USA Network has swooped in to save Resident Alien from cancellation, ensuring fans will get more of their favorite sci-fi comedy-drama. Originally airing its first three seasons on Syfy, the show will now head to another NBCUniversal network, USA, for its fourth season. This move is a lifeline for the series, which performs exceptionally well for cable standards, drawing in an average of 3.3 million viewers per week.
A New Home for a Beloved Series
Despite its popularity, Resident Alien faced the threat of cancellation due to its high production costs. Syfy, known for its tight budget, often struggles to sustain expensive shows, no matter how beloved they are. We’ve seen this pattern before with shows like Krypton. Fortunately, USA Network recognized the potential and fanbase of Resident Alien and decided to give it another chance.
Based on the Dark Horse Comics series by Peter Hogan and Stephen Parkhouse, Resident Alien features Alan Tudyk as Harry, an alien who crash-lands on Earth with a secret mission to kill all humans. The show stars a vibrant cast including Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, and others who bring the quirky small town to life, reminiscent of a less-spooky Twin Peaks.
Season Three Cliffhangers and Production Challenges
The third season ended on a massive cliffhanger with Harry in the custody of the bad guys, while another alien impersonates him back on Earth. Sheriff Mike, played by Corey Reynolds, has discovered the existence of aliens, causing his entire worldview to shatter.
Initially, the third season was set for 12 episodes, but this order was cut down to eight, creating significant challenges for the production team. Showrunner Chris Sheridan explained the situation to ComicBook: “We started out with 12 episodes, and then midway through the writers’ room we were cut down to eight — which is a huge change, but we also had to start shooting at the same time, so we didn’t have time to reconceive the season as an 8-episode show. What we had to do was to take the 12 episodes and do them in eight episodes.”
What to Expect in Season Four
While there are no confirmed details about the filming date, airdate, or episode count for the upcoming season, fans are eagerly awaiting more information. Sheridan shared his excitement for the continuation: “I’m excited to get season four and get into these stories.”
Per the official synopsis, Resident Alien “follows a crash-landed alien named Harry whose secret mission is to kill all humans. In season three, Harry vowed to work with General McCallister to rid the Earth of the Grey aliens, a task made more difficult when he discovered that the Grey Hybrid Joseph had taken a job in town as the new Deputy. In addition, Harry struggled to balance business and his personal life when he fell in love for the first time.”
Sources and Further Discussion
This article referenced an interview with showrunner Chris Sheridan on ComicBook and the official series synopsis.
Join us on the next Geek Freaks podcast where we’ll dive deeper into what this means for the series and its dedicated fanbase.
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