa, Helen Shaver, and Lucy Tcherniak also directed episodes.[1]
Casting[]
In October 2019, Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel and David Wilmot were cast to star in the series.[4][5] Matilda Lawler would be added in November 2019.[6] In January 2020, Gael García Bernal was cast in a recurring role.[7] In February 2020, Danielle Deadwyler joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[8] Nabhaan Rizwan and Philippine Velge would join as series leads in March 2020.[9] In April 2021, Daniel Zovatto and Lori Petty joined the cast in lead roles, while Andy McQueen, David Cross, Enrico Colantoni, Julian Obradors, and Deborah Cox joined the cast in recurring roles.[10][11] Luca Villacis, Prince Amponsah, Dylan Taylor, Joe Pingue, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Ajahnis Charley, Milton Barnes and Kate Moyer joined the cast in recurring capacities in June 2021.[12]
Filming[]
Filming began in Chicago in January 2020.[13] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production moved to Mississauga on February 1, 2021, and concluded on July 9, 2021.[14]
Reception[]
Rotten Tomatoes reports a 98% approval rating with an average rating of 8.2/10, based on 43 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Station Eleven rewards patient viewers with an insightful and thematically rich assertion that—even in the post-apocalypse—the show must go on."[15] On the review aggregator Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[16]
References[]
- ^ a b c "HBO Max Releases Teaser And First Look Images From The Max Original Limited Series, STATION ELEVEN". WarnerMedia (Press release). November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (June 25, 2019). "WarnerMedia Streamer Orders 'Station Eleven' & 'Made For Love' Series From Patrick Somerville & Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana (February 10, 2015). "Best-Seller 'Station Eleven' Acquired by 'Jane Got a Gun' Producer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2019). "Mackenzie Davis & Himesh Patel To Star In 'Station Eleven' HBO Max Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (October 31, 2019). "David Wilmot Joins 'Station Eleven' HBO Max Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (November 22, 2019). "Matilda Lawler Joins 'Station Eleven' HBO Max Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 13, 2020). "Gael García Bernal Joins 'Station Eleven' HBO Max Limited Series As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Rico, Klaritza (February 4, 2020). "TV News Roundup: Danielle Deadwyler Joins HBO Max's 'Station Eleven' Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 10, 2020). "'Station Eleven': Nabhaan Rizwan & Philippine Velge Join HBO Max Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2021). "'Station Eleven': Daniel Zovatto & Lori Petty Join HBO Max Limited Series, Quartet Set To Recur". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 16, 2021). "Deborah Cox Joins HBO Max Series 'Station Eleven' As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 25, 2021). "'Station Eleven': HBO Max's Post-Apocalyptic Limited Series Adds Eight To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Steves, Ashley (January 17, 2020). "Chicago What's Filming: HBO Max's 'Station Eleven,' Starring Mackenzie Davis + Gael García Bernal". Backstage. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ "Current Productions | IATSE 873". IATSE 873. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "Station Eleven: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ "Station Eleven: Season 1". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
External links[]
- 2020s American drama television miniseries
- 2020s American science fiction television series
- 2021 American television series debuts
- 2022 American television series endings
- English-language television shows
- HBO Max original programming
- Post-apocalyptic television series
- Television shows based on Canadian novels
- Television shows filmed in Illinois
- Television shows filmed in Ontario
- Television series by Paramount Television