Beau Willimon, who created Netflix’s “House of Cards,” is heading over to Hulu for his next project: The First.
“The First,” is a drama set in the near future about the first human mission to Mars. The First is set in the near-future and will chronicle the first human mission to Mars and the challenges of interplanetary colonization. The series will not only focus on the astronauts and scientists on the mission in space, but also the ground team on Earth and the crew's family and loved ones. Sean Penn will play a former NASA astronaut named Tom Hagerty.
Willimon created and wrote “The First” and will serve as executive producer, alongside his producing partner Jordan Tappis. The duo’s company Westward Productions will produce and own the show, which will be co-financed by Hulu, Channel 4 and IMG.
“It’s a story about the human spirit,” said Willimon. “About our indomitable need to reach for unknown horizons. About people working toward the greatest pioneering achievement in human history. And about the cost of that vision, the danger and sacrifice — emotional, psychological, and physical — that’s required to achieve it. How ordinary, imperfect people band together and overcome a myriad of obstacles to grasp the extraordinary.”
Premiere 14th of September on Hulu. 8 Episodes.