Here are 13 must-watch post-apocalyptic Odyssey shows that explore the end of the world!
The Walking Dead (2010-)
– Premise: The Walking Dead is set in a world where a zombie virus has led to a collapse of civilization. The series follows a group of survivors as they navigate the dangers of the undead and the even more dangerous living.
– Key Themes: Survival, morality, community, and the fragility of society.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Danai Gurira (Michonne), and creator Frank Darabont.
The 100 (2014-2020)
– Premise: The 100 is set in a post-nuclear Earth where a group of young survivors is sent down from a space station to determine if the planet is habitable. They must navigate the challenges of a post-apocalyptic world and political tensions.
– Key Themes: Leadership, ethics, the consequences of war, and the resilience of youth.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Eliza Taylor (Clarke Griffin), Bob Morley (Bellamy Blake), Marie Avgeropoulos (Octavia Blake), and creator Jason Rothenberg.
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
– Premise: The Leftovers begins with the sudden disappearance of 2% of the world’s population. The series explores the lives of those left behind and their responses to the unexplained event.
– Key Themes: Grief, faith, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of inexplicable events.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Justin Theroux (Kevin Garvey), Carrie Coon (Nora Durst), Amy Brenneman (Laurie Garvey), and creators Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta.
The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-)
– Premise: Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian society where women’s rights have been stripped away. Fertile women, known as Handmaids, are forced into reproductive servitude.
– Key Themes: Gender, power, religious extremism, and the erosion of civil liberties.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Elisabeth Moss (Offred), Joseph Fiennes (Commander Waterford), Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia), and creator Bruce Miller.
The Rain (2018-2020)
– Premise: A virus carried by rainfall wipes out most of Scandinavia’s population. Siblings Simone and Rasmus must navigate the post-apocalyptic world and search for safety.
– Key Themes: Family, survival, sibling bonds, and the consequences of scientific experiments gone wrong.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Alba August (Simone), Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen (Rasmus), Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (Martin), and creators Jannik Tai Mosholt, Esben Toft Jacobsen, and Christian Potalivo.
Black Summer (2019-)
– Premise: A prequel to Z Nation, Black Summer follows the early days of a zombie apocalypse, focusing on a group of survivors attempting to escape the undead hordes.
– Key Themes: Chaos, desperation, survival, and the breakdown of society.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Jaime King (Rose), Justin Chu Cary (Julius), Christine Lee (Ooh Sun Kyungsun), and creators Karl Schaefer and John Hyams.
Snowpiercer (2020-)
– Premise: Based on the French graphic novel and Bong Joon-ho’s film, Snowpiercer is set on a perpetually moving train carrying humanity’s remnants through a frozen, post-apocalyptic world. It explores class divisions and power struggles.
– Key Themes: Inequality, class warfare, environmental disaster, and the consequences of extreme social stratification.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Jennifer Connelly (Melanie Cavill), Daveed Diggs (Andre Layton), Mickey Sumner (Bess Till), and creator Graeme Manson.
Sweet Tooth (2021-)
– Premise: In a world where hybrid human-animal children are born, a young boy named Gus, who is part deer, embarks on a journey to find safety and uncover the mystery of his existence.
– Key Themes: Acceptance, diversity, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Christian Convery (Gus), Nonso Anozie (Tommy Jepperd), Adeel Akhtar (Dr. Aditya Singh), and creators Jim Mickle and Beth Schwartz.
Y: The Last Man (2021-)
– Premise: In a world where all mammals with a Y chromosome are mysteriously wiped out, except for one man and his male pet monkey, Y: The Last Man explores the post-apocalyptic world’s power dynamics and societal shifts.
– Key Themes: Gender, power, societal upheaval, and the potential consequences of a gender-disparate world.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Ben Schnetzer (Yorick Brown), Diane Lane (Jennifer Brown), Ashley Romans (Agent 355), and developer Eliza Clark.
The Stand (2020-2021)
– Premise: Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, The Stand depicts a post-apocalyptic world after a deadly plague wipes out most of humanity. It centers on the battle between good and evil.
– Key Themes: Good vs. evil, faith, spirituality, and the resilience of hope in the darkest of times.
– Notable Cast and Crew: James Marsden (Stu Redman), Amber Heard (Nadine Cross), Odessa Young (Frannie Goldsmith), and creators Josh Boone and Benjamin Cavell.
The Last Man on Earth (2015-2018)
– Premise: The Last Man on Earth is a comedy twist on the post-apocalyptic genre. It follows the life of Phil Miller, who believes he’s the last human on Earth, until he encounters other survivors.
– Key Themes: Loneliness, human connection, absurdity, and the challenges of reestablishing a society.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Will Forte (Phil Miller), Kristen Schaal (Carol Pilbasian), January Jones (Melissa Shart), and creator Will Forte.
Colony (2016-2017)
– Premise: In a world invaded by alien creatures, a group of survivors fights for their lives and their freedom. The Colony explores the themes of resistance and survival against a formidable enemy.
– Key Themes: Resistance, humanity’s resilience, the dynamics of an occupied world, and survival tactics.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Josh Holloway (Will Bowman), Sarah Wayne Callies (Katie Bowman), Peter Jacobson (Proxy Alan Snyder), and creators Ryan J. Condal and Carlton Cuse.
Into the Night (2020-)
– Premise: A solar event irradiates the planet, killing those exposed to sunlight. Passengers on an overnight flight must outrun the sun and navigate the challenges of a dark, post-apocalyptic world.
– Key Themes: Survival, resourcefulness, human ingenuity, and the struggle for safety in a world with limited daylight.
– Notable Cast and Crew: Pauline Etienne (Sylvie Bridgette Dubois), Laurent Capelluto (Mathieu Daniel Douek), Mehmet Kurtulus (Ayaz Kobanbay), and creator Jason George.
These 13 post-apocalyptic TV shows offer diverse perspectives on the end of the world, exploring themes of survival, human nature, societal breakdown, and the resilience of the human spirit. With talented casts and creative crews, they continue to captivate audiences and provoke thought about the potential consequences of global catastrophes.
Where to watch these 13 shows:
1. The Walking Dead (2010-)
– Airing On: AMC
2. The 100 (2014-2020)
– Airing On: The CW (previously on Netflix)
3. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
– Airing On: HBO
4. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-)
– Airing On: Hulu
5. The Rain (2018-2020)
– Airing On: Netflix
6. Black Summer (2019-)
– Airing On: Netflix
7. Snowpiercer (2020-)
– Airing On: TNT (previously on Netflix)
8. Sweet Tooth (2021-)
– Airing On: Netflix
9. Y: The Last Man (2021-)
– Airing On: FX on Hulu
10. The Stand (2020-2021)
– Airing On: CBS All Access (now Paramount+)
11. The Last Man on Earth (2015-2018)
– Airing On: FOX
12. The Colony (2016-2017)
– Airing On: USA Network
13. Into the Night (2020-)
– Airing On: Netflix
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