Last Resort (2012)
A rogue submarine crew defies unlawful nuclear orders and wages war against their own government from a remote island stronghold.
Last Resort - Series Information
- Original Title: Last Resort
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2013
- Created by: Shawn Ryan, Karl Gajdusek
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (44 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 27, 2012 (United States - TV-14), September 27, 2012 (Australia - M)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: 终极审判 (US)
Last Resort - Plot
When the crew of the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado refuse to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan without confirmation of the orders, they are fired upon and declared rogue enemies of their own country.
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Last Resort - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Shawn Ryan
- Karl Gajdusek
Main Cast
- Andre Braugher
- Scott Speedman
- Daisy Betts
- Camille De Pazzis
- Dichen Lachman
- Daniel Lissing
- Sahr Ngaujah
- Autumn Reeser
- Jessy Schram
- Robert Patrick
Writers
- Nick Antosca
- John Zinman
- Shawn Ryan
- Patrick Massett
Last Resort - FAQs
What is the premise of Last Resort?
Last Resort follows the crew of the USS Colorado, a U.S. ballistic missile submarine, who refuse to launch nuclear weapons at Pakistan without proper authorization. Branded traitors by their own government, they seek refuge on a remote island and fight to clear their names while averting global catastrophe.
Why was Last Resort cancelled after one season?
Last Resort was cancelled by ABC in November 2012 due to low ratings, despite strong critical praise. The show struggled to find a broad enough audience for its ambitious, serialized premise. Creators Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek were given the chance to craft a proper series finale, wrapping up the story in 13 episodes.
Where can you stream Last Resort?
Last Resort is available to stream for free with ads on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It is also included with a fuboTV subscription.
Is Last Resort based on a true story?
Last Resort is not based on a specific true story, but its premise draws on real-world anxieties around nuclear command authority, military loyalty, and government overreach. Creator Shawn Ryan crafted a fictional scenario designed to feel plausible, grounding the drama in authentic military culture and geopolitical tension.
Who plays Captain Chaplin in Last Resort?
Andre Braugher plays Captain Marcus Chaplin, the commanding officer of the USS Colorado who leads his crew in defiance of unlawful orders. Braugher's commanding performance was widely praised as one of the show's greatest strengths, earning the series much of its critical attention during its single season run.
How was Last Resort received by critics?
Critics responded enthusiastically to Last Resort, praising its bold premise, tight writing, and Andre Braugher's riveting lead performance. Many reviewers considered it one of the most ambitious network dramas of the 2012 season. Its cancellation was widely lamented as a loss of one of television's more daring serialized experiments.
Did Last Resort get a proper ending?
Yes, despite its early cancellation, Last Resort received a proper conclusion. After ABC announced the show would not be renewed, the creative team restructured the final episodes to deliver a satisfying resolution. The 13th and final episode tied up the major storylines, giving the crew of the Colorado a definitive ending.
What shows are similar to Last Resort?
If Last Resort hooked you, try The Terminal List for high-stakes military conspiracy, Homeland for government intrigue and moral ambiguity, or SEAL Team for authentic special operations drama. The Unit is another excellent pick for ensemble military storytelling, and Shooter delivers gripping action with a lone-operative twist.
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