Dark Skies

Dark Skies is an American UFO conspiracy theory-based sci-fi television series that aired from the 1996 to 1997 season for 18 episodes, plus a two-hour pilot episode. The success of The X-Files on Fox proved there was an audience for science fiction shows, resulting in NBC commissioning this proposed competitor following a pitch from producers Bryce Zabel and Brent Friedman. The series debuted September 21, 1996 on NBC, and was later rerun by the Sci-Fi Channel. Its tagline was "History as we know it is a lie."

Dark Skies (1996-1997) is an American UFO conspiracy science fiction series created by Bryce Zabel and Brent Friedman for NBC. Set in the 1960s, it follows a government-linked protagonist, John Loengard (Eric Close), whose investigation pulls him into a secret campaign that rewrites recorded history to conceal an alien presence on Earth. Kimberly Sayers (Megan Ward) and Frank Bach (J.T. Walsh) are among the principal figures who share his dangerous knowledge, and Juliet Stuart (Jeri Ryan) adds further intrigue to the cover-up. The engine of the series is a steady accumulation of hidden evidence, each episode uncovering another piece of a vast lie while the characters struggle to decide whom they can trust. Its single season of nineteen episodes was built as one serialized mystery with standalone scares along the way. The tone is paranoid and atmospheric, with a sense of unease that grows as the truth recedes. Fans of The X-Files, Roswell and The Man in the High Castle will find resonance in its blend of government secrecy, alternate history and sci-fi dread.

Audiences rated the single season positively, seeing it as a conspiracy-driven UFO series in the vein of The X-Files.

• The X-Filesshared conspiracy alien cover-up tone, serialized government secrecy mystery
• The Man in the High Castleshared alien invasion conspiracy paranoia and alternate history premise
• Roswellshared 1990s network sci-fi paranoia about hidden alien presence

Release Date

1996-09-21

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (55)

What is Dark Skies about?

A 1990s NBC sci-fi series following a man drawn into a conspiracy that hides an alien invasion behind recorded history.

What is Dark Skies like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dark Skies as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Dark Skies violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dark Skies as mild.

What did critics think of Dark Skies?

Audiences rated the single season positively, seeing it as a conspiracy-driven UFO series in the vein of The X-Files.

Which shows are like Dark Skies?

Shows with a similar feel include The X-Files, The Man in the High Castle, and Roswell.

How long is Dark Skies?

Dark Skies: 1 season, 19 episodes.

Is Dark Skies still running?

No, Dark Skies was canceled.