(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of “Utopia.”)
Gillian Flynn’s “Utopia” launched Friday, introducing us to Dr. Michael Stearns (Rainn Wilson) and Dr. Kevin Christie (John Cusack), two men who could not have more different approaches to living their lives in this crowded world, as Christie believes “how much evil do you have to do to do good?” is a valid question to ask and Stearns’ answer is a hard “none evil.”
By the end of the first season of the Amazon Prime Video thriller series, we learn that Christie, a.k.a. Mr. Rabbit, has been pulling the strings of Stearns’ life for years, using him and the flu he discovered (the Stearns Flu) as an excuse to create a “vaccine” that is embedded with a “world-changing” omnivirus that will sterilize all of the humans who are given it. This is Christie’s “cure” for overpopulation.
Also Read: Fall TV 2020: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows - So Far (Photos)
“He’s a character that will do almost anything in the service of trying to do good, in his view,” Cusack told TheWrap. “And he will make all the toughest choices he has to make and do literally whatever it takes, because in his view, he thinks that with the dystopian realities of modernity that we have to change the way we’re behaving and living or will face even more calamity. There’s something frightening and messianic about the people that feel that way, but in some ways he’s looking reality straight in the face.”
Meanwhile, Stearns is a man willing to whatever it takes to stop this plan of Christie’s, going with Becky (Ashleigh LaThrop), Ian (Dan Byrd), Grant (Javon Walton) and Alice (Farrah Mackenzie) to destroy all of the vials of the Stearns Flu vaccine that Christie has in his lap. The team is successful, but Michael gets separated from the others after going to blow up the “mother egg” containing the sterilization virus that was put in the vaccine, and rides off with it rather than destroy it.
“The trajectory of Michael is pretty spectacular,” Stearns says. “He starts as this basement-dwelling, un-respected, under-appreciated scientist, nobody and he’s thrust into the world stage. And then like, incredibly, his solace, his anchor, his inspiration, the one thing he has going for him is a terrific marriage with a lovely woman and then all of a sudden, the whole thing was a lie.”
Also Read: 'The Boys' Boss on Connecting Stormfront From Amazon Series to Comics With 'Horrific' Reveal
“She was a lie, the marriage was a lie, the mental hospital was a lie,” “The Office” alum said, counting the ways that Christie controlled Stearns’ life. “So everything emotionally is completely upended… All of a sudden you find Michael being part of the team, and that’s also really interesting. Michael is there with the comic-book nerds, all together, on a mission. They’re all working together and I think it’s really satisfying for him to not kind of be on his own. He’s found people that are on the same page as him and they’re on the same journey, and I think that’s really gratifying for him.”
Wilson says “the fun, juicy thing about Michael Stearns is that people always underestimate him. And they always underestimate his integrity and his fortitude.”
“Time and time again, he breaks the boundaries and the limitations that have been put on him and stands up for himself and surprises people. And it’s really fun, because I think everyone can relate to that. Everyone wants to be a hero in some way and everyone has limitations and is like, ‘Oh, I can’t be the hero.’ So when you see someone make choice after choice based on integrity and they become an unlikely hero, that’s relatable. There’s something really exciting about watching that.”
Also Read: 'The Boys' Spinoff Series Set at Superhero College in Development at Amazon
“Utopia” has yet to be renewed for Season 2, but both Cusack and Wilson say they are “excited” for an additional episode order.
“Everything you thought you knew for the first seven episodes gets put into a blender and you get put down another rabbit hole and then you meet another Cheshire cat and it’s almost like the entire thing was prologue… There are definitely more questions,” Cusack says.
“Utopia” is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.
Fall TV 2020: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows - So Far (Photos)
-
ABC/Netflix/HBO/Peacock
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)
-
MTV
Series: "Teen Mom 2" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 8 p.m.
-
MTV
Series: "16 and Recovering" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Transplant" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 10 p.m.
-
BET
Series: "House of Payne" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 8 p.m.
-
BET
Series: "Assisted Living" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Peacock
Series: "A.P. Bio" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
-
HBO Max
Series: "Raised by Wolves" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Away" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
-
Peacock
Series: "Noughts + Crosses" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
-
Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Boys" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
-
OWN
Series: "Black Love" Net: OWN Premiere Date: Saturday, Sept. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Starz
Series: "Power Book II: Ghost" Net: Starz Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "American Ninja Warrior" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Spectrum Originals
Series: "L.A's Finest" Net: Spectrum Originals Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
-
Hulu
Series: "Woke" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Julie and the Phantoms" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 10 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "The Duchess" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 11 Time: N/A
-
Showtime
Series: "Our Cartoon President" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Dancing With the Stars" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 8 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "The Third Day" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "We Are Who We Are" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Epix
Series: "Enslaved" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Comedy Central
Series: "Tosh.0" Net: Comedy Central Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "Challenger: The Final Flight" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: N/A
-
FXX
Series: "Archer" Net: FXX Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Peacock
Series: "Departure" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
-
HBO Max
Series: "The Great Pottery Throw Down" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
-
Hulu
Series: "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
-
Hulu
Series: "Pen15" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Ratched" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
-
The CW
Series: "World's Funniest Animals" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "L.A.'s Finest"* Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 8 p.m. *Broadcast debut of Spectrum Originals series' first season
-
Fox
Series: "Filthy Rich" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "The Masked Singer" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "I Can See Your Voice" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Amazon
Series: "Utopia" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: N/A
-
FX
Series: "A Wilderness of Error" Net: FX Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "The Simpsons" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Bless the Harts" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Bob's Burgers" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "The Comey Rule" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Family Guy" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
FX
Series: "Fargo" Net: FX Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 10 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Weakest Link" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
-
AMC
Series: "Gangs of London" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
-
AMC
Series: "The Salisbury Poisonings" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
-
Getty
Series: "Monsterland" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Emily in Paris" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "Undercover Boss" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Series: "Warrior" Net: Cinemax Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Saturday Night Live" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 3 Time: 11:30 p.m.
-
Series: "Pandora" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "The Good Lord Bird" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Epix
Series: "Britannia" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
AMC
Series: "The Walking Dead: World Beyond" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
-
AMC
Series: "Soulmates" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 5 Time: 10 p.m.
-
DC Universe
Series: "Swamp Thing"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 8 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of DC Universe series' first season
-
NBC
Series: "Ellen's Game of Games" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Next" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Devils" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Coroner" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 9 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Supernatural" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Connecting..." Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "The Outpost" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Disney+
Series: "The Right Stuff" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "The Haunting of Bly Manor" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
-
AMC
Series: "Fear the Walking Dead" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Bachelorette" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Tell Me a Story"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of CBS All Access series' first season
-
CBS
Series: "The Amazing Race" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
-
BET
Series: "Sistas" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS All Access
Series: "Star Trek: Discovery" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 15 Time: N/A
-
Hulu
Series: "Helstrom" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Grand Army" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
-
ABC
Series: "Shark Tank" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "America's Funniest Home Videos" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 7 p.m.
-
Getty
Series: "Supermarket Sweep" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Card Sharks" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "Unsolved Mysteries" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "The Voice" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Goldbergs" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Conners" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "black-ish" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "The Queen's Gambit" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: N/A
-
HBO
Series: "The Undoing" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "This Is Us" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "American Housewife" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Superstore" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Disney+
Series: "The Mandalorian" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 30 Time: N/A
-
ABC
Series: "The Good Doctor" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
-
HBO Max
Series: "Two Weeks to Live" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "Young Sheldon" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "B Positive" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Mom" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Getty Images
Series: "Braxton Family Values" Net: WE TV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: Los Angeles" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: New Orleans" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
-
Showtime
Series: "Moonbase 8" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 11 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "Dash & Lily" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
-
FX on Hulu
Series: "A Teacher" Net: FX on Hulu Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago Med" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago Fire" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "S.W.A.T." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago PD" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Station 19" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Grey's Anatomy" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Unicorn" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
IMDb TV
Series: "Alex Rider" Net: IMDB TV Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
-
Apple TV+
Series: "Doug Unplugs" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "The Blacklist" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Discovery
Series: "Gold Rush: White Water" Net: Discovery Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "The Crown" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: N/A
-
Showtime
Series: "The Reagans" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 8 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "Murder on Middle Beach" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Neighborhood" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bob Hearts Abishola" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "All Rise" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "His Dark Materials" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bull" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI: Most Wanted" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Big Sky" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "For Life" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
-
MTV
Series: "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "A Million Little Things" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Hulu
Series: "Animaniacs" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
-
Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Pack" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
-
FX
Series: "Black Narcissus" Net: FX Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Peacock
Series: "Saved by the Bell" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 25 Time: N/A
-
HBO Max
Series: "The Flight Attendant" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 26 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Virgin River" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 27 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "SEAL Team" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Apple TV+
Series: "Stillwater" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Selena: The Series" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "MacGyver" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Magnum P.I." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Blue Bloods" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "Shameless" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "Your Honor" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Epix
Series: "Pennyworth" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Expanse" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16 Time: N/A
-
CBS All Access
Series: "The Stand" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Dec. 17 Time: N/A
Here’s when 145 broadcast, cable and streaming series debut and come back
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)