Resident Alien (TV Show): 11 Interesting Facts

Resident Alien is an American science fiction mystery comedy-drama television series that seamlessly combines elements of murder mystery, alien invasion, and small-town life into a distinctive viewing experience. The show has garnered popularity for its quirky humor, engaging storyline, and standout performances, particularly from its lead actor.

Resident Alien follows an extraterrestrial being who crash-lands on Earth near the small town of Patience, Colorado. After the crash, he kills a vacationing physician, Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, and assumes his identity to blend in with humans.

Originally sent to Earth on a mission to eradicate humanity, the alien finds himself in an unexpected predicament when he is called upon to perform an autopsy on the town’s doctor, who has died under mysterious circumstances.

The series is based on the comic book of the same name by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, published by Dark Horse Comics from 2012 to 2018. Series creator Chris Sheridan has cited both the novels and the comic as inspiration for the adaptation, as well as a personal “close encounter” he and his wife experienced while honeymooning in the Bahamas.

The cast of Resident Alien features a diverse ensemble that drives the show’s narrative. Alan Tudyk stars as Captain Hah Re, an alien posing as Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle. Supporting characters include Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne, Meredith Garretson as his wife Kate, and Judah Prehn as their son Max, who can see through Harry’s disguise.

Sara Tomko plays Asta Twelvetrees, a nurse who bonds with Harry, while Linda Hamilton portrays General McCallister, a military officer hunting extraterrestrials. Other key roles include Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker, who investigates Harry’s secrets, and Terry O’Quinn as Peter Bach, an “alien experiencer” who can see Harry’s true form.

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this show, but today my aim is to change that…

Here are 11 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know about Resident Alien

1. The first season of the show premiered on 27 January 2021 on the Syfy channel in the USA.

2. Harry was initially envisioned as a more serious character, staying true to his comic book counterpart. However, Alan Tudyk’s outstanding audition showcased his comedic brilliance, leading to a reimagining of the role to better highlight his talents.

3. Deputy Liv was originally meant to be a minor recurring character, but Elizabeth Bowen’s strong chemistry with Corey Reynolds (Sheriff Mike) led to an expansion of her role.

4. In the comics, Harry had an addiction to old pulp detective novels. In the show, this was changed to reruns of Law & Order.

5. The alien makeup in Resident Alien consists of a large, helmet-like mask that fits over Alan Tudyk’s head, with smaller prosthetics covering his mouth and nose, along with fake teeth and hands. Tudyk’s transformation into Alien Harry typically takes two hours. The blinks and eye movements are added digitally in post-production.

6. Harry’s cousin, the octopus, is named 42, a reference to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

7. Resident Alien is filmed in the town of Ladysmith, British Columbia (in Canada), which is also the birthplace of actress Pamela Anderson.

8. Resident Alien has gained a global fanbase, thanks in part to its unique premise and Tudyk’s widespread popularity from roles in films like Firefly and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Fans from various countries have connected with the show’s offbeat humor and quirky characters.

9. A key theme of Resident Alien is Harry’s struggle with understanding humanity. The series explores his gradual realization that humans have complex emotions, and this inner conflict drives much of the comedy and drama in the show.

10. The first season of Resident Alien received positive reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 94% approval rating from 31 critics, averaging a 7.8/10. The consensus praised its humor and Alan Tudyk’s performance. Metacritic gave it a score of 70/100, indicating generally favorable reviews. The second season earned even more praise, with a 100% approval rating from 5 critics, averaging 7.7/10.

11. The show has been renewed for a fourth season. It has been moved to the USA Network in the USA.

Well, there you have it, 11 interesting facts you might not have known about the Resident Alien TV show. If I’ve left something important out, feel free to comment below.

Check out the trailer for the first season below:

In case you did not know, you can stream the show on Showmax in South Africa.

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