"House of Cards" Creator To Develop Space Exploration Series For Hulu

By Josh Tarpley
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Online streaming services not only provide viewing of our favorite movies and previously released television shows, but now they are fully in the business of crafting original content. Hulu just took a huge step in the streaming wars. After launching and showrunning “House of Cards” for four season over on Netflix, Beau Willimon will create the space drama “The First” for Hulu in 2018. The series will explore the first manned mission to Mars along with the colonization of the new home planet.

Click beyond the jump to learn more about Willimon’s new streaming series

Maybe this is a bit too much speculation, but after looking at Willimon’s career “The First” takes on new light. Willimon wrote and received an Oscar nomination for “The Ides of March,” a political drama that looks at how politicians do whatever it takes to win. He then went on to oversee “House of Cards,” the massively popular show that details all things manipulation in Washington. He then stepped away from “House of Cards,” and now in the midst of our current political climate he has his eyes set on colonizing Mars? Coincidence? You be the judge.

All joking aside, “The First” is a big grab for Hulu. Streaming services like Amazon/Netflix/Hulu are now competing directly with premium content providers like Showtime and HBO. So when the creator of the Emmy-nominated “House of Cards” is shopping around a new show, you can bet there are some major conversations happening. Hulu recently debuted “The Handmaid’s Tale” to critical acclaim, and now it is clear they are in the business of providing quality content to compete with the other services.

Willimon said the following about “The First,”

"It’s a story about the human spirit...about our indomitable need to reach for unknown horizons. About people working toward the greatest pioneering achievement in human history. And about the cost of that vision, the danger and sacrifice — emotional, psychological and physical — that’s required to achieve it. How ordinary, imperfect people band together and overcome a myriad of obstacles to grasp the extraordinary."

What do you think? Are you excited for the next series from the “House of Cards” creator? Do you think Hulu will join the Emmys conversation these next couple of years? Let us know in the comments below!

You can follow Josh and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars and Film/Television on Twitter at @JoshTarpley7