The Ark

100 years in the future, planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race. The first of these missions on a spacecraft known as Ark One encounters a catastrophic event causing massive destruction and loss of life. With more than a year left to go before reaching their target planet, a lack of life-sustaining supplies and loss of leadership, the remaining crew must become the best versions of themselves to stay on course and survive.

The Ark (2023-present) is an American science fiction drama series created by Dean Devlin and produced for Syfy. Set a century in the future, it follows the first planetary colonization mission aboard the spacecraft Ark One after a catastrophic event causes massive destruction and loss of life. Lieutenant Sharon Garnet (Christie Burke) steps into a fractured command structure alongside Lieutenant James Brice (Richard Fleeshman), Alicia Nevins (Stacey Read), Angus Medford (Ryan Adams), Lieutenant Felix Strickland (Pavle Jerinić) and Dr. Sanjivni Kabir (Shalini Peiris). Their engine is practical and personal: the crew has more than a year of travel left, dwindling supplies, and no clear chain of command, so every episode turns on rationing, repairs and uneasy alliances. The show unfolds as one continuing story across three seasons, with its episodes built around survival problems aboard the ship. Its mood is quiet, reflective and philosophical, with a meditative pace and an emphasis on character over spectacle. Fans of Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse and Lost in Space will find a similar kinship in its isolated crew and speculative space survival. Viewers drawn to slow-burn space drama and stories of people rebuilding trust under pressure will find a steady, contemplative companion.

Viewers find The Ark a mixed, lower-budget space survival drama whose engaging story and strong female lead win some praise while its dated CGI, flat characters and soap-opera feel draw criticism.

• Battlestar Galactica (2004)space colony survival, isolated crew, speculative mysterious tone
• The Expansestranded spacecraft crew, leadership under strain, mystery elements
• Lost in Space (2018)crew surviving a catastrophic spacecraft event, serialized space survival

Created by

Dean Devlin

Release Date

2023-02-01

Episode runtime

52 min

Rating

5.8 / 10 (187)

What is The Ark about?

After a catastrophic accident aboard Ark One, the survivors of the first planetary colony mission must hold together across the long journey toward a distant world.

What is The Ark like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Ark as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Ark violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Ark as mild.

What did critics think of The Ark?

Viewers find The Ark a mixed, lower-budget space survival drama whose engaging story and strong female lead win some praise while its dated CGI, flat characters and soap-opera feel draw criticism.

Which shows are like The Ark?

Shows with a similar feel include Battlestar Galactica (2004), The Expanse, and Lost in Space (2018).

How long is The Ark?

The Ark: 3 seasons, 36 episodes.

Is The Ark still running?

Yes, The Ark is still running.

Where can I watch The Ark?

In United States, The Ark streams on Kanopy, YouTube TV.