War of the Worlds

After a mysterious signal from a distant galaxy confirms intelligent life, the world braces for contact. The moment feels like a global event, with scientists and governments promising clarity within days. But what arrives is something far more devastating. An all out assault sweeps across the planet, turning bustling cities into ghost towns and leaving only pockets of survivors to piece life back together. As the invaders harvest the planet's resources and hunt humans, fear, confusion, and anger ripple through communities. The story follows ordinary people from different nations as they cling to hope while trying to understand who is behind the attack and what their aim might be. No one is safe, and trust becomes a rare currency.

Created by Howard Overman, War of the Worlds debuted in 2019 as a British French co production. The series reimagines H. G. Wells classic with a multinational cast led by Gabriel Byrne and Léa Drucker, framed by a European setting.

Critics praised the tense mood and focus on ordinary people facing extraordinary danger, plus the show's exploration of fear, resilience, and moral choices under pressure. The production design and pacing contribute to a sense of immediacy, with surveillance style scenes and practical effects heightening realism. It balances intimate character moments with high stakes and a global perspective that broadens the invasion narrative.

With a diverse international cast and setting, the series widens the War of the Worlds premise beyond a single battle to a cross-border crisis. The race against extinction feels collective, highlighting how different cultures respond to threat while sharing universal questions about humanity. It also reflects contemporary concerns about how information is shared during crises and how communities form improvised networks to endure.

While critics highlighted its ambition and craft, no major awards or nominations are documented for this edition. The team behind the series receives recognition from fans and industry peers for grounding a familiar myth in contemporary global anxieties, instead of relying on spectacle alone. That balance attracted viewers looking for more than flashy effects.