2019 is set to be another phenomenal year for Netflix Originals. To kickstart the release of new dramas in February, Netflix will be releasing one of the most anticipated original series for 2019, the live-action series known as The Umbrella Academy. Here’s everything we know so far on the plot, release date, cast and more!
The Umbrella Academy is an upcoming Netflix Original series based on the comics of the same name by creator Gerard Way. The concept for The Umbrella Academy came to Gerard while touring with My Chemical Romance. He had begun to write his own superhero universe between the gigs and concerts. The very first issue was released on September 19. 2007. Illustrator Gabriel Ba has designed the beautiful and unique look to the comic series.
Prior to the announcement of the series being developed, there had been talks with Universal to produce a film franchise for the comics. In 2015, the idea for the film had been scrapped, and instead, a TV series would be developed again. It wasn’t until two years later that it was announced that Netflix had been given the go-ahead to create a live-action series adaptation for the popular comic title.
The Plot of The Umbrella Academy
Forty-three infants are randomly and inexplicably born to random women who had never shown signs of pregnancy. Adopting seven of these children is the extraterrestrial being Sir Reginald Hargreaves or better known as the Monocle. Reginald creates the Umbrella Academy, a home for the adopted children and a safe haven for them to be trained. By training the young children, Reginald is preparing them to eventually be the saviors of the world.
After many years, the team had broken up and grown distant from each other. Nine years since the team broke up, the estranged family is reunited after the death of Reginald. Having died under mysterious circumstances, the team comes together once again to solve the mystery of their father’s death.
Copyright. Dark Horse Comics.
The Cast
| Role | Actor/Actress | Where have I seen them before? |
|---|---|---|
| Vanya Hargreeves / The White Violin | Ellen Page | Juno, Inception, X-Men |
| Luther Hargreeves / Spaceboy | Tom Hopper | Game of Thrones, Black Sails, Merlin |
| Klaus Hargreeves / The Séance | Robert Sheehan | Misfits, Killing Bono, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones |
| Allison Hargreeves / The Rumor | Emmy Raver-Lampman | Odd Mom Out, A Million Lttle Things |
| Diego Hargreeves / The Kraken | David Castaneda | Sicario 2: Soldado, Jane the Virgin, Lie to Me |
| Number Five / The Boy | Aidan Gallagher | Modern Family, Nicky Ricky Dicky & Dawn |
| Cha-Cha | Mary J. Blige | Mudbound, Rock of Ages, The Help |
| Hazel | Cameron Britton | The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Mindhunter, S.W.A.T |
| Sir Reginald Hargreeves / The Monocle | Colm Feore | Thor, Chicago, The Chronicles of Riddick |
| Pogo | Adam Godley | Breaking Bad, Suits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
| Leonard Peabody | John Magaro | The Big Short, Carol, Orange is the New Black |
This isn’t the first ‘superhero’ rodeo for Robert Sheehan and Ellen Page. Sheehan first rose to prominence as ‘Nathan’ in the popular British series Misfits. While actress Ellen Page has appeared in multiple X-Men films and was also in the superhero comedy Super.
How many episodes will there be for season one?
Season one will have ten episodes. The runtime per episode is unknown at the moment, but we can expect each episode to be roughly 45 minutes to an hour long.
How does the show compare to the comics?
The comic has a beautiful and unique illustration. From the photos we’ve seen of the cast so far, we are yet to see them don the same outfits as their comic-book counterparts.
Copyright Netflix and Darkhorse Comics.
Cast Photos
Netflix has only released a few stills, but with the release only a few months away, we can expect to see more appear soon.
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- From left to right: Aidan Gallagher, Ellen Page, Emma Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Tom Hopper, David Castaneda
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- Mary J. Blige (Left) as Cha-Cha and Cameron Britton (Right) as Hazel
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- Umbrella Academy Cast Netflix 3
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- Umbrella Academy Cast Netflix 4
Diego and Klaus made it rain in Singapore. #SWNAsia pic.twitter.com/s6TH1y3boc
— Umbrella Academy (@UmbrellaAcad) November 8, 2018
Has Gerard Way been involved in the creation of the series?
Gerard Way has been listed as a co-executive producer for the series, but any further involvement beyond that has not been reported. It is likely he has been a consultant to the show if the series writers had any questions regarding the characters and the lore of the universe.
In an Interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Gerard had this to say after being asked if the show had anything to do with the creation of Hotel Oblivion, the 3rd volume in the story of The Umbrella Academy:
I think it exists in some ways in a conversation with the comic. And in other ways, a collaboration with the comic, though we are very careful to understand that these two things are separate at the end of the day. [The show and the comic] are each their own beast, though Steve Blackman, the showrunner, is very interested in what we are doing and always pulling ideas from the source, even unpublished notes. But they have come up with some interesting things and perspectives. One, in particular, was such a good idea that we wanted to work it into the comic, so we did. It’s been an interesting process!
Will the music of My Chemical Romance feature in the series?
Considering the frontman of MCR is the creator of The Umbrella Academy, it would be very surprising if we didn’t hear some titles from the Pop-Punk band. As the soundtrack is yet to be released we cannot confirm if this will be the case though.
Is there a trailer?
Finally, we have a trailer available for The Umbrella Academy!
When is the release date?
The Umbrella Academy will premiere on Netflix on February 15th, 2019.
Has Netflix ordered a second season?
Netflix has only ordered one season so far, therefore, it will be entirely dependant on the success of the first season if a second season is commissioned.
Are you excited for the release of The Umbrella Academy? Let us know in the comments below!
Netflix Synopsis: "Reunited by their father's death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets -- and a looming threat to humanity."
