The upcoming TV series adaptation of author Walter Tevis’ classic sci-fi novel, The Man Who Fell to Earth has cast Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role. The role of Thomas Jerome Newton is most widely known for David Bowie’s portrayal in the late Nicolas Roeg’s 1976 big screen adaptation.
While Roeg’s adaptation is critically acclaimed, it’s a challenging watch for many, with plenty of room for confusion to take hold. The plot focuses on Newton as he arrives on Earth and impersonates a human in a bid to save his dying planet. However, those familiar with Roeg’s directorial style will know that his significant body of work was rarely straightforward, and watching The Man Who Fell to Earth involves deciphering a wide variety of concepts, symbolism and subtext. The upcoming TV series adaptation will be part of the newly created subscription streaming service, Paramount+, though at present, very little is known about the new series. Fans of both the book and Roeg’s adaptation are sure to be eager to find out as much as possible as casting continues.
The latest bit of news on the upcoming sci-fi series has just arrived courtesy of Collider and things are already looking promising. The lead role of the earthbound extra-terrestrial will be played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, though his character won’t be the same one who Bowie played years ago. Instead, the Paramount+ adaptation will involve a new alien “who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future.“
The newly announced TV series will certainly have its work cut out for it, as fans of Roeg’s adaptation tend to be somewhat protective of the work that Bowie did as Newton. With Bowie having passed away in 2016 and Roeg’s passing arriving two years later in 2018, it’s understandable why the two highly revered creatives have left a certain imprint on the source material. Ejiofor is an undeniably talented actor, however, and his appointment as the currently unnamed alien is already a strong indication that Paramount doesn’t intend to simply coast along with this latest adaptation. There’s still plenty of casting left to do and no one will really know what’s in store until a trailer arrives, but as things currently stand, there’s no reason at all to think that this adaptation can’t carve out its own legacy.
Sci-fi TV has a lengthy history of hits and misses, and the same can be said for TV adaptations of films. Having a strong cast is just one step in the right direction for The Man Who Fell to Earth, but it’s going to take some clever writing and great direction to really bring viewers in. If there is an advantage for this new series it’s that while some fans of the Roeg/Bowie film might unfairly scrutinize the adaptation, the series has the chance to bring in a whole new generation of fans – if the new concept works and works well, that is.
