Syfy’s latest interstellar adventure The Ark is already making a colossal impact following its February 1 debut. The creator-showrunner duo Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner have crafted a high-stakes space epic that has left viewers gravitating towards the mysterious and perilous fallout from last Wednesday’s premiere. The turnout from The Ark’s debut has positioned it as a series on the rise after becoming Syfy’s most-watched premiere in two years, according to The Wrap.
The Ark’s debut is a defining moment for the nascent series, which dethrones the sci-fi comedy Resident Alien for the highest premiere viewership. According to Nielsen Live+3 delayed viewing data, the intergalactic thriller drew in 1 million total viewers with the network premiere. Additionally, The Ark’s pilot signified Syfy’s best premiere with adults between ages 18-49 since Chucky’s fall 2021 debut.
The first episode wastes no time in setting the stage for humanity’s fight for survival as a disjointed crew journeys through the stars after losing virtually all leadership and destruction befalls the Ark One spacecraft. In an exclusive interview with Digital Trends, Devlin explains that the pilot was planned to plummet viewers directly into the nebulous events of the series.
HBO’s Game of Thrones has left an unparalleled legacy, going down as one of the greatest series in television history. Featuring an extensive ensemble cast across eight seasons, a major arc of the Homeric fantasy drama revolves around the coveted Iron Throne — the powerful ruling force of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The major noble families compete for the throne or rally against it, resulting in interwoven political conflict that spans almost a decade. Much like the drama that unfolds as the families vie for the Iron Throne, The Ark has a Game of Thrones-level conflict for the captain’s chair after a disastrous hull breach leaves a vacancy.
In an interview with Digital Trends, Richard Fleeshman, who portrays Lt. James Brice, discusses the Game of Thrones nod within the epic sci-fi series.
The Ark airs Wednesdays at 10PM on Syfy and is available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
