FX Orders Mysterious Science Fiction Series ‘Class Of 09’ With Brian Tyree Henry And Kate Mara
FX has ordered a mysterious new limited sci-fi series that is set to starBrian Tyree HenryandKate Maraand hails from writerTom Rob Smithand the team behind the network’s ‘American Crime Storyfranchise. TitledClass of ‘09,the FX limited series comes with very few details, apart from it being a legal thriller that features the use of artificial intelligence. But there’s still good reason to be excited about any high-concept sci-fi series given the green light by FX.
FX announced that it has given a series order toClass of ‘09, an eight-episode limited series from executive producer and writer Tom Rob Smith (the writer ofAssassinationof Gianni Versace)and executive producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, the team behind theAmerican Crime Storyfranchise.
Class of ‘09is set to star Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Kate Mara (A Teacher), and is described as a suspense thriller “following a class of FBI agents set in a near future where the U.S. criminal justice system has been transformed by artificial intelligence.”
The series, which is produced by FX Productions, will be available exclusively on FX on Hulu.
Now you might be thinking, “Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara as FBI agents in a thriller? Two actors who generally get overshadowed by their flashier colleagues despite delivering really solid and subtle performances every time? Sure! But why should I be anything more than vaguely interested?” Well, you just have to look at FX’s recent choices when it comes to high-concept sci-fi series.
Bold Strokes for Bold Folks
Yes, we’re usingDevsas an example of when FX’s big sci-fi swings go right. Though the Alex Garland show went relatively under the radar, it was hailed as one of the best things that came out of FX (and FX on Hulu), and an example of why the network’s programming, when it comes to weird, high-concept sci-fi stories, has always been on point.
WhenDevspremiered in February 2020, /Film’s Chris Evangelista gave it a ravereview, writing, “Devs’ deliberate pacing, melancholy tone (I don’t think there’s a single moment of levity in any of the eight total episodes), and unapologetically cryptic storytelling is bound to throw casual viewers off, and heaven help anyone trying to live-tweet through this beast. You need to studyDevs– every frame might be giving you an answer. Or it might not. Part of the fun of this show is getting wrapped-up in its mind-blowing originality.”
Admittedly,Devshad a great genre name behind it —Alex Garland, who had a very specific vision for what the show would be. Previous genre hits from the show also hailed from creators with a singular brand, like Noah Hawley andLegionorFargo. Tom Rob Smith is relatively untested compared to a sci-fi visionary like Garland, but FX is pretty good at spotting a great sci-fi concept, and we can hope thatClass of ‘09follows that route.
