The world is getting another taste of Alan Moore's critically acclaimed comic series Watchmen, but this time it's be on the small screen. HBO is taking on the beloved series with Lost cocreator Damon Lindelof at the helm as showrunner. The network is keeping mum on plot specifics — though the trailers hint at a very bleak storyline [1] — but Lindelof wrote a note to fans [2] in which he shared his vision.
The series premiered on Sky on Oct. 21 [3], so we already know it isn't a retelling of the graphic novel, but an original story set in the world of Watchmen in the present day. Keep reading for all the details of the series, and stay tuned for updates!
The Plot
Though HBO has been mum about details, Lindelof has taken to his Instagram page to both assure fans and share his vision. He's described the graphic novel as the Old Testament, and his Watchmen as the New Testament. "We have no desire to 'adapt' the twelve issues Mr. Moore and Mr. Gibbons created thirty years ago," he wrote. "Those issues are sacred ground and will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted." He goes on to say that just like the New Testament didn't wipe anything out from the Old Testament, his Watchmen will do the same. Everything that happened before is canon in the HBO series.
So what exactly is Watchman about? According to Lindelof, the story is an original set in the world we all know. His post states, "It must ask new questions and explore the world through a fresh lens. Most importantly, it must be contemporary. The Old Testament was specific to the Eighties of Reagan and Thatcher and Gorbachev. Ours needs to resonate with the frequency of Trump and May and Putin and the horse that he rides around on, shirtless [4]. And speaking of Horsemen, The End of the World is off the table . . . which means the heroes and villains — as if the two are distinguishable — are playing for different stakes entirely."
The Cast
Watchmen boasts a very interesting cast. Deadline revealed that [5] Jeremy Irons is set to join Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Adelaide Clemens, and Andrew Howard in all nine episodes.
The Production Team
Lindelof will be juggling two hats as the writer and executive producer of the HBO pilot. The Leftovers' Nicole Kassell will direct and also executive produce, along with Reaper's Tom Spezialy.
Where To Watch Watchmen in the UK
Watchmen began airing in the UK on Sky Atlantic [6] on Oct. 21, with a new episode dropping weekly. You can also stream the show week-by-week on Now TV [7].