In 2014, Emily St. John Mandel released a critically-acclaimed novel about a devastating global pandemic and survivors’ attempts to pick up the pieces. Seven years later, the prestige limited series has arrived. HBO Max released the first teaser for its upcoming Station Eleven miniseries. It’s a multigenerational story about a swine flu pandemic that overtakes the globe. And the sweeping, tense trailer gives us just a glimpse of what to expect from the 10-episode limited series.
The trailer captures both an eerie familiarity of living through a pandemic and sci-fi disaster flicks like The Day After Tomorrow. Which is a pretty impressive line to walk at this point in pandemic-related media. Station Eleven, specifically, has had a pretty curious road to TV. As, more than anything, its airing during an actual pandemic is more of an unfortunate coincidence.
HBO Max announced the limited series back in June 2019—which feels like a decade ago at this point. The series started filming in January 2020 but was, of course, interrupted by the novel coronavirus. But still, during the early months of the pandemic, Mandel’s book piqued the curiosity of many newly hunkered in their homes.
Synopsis from HBO Max:
A post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines, this limited drama series tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what’s been lost.
In addition to the first teaser, HBO Max also released a trio of images, featuring stars Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, and Gael Garcia Bernal.
Mackenzie Davis and Himesh Patel lead the cast, which also features Daniel Zovatto, David Wilmot, Matilda Lawler, Philippine Velge, Nabhaan Rizwan and Lori Petty. Gael Garcìa Bernal and Danielle Deadwyler have significant recurring roles.
Station Eleven debuts on December 16.