Fans of Star Wars would be wise to check out Hulu’s new sci-fi TV show, Alien: Earth. We’re in a quiet period for Star Wars, with the various movies and TV shows essentially winding down in the aftermath of Andor season 2. Tony Gilroy’s epic gave the franchise a fresh, mature gloss, but now only the awards are left.

Lucasfilm still hasn’t released the official trailer for next year’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, while Ahsoka season 2 – the next live-action Star Wars TV show – is currently still filming in the UK. That means fans are understandably a little impatient, with many wondering just what they should check out next.

Hulu’s Alien: Earth Will Definitely Scratch Your Andor Itch

Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth does for the Alien franchise what Tony Gilroy did for Star Wars, offering a bold reinvention that dives into some of the deeper themes. We’ve heard so much about the Earth of the Alien universe, but this is really the first time it’s felt as though it was being explored in any real depth.

Like Andor, Alien: Earth feels so very timely. This is a world ruled by corporations like Weyland-Yutani, where absolute power is held by the trillionaires who own them. Just the mention of “trillionaires” feels so present, so “of the moment,” given recent predictions that Elon Musk will become the real world’s first trillionaire.

Synthetic beings – synths – have always been part of Alien, often serving as villains just as effective as the xenomorphs themselves. Alien: Earth takes things a step further, introducing us to hybrids like Wendy – people whose minds have been uploaded into android bodies. Again, it’s an idea that feels so timely given developments in AI.

Alien: Earth Benefits From Some Fantastic Performances

In her review of Alien: Earth, ScreenRant‘s Mary Kᴀssel pointed to a stunning ensemble cast led by Sydney Chandler as Wendy. Again, I can’t help but find myself reminded of Andor, which was likewise praise for incredible casting and fantastic performances. It feels as though we’re living at a time where franchises are coming of age, becoming more sophisticated than ever before.

That said, this is still Alien, meaning it’s best not to get too attached to any members of the cast; there’s a much higher body count than Andor. But Noah Hawley has learned from the best horror movies, realizing that less is more; we don’t even see the initial tragedy, instead giving us eerie flashes that are so much more effective.

The first two episodes of Alien: Earth are out now, and Star Wars fans of the wider genre are sure to find the next few weeks thrilling as the show continues.