Watch Alien Worlds

Alien Worlds is a stunning Netflix series that blends science fiction and documentary, exploring the potential existence of life on other planets within our galaxy, and just how different it could be from anything we know on Earth. Presented by Sophie Okonedo and co-created by Leigh Joel Scott, Douglas Vakoch, and Nigel Paterson, the series takes viewers on an imaginative journey into four different worlds, all of which are based on real, scientifically researched exoplanets.

Utilizing impressive CGI effects, each episode depicts what life could look like on these planets and how organisms would adapt to extreme environments, such as thick jungles, harsh deserts and frozen wastelands. Alien Worlds also draws on the expertise of scientists and engineers, who provide insightful commentary on the likelihood of the scenarios presented, gives the show a real scientific grounding.

The first episode is set on Atlas, a planet that is tidally locked to its host star, meaning one side is always in perpetual daylight while the other remains in darkness. On the light side, Atlas is covered in jungles bustling with life, while the dark side is a frozen wasteland. The show imagines massive herbivores and carnivores, as well as smaller creatures that have developed clever survival tactics to evade their larger predators.

The second episode delves into Janus, which orbits multiple stars, causing ever-changing daylight and night-time temperatures, with storms of toxic gas that rain sulfuric acid. Janus is depicted as an extreme environment, unfit for anything like life as we know it. But with a little imagination, the show explores the possibility of alien creatures swimming in acidic oceans, forming symbiotic relationships with each other and even harnessing electrical energy to survive.

The third episode explores Eden, a planet completely covered in water, with oceans so deep that no light can penetrate, meaning that areas of the planet are in near constant darkness. The creatures that come to life on Eden are nearly unrecognizable as life on Earth. Alien fish with lamp-like eyes and balloon-like organs to maintain buoyancy, unexpected crustaceans that thrive in utter darkness and use chemicals to communicate, and a manta ray-like creature with skin that flashes colors to help it communicate.

The fourth and final episode of the series takes us to Terra, a planet much like Earth, orbiting a star much like our own Sun. It's the most likely place for life to exist, but what would intelligent life on this planet be like? The show explores possible intelligent creatures on Terra, analyzing how their behavior and culture would differ from ours. It's a fascinating exploration of how an alien society could function yet be nothing like ours.

All four episodes of Alien Worlds are breathtakingly beautiful, with the CGI rendering of the imaginary creatures, and the landscapes are both a testament to the skill of the visual effects team and to the creativity of the concept. The blend of documentary-style voiceovers, research from scientists, and imaginative storytelling creates a compelling series that's not only entertaining but also informative.

Overall, Alien Worlds is an extraordinary TV show that pushes the boundaries of science fiction by blending it with science fact. It offers a glimpse of the diversity of life in our galaxy and the scientific discoveries that the future could hold. With the finale leaving the door open to further exploration on this topic, viewers can only hope that another series will soon be in the pipeline.

Alien Worlds is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between December 2, 2020 and on Netflix