Sci-Fi Thriller from The Crown Producers Set for YouTube Red

YouTube Red has ordered the original sci-fi thriller Origin, which comes from the producers of The Crown and Strike Back.

The ten-episode series comes from Left Bank Pictures and Midnight Radio, in association with China International Television Corporation and Sony Pictures Television, International Production. Origin follows a group of strangers who find themselves stranded on a spacecraft bound for a distant planet. They must work together for survival, but quickly realize that one of them is far from who they claim to be. The show is set to launch in 2018.

Origin is created, written and executive produced by Mika Watkins. The series will also be executive produced by Andy Harries, Rob Bullock and Suzanne Mackie from Left Bank Pictures along with Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg from Midnight Radio. 

“We are excited to be in business with the legendary producers at Left Bank Pictures and Midnight Radio, and talented new writer, Mika Watkins,” said Susanne Daniels, the global head of original content for YouTube. “They are exceptional storytellers who have created groundbreaking programming, and we are already drawn into the mysterious and captivating world in Origin. We look forward to bringing this series to life with our partners at Left Bank Pictures. Sci-fi and action adventure are huge on YouTube, and our audience will be intrigued by the unexpected plot twists and turns in this bold, studio-quality thriller.”

“Mika is an exceptional new voice and we are excited to bring her first major project to the screen with our friends at YouTube Red,” said Andy Harries, the CEO of Left Bank Pictures.

“This is a tremendously exciting project, a truly global project that brings together partners from the U.S., U.K. and China to create a unique and thrilling space drama,” said Wayne Garvie, the president of Sony Pictures Television International Productions.

Xue Jijun, the president of China International Television Corporation, noted: “We’re looking forward to an in-depth and pleasant partnership with Sony Pictures Television and Left Bank on the Origin project. We are sure it’ll be well-received on YouTube Red.”

Jeff Pinkner, executive producer, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Mika and the brilliant people at Left Bank on this project, which we hope will marry the best of British and American sensibilities and storytelling. And maybe as a bonus we will finally learn the difference between a crisp and a chip!”