While Bong Joon-Ho's 2013 sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer rarely got a chance of an audience in the UK, things are looking much better for the TV series based on the movie, which has now been picked up to series by US cable channel TNT.
The show swaps the film's cast (which included the likes of Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer and John Hurt) for the entirely solid teaming of Hamilton veteran Daveed Diggs and Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly. The concept, however, remains the same: years after the world has become a frozen wasteland thanks to climate tinkering, the remnants of humanity circle the globe in a giant, perpetually moving train split along class lines and riddled with distrust, despair and degradation. The show comes from writer Josh Friedman, and saw Doctor Strange's Scott Derrickson handle the pilot. TNT was clearly positive about the show early on, ordering additional scripts alongside the pilot.
"I’m a personal fan of Bong Joon Ho’s epic film, and jumped at the chance to honor his original vision, yet expand upon the world and characters with a diverse, award-winning cast," says TNT's Sarah Aubrey. "Science fiction is the perfect genre to examine issues of race, class, gender and natural resources with thought-provoking and exciting storytelling. Snowpiercer will explore those relevant issues while embarking on a wild, action-filled ride."
No date has been announced for the series, and there has been no sign of a UK channel picking it up yet, but we can certainly be hopeful given that the show is going full steam ahead.