Snowpiercer TV series uncovers new showrunner in Orphan Black co-creator

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

* a loudpseaker crackles to life *

Hello ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to thank you riding the Snowpiercer with us today, and would like to offer you an update on the planned TV series based on Bong-Joon-ho's 2013 sci-fi film of the same name. As was announced last month, Josh Friedman has exited the SNOWPIERCER project on account of their being some "creative differences" concerning the overall direction of the show. While it would have been interesting to see Friedman's take on the material, the TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES developer has decided to travel along a different route.

Replacing Friedman, who was executive producing the series and also wrote the pilot episode (which was directed by Scott Derrickson), is ORPHAN BLACK co-creaor Graeme Manson. That's right #CloneClub, your boy is at it again!

When speaking about the change in guard for TNT's upcoming sci-fi series, Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT, said that “Graeme’s extensive background in the sci-fi genre coupled with his brilliant work behind Orphan Black made him the perfect choice for this series.” She then added, “He is the best conductor to navigate the thought provoking and delicate themes of the series while bringing this frozen, futuristic world to life.”

When the SNOWPIERCER TV series pulls out of the station, the story will take place seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland and centers on a small band of people who inhabit a gigantic, perpetually moving train that circles the globe. Jennifer Connelly is set to star alongside Daveed Diggs, Mickey Sumner, Susan Park, Benjamin Haigh, Sasha Frolova, Katie McGuinness, Alison Wright, Annalise Basso, Sam Otto, Roberto Urbina, Sheila Vand and Lena Hall.

Provided that all goes well, it should be interesting to see how Manson takes advantage of the SNOWPIERCER property. He's no stranger to elaborate sci-fi, as evidenced by his work on ORPHAN BLACK, and has a real knack for helping to develop memorable characters. With so many bizarre personalities stashed aboard the Snowpiercer locomotive, it sounds as if we could be in for one hell of a ride.

Are you excited to hear that Manson is taking over as showrunner? Did you enjoy the original SNOWPIERCER film? Let us know in the comments section below!