Space Oddity: The Man Who Fell to Earth

Tommy Maddox-Upshaw, ASC details his visual approach to this forward-thinking sci-fi series that explores today’s realities.

Continuing an established story offers unique creative opportunities, but for Tommy Maddox-Upshaw, ASC, shooting the socially aware science-fiction sequel series The Man Who Fell to Earth also presented a steep learning curve in terms of the genre and the necessary production complexity. Fortunately, as he notes, “I was an athlete as a kid, and you always want to take on the challenge.”

The Showtime series picks up 45 years after Thomas Jerome Newton (played by David Bowie in the 1976 feature film of the same name) arrived on our world seeking to save his own. Because Newton failed in his mission, a second alien from the planet Anthea — Faraday (Chiwetel Ejiofor) — has come to acquire the precious resource necessary to revive their dying planet: water. The 10-part series begins with the extraterrestrial turned tech mogul speaking before an enthusiastic audience in a type of TED talk. Polished and articulate, and made wealthy from patents based on Anthea technology, he has come far since crash landing near Los Alamos, N.M., barely able to speak. The series traces his evolution, aided by discredited nuclear physicist Justin Falls (Naomie Harris), as others — including the CIA and the nefarious Flood family, which now controls Newton’s legacy — become increasingly interested in learning who Faraday really is. Meanwhile, the aged Newton (played by Bill Nighy), is advising Faraday, his mentee. […]

Published in the July 2022 issue of American Cinematographer.