The First is an American-British science fiction drama television series, about a team of astronauts who prepare to become the first humans to visit Mars. It was created by Beau Willimon and stars an ensemble cast including Sean Penn, Natascha McElhone, LisaGay Hamilton, Hannah Ware, Keiko Agena, Rey Lucas, James Ransone, Anna Jacoby-Heron, Brian Lee Franklin, Oded Fehr, Norbert Leo Butz, Annie Parisse, Melissa George, Jeannie Berlin, and Bill Camp.
The series, a co-production between American streaming service Hulu and British television network Channel 4, debuted on September 14, 2018, in the United States and on November 1, 2018 in the United Kingdom. On January 18, 2019, Hulu canceled the series after one season.
Premise
The First follows the planning of "the first human mission to Mars, while exploring the challenges of taking the first steps toward interplanetary colonization. The story focuses not only on the astronauts, but also on their families and loved ones, as well as the ground team on Earth."
Cast and characters
Main
Sean Penn as Tom Hagerty, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. Natascha McElhone as Laz Ingram, the CEO of commercial launch provider Vista. Julia Badinger portrays a young Laz in a recurring role. Anna Jacoby-Heron as Denise Hagerty, Tom's estranged daughter struggling with drug addiction. Eden Grace Redfield as young Denise Hagerty in a recurring role. LisaGay Hamilton as Kayla Price, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. Mikaela Kimani Armstrong portrays a young Kayla in a guest appearance in the episode "Cycles". Hannah Ware as Sadie Hewitt, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. Keiko Agena as Aiko Hakari, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. Rey Lucas as Matteo Vega, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. James Ransone as Nick Fletcher, one of five astronauts chosen to be the first people to visit Mars. Brian Lee Franklin as Lawrence, the father of Laz Ingram. Oded Fehr as Eitan Hafri, the leading Vista scientist Norbert Leo Butz as Matthew Dawes, an astronaut killed while leading a previous mission. Annie Parisse as Ellen Dawes, Matthew's wife. Melissa George as Diane Hagerty, Tom's wife. Jeannie Berlin as President Cecily Burke Bill Camp as Aaron Shultz, a journalist. Ana Lucia Souza as the ballet dancer.
Recurring
T. C. Matherne as Jason
D. W. Moffett as Robert Cordine
Tracie Thoms as Nancy, Kayla’s wife
Fernanda Andrade as Camila Rodriguez
Patrick Kennedy as Ollie Bennett, Sadie's husband
Anthony Marble as Engineer #1
Kelly Murtagh as Engineer #2
Amber Patino as Amanda Ingram
Alex Rubin as Devon Ingram
John "Spud" McConnell as Senator Thibodeaux
Scott Takeda as Todd
Sharon Omi as Edith
Miguel Najera as Mr. Castillo
Sol Miranda as Mrs. Castillo
Billy Slaughter as Vista Lawyer
Cara Ronzetti as Myk
Devyn Tyler as Samantha
Fallon Katz as Charlotte Dawes
Marcus Lyle Brown as Launch Director
Galen Lee as Aiko's Son #1
Asher Lee as Aiko's Son #2
Episodes
Production
Development
On May 3, 2017, Hulu and Channel 4 had given the production a straight-to-series order. The show was created by Beau Willimon who was also set to write for the series and executive produce alongside Jordan Tappis. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Westward Productions. The series reportedly has been given a budget of around $54.6 million. On July 16, 2018, it was reported that the series would premiere on September 14, 2018 on Hulu in the United States. On October 22, 2018, it was reported that the series would premiere on November 1, 2018 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. On January 18, 2019, Hulu canceled the series after one season.
Casting
In September 2017, Sean Penn and Natascha McElhone were cast as the series' leads. In October 2017, it was reported that LisaGay Hamilton, Oded Fehr, James Ransone, and Hannah Ware had also joined the main cast. On November 3, 2017, Anna Jacoby-Heron was cast in a series regular role.
Filming
The series was set to finish pre-production and enter principal photography on September 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The shoot was scheduled to last about 85 days though it was later reported that the series would film in the city through March 9, 2018.
