By Sckylar Gibby-Brown
| Published
If you fell in love with Katee Sackhoff in Battlestar Galactica, you’ll love the Netflix sci-fi series Another Life. Sackhoff, who played possibly the most iconic character in Battlestar Galactica, stars as Captain Niko Breckinridge in the interstellar streaming series. And just like the space military sci-fi show from the early 2000s, Another Life also focuses on interstellar exploration, complex characters and relationships, and themes of survival.
Another Life is a science fiction drama TV series created by Aaron Martin. The show dives into the complexities of space travel, human relationships, and the quest for understanding the universe’s mysteries.
As the series unfolded over its two-season run from 2019 to 2021, it sparked conversations among audiences and critics alike, earning both praise and criticism for its ambitious narrative and thematic scope.
Another Life kicks off with a mysterious event: an unidentified flying object resembling a large Möbius strip lands on Earth, accompanied by the growth of a crystalline tower. Dr. Erik Wallace (Justin Chatwin), a scientist with the United States Interstellar Command (USIC), plans to decipher the alien structure’s purpose and origin. Meanwhile, his wife, veteran astronaut Captain Niko Breckinridge (Katee Sackhoff), spearheads the mission aboard the spaceship Salvare.
Tasked with establishing contact with the extraterrestrial beings behind the artifact, Niko navigates the vastness of space alongside a diverse crew of specialists, each carrying their own burdens and aspirations. From faster-than-light travel to encounters with sentient artificial intelligence, the journey of the Salvare intertwines personal drama with cosmic exploration, as Another Life illuminates the fragile threads binding humanity to the cosmos.
Katee Sackhoff leads the charge as the main character, Captain Niko Breckinridge, in Another Life. She’s a determined astronaut haunted by the tragedies of her past. Alongside her, Justin Chatwin portrays Dr. Erik Wallace, a relentless scientist driven by the pursuit of extraterrestrial life.Â
The rest of the cast of Another Life is made up of the crew of the Salvare, which includes Samuel Anderson as William, the holographic interface imbued with humanity; Blu Hunt as August Catawnee, the resilient engineer grappling with loss; and A.J. Rivera as Bernie Martinez, the microbiologist with a flair for culinary arts.
Other notable characters include Jake Abel as Sasha Harrison, Alex Ozerov as Oliver Sokolov, and Alexander Eling as Javier Almanzar, each contributing their expertise to the mission’s success.
Netflix greenlit Another Life in April 2018, commissioning a ten-episode first season helmed by creator Aaron Martin. The production team spared no expense in bringing the show’s ambitious vision to life, blending practical effects with cutting-edge visual effects to immerse viewers in the wonders of space exploration. Despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the cast and crew persevered, delivering a captivating narrative that tried to push the boundaries of the genre.
Despite their efforts, the series proved not to be for everyone. Critics, in particular, showed a deep dislike for Another Life, with only 18 critics rating the first season and an approval rating of only 6 percent. Meanwhile, the second season failed to garner enough reviews from critics to yield an approval rating.Â
The general consensus among critics who watched Another Life was that the series lacked a distinctive identity amid its homage to science fiction tropes. Despite the show’s critical reception, it found a dedicated fanbase among a general audience drawn to its blend of suspenseful storytelling and character-driven drama.
You can stream Another Life on Netflix.
