Beacon 23 to Air on Spectrum Originals & AMC Networks

Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks have co-commissioned the psychological thriller Beacon 23, created by Zak Penn.

Beacon 23, set in the darkest recesses of space, is a suspenseful thriller and love story that centers on two people who are trapped in a lighthouse at the end of the known universe. Co-produced by Spectrum Originals and the Boat Rocker company Platform One Media, the series is based on the book of the same name by the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Hugh Howey.

Following a nine-month exclusive run on Spectrum, Beacon 23 will be an AMC original with a second window across AMC Networks’ platforms.

Katherine Pope, head of Spectrum Originals, said: “Beacon 23 is a series in a class all its own—it’s a thriller, it’s a love story, it’s a character drama, it’s a sci-fi exploration of our own interconnectivity and disconnection, and it’s been beautifully adapted by the brilliant Zak Penn. We have the perfect partners in Platform One Media and AMC to help Zak bring this series to life.”

Katie O’Connell Marsh, Platform One Media chairman and CEO, said: “Zak’s vision in adapting Hugh Howey’s incredible novel Beacon 23 is electrifying. We are so happy to be producing this series for Spectrum Originals and AMC.”

Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks Entertainment Group and co-president of AMC Studios, said: “Fantastic IP. The great Zak Penn creating and showrunning. Amazing partners in Spectrum Originals and Platform One Media. We can’t wait to bring this iconic and compelling series to life.”

Zak Penn, creator, executive producer and showrunner, said: “The notion of a lighthouse in outer space grabbed me the second I looked at the cover of Hugh Howey’s Beacon 23. Once I read all the other pages, I knew I had a story I could translate to another medium. For the past two years, with Hugh’s help and the generous indulgence of our wonderful partners at Spectrum Originals, Platform One Media and AMC, I’ve been able to assemble an incredible group of scientists, astronauts and many of my ideal collaborators to help create an entire universe for this show. It’s a very exciting project for me, and I’m glad to be working again with Ira Behr, one of the best minds in television, and definitely the best beard.”