Amazon’s forthcoming sci-fi, The Peripheral, continues the current trend of limited series book adaptations. It is based on William Gibson’s 2014 novel of the same name. Gibson is a science fiction icon who is credited with coining the term “cyberspace.”
Along with the classic sci-fi picture Blade Yunner, Gibson pioneered the cyberpunk genre, which gave birth to a slew of other iconic films such as “The Matrix.” Gibson also ventured into cinema, creating the film adaptation of his short fiction, Johnny Mnemonic, which starred Keanu Reeves and anticipated a few things about 2021 and is currently available on Amazon Prime.
The novel “The Peripheral” imagines two futures: one in small-town America where the illegal drug trade reigns supreme, and another in London after catastrophic circumstances have killed off most humanity. The developers of “Westworld” will now transport us there. Here’s all we know so far about the forthcoming show.
The Peripheral – Updates on release date
The Peripheral has yet to get an official release date. Amazon has been publicly discussing adapting the novel since 2018, barely four years after it was published, but it is only now that it is being filmed. According to The Citizen Times, “The Peripheral” began filming in London this spring and will relocate to North Carolina in September, so fans may expect to see it sometime in 2022.
Notably, everyone is enthusiastic about the new series not only because of the source material, but also because it is being created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creators of the immensely successful drama “Westworld.” They’re collaborating with Amazon Studios and Warner Bros. Television on the project. In the director’s chair with them is Vincenzo Natali, who has directed episodes for series such as “Hannibal” and “Westworld,” as well as films such as “Cube” and “Splice.”
Greg Plageman, who has produced and written for a number of procedurals, including “Law & Order,” serves as showrunner. Finally, Scott B. Smith, who was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for the 1998 thriller “A Simple Plan,” is credited for conceiving and scripting it.
The Peripheral – Updates on cast members
As the cast for “The Peripheral” begins to be announced, the production crew is in the thick of filming. Chlo Grace Moretz, well known for her role in “Kick-Ass,” will appear as Flynne, the “clever, ambitious, and doomed” protagonist (via Deadline). In addition to her, Jack Reynor, who played Christian in “Midsommar,” will portray Flynne’s brother. Gary Carr (“The Deuce”) will also portray Wilf, a rich publicist from London.
Louis Herthum (“Westworld,” “Longmire”) plays Corbell Pickett, Chris Coy (“The Deuce”) plays Jasper, Melinda Page Hamilton (“How to Get Away with Murder”) plays Ella, Katie Leung (Cho Chang in the “Harry Potter” films) plays Ash, and Austin Rising (“The Roommates”) plays Leon. Alexandra Billings, best known for her performance in “Transparent,” will play Detective Ainsley Lowbeer.
The Peripheral – Updates on story
Because “The Peripheral” is an adaptation of William Gibson’s novel, the narrative of the series will match the plot of the book. “‘The Peripheral’ is basically a noirish murder mystery wearing a cyberpunk leather jacket,” Zach Baron wrote for GQ.
If you want more details, it revolves on the characters of Flynne Fisher (Chlo Grace Moretz) and her brother, Burton (Jack Reynor), who are suffering in a not-too-distant future in rural America, where employment are few and the illegal drug trade is rife. He’s a former member of the Marine Corps’ elite Haptic Recon squad who is covertly working for a virtual gaming world.
According to Deadline, the narrative actually begins when Flynne stands in for him one day and sees a crime. For those curious about Season 2, Gibson did write a sequel and is planning a third to complete the trilogy (via The Guardian), so there would be a template for the adaptation to follow. It remains to be seen whether the series progresses that far.
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