Sean Penn’s space drama The First was cancelled after just one season on Hulu, despite featuring a strong cast and ambitious storytelling. The cancellation reflects challenges the show faced in balancing audience expectations with its deliberate narrative pacing and character focus.
Obstacles Behind the Cancellation of Sean Penn’s ‘The First’
The First promised a look at humanity’s journey to Mars, starring Sean Penn and supported by a talented ensemble including Natascha McElhone and LisaGay Hamilton. However, the series struggled to sustain viewer interest despite its quality production and thoughtful approach. According to showrunner Beau Willimon, known for his work on House of Cards, the slow pacing was intentional. He explained that rushing into space travel would have overlooked the crucial preparation leading up to the launch.
“I always knew I wanted to structure it that way, and I was upfront from the get-go.”
—Beau Willimon, Showrunner
“Some people will want a show that leaps right into space and gets to Mars within a few hours. We know how much it means to them, we know how much they had to sacrifice.”
—Beau Willimon, Showrunner
The emphasis was placed on the intricate human and logistical aspects behind the mission, rather than immediate space action. Willimon further highlighted the importance of depicting the preparations.
“If we rushed it, and got to space too soon, we would be neglecting a huge portion of the story, which is what it takes to get [to] that launch.”
—Beau Willimon, Showrunner
“And along the way, we do see some space [in flashbacks]. We’re not totally Earth-bound. But a big part of space is prepping for it. We felt it was important we dramatized that as well.”
—Beau Willimon, Showrunner
The show delayed its Mars-centric storyline until near the finale, which disappointed many viewers who expected more immediate exploration. This pacing issue contributed to mixed reviews and weaker ratings despite the strong ensemble cast and the creative expertise behind it.
While The First had a high-caliber cast and creative team—including Beau Willimon, who would later contribute to Andor and become an executive producer on Severance—the show’s focus on character drama over space-centered spectacle failed to resonate broadly. Many viewers looking for thrilling space voyages felt alienated by the grounded, character-driven narrative.
Ultimately, Hulu’s audience size and viewing figures did not justify continuing the show beyond its initial run. The narrative style, which was well thought out for careful storytelling, did not lend itself well to multiple seasons, and Hulu opted to cancel it after one season.
Potential Directions for ‘The First’ if It Had Continued
Despite its cancellation, The First showed potential for growth and deeper exploration of Mars missions. In interviews, Beau Willimon outlined plans for a second season that would have advanced the mission toward the surface of Mars, intensifying the story’s space aspects.
To enhance the show’s authenticity, the production enlisted experts such as Charles Elachi, former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria, Christopher Ferguson, and Chris Hadfield; engineering lead Adam Steltzner; and futurist Amy Webb. Their expertise helped shape realistic portrayals of the technical and human challenges involved.
Had the show leveraged this rich consultative input earlier and integrated more of the space mission elements in the first season, it might have built stronger intrigue and kept audiences more engaged, possibly preventing cancellation.
This gradual build-up, though intellectually grounded, ultimately tested the patience of viewers hoping for more direct space exploration sequences. Nonetheless, The First remains a distinctive take on space drama, focusing on preparation, sacrifice, and human stories behind the mission rather than spectacle alone.
The cancellation raises questions about how space dramas balance realism with viewer expectations, especially regarding pacing and narrative focus. For shows like The First, success depends not only on star power and high production values but also on meeting audience desires for excitement in addition to thoughtful storytelling.
The First is currently available for streaming on Hulu in the United States, allowing new viewers to experience its character-driven approach to a space mission narrative.
