The upcoming ITV miniseries First Woman is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing sci-fi thrillers of the year, and it just got a major boost with the addition of two acclaimed actors. Alex Hassell, known for his role in Rivals, and Jennifer Ehle, a star of the iconic Pride and Prejudice adaptation, have officially joined the cast. The series is currently filming in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
At the heart of First Woman is a gripping mystery: Claire Reith, played by Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie), is the first woman to walk on the moon. But when she vanishes from a lunar colony, the stakes skyrocket. The investigation quickly points fingers not only at her fellow astronauts but also at the crew of a rival Chinese moon base. Back on Earth, her husband Ben (Ashley Walters, Adolescence) is desperate for answers, while Helen Sadler (Ehle), an investigator for the UK Space Flight Authority, takes on the case. Hassell steps into the role of Christopher Scott, the UK Prime Minister, whose political future hangs in the balance as the investigation uncovers dangerous secrets.
Who Are Alex Hassell and Jennifer Ehle?
Alex Hassell is no stranger to high-profile projects. After making his Hollywood debut in George Clooney's satire Suburbicon, he went on to appear in The Boys, Cowboy Bebop, and films like The Tragedy of Macbeth, Violent Night, and Young Woman and the Sea. He's set to reprise his role as the charismatic aristocrat Rupert Campbell-Black in the upcoming second season of Disney+'s steamy drama Rivals.
Jennifer Ehle, the daughter of novelist John Ehle and actor Rosemary Harris (Spider-Man), is best known for her breakout role as Elizabeth Bennet opposite Colin Firth in the BBC's 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Her filmography includes major titles like Zero Dark Thirty, Contagion, and The King's Speech. She'll next be seen as Gabriella de Lioncourt in AMC's The Vampire Lestat.
Behind the Scenes of First Woman
The series was created by Lydia Yeoman and George Oakes, who also wrote the script alongside Ben Schiffer. Philip Martin, known for his work on The Crown, is directing. The executive producers include Mammoth Screen's Damien Timmer, James Gandhi, Martin, and the creators Oakes and Yeoman. First Woman is an ITV production.
With its blend of space-age intrigue, political thriller, and personal drama, First Woman promises to be a standout addition to the sci-fi genre. For fans of psychological thrillers, it's worth checking out our list of the best psychological thriller movies of the last 15 years to get in the mood. And if you're looking for more gripping TV, Prime Video's 'Bishop' adds 'Banshee' and 'Succession' stars for a gritty crime thriller.
As production heats up, expect more details about First Woman to emerge. The series is already generating buzz as a must-watch for fans of smart, character-driven sci-fi.
