Boat Rocker’s Lena Headey sci-fi thriller Beacon 23 finds new home on MGM+

Beacon 23 star Lena Headey and Stephan James

Beacon 23, the Boat Rocker-produced sci-fi thriller originally co-commissioned by AMC Networks and Spectrum, has found a new home on US linear channel and streamer MGM+ (fka Epix).

The series, based on a book of the same name by American author Hugh Howey, will premiere on MGM+ on Sunday November 12.

Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) created the project for television and executive produces alongside Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead, The Shield).

Starring Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and Stephan James (Homecoming), the series takes place in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way. It follows a government agent and an ex-military man whose fates become entwined after they find themselves trapped together inside one of many beacons that serve as lighthouses for intergalactic travellers.

Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks initially co-commissioned the project in 2020.

However, the former was wound down last year as its parent telco Charter Communications pulled out of the original programming business. AMC Networks also cut multiple shows over the past year as, like many US players, it reevaluated its content slate.

In addition to Penn and Mazzara, executive producers on the project include David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, James Middleton, Nick Nantell, Tina Thor, Katie O’Connell Marsh, Elisa Ellis, Liz Varner, Ira Steven Behr, Daniel Percival, Joy Blake, Headey and James. Toronto-headquartered Boat Rocker handles worldwide sales.

“Beacon 23 is a series in the best tradition of thought-provoking genre storytelling,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+.

“With the incredible vision of Zak Penn and Glen Mazzara, riveting performances by Lena Headey and Stephan James, and an exciting world-building design, Beacon 23 is essential viewing for fans of premium science-fiction drama.”

David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, co-executive chairmen of Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios, added: “Beacon 23 is a rare psychological thriller whose rich characters and gripping storylines take you to some pretty unexpected places. We’re grateful to our creative partners for helping bring this epic story to life.”