With a circuitous route to its concluding comics chapters (see more on that in our review of The Complete[d] Saucer Country here at BF) Paul Cornell and Ryan Kelly’s Saucer Country was always a series that defied the publishing odds. Great news today to see there’s another twist in the saga with the project being optioned for television development. More in the press release below. You can also read a recent interview with Paul here at Broken Frontier.
Plot Point 1 Productions Options Saucer Country.
Sci-Fi Political Comics Series by Paul Cornell and Ryan Kelly Set for Premium Television Adaptation.
Is the truth finally out there?
Hamzah Jamjoom (Running Dry, How I Got There) and Alberto Lopez (Rupture, Esaaf) of Plot Point 1 Productions have optioned Saucer Country, the Hugo Award–nominated UFO conspiracy thriller written by Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, I Walk With Monsters) and illustrated by Ryan Kelly (A Quiet Place, The New York Five), originally published under the prestigious DC/Vertigo comics label. The property will be adapted as a premium television drama.
In what could not be a timelier series, Saucer Country follows Arcadia Alvarado, the Hispanic Governor of New Mexico, whose campaign for the U.S. presidency is derailed when she claims she was abducted by aliens. What begins as a political scandal quickly escalates into a high-stakes narrative of power and secrecy at the highest levels of government, blending smart science fiction with tense political drama in the tradition of The X-Files and The West Wing.
The adaptation is envisioned as a focused first season designed to introduce the world and mythology of the series while establishing a long-running narrative engine. Alongside scenes set within the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., the series will draw on iconic UFO folklore locations across New Mexico and Nevada, including aerospace and defense facilities long associated with the region’s history.
First launched in 2012, Saucer Country earned a Hugo Award nomination with its debut volume the following year. The full saga was completed and released as a definitive edition in 2024 through Syzygy Publishing, the independent imprint founded by veteran editor, writer and publisher Chris Ryall.
Development is now underway, led by Alberto Lopez and Hamzah Jamjoom of Plot Point 1 Productions, serving as producers, with the original creators closely involved. Paul Cornell is executive producing and writing the pilot episode, actively shaping the series for television. Chris Ryall, an Executive Producer on Netflix’s acclaimed adaptation of Locke & Key, is attached as an Executive Producer on the project, alongside artist Ryan Kelly.
Hamzah Jamjoom, Producer/Director, said:
“Saucer Country is the most visually arresting graphic novel I’ve read in years. The composition is unnervingly precise and the closest thing I’ve seen to a shootable storyboard. It offers everything I have been waiting for: striking UFO imagery, cinematic
portrayals of alien abductions and profound metaphors for the politics surrounding the phenomenon. There is an opportunity here to create something timely, grounded and socially relevant. We look forward to bringing the best talent to this project and sharing it with audiences worldwide.”
Alberto Lopez, Producer/Screenwriter, said:
“Saucer Country always stood out as a comic that treated UFO mythology with real intelligence and political weight. At a time when global politics and questions around disclosure are once again part of the public conversation, the story feels more relevant than ever. It’s a rare piece of grounded science fiction that feels uniquely suited to television at this moment.”
Paul Cornell, Co-Creator, said:
“Saucer Country is about how a mythology can be weaponised and how the search for “the truth” can be used to obscure it. That’s a story we’re seeing played out in the headlines right now. I’m incredibly excited that my comic is going beyond the printed page, especially with a creative team that understands and loves the material. Get ready for a scary, intelligent and emotive ride.”
Chris Ryall, Executive Producer, said:
“I’ve long felt that Paul and Ryan’s Saucer Country was a captivating extension of the lore that has always swirled around UFOs/UAPs, and its blending of disclosure with a story steeped in politics and immigration concerns feels even more relevant now. I look forward to President Obama’s recent announcement that “aliens are real” being proven out but until then, we have Saucer Country.”
About Hamzah Jamjoom & Plot Point 1 Productions: Plot Point 1 Productions is a development and production company founded by Hamzah Jamjoom, focused on high-concept, character-driven film and television projects for international audiences.
About Alberto Lopez: Alberto Lopez is a screenwriter and producer whose credits include the psychological thriller Rupture and action-comedy, Esaaf. He develops film and television projects with a focus on premium, character-driven storytelling.
About Paul Cornell: Paul Cornell is an award-winning writer whose work spans comics, television, and novels. His credits include Doctor Who, and acclaimed runs for DC Comics (Batman and Robin, Demon Knights) and Marvel Comics (Wolverine, Captain Britain and MI:13). His work is known for combining intelligent genre storytelling with political insight and character-driven drama.
About Chris Ryall & Syzygy Publishing: Syzygy Publishing is an independent publisher co-founded by publisher/writer-editor/ producer Chris Ryall, focused on creator-driven storytelling across comics and graphic novels, and serving as steward for select legacy and original properties.
About Ryan Kelly: Ryan Kelly is an acclaimed comic book artist best known for his work on Saucer Country and the Vertigo graphic novel The New York Five. His credits also include Lucifer, Mixtape, and A Quiet Place. Kelly’s artwork is recognised for its grounded realism, atmospheric storytelling, and cinematic visual language.
