Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank is set to headline the new Netflix space drama ‘Away’, from Jason Katims (‘Rise’) and Matt Reeves (‘The Passage’). Though she is mainly known for starring in movies, including ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’, for which she won her Oscars, Swank recently headlined the FX drama series ‘Trust’ about the abduction of John Paul Getty III. Early in her career, she also had a recurring role on ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’. ‘Away’ is inspired by Chris Jones’ story of the same name, originally published in Esquire in 2014. The first season of the TV series is expected to consist of 10 episodes.
Away centers on Emma Green, an American astronaut who must leave her husband and teenage daughter behind to command an international space crew embarking on a treacherous mission. The drama explores hope, humanity and how people need one another in order to achieve the impossible.
Jones’ Esquire article followed astronaut Scott Kelly’s year aboard the International Space Station, which was one of the most ambitious space missions ever. The TV series obviously differs in that the astronauts in that are traveling to Mars and not just orbiting the Earth.
Jessica Goldberg will serve as showrunner, having previously created and served in the same capacity on Hulu’s ‘The Path’, which Katims also executive produced. ‘Nashville’s Edward Zwick will direct the pilot and will also executive produce. Andrew Hinderaker is also executive producing and will co-write the first script with Katims, after having collaborated with him on ‘The Path’ and ‘Pure Genius’. Hinderaker was previously one of the main writers for Showtime’s ‘Penny Dreadful‘. The show will also be executive produced by Adam Kassan, Michelle Lee (the pilot) and Jeni Mulein (episodes two through 10).
‘Away’ still seems to be early in the development process, so it should be some time before we learn more, but check back for details as they emerge.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
