Alien: Earth – Release window, cast, plot & everything we know

The Alien franchise is making its way to the silver screen as Alien: Earth is next on the horizon. From early plot details to the first footage, here’s everything we know about the upcoming prequel series.

The Alien series is heating up once again. Thanks to the success of Alien: Romulus, as Fede Álvarez helped return the IP back to its horrific roots, audiences are eager for more Xenomorphs.

Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait too long between visits to the near-future sci-fi series. Alien is heading to the silver screen for the first time as Alien: Earth draws near.

From release window details to a full look at the cast and an initial teaser, here’s everything you need to know.

Is there an Alien: Earth release date yet?

Alien: Earth is set to release in the first half of 2025, specifically, in Summer, but it doesn’t have an exact release date yet.

So while we don’t know an exact premiere date just yet, Alien fans won’t have to hold their breath for too much longer. In an August 18, 2024 update, Hawley confirmed the series has wrapped filming, so production is still on schedule.

“I’m in post, editing away,” Hawley said. “Obviously, there’s a large visual effects component that takes time. But I couldn’t be happier with the show that we shot. If people wanted a television series based on the world of Alien, I think I’m going to give them something special.”

Alien: Earth marks the IP’s first jump to the silver screen.

It’s yet unclear if the new series will release episodes on a weekly cadence or if the full season will drop right away. We’ll be sure to update you here when further details emerge.

When is Alien: Earth set?

The new Alien series is confirmed to be a prequel, taking place roughly 30 years before the events of Alien. While we don’t yet know an exact place or time, this puts it somewhere in the 2090s on the fictional timeline.

This means the show could now serve as our earliest look at the sci-fi franchise, possibly taking place before even Prometheus.

What is the prequel series about? Plot & timeline details

While much of the plot has been kept under wraps for obvious reasons, we do have some early intel to run with. As the title suggests, the show is primarily based on Earth and deals with the fallout of a “mysterious space vessel” crash landing on our planet.

“A young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat,” the official synopsis reads.

The latest trailer confirmed it’s set roughly two decades before the events of Alien and Aliens, in 2120. In all likelihood, this tale could cover humanity’s real first encounter with Xenomorphs, though how they made their way to Earth, and how no one in the earlier films was aware of their existence, is yet to be explained.

While little is known about the show’s overall plot, we do know synthetic humans will be a key focus.

Showrunner Hawley has implied much of its focus will be “on competitors to the Weland-Yutani Corporation, all of whom have their own plans for synthetic humans.” Thus, the actual aliens themselves could be taking a backseat in this prequel series.

Cast: Who’s in the new show?

Alien: Earth focuses on a group of new characters, meaning you shouldn’t set your hopes on returning figures from the franchise. While there are some notable names among the group, the majority of the cast are relative newcomers.

• Sydney Chandler – Wendy

• Alex Lawther – CJ

• Samuel Blenkin – Boy Kavalier

• Essie Davis – Dame Silvia

• Adarsh Gourav – Slightly

• Kit Young – Tootles

• Timothy Olyphant – Kirsh

• David Rysdahl

• Babou Ceesay

• Jonathan Ajayi

• Erana James

• Lily Newmark

• Diem Camille

• Adrian Edmonson

• Meo Bar-El

• Sandra Yi Sencindiver

Is Alien: Earth using prosthetics or CG?

While there is some CG in Alien: Earth, showrunner Noah Hawley has confirmed most of the work is practical, meaning the xenomorphs were largely brought to life with real prosthetics.

“Mostly practical. I prefer that,” he said in speaking with The Hollywood Reporter. “Obviously there’s some CG, but I always want to feel it in the space and have the actors reacting to real things. I had a guy in a rubber suit. I had WETA working for me. It’s so exciting.”

Alien: Earth trailers

The first official teaser for Alien: Earth aired on January 26, 2025 and helped set the scene. A Xenomorph can be seen struggling inside a ship that’s crashing into orbit. The orbit of which planet, you ask? Earth, of course.

This is very clearly the aforementioned “mysterious space vessel,” and no doubt serves as the central driving force of the show’s first episode.