Earth Abides

When a sudden, lethal plague wipes out most of humanity, Isherwood 'Ish' Williams wakes to empty cities and a world where the systems people relied on are collapsing. He travels through abandoned towns and overgrown highways, meeting a small group of survivors who bring different skills, memories and priorities. The series tracks Ish as he tries to teach younger people what the old world was like, to keep useful knowledge alive and to make practical decisions about food, shelter and order. It focuses as much on quiet, personal moments as on larger problems, showing how culture and habit change when population thins and nature starts reclaiming human spaces.

Released in 2024, Earth Abides was adapted for television by Todd Komarnicki from George R. Stewart's landmark novel. Alexander Ludwig headlines as Ish, with Jessica Frances Dukes playing Emma, and the production leans into a restrained, realistic visual style that echoes the book's tone.

As of its 2024 debut, major industry awards haven't been attached to the series. Early responses have centered on performances and the fidelity of the adaptation, and any formal accolades could emerge in later award cycles or genre festivals.

Adapting a 1949 novel gives the show added cultural resonance, and it's prompted renewed interest in Stewart's original work. Fans of post-apocalyptic fiction have been comparing its approach to rebuilding and memory with other entries in the genre, and the imagery of nature reclaiming urban ruins has already become a frequent topic in online discussions and reviews.

Audience reaction sits at about 7.27/10 from 129 votes, suggesting generally favorable viewer impressions. Reviewers and viewers point to recurring themes like solitude, intergenerational teaching, the fragility of institutions and environmental recovery. The pace is deliberate, with emphasis on character dynamics and ethical choices, and Ludwig's central turn often gets singled out as the show's emotional anchor.