For half a century, the image that Alien enthusiasts have typically associated with the franchise’s danger has been the xenomorph. Yet, as new installments emerged, it became evident that another threat was taking shape: the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Although not as fearsome as the xenomorph, viewers have seen in numerous movies how this corporation prioritizes profits over people, often leading to tragic consequences for protagonists. In this light, actor Babou Ceesay faces a complex predicament in the upcoming Alien: Earth, since he assumes the role of Weyland-Yutani’s public figure, yet throughout the series, we will uncover that he is not merely a mere pawn in a deadly system. Alien: Earth is slated to debut on FX on August 12th.
In the universe of the show, companies are pushing human boundaries by creating artificial beings, genetic mixes, and for Ceesay’s character, Morrow, even cyborgs, adding a layer of complexity to the storyline.
During the press event for Alien: Earth, Ceesay explained, “I prefer not to reveal his background, but let’s put it this way – he’s a cyborg. However, when you think of a cyborg, you might imagine someone entirely mechanical. But that’s not the case here. He’s human and carries human flaws. In contrast, synths are AI brains inside synthetic bodies, while hybrids are both. So, he’s a cyborg, much like an iPhone 1 in a world of iPhone 20s. Despite being outdated by today’s standards, he has a remarkable clarity about his purpose and is relentless in pursuing it.
2120 finds me living in an era ruled by five colossal corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. In this corporate-driven world, the lines between human and machine blur with the existence of cyborgs and synthetics. However, the game takes a dramatic turn when the brilliant mind behind Prodigy Corporation, its Founder and CEO, unveils a groundbreaking technology: hybrids, humanoid robots imbued with human consciousness. The first prototype, ‘Wendy’ (Sydney Chandler), heralds a new chapter in humanity’s quest for immortality. But when Weyland-Yutani’s spacecraft collides into Prodigy City, Wendy and the other hybrids stumble upon life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever dared to imagine.
Since Morrow doesn’t stand to benefit greatly from Weyland-Yutani’s earnings, there’s an additional explanation for his unwavering allegiance to the company.
He was left alone due to his condition of palsy, which made his left arm uncontrollable. As a child, it was challenging for him to interact with others, but Yutani noticed and took him in. He provided him with a cybernetic arm and a sense of purpose. Ceesay recounted that there’s a line where he says, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to be entirely mechanical instead of what I am, the worst parts of a man?’ I believe he was referring to his emotions because they often caused him conflict. He yearned for the detached, task-oriented mentality.
As a passionate cinephile, I must say, the peculiarities of interstellar journeys are such that when Morrow ventures into the vast expanse of deep space, an abnormal amount of time elapses on Earth. This temporal disjunction between the crew he departed from and the one he ultimately reunites with creates a certain estrangement, much like the feelings experienced by characters in a sci-fi film returning home after a long voyage into the cosmos.
The actor confirmed that it’s been 65 years since the character he portrays left Earth. Given this time gap, it seems likely that Yutani, when first introduced, might have had a more compassionate nature. However, the current version of Yutani, whom he’s not familiar with, is still adjusting to the passage of time, realizing it’s 65 years later. This newer Yutani is more streamlined, calculating, and focused on their objectives. Nevertheless, they all share these characteristics in his perspective.
He went on to say, “There are intricate changes such as the world becoming warmer and society being reshuffled in a manner he struggles to comprehend. Since everyone he’s ever known has passed away, it’s incredibly challenging for him to establish trust with essentially new acquaintances.
In contrast to previous installments, “Alien: Earth” signifies the debut of a long-running, live-action television series set in this universe. Actor Michael Ceesay expresses his thoughts about becoming part of this project.
Ceesay confessed that the experience has been overwhelming. He was the first one to start shooting in the entire series due to actor strikes and subsequent changes in plans. When he arrived on set, it had been meticulously built to resemble the movie, leaving him both honored and thrilled. As a huge fan of the original, stepping into this world was a surreal, almost mind-boggling experience. Even after eight months, he finds himself still in awe, likening it to cracking open an egg and having one’s mind blown. Despite his awe, he tries to remind himself that he’s there to work, not just to be amazed, as Matthew McConaughey advises in his book.
Through the amount of time Ceesay has had to embody the character, he’s been able to incorporate more aspects of himself into Morrow, thereby enhancing Morrow’s complexity with additional dimensions.
As a cinephile, it’s challenging to acknowledge this, but there’s an aspect of him that’s almost inexplicable – it’s not just ‘dark,’ if that makes sense. The actor emphasized his fascination with the character Morrow, particularly his knack for manipulating others using their own psychological vulnerabilities.
Coming from Africa at 18 and settling in England was a cultural shock for me. I had to learn to switch between identities quickly, emotionally disconnecting from people for nearly a year during that transition. It felt like I was betraying my communal roots – almost selling out, as if I was compromising my true self to adapt to a new environment.
Reflecting on my recent return to Africa, memories of my past came flooding back when I began crafting Morrow’s character. A particular instance resurfaced, where I found myself seeking a connection to achieve my goals, albeit in a ruthless manner – a realization that might sound harsh. Fortunately, nowadays, I prefer open communication over manipulation. However, as I contemplate Morrow, I can’t help but feel he’s been gone for 65 years and must confront the obstacles before him with unyielding determination. He identifies vulnerabilities and relentlessly exploits them to push forward.
Ceesay acknowledged that he finds the character’s actions intriguing, even though it may seem disturbing. He admits to being drawn to the complexity of the character, particularly one specific aspect in the storyline, despite having reservations about it personally. However, he enjoys exploring and challenging these complexities.
Alien: Earth lands on FX on August 12th.
Reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally via his Twitter or Instagram handles.
Keep an eye out for additional updates on our “Alien: Earth” coverage, featuring unique conversations with both the cast and team behind the scenes, by clicking over here.
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2025-07-29 00:35