Full Breakdown
Noah Hawley Confirms Alien: Earth Season 2 Production Shift to Pinewood Studios
4/25/2026, 4:24:08 AM
Production Update: Season 2 Begins Filming in London
FX’s Alien: Earth will commence principal photography this summer at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England. Showrunner Noah Hawley reported a “stage walk” through the new sets, noting that props and costumes are already being built. The move follows a “great experience in Thailand” but is intended to provide a long-term home for the series. Hawley also indicated that the second season will be “a bigger show, more world-building” than its predecessor.
Background & Context: From Thailand to Pinewood
The first season, filmed in Thailand, premiered on FX and Hulu in August 2025 and was renewed in November 2025. Set in 2120, the series follows a crash-landed space vessel, a group of tactical soldiers, and a young woman (Sydney Chandler) as they confront a xenomorph threat. The narrative expands the franchise’s focus from isolated space settings to Earth-based corporate conflict.
Key Figures & Groups
- Noah Hawley – writer, director, showrunner, and head of 26 Keys.
- Sydney Chandler – lead actress portraying Wendy.
- Peter Dinklage – announced as a series regular with a “major role.”
- Neil Lamont – production designer, son of original Alien designer Peter Lamont.
- FX/Disney Television – network and co-financier.
- 26 Keys – Hawley’s production banner, operating under a nine-figure overall deal with FX/Disney.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Season 1 premiere |
| Nov 2025 | Series renewal for Season 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Hawley announces move to Pinewood Studios |
| Summer 2026 | Start of Season 2 filming (May/June indicated) |
| Post-summer 2026 | “Hard prep” for Far Cry TV adaptation begins |
Data & Statistics
- The series is set against five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold.
- Pinewood Studios previously hosted the original Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), and Prometheus (2012).
- Hawley’s FX/Disney deal is reported to be in the nine-figure range.
Why It Matters
Relocating production to Pinewood offers tax incentives and a centralized location, which Hawley describes as a “sustainable model” for future seasons. The addition of Peter Dinklage may broaden audience appeal, while the expanded world-building signals an intent to extend the franchise beyond a single-season proof of concept.
Official Statements & Responses
Hawley emphasized that Season 2 will expand on the first season’s promise and that the series aims to become a long-term property, contingent on production costs and audience reception. He confirmed the appointment of co-showrunners for both Alien: Earth and the upcoming Far Cry adaptation, noting that he will direct only the opening two episodes of Far Cry. Hawley also highlighted the personal connection to the franchise through Neil Lamont’s lineage and the historic significance of Pinewood Studios.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No release date for Season 2 has been disclosed. While Hawley confirmed Peter Dinklage’s involvement, the character’s identity and narrative function remain unspecified. Exact filming start dates vary between “summer” and “May,” reflecting a lack of precise scheduling in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What I can say is we start [shooting] this summer. We're getting close. I did a stage walk today past the props and costumes. Things are being built. It's always exciting to see it. We had a great experience in Thailand, but for a couple of reasons, London is a better home for us long-term.” — Noah Hawley, Showrunner
- “It’s a bigger show, more world building, and I can’t think of a better place for taking on that bigger challenge.” — Noah Hawley, Showrunner
- “I am, for better or worse, an ensemble writer who has never met a character I didn’t like, but he’s got a major role, and people are going to feel it’s a worthy role for him.” — Noah Hawley, on Peter Dinklage
- “Assuming that the price of execution and the audience stays commensurate, we could go for as long as we want. If we nurture them, these franchises can give back for a very long time.” — Noah Hawley, on series longevity
- “Hawley stated, “Neil did some work on it when he was a teen.” — Noah Hawley, about production designer Neil Lamont
What’s Next
Casting announcements for Season 2 are expected soon, and the Far Cry series will enter “hard prep” after Alien: Earth’s production wraps. Hawley’s broader slate includes development on a John Mulaney-led project and a drama adaptation of Alice Hoffman’s *The Witches of Cambridge*.
