Alien timeline clarified

A new Alien TV series moves the action to Earth and tests how the franchise timeline holds up.

Alien Timeline Clarity Ahead of Earth Series

Alien Earth on FX and Hulu marks a new direction for the franchise by moving the action to Earth. The series is set in 2120, two years before the events of the original Alien, and follows a crash landing that carries extremely valuable cargo. Creator Noah Hawley says the timeline is not strictly calendared, which gives writers room to explore ideas without forcing a fixed chain of events. The piece also notes that Prometheus and Covenant complicate the canon, and Hawley has signaled he will not center the new series on those films but instead build a broader ecosystem around the xenomorph myth.

Readers will find a timeline map in the article that lists the films in universe order and acknowledges ongoing debates about what counts as canon. Hawley aims to use Earth as a new stage for the franchise, with Weyland-Yutani and other powers competing for influence after the crash. The piece emphasizes that the goal is to expand the story while avoiding rehashing past plots, a move that could refresh the series or risk fragmenting its fan base. Alien Earth premieres on FX and streams on Hulu.

Shifting the locus to Earth broadens the franchise from a claustrophobic space tale to a global power game. Setting the story in 2120 tests whether the creature stays frightening when the threat moves from ship corridors to city streets and boardrooms. The approach gives the series room to build mood and invite new fans while letting old fans unpack legacy clues.

Canon debates may sharpen online and in reviews, but the project still has a chance to redefine the saga. The reliance on Weyland-Yutani as a driving force raises questions about budget, production scope, and how much risk studios are willing to take to expand a beloved horror myth. If the show lands, it could widen the audience and deepen the world; if not, the timeline mess could frustrate viewers who crave clarity.

Highlights

The timeline may stay messy but the story keeps evolving.