The Steven Spielberg-producedTerra Novaintroduced the world to new sci-fi plot lines and graphics in 2011unlike other shows on television but was canceled after just one season.Terra Novawas among the many shows andfilms produced by Steven Spielberg, which naturally drew more attention to it upon its release. It was a wildly expensive show to make, with each CGI-heavy episode costing an estimated $4 million. Unfortunately, this became part of the show’s downfall, asTerra Novaonly ran for just a single season.
Terra Novaexplored unique science fiction concepts like time travel and dinosaurs. With its memorably stunning CGI work,Terra Novais even considered one of thebest TV shows about dinosaurs, even 13 years after it ended. The show generally had middling reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, though they leaned towards positive. Even in its short time on air,Terra Novawas able to build a substantial fanbase, engaging audiences with its unique premise, stellar cast, and outstanding graphics.
Terra Nova Was About Humans Going Back In Time To Establish A Colony
The Show Made Great Use Of Computer Graphics
Terra Novafollows the Shannon family, who are transmitted 85 million years back in time to flee an overpopulated mid-22nd century America. In the past, they worked to establish a new colony of humans called Terra Nova or New Land. The show manages to subvert some majortime travel tropes, focusing more on the new setting rather than the effects of the past. With the show set in prehistoric times, the Shannons still have to battle corporate destruction and a new threat: dinosaurs. Many found the show’s CGI landscape and dinosaurs engaging, helping to transport the audiences as well.
With such a novel premise,Terra Novawas able to define its tone and role in the genre effectively. The show also balanced familiar themes of family and societal dynamics with new, invented dangers of the era. Despite some violence and graphic moments, its themes, gripping action, well-paced plot, and fantastic visuals provided content for many sci-fi fans. The show also starred iconic actors like Jason O’Mara and Stephen Lang, who helped make the story even more compelling.
Terra Nova’s Exciting Premise & Cast Weren’t Enough To Save The Show
Despite Fan Campaigns, Fox Decided Not To Make A Second Season
Terra Novawas on the path to success early in its first season. At the 2011 Critics' Choice Television Awards, its pilot was even deemed one of eight honorees in the Most Exciting New Series category. However, some audiences found it dragging a little by the middle of the year, with the initial novelty wearing off. Overall,Terra Novabecame too expensive to continue producing, and it ultimately failed to become a major success, with Fox canceling the show after only one season.
AfterTerra Nova’s cancelation, fans began campaigning in support of a second season. Many still loved the exciting premise, iconic setting, and graphics and were eager for more character development. One campaign tactic even involved sending plastic dinosaurs to Fox, particularly to the network’s then-chairman of entertainment. Even the show’s prominent cast members joined the movement but were unable to revive the show. Though other networks expressed interest in reviving it,Terra Novaremained canceled. Unfortunately, this early cancelation meant that the Spielberg-produced project didn’t really get the opportunity to fully realize its potential.
Other High Concept Shows That Ended Too Soon
Terra Novahad a big idea and simply could not draw in the audience to connect with the series. That has been a problem with many high-concept shows that failed to launch in the way they were expected. When a show gambles on a big premise but fails to draw a large audience, it usually means that the series isn’t going to last too long and the fans that did tune in are left wanting more from the bold ideas.
One of the best examples of this was the seriesFlashFoward, which was touted as the next big sci-fi mystery that would replaceLost. LikeLost, the show follows several different characters as part of a large ensemble as they attempt to understand the global event in which everyone on Earth blacked out and saw a vision of their future. Despite high hopes, the show was canceled after one season.
Another series that was built as a grand drama with an expansive story and a lot of different characters wasRevolution. The series takes place in the future in which the entire world experienced an electrical blackout, returning the planet to the dark ages as the remaining population attempts to survive in a much different world. While it was a little more successful thanFlashForward, it still only lasted two seasons.
One of the most famous examples ofa high-concept show that was canceled too soon isFirefly. Following the success ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, there was a lot of excitement about what the now-controversial Joss Whedon would make next.Fireflywas an even grander vision with it following a crew of space cowboys on their intergalactic adventures in space. The ratings were not high enough to make up for the high budget, but while the show was canceled after one season, its cult status did allow for a movie,Serenity, to be made years later.
What The Terra Nova Cast Is Up To Now
Some Cast Members Have Gone Onto Big Things
WhileTerra Novadid not end up being the hit that many had hoped for, the main cast of the show was able to move on successfully following its cancellation. Jason O’Mara played the lead role of Jim Shannon onTerra Novaand continued to have a long career in television afterward. He appeared on shows likeVegas, Agents of SHIELD,andThe Man in the High Castle. However, he might be best known for his voice performances as Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in a number of DC animated movies, includingBatman: HushandThe Death of Superman.
Commander Nathaniel Taylor
Don’t Breathe, Avatar: The Way of Water
For some of the cast members, the failure ofTerra Novawas a small hurdle to overcome on their way to more successful shows. Shelley Conn played Dr Elizabeth Shannon inTerra Novabefore going on to play Beelzebub inGood Omens, Indira Shetty inThe Boys,and Lady Mary Sharma in the second season ofBridgerton.
However,the two most notable cast members ofTerra Novafound big success after the show was canceled. Naomi Scott, who played Maddy Shannon in the series, continues to be a rising star in Hollywood with notable roles like Elena inCharlie’s Angeles, Jasmine inAladdin, and the starring role of Skye Riley inSmile 2. Stephen Lang was an established character actor when he joinedTerra Novaas Commander Nathaniel Taylor, but he found his biggest roles more recently, playing Quaritch in theAvatarmovies and The Blind Man inDon’t Breathe.
Terra Nova
Cast
After seeing their planet on the brink of destruction, the Shannons family is sent 85 million years in the past to join a colony, Terra Nova, which is attempting to rebuild a new civilization. However, the colonists also have to defend themselves against dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures that threaten their new way of life.
