Away (2020)
A gripping Netflix drama following one astronaut's extraordinary journey to Mars and the family she leaves behind on Earth.
Away - Series Information
- Original Title: Away
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Andrew Hinderaker
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Mandarin, Russian, Hindi
- First Air Date: September 4, 2020 (United States - TV-14), September 4, 2020 (United Kingdom - 12), September 4, 2020 (Germany - 12), September 4, 2020 (Brazil - 14), September 4, 2020 (Spain - 12), September 4, 2020 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: Lejos (Hispanoamérica), 遠漂 (TW)
- Production Companies: True Jack Productions, 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company, Universal Television, Refuge
- Production Countries: United States of America
Away - Plot
American astronaut Emma Green must leave her husband and teenage daughter behind to command an international space crew embarking upon a treacherous mission. A series about hope, humanity and how we need one another if we are to achieve impossible things.
Away - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the mission to Mars unfold:
Home can never leave you.
Where to Watch Away
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Away - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Andrew Hinderaker
Main Cast
- Hilary Swank
- Mark Ivanir
- Ray Panthaki
- Vivian Wu
- Ato Essandoh
- Talitha Eliana Bateman
- Josh Charles
- Adam Irigoyen
- Monique Gabriela Curnen
- Felicia Patti
Writers
- Chris Jones
- Andrew Hinderaker
- Aditi Brennan Kapil
- Jessica Goldberg
- Ellen Fairey
Executive Producers
- Adam Kassan
- Jason Katims
- Matt Reeves
- Jeni Mulein
- Edward Zwick
Away - FAQs
Is Away based on a true story?
Away is inspired by a 2014 Esquire article by Chris Jones about the psychological toll of long-duration spaceflight. While the characters and mission are fictional, the series draws on real NASA research, astronaut experiences, and the genuine emotional challenges of extended separation from family during deep-space missions.
Why was Away cancelled after one season?
Netflix cancelled Away in October 2020, just weeks after its premiere, citing viewership and cost considerations. Despite strong initial interest and Hilary Swank's acclaimed performance, the show's high production budget for its space sequences made renewal difficult to justify against the platform's internal performance metrics.
Where can you stream Away?
Away is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. All 10 episodes of the single season are available on the platform. Availability may vary by region, so check your local Netflix library for the latest access options.
Who plays Emma Green in Away?
Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank plays Commander Emma Green, the American astronaut leading the international Mars mission. Swank also served as an executive producer on the series, bringing both star power and creative investment to the emotionally complex lead role.
What is the international crew like in Away?
The Mars crew in Away is deliberately multinational, representing the spirit of global cooperation. Alongside Emma Green are a Russian cosmonaut (Mark Ivanir), a Chinese taikonaut (Vivian Wu), a British-Indian astronaut (Ray Panthaki), and a Ghanaian botanist (Ato Essandoh), each bringing distinct cultural perspectives and personal conflicts to the mission.
How was Away received by critics?
Away received a mixed critical reception. Reviewers praised Hilary Swank's performance and the show's emotional warmth, particularly in its portrayal of family separation. However, some critics found the family drama on Earth occasionally overshadowed the more compelling space storyline. Audiences generally responded more warmly than critics overall.
What themes does Away explore?
At its heart, Away explores sacrifice, loneliness, and the cost of ambition. The series examines what it means to pursue an impossible dream while leaving loved ones behind, weaving together themes of hope, cross-cultural trust, and the profound human need for connection across the vastness of space.
What shows are similar to Away?
Fans of Away often enjoy Lost in Space (2018) for its family-driven space adventure, The Expanse (2015) for grittier sci-fi realism, and Constellation (2024) for its psychological depth in an astronaut setting. Another Life (2019) and Raised by Wolves (2020) also offer compelling space drama with strong character focus.
More About Away
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