The Zone Lands Childhood’s End

Sky’s The Zone will premiere the Syfy channel adaptation of Arthur C Clarke’s Childhood’s End on February 11.

It follows the peaceful alien invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival begins decades of utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture.

“While it doesn’t quite live up to the book that inspired it, Childhood’s End has a balanced narrative and sympathetic performances,” was Rotten Tomatoes’ summation of the 26 reviews that earned an aggregated rating of 69% “fresh”.

Among the cheerleaders was the New York Times: “The story has been tweaked, as all novels must be when turned into television, and it’s been brought into the present (Clarke’s jumping-off point was the Cold War space race), but the depth and ambition are still there …

“It’s heady, unsettling stuff, adapted by Matthew Graham and brought to life with affecting performances, especially by Osy Ikhile as a scientist who becomes the final witness to the great transition.”

The three-part dramatisation will screen 8.30 Thursdays and also stars Under the Dome’s Mike Vogel, The Player’s Daisy Betts, Once Upon a Time’s Georgina Haig, Nip/Tuck’s Julian McMahon, Hell on Wheels’ Colm Meany and Game of Thrones’ Charles Dance.

February on The Zone also heralds the return of Cinema Z in a new 9.30 Friday slot, kicking off with: Lavalantula (February 5), Avengers Grimm (February 12), Red: Werewolf Hunter (February 19) and San Andreas Quake (February 26).