The Aliens. Image shows from L to R: Dominic (Jim Howick), Lewis (Michael Socha), Lilyhot (Michaela Coel). Copyright: Clerkenwell Films
The Aliens

The Aliens

  • TV comedy drama
  • E4
  • 2016
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Comedy drama about a group of human-looking aliens who are forced to live in a segregated community on Earth. Stars Michael Socha, Michaela Coel, Jim Howick, Michael Smiley, Trystan Gravelle and more.

Press clippings Page 2

"We all know aliens crash-landed here 40 years ago which is a long, long time." A teacher takes her pupils on a school trip and hands the talk over to a Border Guard who explains in a childish, playful voice that it's wrong to take things that don't belong to you. "Know what though? Some people do!" In this new fantasy drama aliens landed in Britain and have been shoved into a ghetto. They're fenced off by a border which is made to look like the guarded entrances to the Channel Tunnel.

Barbed wire is everywhere. Cars are being searched and Alsatians strain at their leads. "No Unauthorised Aliens Beyond This Point" say the signs, and it was here that I stopped to wonder what type of programme this is. Surely it's a comedy, making a satirical point about our handling of the migrant crisis? But if so, must they do it with such a heavy hand? "These aliens may look like us but there are some big differences!" the children are told. So is this a crass drama written by UKIP, or one which is deliberately crass to make fun of the UKIP mindset?

Julie McDowall, The National (Scotland), 8th March 2016

The Aliens, E4 - TV review

A dystopian world with the modern trappings of urban life.

Daisy Wyatt, The Independent, 8th March 2016

The Aliens episode 1 review

E4's new sci-fi comedy, from the producers of Misfits, aims for frantic, youth-skewed fun with a social conscience. Does it succeed?

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 8th March 2016

TV review: The Aliens

There's a thin line between making a very timely metaphorical drama and one that lays on its allusions and satirical musings a tad too thick.

Brian Donaldson, The List, 4th March 2016

The Aliens: E4's furiously fun new sci-fi comedy

The Aliens, from the producers of Misfits, is raucous fun with a social message. Here's what to expect from E4's new sci-fi comedy...

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 3rd March 2016

Behind the scenes of The Aliens

It shares weighty themes of prejudice with District 9, but the same production team that brought you Misfits and Not Safe For Work is trying to find fun among the satire.

Gabriel Tate, The Guardian, 2nd March 2016

Michaela Coel experienced 'racist attack' while filming

The actress and her co-star on The Aliens were pelted with stones in what she believes was a racist assault. But she didn't let the unpleasantness ruin her night...

Ben Dowell, Radio Times, 1st March 2016

Michaela Coel interview

The writer-actor on rude sex, Jeremy Corbyn and being the voice of a generation.

Gerard Gilbert, The Independent, 27th February 2016

Michaela Coel on new comedy The Aliens

Michaela Coel - who shot to prominence in her own E4 comedy series Chewing Gum - is about to star in the new sci-fi-comedy drama The Aliens for the same channel. Here she tells us a bit about it.

Chortle, 24th February 2016

E4 announces cast for new comedy drama Aliens

Michael Socha and Michaela Coel will lead the cast of Aliens, E4's comic drama about a group of extra-terrestrials living in a ghetto on Earth.

British Comedy Guide, 2nd September 2015

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