After writing and directing the first two Avengers films for the MCU, reshaping DC’s Justice League film, and departing a planned Batgirl feature, Joss Whedon is set to return to television and deliver his first series in several years with The Nevers. A science fiction drama set to air on HBO, The Nevers has a concept that sounds very much in keeping with Whedon’s past work, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and even Firefly. This time, though, it looks as though Whedon will be taking on a period setting for his new series. 

Though words like “strange,” “multifaceted,” and “ambitious” are being thrown around by both HBO programming president Casey Bloys and Whedon himself, when talking about the new series, the official logline is here to offer a few more tantalizing details, describing the series as “an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.” 

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In an official release from HBO, Whedon didn’t offer much in terms of details about the show, but did discuss what it meant to move from broadcast television to HBO. Whedon said: 

“I honestly couldn’t be more excited. The Nevers is maybe the most ambitious narrative I’ve created, and I can’t imagine a better home for it than HBO. Not only are they the masters of cinematic long-form, but their instant understanding of my odd, intimate epic was as emotional as it was incisive. It’s been too long since I created an entirely new fictional world, and the HBO team offer not just scope and experience, not just ‘prestige,’ but a passionate collaboration. I could go on, but — I’m impatiently grateful to say — I have work to do.”

Whedon’s description of the series is certainly intriguing, and it will be interesting to see how his style of storytelling translates to the premium cabler, which has been gradually building up its slate of Game of Thrones-sized series in recent years, as fierce competition with the likes of Netflix and Amazon has invariably altered the television landscape, streaming or otherwise. 

Bringing Whedon into the HBO family to produce another genre series is certainly a smart move for the network, and one that seemingly fits into the strategy of its new parent company, AT&T. The push to make HBO “bigger and broader” might have some television critics concerned that more mediocrity is on the horizon as the network expands its output beyond the usual Sunday night fare, but that likely won’t affect The Nevers from attracting a sizable audience eager to have Whedon back on TV. 

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The Nevers does not currently have a premiere date. 

Source: HBO