Series synopsis
War of the Worlds is a French sci-fi & fantasy drama television series that premiered on Canal+ on October 28, 2019. It ended on September 26, 2022. It was created by Howard Overman. It stars Gabriel Byrne, Elizabeth McGovern, Léa Drucker and Bayo Gbadamosi.
When astronomers detect a transmission from another galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. The world’s population waits for further contact with bated breath. They do not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out by a devastating attack; pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. As aliens hunt and kill those left alive, the survivors ask a burning question – who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on our destruction?
Premise
When astronomers detect a transmission from another galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. The world’s population waits for further contact with bated breath. They do not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out by a devastating attack; pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. As aliens hunt and kill those left alive, the survivors ask a burning question – who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on our destruction?
Premise: Doomed to survive.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gabriel Byrne as Bill Ward
- Elizabeth McGovern as Helen Brown
- Léa Drucker as Catherine Durand
- Bayo Gbadamosi as Kariem Gat Wich Machar
- Molly Windsor as Martha
- Daisy Edgar-Jones as Emily Gresham
- Natasha Little as Sarah Gresham
- Ty Tennant as Tom Gresham
Supporting cast
- Adel Bencherif as Colonel Mustafa Mokrani
- Lizzie Brocheré as Juliet
- Stéphane Caillard as Chloe Dumont
- Pearl Chanda as Zoe
- Emilie de Preissac as Sophia Durand
- Lukas Haas as Richard
- Mathieu Torloting as Sacha Dumont
- Paul Gorostidi as Nathan
- Ania Sowinski as Adina
- Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Isla
- Guillaume Gouix as Noah
- Stephen Campbell Moore as Jonathan Gresham
Guest cast
- Joseph Beddelem as Youssef
- Murray Head as Mikel
- Beatriz Romilly as Ines
- Théo Christine as Saaid
- Georgina Rich as Rachel
- Edem-Ita Duke as Ibrahim
- Pieter Genard as Johannes
- Julie Dray as Madeline
- Colin Mace as Chris
- Celeste Evagora as Charlotte
- Jane Wood as Ruth
- Augustin Raguenet as Policeman Alexis
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 24 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | October 28, 2019 | December 16, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 8 | May 18, 2021 | June 22, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 8 | September 5, 2022 | September 26, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When astrophysicists detect a transmission from another galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. The world's population waits for further contact with baited breath. They do not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out; just pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. |
October 28, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 After the devastating alien attack, disparate pockets of survivors emerge into a shattered world. They quickly realise they must put their differences aside if they are to stand any chance of survival. For they are not alone. Something sinister lurks in the shadows and whatever it is, it won't consider its victory complete until it has killed every last human. But who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on destruction? |
November 4, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 As the dust settles on their brave new world, the survivors are forced to face some cold truths. Catherine is stunned to discover the part she played in bringing about the alien attack. Helen becomes fixated on revenge. And Emily momentarily regains her sight. But is the miracle cause for celebration, or concern? |
November 11, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Six months after Emily disappeared on an alien ship, the London survivors have set up a resistance base from which they plan to fight back; the aliens have since appeared and they look exactly like humans. |
May 18, 2021 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 As Emily grows concerned by her recollections of time spent with the aliens, Bill is also perturbed by the similarities between Emily and the aliens; Zoe encourages a reluctant Bill to use these similarities to their advantage. |
May 25, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Bill secretly injects Emily with a biological weapon he hopes to use on the aliens; when she becomes sick, some of the survivors head out to find insulin in order to treat her; the resistance base is attacked and the survivors are forced to flee. |
June 1, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 After saving humanity, Bill Ward finds himself locked up in prison. Bitter, he will take a close interest in a new subject: many people around the world are victims of mysterious visions, including MI5 agent Zoe. Meanwhile, the discovery of a black hole prompts Catherine to investigate this global phenomenon. |
September 5, 2022 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Astronauts Juliet Arquette and Richard Gallagher witness Catherine's theories in space as Adina plots revenge against humanity. Mourning over the death of her sister, Catherine decides to research the phenomenon with the help of Johannes. An unexpected encounter prompts Kariem to continue her investigation of global psychosis. Faced with the damage caused by Adina's latest attacks, Zoe decides to turn to Bill to thwart the alien's plans. |
September 5, 2022 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Richard discovers new data on the global phenomenon. Catherine must take a risk to continue her research, but is she ready to do it? Meanwhile, a new revelation tests Martha's loyalty, and Zoe is forced to make an urgent sacrifice with the help of her newfound allies. |
September 12, 2022 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Canal+ |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 28, 2019 |
| Last aired | September 26, 2022 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday |