The Event (2010)
A gripping NBC conspiracy thriller where one man's search for his missing fiancée unravels a government cover-up of extraordinary proportions.
The Event - Series Information
- Original Title: The Event
- First Air Year: 2010
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Created by: Nick Wauters
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (52 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 20, 2010 (United States - TV-14), September 20, 2010 (Germany - 16), September 20, 2010 (France - 16), September 20, 2010 (Australia - M), September 20, 2010 (Mexico - AA), September 20, 2010 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Le Complot (CA), THE EVENT イベント (JP), THE EVƎNT (US)
- Production Companies: Universal Media Studios, Steve Stark Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Event - Plot
The Event is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker, an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila, and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.
The Event - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get your first look at the conspiracy:
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The Event - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Nick Wauters
Main Cast
- Jason Ritter
- Sarah Roemer
- Laura Innes
- Blair Underwood
- Ian Anthony Dale
- Scott Patterson
- Taylor Cole
- Lisa Vidal
- Bill Smitrovich
- Clifton Collins Jr.
Writers
- David Schulner
- Dan Dworkin
- David H. Goodman
- Nick Wauters
- Jay Beattie
Executive Producers
- Jeffrey Reiner
- Steve Stark
- Evan Katz
The Event - FAQs
Who are the aliens in The Event?
The detainees led by Sophia Maguire are extraterrestrials who arrived on Earth long ago and have an extremely slow aging process. Physically nearly identical to humans, they've been held in a secret government facility in Alaska for decades, their existence concealed from the public as the ultimate state secret.
Why was The Event cancelled after one season?
NBC cancelled The Event in May 2011 after its ratings declined sharply following a mid-season hiatus. The show struggled to retain viewers who found the complex, fragmented narrative hard to follow. Despite a loyal fanbase, the audience drop was too steep for the network to justify a second season.
What is The Event TV series about?
The Event follows Sean Walker, an ordinary man who searches for his missing fiancée Leila and stumbles into a massive government conspiracy involving detained extraterrestrials, a sitting U.S. president, and shadowy forces threatening national security. It blends personal drama with large-scale sci-fi intrigue across 22 episodes.
Does The Event have a satisfying ending?
The finale ends on a dramatic cliffhanger — Sophia triggers a catastrophic event that leaves the story unresolved. Since NBC cancelled the show before a second season could wrap things up, many central mysteries remain unanswered, which left fans frustrated but also cemented the series as a cult curiosity.
Where can you watch The Event online?
The Event is available to purchase or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. You can also stream it for free with ads on The Roku Channel. No subscription streaming service currently carries it as part of a standard plan.
Who are the main actors in The Event?
The series stars Jason Ritter as Sean Walker, Sarah Roemer as Leila Buchanan, Laura Innes as Sophia Maguire, and Blair Underwood as President Elias Martinez. The ensemble also includes Ian Anthony Dale, Scott Patterson, Taylor Cole, Lisa Vidal, Bill Smitrovich, and Clifton Collins Jr.
Is The Event similar to Lost or 24?
Very much so — The Event was openly marketed as a spiritual successor to both. It borrows Lost's non-linear storytelling and mythology-heavy mysteries while channeling 24's real-time urgency and political thriller energy. Fans of Prison Break and The Night Agent will also find plenty to enjoy in its conspiracy-driven format.
How many episodes does The Event have?
The Event ran for a single season of 22 episodes on NBC, airing from September 20, 2010 to May 23, 2011. There is also one special episode available. The show was cancelled before a planned second season could be produced, leaving the story without a formal conclusion.
More About The Event
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