Sci Fi TV Production Report: Two titles fans keep asking about just nudged forward - one new DC experiment and one gnarly Alien chapter that isn't done with us yet. If you're planning editorial calendars or programming guides, this is the week to pencil a few things in.
DC Crime (HBO Max): the true-crime twist on a superhero city
Here's the hook: a true-crime docuseries set in the DC Universe, hosted by Jimmy Olsen - yes, that Jimmy Olsen - with Skyler Gisondo (movies and tv series) in the role. The first season zeroes in on Gorilla Grodd, the telepathic heavy most associated with The Flash. It's weird in a good way. And honestly, smart.
The project is showing up on Production Weekly, which usually means rooms are turning lights on and calls are going out. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault (movies and tv series) (the minds behind American Vandal) are writing and showrunning. James Gunn (movies and tv series) and Peter Safran (movies and tv series) are executive producers, positioning this squarely inside the current DCU reboot.
Here's what this could mean: a rare HBO Max-original play (not HBO) that uses the true-crime frame to make the DCU feel lived-in. Expect a late 2026 or early 2027 window if things hold. For background, Variety covered the announcement here.
Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu) - Season 2 is a go
It's official: Season 2 is happening. The renewal hit this week, and now the show's on Production Weekly's radar again. Noah Hawley (movies and tv series) has been upfront about the plan: Season 1 was the proof of concept; Season 2 builds a model that could carry the story further if audiences show up.
Two notes matter for scheduling and budget watchers. Production is shifting from Thailand to London - likely a cost and logistics play - and the current read points to a late 2026 premiere target. Hawley's talked about designing this as a recurring series with a real endpoint in mind; more context via Variety here.
What does that mean for viewers? Probably a tighter machine in Season 2, less "can we pull this off?" and more "here's the thing we're building." And yes, more sleepless nights.
Quick hits you should know
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) - Season 3 has wrapped production. Season 2 hasn't premiered yet, but early 2026 is the working expectation, which should keep the gap between S2 and S3 shorter than usual.
- Dune: Prophecy (Max) - Season 2 is moving forward, with Indira Varma (movies and tv series), Tom Hollander (movies and tv series), and Ashley Walters (movies and tv series) joining the cast.
- The Last of Us (HBO) - Season 3 appears in the latest listings. No surprise, but still notable for planning.
What to circle on your slate (subject to change)
- DC Crime (HBO Max): late 2026 to early 2027 feels realistic if the current pace holds.
- Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu) S2: late 2026 is the internal target after the move to London.
One last thing: being on Production Weekly doesn't guarantee a greenlight or an on-time premiere. But it does mean calls are going out, budgets are being sharpened, and the machine's turning. For now, that's momentum - and in TV, momentum is half the battle.
