The Right Stuff (2020)
A gripping historical drama charting the lives of NASA's Mercury Seven astronauts as they race to conquer space during the Cold War.
The Right Stuff - Series Information
- Original Title: The Right Stuff
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Mark Lafferty
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 9, 2020 (United States - TV-14), October 9, 2020 (Brazil - 14), October 9, 2020 (Mexico - B)
- Networks: Disney+
- Production Companies: Appian Way, Warner Bros. Television, National Geographic
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Right Stuff - Plot
At the height of the Cold War, newly formed NASA selects seven of the military's best test pilots to become astronauts. Competing to be the first in space, these men achieve the extraordinary, inspiring the world to turn towards a new horizon of ambition and hope.
The Right Stuff - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the space race come to life:
The race to be first in space.
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The Right Stuff - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Lafferty
Main Cast
- Jake McDorman
- Patrick J. Adams
- Colin O'Donoghue
- Eloise Mumford
- James Lafferty
- Nora Zehetner
- Eric Ladin
- Patrick Fischler
- Aaron Staton
- Michael Trotter
Writers
- Philip Kaufman
Executive Producers
- Chris Long
- Howard Korder
- Mark Lafferty
- Danny Strong
- Leonardo DiCaprio
The Right Stuff - FAQs
Is The Right Stuff based on a true story?
The series is based on Tom Wolfe's celebrated 1979 non-fiction book of the same name, which chronicled the lives of America's original Mercury Seven astronauts. The show dramatizes real events from the early NASA space program during the Cold War era of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Who are the main actors in The Right Stuff?
The series stars Jake McDorman as Alan Shepard and Patrick J. Adams as John Glenn, with Colin O'Donoghue as Gordon Cooper, Eloise Mumford as Trudy Cooper, James Lafferty as Scott Carpenter, Nora Zehetner as Annie Glenn, Eric Ladin as Chris Kraft, Aaron Staton as Wally Schirra, and Michael Trotter as Gus Grissom.
Why was The Right Stuff cancelled after one season?
Disney+ cancelled The Right Stuff after a single season in 2021, citing low viewership numbers on the platform. Despite strong critical notices and a compelling cast, the show struggled to find a wide enough audience to justify continuation, making it one of the streamer's early high-profile cancellations.
Where can you watch The Right Stuff online?
The Right Stuff is available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently available on any subscription streaming service, so buying the season digitally is the primary way to watch all eight episodes.
How does the 2020 series differ from the 1983 film?
While Philip Kaufman's 1983 film offered a cinematic, ensemble portrait of the Mercury Seven, the Disney+ series digs deeper into individual rivalries and personal lives, particularly the competitive dynamic between Alan Shepard and John Glenn. The longer format allows for richer character development across the eight episodes.
When did The Right Stuff first air on Disney+?
The Right Stuff premiered on Disney+ on October 9, 2020, in the United States. The series launched as part of Disney+'s early push into prestige original drama, arriving roughly a year after the streaming platform's debut in November 2019.
How was The Right Stuff received by critics?
Critical reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising the strong performances from Jake McDorman and Patrick J. Adams and the show's handsome period production design. Some critics felt the pacing was uneven, but the series was widely commended for bringing a compelling human dimension to a well-known chapter of American history.
What is the content rating for The Right Stuff?
The Right Stuff carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, meaning it contains content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The rating reflects the series' mature dramatic themes, including the psychological pressures of the space race, marital tensions, and the very real dangers faced by test pilots and astronauts.
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