Fans of Hugh Laurie rejoice. The talented actor will be returning to American television in a new show, Avenue 5. Laurie is probably best known for his Emmy-nominated turn as the titular doctor on the show House MD. Although, some fans may recognize him for his early work as a well-known British comedian. His new project, Avenue 5, is described as a sci-comedy about a pleasure cruise in space gone wrong. Interested viewers can tune into HBO in January 2020, to watch the shows premiere. In the meantime, heres everything you need to know about the show.
The series is set in the not too distant future, 40 years from now. It starts out with what sounds like a dream vacation: a luxury cruise through space. Unfortunately, that dream takes a dark turn. At the center of the plot is the titular spaceship, Avenue 5. The cruise will face an unspecified problem at some point in its journey, causing distress for both the passengers and the crew. Overall, the series is said to be about space tourism. Most of the action will also take place in space, with only one major character having a role set on earth. Its doubtful that the show will stay so narrow in focus though. Knowing the production team, it will probably tackle quite a few topics. In terms of tone, the show is another in a new resurgence of sci-fi comedies. As a whole, sci-fi has grown in popularity over the last few years, owing to a slew of excellent genre films. On television, shows like The Orville have proven that people enjoy smart, humorous sci-fi. Avenue 5 seeks to round out that group by adding its own spin to the space travel narrative. Expect a lot of satire and plenty of irony from this new show, setting it apart from some of the lighter fare.
Hugh Laurie takes the lead role as Ryan Clark, the captain of the ship. Hes a charming, ideal leader, who has mastered his public appearance. As for his real personality, that may not be as perfect. With him in the disaster are the ships billionaire owner, Herman Judd, and his go-to woman, Iris Kimura. (Played by Josh Gad and Suzy Nakamura, respectively.) Although on the ship with everyone else, its clear from the trailer that these two have other priorities besides passenger safety. Theyre more caught up in preserving Hermans life and fortune. Other key characters include Matt Spencer, played by Zach Woods, and Rav Mulcair, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird.
Fans of The Office will probably recognize Zach Woods from his role as Gabe. Woods gamely portrayed Gabes particular brand of strangeness, so hes sure to shine in his new role as Matt Spencer. Spencer is in charge of customer relations on the ship, although his nihilism may make that job difficult. Meanwhile, Rav Mulcair is on earth, trying to deal with the disaster as the head of mission control. Shes described as being odd, although its not clear how that aspect of her personality will come into play. Ethan Phillips, Lenora Crichlow, Rebecca Front round out the rest of the cast, as key passengers and crew aboard the vessel. Theyre all on board for different reasons, but its clear theyre not the sort to sit calmly in a disaster.
The show was created for HBO by Armando Ianucci. Fans of television may recognize Ianucci as the creator of another great comedy, Veep. Veep was a very different show, focused on modern politics, rather than future space exploration. Having run for seven seasons, the show was much loved and earned numerous awards. Despite a change in location and genre, expect Ianucci to bring his same biting wit to Avenue 5. Even though the show is set in the future, its clear that it will satirize issues currently faced by viewers. In the trailer, there are already signs that classism and capitalism are both going to get the comedy treatment. Other executive producers on the show include Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, Kevin Loader and Will Smith. As a team, theyre bringing experience from movies like My Cousin Rachel, and other satirical shows like Succession. Many of them have also worked together previously with Iannucci, on Veep.
Currently, you can only watch Avenue 5 on HBO. If you have HBO through your cable provider, you can watch it on TV like any other prime-time show. Youll also have access to recording and On Demand services, depending on your plan. For anyone who has cut the cord with cable, you can still enjoy the show. Download the HBO Go app, or add HBO as part of a Hulu streaming subscription. Keep in mind, with both options you will have to pay in order to access the HBO show library. If you do use Hulu or HBO go, youll also be able to stream the show. This means you can watch it on any device, including your television. Hulu is compatible with a range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV Stick.
Its hard not to have high expectations for Avenue 5s premiere, especially given its cast and production crew. Veteran actors like Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad are sure to deliver. Theyve both done comedy and drama, which is ideal for satire work. And many of the other cast members have proven their comedic chops as well. The show runners are equally adept, having a wealth of successful television shows and movies between them. With so much talent at the helm, its hard to see Avenue 5 being a flop. At the very least, the show will be good for a few laughs. Check it out in January 2020 to see if you agree.
Read more:
Hugh Laurie is Back on TV With Avenue 5 - TVOvermind
- How Long Would It Take To Travel To The Nearest Star ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Time travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Space tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Space Travel and Exploration [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Space-A travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Human spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space Travel Facts for Kids [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space travel - Dune - Wikia [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- Daily Science Fiction :: Space Travel [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- SPACE TRAVEL - Fact Monster [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Tourism - National Space Society [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- space travel - NYMag.com [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Articles about Space Travel - latimes [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Travel - Astronomy + Space Exploration - Leisure [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2016]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown at Alpha Centauri - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Humans to be FROZEN IN TIME for space travel as scientists move to COLONISE other planets - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space flight changes astronauts' brains, research reveals - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- A Real Life Hibernation Chamber is Being Made For Deep Space Travel - Futurism [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Is This Buzz Aldrin-Inspired Locomotive The Future Of Space Travel? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel changes DNA, study finds - STLtoday.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Celestial bodies: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Quantum Entanglement May Be Key To Long Distance Space Travel Ex Lockheed Exec Said It's Already Happening - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center employees safe, returning following Michoud tornado - whnt.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Newspaper review: Heartthrob and space travel in Wednesday's papers - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Another View: NASA's Twins Study offers vital sign for space travel - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Piece of tragic shuttle history gets a second chance at space travel - WQAD.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Meet Shawn Pandya, The Third Indian-Origin Woman To Space-Travel - Huffington Post India [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Shawna Pandya clears the air on rumours of space travel - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - San Angelo Standard Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Did a CSU study find that space travel makes you younger? Not so ... - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Lacoste delves into the world of space travel at New York Fashion ... - Evening Standard [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Another Viewpoint: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel ... - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Starbound to revamp space travel in future update | PC Gamer - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How Does Long-Term Space Travel Affect Humans? - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- SPACE TRAVEL MAY CAUSE GENETIC CHANGES: STUDY - The Indian Panorama [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Two-Time Space Traveling Astronaut to Speak at Black History ... - Patriots Point [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Twins in space: intergalactic travel could change DNA - The Student [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Make space travel great again: NASA, heeding Trump, may add astronauts to a test flight moon mission - National Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- In recently unearthed essay, Winston Churchill anticipated space travel and extraterrestrial life - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Do You Have The Right Personality For Long-Term Space Travel ... - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Space News From SpaceDaily.Com [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Ask Ethan: How Can I Travel Through Space Without Getting Into Trouble? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- UK bids to be world leader in Space travel by 2020 - Daily Star [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- You could fly to SPACE from the UK within three years as plans are for space port are unveiled - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Cosmic cinema: spurring interest in real-life space travel? - Miami Student [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel could be ready as early as 2020 - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Know before you fly: privatized space travel - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- This Finnish startup democratizes space travel and it just raised over 3 million to find the next 'Slumdog ... - Business Insider Nordic [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- TRAPPIST-1: How Long Would It Take to Fly to 7-Planet System? - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel WITHIN THREE YEARS on flights to launch from BRITAIN - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Katherine Johnson led African American efforts in space travel ... - Farm and Dairy [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Space travel is measured in light years, but what's a light year anyway? - MyStatesman.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- SpaceX supply ship completes journey to space station - Spaceflight Now [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- NASA Looking for Bright Ideas to Help With Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The black women who pioneered space travel - Channel 24 [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- SpaceX's reusable rockets make space travel much cheaper - CMU The Tartan Online [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- The history of space travel encapsulated - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Stars align for space travel at memorable Oscars ceremony - Siliconrepublic.com [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- FSU researcher to lead US-Russia project on health, space travel - Florida State News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Watch an astrophysicist explain how NASA's next space telescope will help us time-travel through the Universe - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Forget SpaceX: 10 companies that will change space travel in 2017 & 2018 - Geektime [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Safe space travel: Protecting alien worlds from earthlings - and vice versa - Deutsche Welle [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Watch: 'Black Holes' A Satirical Comedy About Space Travel From Sundance 2017 - Konbini US [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Beyond Earth talking about space travel - Alaska Public Radio Network [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Doctor Launches Vision Quest To Help Astronauts' Eyeballs - NPR [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Colorado Likely To Benefit From Privatized Space Travel - CBS Local [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- NEC develops reliable FPGAs for space travel - Electronics Weekly - Electronics Weekly [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- SpaceX Moon Mission Won't Be Rich People's Joyride ... Says Space Travel Vet - TMZ.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- 4 Entrepreneurs Changing the Way We Think About Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Harvard Scientists Theorize That Fast Radio Bursts Come From Alien Space Travel - Popular Mechanics [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Exploring private space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Why Space Travel Can Be Absolutely Disgusting - Live Science [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body - Inverse [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- MIT Conference To Focus On Space Travel For The Public - CBS Boston / WBZ [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- The AstroRad Radiation Shield: The New Protective Vest for Deep Space - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]