The cast of the terrifying new Alien series have admitted they weren’t particularly scared of the iconic space menace on set for one simple reason
18:39, 11 Aug 2025Updated 18:39, 11 Aug 2025
Alien: Earth’s cast have revealed the man inside the iconic Xenomorph suit was anything but frightening behind the scenes.
Created by award-winning Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley, the new FX series, premiering this week on Disney+ in the UK, serves as a prequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi nightmare from 1979.
The series’ ensemble cast includes newcomers and familiar faces, including Timothy Olyphant, Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther and Babou Ceesay.
Of course, no entry in the Alien franchise is complete without the terrifying titular extraterrestrials and Hawley has emphasised a return to visceral practical effects to bring the horror to life.
Previewing the series at Alien: Earth’s London premiere, the cast revealed performer Cameron Brown was primarily inside the classic black suit that’s been horrifying fans for over 40 years.
The terrifying sci-fi horror franchise returns this week(Image: FX)
“It was Cameron Brown, who’s a vegan,” Ceesay shared. “Dressed in an eight-foot suit.
“Snarling in your face, K-Y jelly dripping out of his mouth. Yeah, scary.”
However, Ceesay and the rest of the cast couldn’t help giggling as they fondly remembered their time with Brown on set.
Lawther added: “It’s really easy to run away scared from a Xenomorph when it’s really a man who’s a Xenomorph chasing you.”
The cast also revealed their alien-suited co-star would frequently take breaks to munch on carrot sticks and hummus, in stark contrast to his flesh-eating screen persona.
During a panel discussion at Comic-Con’s Hall H, lead actress Chandler previously admitted she was “giddy” to be chased by a Xenomorph, calling Brown “the sweetest person in the world“, per GoldDerby.
And Lawther agreed at the time: “There’s something hysterical about the fearsomeness of the Xenomorph, but then he takes off his head, and he’s from New Zealand, and he doesn’t eat meat.
Actor Cameron Brown was inside the Xenomorph for the new FX series(Image: FX)
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“If you think me and Sydney are soft-spoken, just wait till you meet the Xenomorph.”
Die-hard fans of the original film by director Ridley Scott, as well as its subsequent sequels, will be thrilled to discover that Hawley relied on practical effects and sets as often as possible.
Elaborating on the advantages of practical techniques versus CGI, he explained: “I think it’s meaningful, both to the cast and, I think audiences know when something’s real or not real.
“We’ve gotten very good at tricking them, but, usually, what you need is some realistic element in the shot.
“The thing with horror is your imagination does most of the work for you, so you don’t want to see the monster for too long. You want to see the shadows, you want to see the open door.
“The shot is half a second and you’ve got a tail on a fishing line and that’s probably gonna work, you know what I mean?”
Critics are saying the Alien franchise is better than ever with the new TV prequel, but will it win fans over who think the Xenomorphs should have stayed in space? Find out soon.
Alien: Earth premieres Wednesday, 13th August on Disney+.
For a limited time only, witness the first stage of the life cycle of the Xenomorph up close with a thrilling new display at London’s Natural History Museum.
Visitors can touch real pieces of the solar system at the Museum’s blockbuster exhibition, Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?, and discover more about one of pop culture’s most iconic and frightening creatures just by the entrance until Friday, 22nd August.
Alien: Earth is the latest instalment in the Alien franchise and is set to arrive on Disney+ in just a week’s time
Alien: Earth, the eagerly awaited TV extension of the iconic Alien franchise, takes its cues from Ridley Scott’s seminal 1979 horror film.
Hot on the heels of last year’s Alien: Romulus, the blood-curdling space thriller is back with a vengeance, offering another chilling perspective on the lethal Xenomorphs.
This eight-part series springs from the creative genius of showrunner Noah Hawley, celebrated for his work on Fargo and Legion, both critically lauded reinterpretations of the Coen Brothers’ eponymous film and the X-Men universe.
Hawley is gearing up to unveil his latest FX collaboration shortly, with Alien: Earth set to land on Disney+ and Hulu in just a week’s time, ready to send shivers down the spines of fans across the globe.
As the new series stands on the brink of becoming another streaming sensation, let’s delve into what we know so far about this enigmatic extension of the Alien narrative, reports the Express.
Alien Earth release date and cast as terrifying sci-fi franchise returns(Image: FX)
The opening two episodes of Alien: Earth are slated for release on Tuesday, 12th August on FX and FX on Hulu stateside.
However, British viewers will have to exercise a bit more patience as the episodes will be available the following day, Wednesday 13th August, on Disney+.
The remainder of the inaugural season will then unfold episodically, with fresh episodes dropping every Tuesday in the US and Wednesdays in the UK.
So far, four episodes have been given official titles, kicking off with the two-part opener Neverland and Mr. October, followed by Metamorphosis and Observation.
Rising star Sydney Chandler leads the cast as hybrid Wendy(Image: FX)
Who is in the cast of Alien: Earth?
The series boasts a star-studded cast led by up-and-coming actress Sydney Chandler, who portrays Wendy, a synthetic body imbued with human consciousness, referred to as a hybrid.
Chandler, daughter of Hollywood star Kyle Chandler, is recognised for her performance in Don’t Worry Darling and last year’s Colin Farrell-fronted thriller, Sugar.
Other big names include Deadwood’s Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh, a synthetic, and Andor’s Alex Lawther as CJ ‘Hermit’, Wendy’s human brother and a medic.
The main cast also comprises:
Samuel Blenkin as Boy Kavalier, the human CEO of the Prodigy Corporation
Essie Davis as Dame Silvia, a human
Adarsh Gourav as Slightly, a hybrid
Kit Young as Tootles, a hybrid
David Rysdahl as Arthur, a human scientist and Dame Silvia’s husband
Babou Ceesay as Morrow, a cyborg (human with some synthetic parts) security officer
Jonathan Ajayi as Smee, a hybrid
Erana James as Curly, a hybrid
Lily Newmark as Nibs, a hybrid
Diêm Camille as Siberian, a human soldier
Adrian Edmondson as Atom Eins
The series will additionally feature Moe Bar-El, Sandra Yi Sencindiver, Richa Moorjani, Karen Aldridge, Enzo Cilenti, Max Rinehart, Amir Boutrous, Victoria Masoma, Tom Moya, Andy Yu, Michael Smiley, Jamie Bisping and Tanapol Chuksrida in supporting roles.
A team of synthetic humans embark on a perilous mission(Image: FX)
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What happens in Alien: Earth?
While most plot details remain shrouded in mystery, fans can glean a rough idea of what the first season holds from its brief synopsis.
Confirmed as a prequel set two years prior to the original Alien film, it sees a terrifying alien menace pitted against an unlikely band of heroes following a catastrophic collision with Earth.
The synopsis teases: “When the space vessel Maginot crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s biggest threat.”
The series will introduce even more deadly threats to the Alien universe(Image: FX)
Is there a trailer for Alien: Earth?
Eager Alien fans can now feast their eyes on the thrilling new series with a two-minute trailer that dropped in early June.
The gripping teaser, launched with the ominous words “We were safer in space”, introduces Wendy’s character as the first-ever hybrid leading a squad of synthetic-humans on a daring rescue mission in the wake of the Maginot’s downfall.
Moreover, the trailer unveils a pivotal twist for the Alien saga, revealing that the Xenomorph wasn’t the only creature aboard the ship; four other entities from the “darkest corners of the universe” are also set to unleash chaos on Earth.
Alien: Earth premieres Tuesday, 12th August on FX and FX on Hulu and Wednesday, 13th August on Disney+.
A surprising number of iconic and underrated 80s movies are currently available to stream – here’s the best of the best
Several incredible movies from the 1980s are available to stream, but what’s the cream of the crop?
Many film buffs will agree that the 80s was one of, if not the best decade for cinema in history, with many of the most iconic films of all time releasing in the space of just 10 years.
From rip-roaring blockbusters to spine-tingling horror movies, the decade launched franchises, produced acclaimed filmmakers and broke box office records left, right and centre.
Let’s run down 10 of the best undeniable classics and a handful of underrated gems, from sci-fi epics to stunning animation and guaranteed tearjerkers.
And, even better, they’re all available to stream right now in the UK, including a handful you can watch completely free.
NOW subscribers are guaranteed a toe-tapping good time with the Blues Brothers(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)
This musical masterpiece starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd is undoubtedly one of the funniest movies produced during this decade.
Based on their iconic Saturday Night Live characters, Jake and Elwood Blues race against time to assemble their R&B band for one last show to save the orphanage where they were raised.
Featuring appearances from beloved blues musicians such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this love letter to music and the city of Chicago is guaranteed to leave you tapping your toes.
The Blues Brothers is available to stream on NOW.
This coming-of-age classic from Steven Spielberg will have you reaching for the tissues(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)
ET
If there’s one name who dominated film culture in the 80s, it’s almost certainly Steven Spielberg.
From acclaimed historical dramas such as The Colour Purple and Empire of the Sun, to rollicking adventures with Indiana Jones, the blockbuster filmmaker released what many consider to be his best films during the decade.
One of his most daring and personal projects at that time, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was a risky venture thanks to its small-scale drama and bold premise. Thankfully, the gamble paid off, knocking Star Wars off its podium and remaining the highest-grossing film of all time, until Spielberg beat his own record a decade later with Jurassic Park.
ET is available to stream on Netflix.
Die Hard is still the greatest action movie ever made(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
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Die Hard
For our money the best action film ever made, Die Hard is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether you’re watching at Christmas or during a heatwave.
Launching the big screen career of Hollywood powerhouse Bruce Willis, John McTiernan’s sublime thriller remains so influential to this day that ‘Die Hard on a [insert location/vehicle here]’ is still a bankable pitch for an action film.
With so many imitators out there, make sure you find time for the triumphant genuine article soon.
Die Hard is available to stream on Disney+.
This often overlooked historical drama is a must-watch(Image: MGM, UA)
A Dry White Season
This underrated historical drama shines a light on the devastating realities of apartheid in South Africa during the 1970s.
Featuring Donald Sutherland as a teacher at a school for white students, he’s forced to question his morals when the son of his Black gardener is viciously murdered by the white police.
One of the first major Hollywood films directed by a Black woman, Euzhan Palcy, and also featuring an oft-forgotten Oscar-nominated performance from Marlon Brando, A Dry White Season is an essential and gripping part of cinema history that often gets overlooked.
A Dry White Season is available to stream on Prime Video.
Kurt Russell takes on a shape-shifting monster from outer space(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)
The Thing
Body horror became a defining sub-genre of the 1980s thanks to the advancement of special effects and film fans’ growing appetite for boundary-pushing scares.
Widely considered the best example, with masterful practical effects and tension in every frame, John Carpenter’s The Thing is a creature feature like no one had ever seen before – or since.
Starring Kurt Russell, this eerie, paranoid thriller about an Antarctica research team who get infiltrated by a shape-shifting extra-terrestrial was a box office flop at the time but has since become a beloved horror classic.
The Thing is available to stream for free on ITVX.
Prepare to be afraid – be very afraid(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
The Fly
With so many excellent gory masterpieces to choose from, why just settle for one example?
Arguably even more horrifying than The Thing is David Cronenberg’s masterpiece The Fly, a morbid reimagining of a classic sci-fi horror from 1958.
Jeff Goldblum portrays an ambitious scientist who begins to transform after perfecting the art of teleportation, only for his machine to malfunction with grotesque results.
The Fly is available to stream on Disney+.
One of the best films about race relations ever made(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)
Do the Right Thing
From body horror to social satire, the 80s were also renowned for a wide variety of thought-provoking dramas.
Influential director Spike Lee was just 32 when he made Do the Right Thing, cementing himself as one of the most prominent Black artists in history by tackling race relations in America like never before.
Combining laugh-out-loud humour with high-stakes drama and career-best performances from much of its cast, which includes Lee himself alongside Danny Aiello, John Turturro and Rosie Perez, there’s a reason why many cinephiles still consider it among the filmmaker’s best work.
Do the Right Thing is available to stream on NOW.
This animated masterpiece is available on Netflix(Image: STUDIO GHIBLI)
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky
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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things.
My Neighbour Totoro
We’d be remiss not to include any animated films on a list of the best of any decade and, while Disney had its fair share of hits, from The Fox and the Hound to The Little Mermaid, in our opinion this masterpiece from Studio Ghibli wipes the floor with all of them.
My Neighbour Totoro is a timeless tale of childhood seen through the whimsical lens of Japanese animation genius Hayao Miyazaki, who injects every heartfelt moment with fantasy and wonder.
If you’ve already seen this animated gem, or fall in love with the furry forest spirit on your first watch, all of Studio Ghibli’s incredible films are available on the same service.
My Neighbour Totoro is available to stream on Netflix.
Harrison Ford explores a bleak vision of the future(Image: WARNER BROS)
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Blade Runner
Yes, it’s yet another science fiction classic, but you can’t ignore perfection. While it may have spawned a generation of moody film bros, it’s easy to see why this atmospheric, neon-drenched cyberpunk thriller caught the imagination of so many.
From cinematic mastermind Ridley Scott, who already reinvented the genre with his seminal space horror Alien in 1979, comes a gripping existential head-trip starring Harrison Ford as a futuristic detective tasked with hunting down synthetic humans known as replicants.
Blending classic noir with one of the bleakest visions of the future ever put to film, Blade Runner is worth watching for the visual splendour alone, but will also keep you thinking long after the credits roll.
Blade Runner is available to stream on Prime Video.
80s movies don’t get much better than Raiders of the Lost Ark(Image: LUCASFILM)
Raiders of the Lost Ark
What’s left to say about Raiders of the Lost Ark that hasn’t been said a million times before?
Somehow, Spielberg delivered two masterpieces back-to-back, with the introduction of yet another iconic Harrison Ford hero arriving in 1981, a year before the acclaimed filmmaker made millions of moviegoers sob uncontrollably with ET.
The most iconic movie star of all time in his prime, an enthralling, globetrotting adventure, booby traps and ancient puzzles galore, and Nazis getting punched in the face. What’s not to love?
Raiders of the Lost Ark is available to stream on Netflix and for free on Channel 4.
Filming kicked off in 2024, with none other than Steven Spielberg serving as producer, and Osman has been keeping his followers informed about the latest happenings. Taking to Instagram, he reassured fans that the film would be available both in cinemas and on Netflix, addressing concerns that some might not be able to watch it.
The Thursday Murder Club(Image: Giles Keyte/Netflix)
He announced: “Some very good news for everyone who wanted to see #TheThursdayMurderClub in UK cinemas. Netflix have listened to the clamour, and the film will now have a run in UK cinemas.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, cast and more.
When is The Thursday Murder Club out?
The Thursday Murder Club is set to premiere in UK cinemas on August 22.
It will then be available for streaming on Netflix from August 28, with a runtime of nearly two hours.
Who are the stars of The Thursday Murder Club?
The main four characters, Elizabeth Best, Ron Ritchie, Ibrahim Arif and Joyce Meadowcroft, will be played by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie.
Osman recently addressed the contentious casting of Ron, telling Empire: “You have to do something unusual and different and interesting.
“Here’s the key thing about Pierce Brosnan playing Ron: Pierce Brosnan is who Ron would choose to play Ron.”
Doctor Who legend David Tennant has also been signed up as Ian Ventham, alongside Jonathan Pryce who plays Elizabeth’s other half Stephen.
Naomi Ackie is set to portray PC Donna De Freitas, whilst Daniel Mays takes on DCI Chris Hudson and Henry Lloyd-Hughes stars as Bogdan.
Additional big names joining the production include Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Paul Freeman, Sarah Niles and Ingrid Oliver.
Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie(Image: Giles Keyte/Netflix)
Is there a trailer for The Thursday Murder Club?
Viewers get a sneak peek at Cooper’s Chase, the retirement community where the central characters live.
When a killing occurs nearby, Joyce is eager for the group to get involved and crack a fresh case.
Supporters flocked to the comments section to share their enthusiasm, with one posting: “The perfect cast, I am sooooo looking forward to seeing this film, love all the books, get ready to snuggle in and be totally enthralled.”
Someone else commented: “Totally didn’t expect this book series to be adapted by Netflix, really looking forward to this. I hope it’s good. And man this cast is stacked!”.
The Thursday Murder Club will hit UK cinemas on August 22. It will subsequently become available to stream on Netflix from August 28.
Project Hail Mary is one of the most talked about upcoming blockbusters for next year, but there’s another gripping science fiction thriller you should check out first
Science fiction fans can stream this critically acclaimed blockbuster right now ahead of the new Ryan Gosling-led thriller, Project Hail Mary.
The upcoming space epic will be hitting cinemas next March and a recent trailer has teased a high-octane thrill ride beyond the solar system.
Starring Gosling as school science teacher Ryland Grace, he’s plunged headfirst into a dangerous outer space mission to protect the Earth from catastrophe – but can he save his own life in the process?
Helmed by the genius directors behind 21 Jump Street and Into the Spider-Verse, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this jaw-dropping adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel is guaranteed to be a must-watch cinematic experience.
Sci-fi readers will already be well-acquainted with Weir as the author of the equally gripping novel The Martian, which was adapted into a major film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon back in 2015.
A mission to Mars ends in disaster in this gripping 2015 thriller(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
10 years later, this nail-biting space survival thriller remains one of the most beloved sci-fi films of the century so far – and fans can stream it right now.
Whether you’ve already experienced this riveting space adventure or it’s somehow passed you by, make sure you stream The Martian on Disney+ at some point before March to get yourself well-prepared for Project Hail Mary.
One five-star Google review calls it: “An Absolute Masterpiece of Sci-Fi Cinema.”
They went on: “Adapted from Andy Weir’s equally captivating novel, this film takes you on an exhilarating journey to the red planet, Mars.
“From the very first scene to the closing credits, The Martian is a thrilling and suspenseful rollercoaster of human ingenuity, resilience, and survival.
“Matt Damon’s portrayal of Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars, is brilliant. His charismatic and witty performance keeps you engaged throughout the film.”
Someone else raved: “What makes The Martian so rewatchable is its tone. It’s intense when it needs to be, but never loses that touch of optimism and wit that makes it so enjoyable.
Stream The Martian on Disney+ before Project Hail Mary hits the big screen(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
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“The soundtrack fits perfectly, the pacing keeps you engaged, and the visuals of Mars are stunning without ever feeling overwhelming.
“It’s a film that makes space feel both terrifying and oddly comforting, a rare mix. Whether you’re into science fiction, survival stories, or just well-made cinema, The Martian is the kind of film you’ll gladly watch more than once.”
The accolades continued over on Letterboxd, where yet another five-star review says: “An effortlessly engrossing and excellently rendered science fiction epic of survival, Ridley Scott’s Martian immediately ranks as one of the director’s most satisfying works.
“A love letter to the power of science, problem solving, and human will, the film provides a smart and soaring experience that rivets as much as it satisfies.
“Scott and company tell a story that is buoyant, nail-biting, and life affirming.”
This modern masterpiece isn’t leaving Disney+ any time soon, so there’s plenty of time and absolutely no excuse not to stream one of Damon’s best blockbusters before the torch is passed to Gosling next year.
