Sean Penn Starred In An Overlooked Sci-Fi Series About A Manned Mission To Mars

NASA plans on sending humans to Mars in the near future, but humanity has been fascinated with the red planet for eons. Of course, that fascination partly stems from watching all of the great movies and TV shows set on Mars — like the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi classic "Total Recall." Unfortunately, not all of them have been hits, which brings us to Hulu's "The First," an under-seen sci-fi show starring Sean Penn.

Created by Beau Willimon, "The First" follows a team of astronauts as they plan the inaugural mission to Mars. Penn plays Tom Hagerty, one of the five astronauts tasked with stepping foot on the red planet. However, don't go into it expecting a space adventure, as "The First" Season 1 is largely concerned with down-to-earth drama while the characters prepare for their big adventure beyond the stars.

Sadly, "The First" ultimately joined the list of great sci-fi shows that were canceled too soon, as Hulu abandoned the mission after one season. The series might not have attracted a high viewership, but critics were generally kind toward the sci-fi drama. So, what did they have to say about it?

"The First" landed on screens in 2018, which was a polarizing time in American society due to politics and other things that divide people. Plenty of entertainment that came out at the time captured the real-world's cynical mood, so critics were happy that "The First" opted for optimism instead.

"'The First' feels like a warm blanket," Ben Travers wrote for IndieWire. "Willimon's elegant (what the cynics would call 'slow') storytelling helps craft an earnest, encouraging quest to the stars, deliberately told at a time when viewers may have put the next frontier at the back of their minds."

Sean Penn's performance also drew plenty of praise from critics, with some noting that he elevated the material. "From the moment Penn enters the picture ... we're reminded of just what a compelling screen presence he is and how he can make even the smallest moments interesting and original," the Chicago Sun-Times wrote.

Penn's star power and the story's optimistic qualities weren't enough to save "The First" from cancellation. However, Season 1 still deserves your time, especially if you like sci-fi that puts the characters at the front and center.