In the first ‘Alien’ film, the Nostromo crew struggled desperately to both survive and eliminate the terrifying alien creature. Contrastingly, in ‘Aliens’, a well-equipped squad of Colonial Marines faced heavy losses despite being better prepared for the horrifying encounter. The upcoming series ‘Alien: Earth’ features a team from Prodigy Corporation aiming to control the threat posed by monstrous aliens that crash-land on Earth; it remains unclear if their home advantage will lead to mission success. ‘Alien: Earth’ premieres on FX on August 12th.
2120 finds Earth under rule by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. This is the Corporate Age, where cyborgs (individuals with both organic and mechanical components) and synthetics (robot humans with artificial intelligence) coexist with humans. However, the game changes when the brilliant Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation develops a groundbreaking technology: hybrids (robots imbued with human awareness). The first hybrid prototype, ‘Wendy’ (Sydney Chandler), ushers in a new epoch in the pursuit of immortality. When Weyland-Yutani’s spacecraft crashes into Prodigy City, ‘Wendy’ and other hybrids come across life forms more fearsome than anyone could have ever conceived.
Playing the roles in Prodigy’s response team are Alex Lawther as Hermit, Diêm Camille as Siberian, and Moe Bar-El as Rashidi.
I had a chance to chat with the cast members of the TV show “Alien: Earth” while they were on set. We discussed their upcoming journey, the unexpected twists it holds for long-term fans, and much more.
Previously, how would you describe your feelings towards the Alien franchise? And could you share any personal connections or experiences you had with it before this chance arose?
Alex Lawther: I’d definitely watched the first movie, and I admired Ridley Scott’s work greatly. In fact, we had worked together on a film titled The Last Jewel some time ago. Additionally, I was already a fan of Noah Hawley, our showrunner. The idea of combining these two worlds seemed incredibly thrilling to me.
Diêm Camille: I’m a devotee, not one to decipher every line in a scene. That’s more for the die-hard fans. I’m captivated by storytelling and the franchise as a whole, particularly their chilling films which I initially wasn’t fond of until I watched Alien. It was awe-inspiring to witness how they created a narrative set in a near future that resonated with me in some way, despite its surrealistic nature. There are numerous aspects and emotions that feel genuine and relatable. And Sigourney Weaver is always relatable, she’s the Queen Bee.
As a follower, when I resided in Iran, I first encountered the movie “Alien” without fully grasping its dialogue due to my limited English proficiency at the time. However, the striking visuals of the Alien bursting from the stomach and other scenes left an indelible impression on me. Fast forward to now, when I was fortunate enough to secure a job related to the series, I revisited “Alien 1” to avoid getting lost in its lore. Upon rewatching, I found myself captivated by it again, and felt confident about the direction of the show and its aesthetic, as we aim to preserve the ’70s vibe for this new series. For now, I’m content with my knowledge from “Alien 1” and eagerly anticipate watching “Prometheus,” especially since I am a fan of Michael Fassbender.
Did your prior familiarity with the movie Alien, without having knowledge of its plot because you saw it first at an early age, influence how you developed your character or how you perceived it as a child, even though you might not have understood the dialogue, but rather focused on the characters’ body language and facial expressions instead?
Bar-El feels a mix of affirmation and denial. He affirms that the show maintains a ’70s vibe, as evidenced by the hairstyle and costumes, including his current George Michael-inspired hairdo. However, he denies that this approach was applied to his character Rashidi specifically; instead, he approached the role with fresh perspectives, considering who Rashidi is, where he comes from, and his background. Regarding the character of Rashidi, he kept the original Alien completely distinct from his character development.
Considering its heritage, what did you find most unexpected when you delved into the scripts for Alien: Earth?
Camille: I wasn’t just surprised, but incredibly thrilled by how captivating the script turned out to be. I’ve always known Noah to be a talented writer, of course, and now that I’ve read it, I can confidently say he’s one of the best writers I’ve ever encountered. His ability to craft such intricate shifts, twists, and turns in the narrative is simply astounding. The way he writes is so engaging that it feels like watching a movie unfold before my eyes. I have no doubt that the visuals will be heart-wrenching, and this production promises to be truly mind-blowing.
Furthermore, what resonates with me are the themes of family, love, loyalty, and friendship found within these scripts. These elements will anchor the series, making it more relatable and immersive. Thus, whenever it seems too unbelievable or shocking, it brings viewers back to a sense of reality.
I find science fiction fascinating because it allows us to delve into possibilities, examine concepts, and ask questions such as “What could this become in the future?” or “What if our present course took a different turn?” Therefore, science fiction can be seen as a deeply thought-provoking realm of literature. A profoundly philosophical genre.
In my opinion, this TV series, viewed through the lens of a solitary person like myself, seems to delve into the ambiguous boundary between what’s foreign and what’s familiar, and it intrigues me to ponder where one ends and the other begins. I find this question both fascinating and challenging.
After securing the role, did you delve back into the lore, or given that it stood as such a distinct entity, did you instead focus on adhering to the provided material?
Revisiting some films prior to starting work was beneficial, not only for familiarizing oneself with the basics, but also for understanding Noah’s unique writing style, particularly his rhythms and cadences. The most exciting aspect of working with Noah is his imagination, both in what he writes and how he directs on set. It’s been about fully appreciating this creativity, essentially.
The television series carries a motif reminiscent of the ‘Lost Boys’ from Peter Pan, mirrored by the diverse cast hailing from various parts of the globe who have converged in Bangkok. How has the collaboration with your fellow actors been? Was it straightforward to grasp the dynamics right away or did you require some preparation outside of set to acclimate and adopt that mindset?
Lawther: We indeed had plenty of time to prepare, spending it on stunts and hand-to-hand combat. This physical training proved quite beneficial. I believe they brought us here early not only for adjusting to the local weather and time zone, but also because we’re all from different corners of the world. In essence, a significant portion of the cast is around the same age, which has been delightful, making us a group of late 20-somethings in Bangkok.
It seems that many of us are newcomers, and we’ve all been warmly greeted by the Thai staff and team. This journey has started off quite smoothly for everyone, hasn’t it?
When it comes to playing your character as Wendy’s brother on the show, did you take a special approach alongside Sydney to create that sibling connection?
It seems we both possess an innate desire to delve into various aspects. Our curiosity is palpable, as we’re eager to understand the unique nature of our connection and uncover the history that binds us together. We’ve spent countless weekends simply conversing, exchanging thoughts, and striving to find a common tongue.
What aspect of the character made you feel an instant affinity as you read, and at the same time, what part of the character appeared completely different from your personality?
As a devoted gym enthusiast myself, much like the protagonist in this series, I found myself drawn into Episode 1. Rashidi is a character who embodies determination and unwavering resolve, traits that resonate deeply with me. He’s not one to defy orders or stray from his path, making him more of an ally than a rebel. His mission is clear: survival and safety for himself and his team. This relentless pursuit of a goal mirrors my own personal drive, making Rashidi a character I can easily identify with.
What didn’t resonate with me was the military training, specifically handling guns. A fortnight ago, I visited a shooting range, thinking that my previous military training would make me proficient. However, as soon as I picked up a gun, it became apparent that Rashidi and I share no similarities in this area, for he is an expert, while I am clearly out of my depth, like Moe who has minimal experience with guns.
As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself deeply moved by the captivating series, “Hermit.” Set in a world that appears devoid of humanity, the characters exhibit rational, unemotional behavior as their modus operandi. However, Hermit stands out as a character who embodies profound human emotions, exploring what it truly means to be human, and fostering a sense of community and care. This heartfelt exploration contrasts beautifully with the cold, detached nature of the other characters in a story called “Aliens.” The medic character’s quest is always seeking something human, and that journey resonated deeply within me.
In this setting, the harshest and most unfamiliar aspect for me was… Being a medic in a military environment presents an unyielding, unfeeling world, starkly contrasting with my gentle nature. It was intriguing to discover how my delicate character could fit into such a rigid system.
Camille: I’m drawn to characters who can show vulnerability because it’s not often I get to do so in my roles, which tend to be stereotypical or reinforce familiar tropes. However, recently I’ve landed roles that feel more humanizing, and this trend has continued with this role. What intrigued me about this character is her strength, badassness, and coolness, but also her superstition. I was curious about the source of her superstition because she has people she cares for whom she’s trying to protect. Additionally, she has a complicated relationship with Hermit, who annoys her since he’s associated with death, and she doesn’t want to meet the same fate. Furthermore, she’s concerned about the people she loves potentially dying due to his ineptitude at his job, in her view.
In her thought, when you exert effort, she believes you should be attentive and prepared at all times as a Marine, given her rank. This is because she’s an E4 Corporal and oversees other Marines. It frustrates her when people aren’t focused. I find it intriguing that this character embodies responsibility but also has a playful, cheeky side. She’s brave, yet there are instances in the script where I sense a touch of loneliness, which I found appealing because it adds a layer of vulnerability to her character. This is something I was drawn to as it presented the toughness I wanted, but also reminded me that no one is always tough.
As I stepped onto the set and began to breathe life into those tender scenes, I found myself torn between two feelings. On one hand, the challenges of acting became painfully evident, prompting a thought like, “Ah, yes, this is indeed difficult.” But on the other hand, the opportunity to explore dimensions of my craft that I hadn’t yet touched filled me with excitement and relief, whispering, “At last, here’s where I get to do all the things I’ve been yearning to do.
Camille: One of my most cherished moments during military training happened during the first week. Our stunt coordinator, Rob Inch, presented me with a preview of the stunts I would perform, which turned out to be the biggest one. My initial reaction was, “Alright, let’s get started.” Prior to that, I had been trying to remain composed about getting the role because I knew stories about people being replaced or recast on set. So I told myself, “Stay calm, stay calm.” When I saw the preview, I started crying. Rob asked if I was alright and I explained, “I’m crying because it suddenly hit me that I am doing Alien. It was such a poignant moment.” I believe that the way Noah carefully selected the cast, Thai crew, and original crew demonstrates his faith in himself. This confidence is what fuels everything he does and writes.
Due to the fact that we all arrived with such an attitude of gratitude, kindness, and dedication, when I’m constantly on alert, or “gunning up,” as you might say, every day – it’s like being armed. However, it’s not the weapon that gives me a sense of security, but rather the people around me who do. I was once asked, “Did you trust the people responsible for performing stunts with you and everything?” I trust everyone because they’re here for a purpose. That instantaneously makes me trust them.
Are there any episodes in particular that you’re particularly looking forward to, without revealing their content? If the audience really enjoys Episode 3 when it airs, will it prompt responses like, “I can’t wait for Episode 6” instead?
Bar-El: This show is definitely one that leaves you saying “Wow” after watching the earlier episodes. As more episodes are released, it seems like they’re still making some adjustments, but the action certainly ramps up as it progresses. I believe Alien fans will find a lot more of what they’ve been hoping for, without spoiling too much. It’s safe to say that they’re getting exactly what they paid for – and then some.
Alien: Earth premieres on FX on August 12th.
This conversation has been shortened and made clearer. If you wish to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh, feel free to do so through his Twitter or Instagram accounts.
Keep an eye out for additional coverage on our “Alien: Earth” series, featuring unique conversations with both the actors and production team. To catch up on these insights, simply click here.
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2025-07-21 23:44