Patrick Stewart, Seth MacFarlane and Viggo Mortensen star in science series that’s a voyage of discovery
- Cosmos: Possible Worlds looks at humanity’s place in the universe, and uses recognisable film actors and stunning visual effects to help educate viewers
- National Geographic series reflects the importance of science to both our intellectual development and our ultimate survival
The creators of Cosmos: Possible Worlds had a very specific concept for the series. They wanted it to have the awe-inspiring special effects of a blockbuster film combined with the depth and precision of a documentary.
The result is a sweeping, 13-episode series, a follow-up to two previous Cosmos editions, that is designed to engage viewers with spectacular visuals and educate them via cutting-edge information.
“We wanted to give the viewer a completely transporting experience,” says Ann Druyan, writer, executive producer and director of the series.
“Yes, Cosmos comes under the heading of documentary. But I wanted viewers to feel the power and drama of adventure as well as being empowered by scientific information. It had to pack an emotional punch. They have to be uplifted by what they’ve seen.”
Hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, each episode uses dramatic re-enactments, visual effects and animation to shine a spotlight on a different aspect of the cosmos, jumping back and forth through time. The producers tapped actors to play characters who had a pivotal role in the expansion of science – even though some of them might be obscure.