Freeform just released the entire first season of Beyond yesterday. However, in an interview with Blastr, executive producers Adam Nussdorf and David Eick revealed they did not write the series with binge-watching in mind.
The sci-fi drama revolves around a young man who wakes up from a 12-year coma, finds that he’s a very different person and is now in the center of a dangerous conspiracy. The cast includes Burkely Duffield, Michael McGrady, Romy Rosemont, Jonathan Whitesell, Dilan Gwyn, and Jeff Pierre.
In the interview, Nussdorf said the two did not plan on having the show binge-dropped all at once:
No, we didn’t know that. Certainly some episodes are more mythology driven, and then we’ll take a break and one will be purely about Holden asking someone out on a date. It’s a constant balance, even deciding when to dole out pieces of mythology. We are both conscious of not withholding from the audience. When you know a creator has all the answers and they save all the answers to the ninth episode, and you sense that, then you ask why am I watching one through eight? But at the same time, mystery is such a beautiful thing in storytelling, so it’s finding the balance of just giving them enough to follow but still holding onto the great reveal.”
Later, Eick revealed there is a long-term plan for the series:
In this case too, we spent the first chunk of the writer’s room just talking about the mythology and not the stories. What is the universe we are going to explore? What are its rules? What genre tropes do we want to embrace, avoid, or subvert? We both have been in situations where we saw an absence of proper mythology planning that threw a show off the rails. But at the same time, I’m a big believer that you don’t figure out so much ahead of time that you lose the opportunity of a great idea that comes up at a late stage. Often with genre shows now, it’s a beautiful pilot directed by someone who won Oscars, but then you get a sense the show had no road map. Our show won’t be known for that. Even when you may not know what’s going on, we’ve figured some shit out.”
Season one of Beyond is currently available on Freeform‘s official website and on Hulu.
What do you think? Have you seen Beyond yet? Do you like the binge-premiere format or do you prefer weekly episode premieres?
Loved being able to binge watch. Love Beyond!!!!!
For myself, it has become a definite advantage when I can binge watch any series that I’m trying to follow. I’m a disabled senior and I’m sure that some of my memory problems now are age related, but I’ve had severe memory damage due to the disability for almost 20 years now. I try to keep accurate documentation about what movies and/or TV series I’ve watched and sites such as IMDb are very helpful with summaries that can bring to my mind what the episodes were about and watch lists that indicate which episodes I’ve seen. Nevertheless, I will still… Read more »
Loved the whole binge watch option, great idea, only hope it won’t be a long wait for 2nd season!
Totally just binged watch this themail last two days and it was a killer having to try and go to bed…I would be fine with either of the choices…just keep the series going, love it.
Had I watched the show on a weekly basis, I might have lost interest. By being able to binge watch Beyond, I’m now hooked and eager for a second season. Bring it on!
Watched this in two days flat, now I’m going through withdrawals. Loved the format, love how original it is. Please keep them coming.
I I injustice watched the entire season of Beyond. I am hoping there is a season 2! I loved being able to binge watch the series.
Soooo… how long do I have to wait for episode 11??? That’s the only problem with binge watching….
Awesome show. I really like the breaks between the mythology and real world takes. It’s great that you can binge watch.
Loved it!
It was curious I hardly have time to watch tv like the ten episodes released as a unit. Let me get a jump on the kids who love spoilers.
Loved it! Watched the whole series! Can’t tell wait for season 2 !