Watch The Hot Zone

The Hot Zone is a six-part limited series based on the best-selling book of the same name by Richard Preston. The show premiered in May 2019 on National Geographic in the US and attracted significant attention due to its subject matter: the origins of the Ebola virus and its rapid spread in the late 1980s.

The show stars Julianna Margulies, known for her role in The Good Wife, as Dr. Nancy Jaax, a veterinary pathologist working for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Maryland. Noah Emmerich, best known for his role in The Americans, plays Dr. Jerry Jaax, Nancy's husband who also works at USAMRIID. Both Nancy and Jerry are called in to investigate a mysterious illness affecting monkeys at a nearby primate research center.

As the investigation unfolds, Nancy and Jerry discover that the monkeys are infected with a deadly virus that has never been seen before. The virus, which they later discover is a strain of Ebola, has the potential to spread to humans and cause a global pandemic. Their mission becomes to contain the virus and prevent it from infecting the general public, while also dealing with bureaucratic red tape and internal power struggles at USAMRIID.

Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones, plays Wade Carter, a renowned virologist who joins Nancy and Jerry in their efforts to contain the virus. Topher Grace, known for his roles in That '70s Show and Spider-Man 3, plays Dr. Peter Jahrling, a microbiologist who is skeptical of Nancy and Jerry's findings and argues for a less aggressive approach to containing the virus.

Throughout the series, the tension builds as the virus spreads and Nancy and Jerry race against time to find a way to stop it. The show does an excellent job of balancing the scientific aspects of the story with the personal experiences of the characters. We see how the threat of the virus affects their families, their colleagues, and their own mental and physical health. James D'Arcy, known for his role in Dunkirk, plays Trevor Rhodes, a journalist who is the first to report on the virus and who becomes a key ally for Nancy and Jerry in their efforts to get the word out about its potential danger.

The Hot Zone is a gripping and intense show that will have you on the edge of your seat. It's not just about the science of the virus, but about the people who risk their lives to contain it. The performances are outstanding, particularly Margulies, who brings a powerful intensity to the role of Nancy Jaax. The show is also visually stunning, with some excellent special effects that make the virus look and feel terrifyingly real.

The Hot Zone is a must-watch for anyone interested in science, health, or just good storytelling. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of viruses and the importance of preparedness and collaboration in the face of epidemics. The show may be hard to watch at times due to its graphic depictions of the virus and its effects on the body, but it's a necessary reminder of the importance of science and public health in our world today.

The Hot Zone is a series that ran for 2 seasons (12 episodes) between May 27, 2019 and on National Geographic (US)