The First poster

The First

★ 6.6 9K votes 2018–2018 1 season · 8 episodes Canceled Hulu
Slow burnDeliberate pacing where the payoffs are earned over long stretches.This show: 9/10Character studyInterior life matters more than plot.This show: 9/10MelancholicA wistful sadness woven through the story, even in its lighter moments.This show: 8/10Near-future techTechnology one step ahead of today, and what it costs us.This show: 7/10NaturalisticUnderstated, lifelike performances and look.This show: 7/10Emotionally heavyDemands real emotional stamina from the viewer.This show: 7/10
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Starring
Sean PennNatascha McElhoneLisaGay HamiltonHannah WareKeiko AgenaRey Lucas
Written by
Beau Willimon
Starring
Sean PennNatascha McElhoneLisaGay HamiltonHannah WareKeiko AgenaRey Lucas
Written by
Beau Willimon
Ratings per Episode
246810
Votes per Episode
0200400600800

The First Episode Ratings Heatmap

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S17.07.17.06.56.67.06.97.07.5

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About

"A Mars mission story that stays on Earth"

Set in the near future, this series follows the astronauts and engineers preparing for humanity's first crewed mission to Mars, along with the families they leave behind. Despite the premise, it is less about rocket science than about grief, ambition, and the toll big dreams take on ordinary relationships. The pace is deliberate and often melancholy, favoring quiet character moments over spectacle. It rewards patience with a moody, introspective tone rather than the thrills a space drama title might suggest.

Watch it for

the quiet, character-driven performances, especially Sean Penn's grief-stricken lead.

Maybe skip if

you want space-mission action or fast-moving plotting rather than slow emotional drama.

Written by our AI editor to help you decide, spoiler-free by design.

All Seasons

▼
Season 12018
7.03K85h 58m
EpTitleRatingYoursVotesRuntime
▶1Separation7.1
61444 min
▶2What's Needed7.0
39747 min
▶3Cycles6.5
36345 min
▶4Where Life Is6.6
31744 min
▶5Two Portraits7.0
36444 min
▶6Collisions6.9
30945 min
▶7The Choice7.0
29744 min
▶8Near and Far7.5
33245 min

Full Cast & Crew

Cast

Sean Penn Tom Hagerty
Natascha McElhone Laz Ingram
LisaGay Hamilton Kayla Price
Hannah Ware Sadie Hewitt
Keiko Agena Aiko Hakari
Rey Lucas Matteo Vega
James Ransone Nick Fletcher
Anna Jacoby-Heron Denise Hagerty
Brian Lee Franklin Lawrence
Oded Fehr Eitan Hafri

Crew

Beau Willimon

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