Alien Nation (1989)
A bold sci-fi buddy cop drama set in Los Angeles, where an LAPD detective and his alien partner tackle crime and cultural division.
Alien Nation - Series Information
- Original Title: Alien Nation
- First Air Year: 1989
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: Kenneth Johnson, Rockne S. O'Bannon
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 18, 1989 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: FOX
- Alternative Titles: Spacecop L.A. (DE)
- Production Companies: Kenneth Johnson Productions, 20th Century Fox Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Alien Nation - Plot
Detective Matthew Sikes, a Los Angeles police officer reluctantly works with "Newcomer" alien George Francisco. Sikes also has an 'on again off again' flirtation with a female Newcomer, Cathy Frankel.
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Alien Nation - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Kenneth Johnson
- Rockne S. O'Bannon
Main Cast
- Gary Graham
- Eric Pierpoint
- Michele Scarabelli
- Lauren Woodland
- Sean Six
- Terri Treas
- Jeffrey Marcus
- Ron Fassler
- Jeff Doucette
- Molly Morgan
Writers
- Diane Frolov
- Andrew Schneider
- Craig W. Van Sickle
- Bruce Kalish
- Joe Menosky
Alien Nation - FAQs
Is Alien Nation based on a movie?
Yes, the series is a direct spinoff of the 1988 theatrical film of the same name, which starred James Caan and Mandy Patinkin. The TV show expanded the premise considerably, deepening the social commentary and developing the Newcomer community far beyond what the film had time to explore.
What is Alien Nation about?
Set in a near-future Los Angeles, Alien Nation follows gruff LAPD detective Matthew Sikes, who is reluctantly paired with George Francisco, a Newcomer alien immigrant. Together they solve crimes while navigating deep cultural tensions. The show uses its sci-fi premise as a lens to examine racism, immigration, and social integration.
Where can you watch Alien Nation?
Alien Nation is currently available to purchase digitally. You can buy episodes or the full series on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. There is no current subscription streaming option, so digital purchase is the most accessible way to watch the show today.
Who are the main actors in Alien Nation?
Gary Graham leads the cast as detective Matthew Sikes, with Eric Pierpoint delivering a standout performance as his Newcomer partner George Francisco. Terri Treas plays Cathy Frankel, Sikes's romantic interest, while Michele Scarabelli and Lauren Woodland round out the Francisco family as Susan and Emily.
Why was Alien Nation cancelled after one season?
FOX cancelled Alien Nation in 1990 despite a dedicated fanbase, reportedly due to budget concerns and shifting network priorities. The cancellation left storylines unresolved, but fan demand was strong enough that five TV movies were produced between 1994 and 1997 to wrap up major plot threads and give the story a proper conclusion.
Did Alien Nation continue after the TV series ended?
After cancellation, the story continued through five made-for-TV movies: Dark Horizon (1994), Body and Soul (1995), Millennium (1996), The Enemy Within (1996), and The Udara Legacy (1997). These films reunited the original cast and resolved the narrative arcs that the series had left open.
How was Alien Nation received by critics?
The series earned genuine praise for its ambitious social allegory, using the alien-integration premise to tackle themes of racism and xenophobia with more depth than typical genre fare. Critics highlighted the chemistry between Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint as a key strength, and the show developed a loyal cult following that persists to this day.
What are similar shows to Alien Nation?
If you enjoy Alien Nation's blend of police procedural and speculative fiction, try Person of Interest, Torchwood, or Continuum for sci-fi crime drama. For the buddy-cop dynamic, Lethal Weapon (2016) and Lucifer offer similar chemistry. The Closer and Elementary are strong picks if the detective angle appeals most.
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