Originally conceived as a follow-up to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’s classic graphic novel with potential for multiple seasons, the series was canceled after just nine episodes, but still stands as an excellent reimagining of the story, primarily taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma three decades after the original. Opening with a vivid recreation of the 1921 Tulsa massacre, the series addressed modern racism, pitting a powerful white supremacist group against masked police officers, including Regina King’s character whom we soon learned was directly connected to the God-like Doctor Manhattan; we also followed Adrian Veidt’s (Jeremy Irons) strange experiments on the moon Europa. Intelligent, elaborate, well-acted and emotional, the series also benefited from a great music score. 

2019-U.S. Made for TV. 9 episodes. Color. Created by Damon Lindelof. Music: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross. Cast: Regina King (Angela Abar/Sister Night), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Cal Abar), Jeremy Irons (Adrian Veidt), Jean Smart (Laurie Blake), Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett, Jr., Hong Chau, Don Johnson, Frances Fisher.

Emmys: Outstanding Limited Series, Actress (King), Supporting Actor (Abdul-Mateen II), Writing.

Last word: “Is there a way to take this thing I love and be inspired by it, not erase it, but build upon its foundation? That depends on whether I have the right idea. The ideas started to come with what to do with ‘Watchmen’ and then it didn’t really feel like a decision anymore but something I felt compelled to do. That sounds arrogant and full of hubris but when I haven’t made choices based on that feeling things haven’t turned out so well because then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. But when you get really inspired you have to chase it even if it leads to ruin.” (Lindelof, Entertainment Weekly)

ABOVE AVERAGE

IMDb