Things We Saw Today: Sean Penn is on a Mission to Mars in Hulu’s The First

Two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn is going boldly where countless films and television series have gone before in his first foray into television. Penn stars in The First, a new co-production between Hulu and Channel 4, which follows a group of astronauts training for the first manned mission to Mars. As they gear up for the intense mission, the astronauts must reckon with the gravity (space puns!) of leaving Earth and saying goodbye to friends and family forever.

The stakes are especially high for team leader Tom Hagerty (Sean Penn) who appears to be raising his daughter on his own. Hagerty and the rest of the team are working alongside visionary aerospace magnate Laz Ingram (Natascha McElhone) to prep for the life-altering mission. The First was created by Beau Willimon (House of Cards) and features LisaGay Hamilton, Hannah Ware, Keiko Agena and Oded Fehr in the cast.

(via Deadline, image: Hulu)

• Michael Che leaps to Louis C.K.’s defense, to the surprise of no one. Sigh. (via Huffington Post)
• Word on the street is that Star Wars: Episode IX is looking to cast a “young Charlize Theron” in an unknown role. Man, how long does a girl have to wait for a “young Ruth Buzzi” casting call? (via LRM)
• File this under things we’d watch: Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu will direct Ken Jeong’s Netflix stand-up special. (via Hollywood Reporter)
• We are here for the romcom renaissance, and for this article. (via Vox)

Also, Prince Harry sang some of King George’s song in Hamilton and it was everything we wanted it to be.

What are you seeing tonight, Mary Suevians?

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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