Space Force first look picture – Picture: Netflix
Space Force is the new Netflix Original comedy specifically curated to try to recreate the success of The Office from NBC. Here’s what we know so far about season 1 of Space Force, when you can start watching, who’s involved, episode titles, and much much more!
In desperate need of its own big sitcom, Netflix is arguably reliant on third-party titles like The Office and Friends (which has now departed) and buying up licenses to titles like Seinfeld (coming to Netflix globally in 2021) and Community (coming to Netflix on April 1st, 2020). Enter Space Force.
Space Force is Netflix’s big attempt at recreating the magic of The Office, and features both Steve Carrell and Greg Daniels. Here’s what we know so far.
What Time will Space Force be on Netflix?
Every episode of Space Force season 1 is coming to Netflix globally on May 29th, 2020.
Subscribers will be receiving the debut season of Steve Carrell’s Space Force at various different times throughout the day. Release times are dictated by the fact that all of the latest releases from Netflix drop at Midnight on Pacific Standard Time.
This means if you live in the US you’ll receive the latest season in the early hours of the morning, whereas Australian and New Zealand subscribers receive new titles in the evening.
| Time Zone | Time available to stream |
|---|---|
| Pacific Standard Time | 12:00 AM (GMT-8) |
| Mountain Standard Time | 1:00 AM (GMT-7) |
| Central Standard Time | 2:00 AM (GMT-6) |
| Eastern Standard Time | 3:00 AM (GMT-5) |
| British Daylight Savings Time | 08:00 AM (GMT) |
| Central European Time | 09:00 AM (GMT+1) |
| Eastern European Time | 10:00 AM (GMT+2) |
| India Standard Time | 13:30 PM (GMT+5:30) |
| Japan Standard Time | 16:00 PM (GMT+8) |
| Australian Eastern Time | 18:00 PM (GMT+10) |
| New Zealand Day Light Time | 20:00 PM (GMT+12) |
What’s Space Force on Netflix about?
Netflix first announced that Space Force was a thing back in January 2019. The release takes you through the main premise of the series.
“On June 18, 2019 the Federal Government announced the creation of a 6th major division of the United States Armed Forces.
The goal of the new branch is “to defend satallites from attack” and “perform other space-related tasks” or something.
This is the story of the men and women who have to figure it out.”
Note: the original teaser for Space Force has since been removed from YouTube but is available in the Tweet embedded below.
Sticking to a familiar format to The Office, it’s said Space Force is going to be filmed as a workplace sitcom although we’re not sure if there’ll be interview segments as made famous by The Office.
The series is taking jibes at President Donald Trump who announced the space force but was not very specific with his exact plans.
.@SteveCarell will star in a new workplace comedy series he co-created with #TheOffice’s Greg Daniels about the people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services: the Space Force! pic.twitter.com/6GEFNgP18w
— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) January 16, 2019
In January 2020 (partly to mock the newly announced US space force uniform) Netflix’s account for Space Force revealed the uniform for those on the show.
Here's what we're using. They'll never see us coming! pic.twitter.com/w4UZI4Zy1D
— Space Force (@realspaceforce) January 18, 2020
In April 2020, Netflix released the first look screens for the upcoming series. These include four screenshots that give us a first glimpse into what we can expect:
Throughout April and May 2020, we got two official trailers for Space Force on Netflix.
What are the critics saying about Netflix’s Space Force?
Well, they’re not entirely sold. Most critics seem to think the show is buried by the weight of its cast and the concept just doesn’t allow for enough wiggle room.
Here’s how the scores are holding up on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes thus far:
Could it be the case audiences see something that critics don’t? It’s worth noting The Office season 1 was met with horrid reviews but ultimately turned into something great.
Who’s involved in Netflix’s Space Force?
As the above suggests, the creators of The Office are involved with the project. That includes Greg Daniels who served as executive producer on the show, and is the key person behind adapting the UK version of The Office for American audiences.
Steve Carrell is the only announced cast member thus far, with THR reporting his salary is expected to be $1 million an episode.
In July, it was reported that Katheleen Felix Hager (Veep) was working on the show. She teased as early as June by Tweeting to Nasa asking for some tips. Notably, too, she’ll be involved in the other project with Greg Daniels headed to Amazon named Upload. We’ll keep an eye on that production as the two will likely be closely linked in terms of personnel.
I follow @NASA now, and I have lots of questions. Anyone there available for a q and a? Many thanks from a curious costume designer.
— Kathleen Felix Hager (@kathleenhager) June 22, 2019
In September 2019, Deadline broke the news on who is going to be starring in Space Force.
Cast for Space Force on Netflix
Among the announced new cast members are the following:
- John Malkovich who recently appeared in Birdbox on Netflix and is set to appear in The New Pope. Will play the role of Dr. Adrian Mallory, head science advisor.
- Ben Schwartz who is mostly known for his role on Parks and Recreation. Will play F. Tony Scarapidccui – media consultant
- Dana Silvers is known for Bookmaster and MA. Will play Erin Naird, a student who transferred to a remote military base.
- Tawny Newsome featured in Brockmire. Will play Angela Ali – a helicopter pilot.
- Jimmy O.Yan will recur and has been featured in Silicon Valley.
- Alex Sparrow will also recur and has featured in The Vatican Tapes
In October 2019, three more cast members were announced by Deadline. These include Noah Emmerich, Fred Willard, and Jessica St. Clair.
Three more cast members have joined Netflix's #SpaceForce including Noah Emmerich, Fred Willard and Jessica St. Clair. pic.twitter.com/m53P3GUFQA
— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) October 23, 2019
- Noah Emmerich will play Kick Gabaston, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
- Fred Willard will play Fred Naird will play Steve Carrell’s character’s father
- Jessica St. Clair will play Kelly King a civilian contractor.
In January 2020, it was announced that Mark Steger who is mostly known for his roles playing villains such as the Demogorgon on Stranger Things, Hoboman on the Netflix movie Velvet Buzzsaw, and appeared in Paranormal Activity. Mark Steger will be playing the role of “Strange Alien”.
Mark Steger who played the demogorgon in Stranger Things is attached to Steve Carell's upcoming comedy Space Force on Netflix as a "Strange alien". pic.twitter.com/Zyx62EzaSE
— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) January 22, 2020
In April 2020, thanks to those first look screenshots featured above, we now know that Lisa Kudrow is scheduled to be part of the cast too. She’s, of course, famous for her stint on Friends but recently appeared in Grace & Frankie too.
We also got word in April 2020 that Jane Lynch, most known for her role in Glee would appear too.
Jane Lynch has been attached to Space Force season 1.
She's set to play the role of "Joint Chief of the Navy". pic.twitter.com/GMYGRL1Gf7
— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) April 26, 2020
In May 2020, we got a couple more cast announcements including: Patrick Warburton who is most known (via Netflix anyway) for his role in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Diedrich Bader.
More casting announcements for #SpaceForce on Netflix!
Patrick Warburton (@paddywarbucks) and Diedrich Bader (@bader_diedrich) will both play recurring roles! pic.twitter.com/gZyoLRoqOP
— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) May 20, 2020
How many episodes will Space Force season 1 have?
10 episodes will make up Space Force season 1. We still don’t know the episode titles, however.
Other Space Force News
- Filming officially started on October 1st as announced with the first onset picture with Steve Carrell.
- In November 2019, writer Yael Green was attached to the project who has previously written an episode of Angie Tribeca. He’s set to have written episode 7.
- On January 10th 2020, Diana Silvers posted on her Instagram Story that filming had officially wrapped for the series first season.
Picture: Diana Silvers Instagram
- This is further corroborated by the fact Mike Rylander played a DJ set for the wrap party that looks like it took place on the Space Shuttle Pavillion which is stationed on the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York.
- Fred Willard will be part of Space Force and is set to be his final appearance after his tragic passing in May 2020.
It’s worth noting that all the names involved in the Netflix project also have projects with other streaming providers too.
Greg Daniels just recently released his series for Amazon Prime called Upload. By most accounts, the show was a success and at least when it comes to critics, Upload has the upper hand on Space Force.
Steve Carrell is working and starring in a sitcom drama for Apple TV+ called The Morning Show that premiered as part of the launch lineup for the streaming service and has been commissioned for a second season.
Finally, we’ll leave you with a small taster given that Steve Carrell recently played the role of a NASA astronaut on an SNL episode.
