Hot Picks: Beacon 23

Sci-fi drama Beacon 23 is based on a novel by author Hugh Howey. Typical of Howey’s work, the story evolved through interaction with fans online. But his initial premise of “a lighthouse operator in outer space” is unchanged.

In Boat Rocker’s adaptation, the action takes place in the 23rd century, when Aster (Game Of Thrones’ Lena Headey) mysteriously finds her way to Beacon 23, a ‘space lighthouse’ manned by Halan, played by Stephan James (Homecoming). Stuck together in the darkest recesses of space, a tense battle of wills unfolds as the reclusive beacon keeper starts to question the newcomer’s agenda.

Beacon 23 is a landmark series for Boat Rocker Studios – its first official internal scripted launch.

“The book was optioned and developed by our LA-based scripted division,” says Boat Rocker Studios president of kids & family and rights John Rutherford.

“What really makes Beacon 23 work from a business perspective is that it has Spectrum and AMC involved in the US, which means there is a meaningful international rights distribution opportunity for us.”

“Sci-fi fans will love all its futuristic bells and whistles, but at its core this is an intimate thriller that could unfold in any setting”

Creatively, the drama ticks all the boxes for Rutherford, from writer Zak Penn (Ready Player One) to Headey leading the cast. “But we also know sci-fi is a genre that appeals to buyers,” he says.

“Beacon 23 is a high-end production – like a feature film spread out across a series. The partners like what they’ve seen so far and ordered a second season of eight episodes while the first was still in production.”

Sci-fi series based on books can be a gamble because they risk only appealing to fans already familiar with the work, but Rutherford says the beauty of Beacon 23 is that it’s “a mystery with lots of twists and turns”.

“Sci-fi fans will love all its futuristic bells and whistles, but at its core this is an intimate thriller that could unfold in any setting,” he adds.

While genre channels are an obvious target, the premium production values and thriller narrative mean the series could work anywhere, with Rutherford predicting interest from global and regional streamers and premium pay-TV.