Game of Thrones legend Lena Headey is one of the lead stars in the series (Picture: MGM Plus)
Amazon Prime Video subscribers have been urged to watch a sci-fi thriller hailed for its ‘unique’ storytelling as episodes drop on the streaming platform.
Beacon 23, based on a series of short stories of the same name by Hugh Howey, is set in a dystopian future, where two people find themselves stranded at a remote outpost in space.
Game of Thrones legend Lena Headey plays Aster, while If Beale Street Could Talk actor Stephan James stars opposite her as Halan – two people whose fates become intertwined as mysteries are unravelled.
The first season of the psychological drama aired in 2023, followed by a second the next year… but despite fans hoping there would be a third outing, the show was cancelled in September 2024.
Nonetheless, a number of people who watched the show have sung its praises and urged others to watch it, calling it ‘intriguing’, ‘satisfying’, ‘unique’ and ‘jaw-dropping’.
‘Fantastic timing on using heavy AI as main characters,’ a fan called Brett wrote in a review. ‘The jaw-dropping sequences are vivid and scary, just my style.’
Stephan James starred in the Oscar-nominated If Beale Street Could Talk (Picture: MGM Plus)
Beacon 23 is set in a dystopian future in the 23rd century (Picture: MGM Plus)
‘I love this show. The actors are so believable in their roles you really think this is happening. Can’t wait for each episode to come on TV,’ Lorraine shared. ‘Thank you for writing an exceptional program and having actors that make it so believable.’
Hailing Lena, Troy commented: ‘Lena Headley .. what can I say such a great actress. She holds the whole thing together with her presence.
‘Since The Expanse there has not been such an intriguing and satisfying watch. I care about all the characters, including the AI.’
Alexandra remarked that Beacon 23 isn’t ‘your regular sci-fi’, adding: ‘Hard to get a handle on characters and plot – initially, but I liked that about it. It’s intriguing. Well-acted. Entertaining.
‘Everything isn’t explained. I don’t always want everything explained, because that’s life, isn’t it?!’
The show was cancelled last year after two seasons (Picture: MGM Plus)
Hugh Howey, who wrote the short stories on which Beacon 23 is based, also wrote the sci-fi book series Silo, which was adapted into a TV series (Picture: MGM Plus)
Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter also penned: ‘Those with enough curiosity and patience to wait out its rough patches — and those with a taste for cerebral sci-fi — may find themselves falling under its plaintive spell.’
Over on Amazon Prime, subscribers can watch Beacon 23 if they have an additional Paramount Plus subscription, with all episodes of season one available to stream.
The first two episodes of season two are also on the platform, with the remaining six episodes likely to follow.
Following the news last year that Beacon 23 had been cancelled, some fans were disappointed, with one on Reddit stating that Lena ‘deserved better’.
However, another user called skepticalIG commented: ‘I’m okay with Beacon 23 ending. I feel like it ran a complete arc already. It was so good!!’
Beacon 23 is available to watch in the UK on Amazon Prime Video with a Paramount Plus subscription.
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