New space based Apple TV+ series Constellation is so sinister that even its showrunner would politely turn down an invitation to take an intergalactic trip.
Created and written by Peter Harness, the eight-part psychological thriller follows astronaut Jo, played by Noomi Rapace, who returns to Earth after a disaster in space, only to discover that key pieces of her life are missing.
The action-packed series explores the dark edges of human psychology, and follows one woman’s quest to expose the truth about the hidden history of space travel in a bid to recover all that she has lost.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Peter revealed the story that inspired the plot, while also admitting that he is so fearful of outer space he would only consider jumping on board a rocket if his days were numbered.
New Apple TV+ series Constellation stars Noomi Rapace as troubled astronaut Jo
The action-packed intergalactic adventure, starring James D’Arcy (pictured) is an exploration of the dark edges of human psychology
‘I was on a holiday in a cabin in the Swedish Woods once, and as night fell, we would hear a little girl calling for her mama in the forest,’ he said of how he was inspired to create the plot.
‘It was very spooky, and a bit weird, and we didn’t know where it was coming from. And we never did find out where it was coming from.
‘But a couple of nights running, we heard this sound and I always thought I have to write something about this little girl lost in the forest in Sweden.
‘And then when I was asked whether I’d like to write something about astronauts and what it’s like to for them to return to Earth, I wanted to do something about how challenging that is.
‘I have this mother trapped up there in space, trying desperately to reach her daughter. And for some reason, that daughter was the little girl who was lost in the forest… and I had to write as a show to get them back.’
Oppenheimer actor James D’Arcy plays Jo’s husband Magnus, who is desperately trying to make sense of his wife’s altered mental state following her return to Earth.
James admitted he was mind blown after reading the entire script in one sitting – and hinted that audiences will be hooked.
‘When I first read the script, I read all eight episodes in one day and when I had got to the end of it, my head exploded,’ he told DailyMail.com.
Creator Peter Harness shared the creepy inspiration behind his gripping new series with DailyMail.com
‘I realized that I had just read something genuinely unique, it defies description: It’s a sci fi, but it’s a thriller, but it’s a conspiracy drama, but it’s a family thing as well.
‘What I loved about it was, even with this huge epic scope, at the heart of it was this deep meditation on the nature of being a human being and dealing with reality.
‘I felt really resonant with that, particularly since the pandemic where reality feels very unsoldered.
‘Peter Harness, who I think might be a genius, has written this series that deals with all of those big questions, but does it in the most entertaining way.’
Unsurprisingly, there are numerous zero gravity scenes in Constellation which were filmed with ‘great difficulty’ and required the cast to undertake a grueling two-week fitness regime to prepare.
James told DailyMail.com he was blown away after reading the entire Constellation script in one day
He stars alongside actress Noomi and twins Davina and Rose Coleman, who play the couple’s daughter Alice
Peter teamed up with Emmy award-winning director Michelle MacLaren (pictured)
‘We had wires that were hanging from a rig that our special effects coordinator created that allowed the actors to go backwards and forwards and left and right,’ said series director Michelle MacLaren.
‘And the cast were on rolling rigs, which they would either sit on or lie on their stomach on. And they had to, of course act while they were doing all these things.
‘It was a fantastic challenge. And we all really loved doing it. It was the hardest for the actors, and they did it brilliantly.’
‘We had a great trainer who worked with us for two weeks on the harness work,’ added actor William Catlett, who plays space cadet Tony.
Actor William Catlett revealed to DailyMail.com the intense physical training he endured in order to be able to film the zero gravity scenes
The crew roped in harnesses to help create the illusion of zero gravity
‘If you had too much weight to one way, you would tip all the way down and that wasn’t good for the shot, so our trainer really focused on our core.
‘We also met Scott Kelly, a real astronaut who gave us the grace and the knowledge to say, “Hey, this is how you move throughout the ISS [International Space Station]”.
‘There are so many different intricate parts that you must learn about being an astronaut, and so meeting Scott helped out with the performance.’
When pressed on whether he would want to visit space, William point blank refused.
‘Absolutely not,’ he said. ‘After hearing Scott’s experience of what space does to the human body and how much you have to recover once you’re out of zero G and you’re in gravity.’
Constellation launches globally on February 21 on Apple TV+
James, on the other hand, is keen to jump on a rocket to see Saturn’s rings.
‘I mean, maybe the big red spot on Jupiter, but basically I want to see Saturn’s rings with my own eyes,’ he said. ‘That’s what I’d love to do, but if I’m going to space, I’m not coming back.’
Constellation creator Peter doesn’t share the same enthusiasm.
‘If I was 95 years old and I knew I was on a ticking clock yeah, maybe I would go,’ he said.
‘But it terrifies me. The idea of it terrifies me… and I think that comes through in the series.’
Constellation premieres globally on February 21, 2024 with the first three episodes, followed by one episode weekly, every Wednesday until March 27 on Apple TV+
