Feature story

FXs Legion keeps viewers guessing

By Kyla Brewer
TV Media

C ompetition is booming between net-

work television giants, cable channels
and even streaming services, and the
resulting diversity is making television
great again. Big-budget special effects in
shows such as The Walking Dead and
innovative storytelling in series like
Stranger Things have upped the ante
for everyone in TV land, and FX has
answered the call with one of the most
ambitious TV shows to date.
Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) stars
as a character from the Marvel universe
in a new episode of Legion, airing
Wednesday, March 15, on FX. The series
follows a 30-something man named
David Haller (Stevens), whos been in
and out of mental institutions since
being diagnosed with paranoid schizo-
phrenia as a teenager. In the Marvel
Comics books from Chris Claremont and
Bill Sienkiewicz, Haller a.k.a. Legion
is the mutant son of Professor
Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men.
Creator and showrunner Noah Hawley
worked with X-Men writer and producer
Simon Kinberg on a concept for the
series following the success of the first
season of Hawleys Fargo for FX. This
may be the first TV series connected to
the X-Men film series, but that doesnt
mean viewers should expect to see
Wolverine or Professor X show up, at Rachel Keller as seen in Legion
least not necessarily anytime soon. Women) is Hallers fairy godmother as Murphy, Clemens Behr, Kumi Yamashita really going on. So far, no one seems to drama Downton Abbey, in which he
Before the shows February premiere, demanding psychiatric therapist Melanie and David Flores. miss the costumes, and Legion is played Matthew Crawley. His credits also
Hawley explained to Variety that Haller is Bird, who wants to help him recall his Critics have been mostly positive breaking the superhero TV show mold. include The Guest (2014) and A Walk
surrounded by completely original char- past and take charge of his mutant pow- towards the series, with many praising The series premiere, which aired Feb. 8, Among the Tombstones (2014), but his
acters in Legion. ers, promising to make him whole again. the chaotic pace and stunning visuals for attracted more than three million view- biggest profile gig is yet to come. He
None of the other characters that Other key players include scientist pushing the boundaries of television. ers, including DVR viewings, and clocked stars as the Beast opposite Emma
Ive surrounded him with are from the While some viewers may find the jumps in as the top cable drama in the key Watsons Belle in the upcoming live-
Cary Loudermilk (Bill Irwin, Law &
comics, Hawley said. Its sort of an through various times and places some- adults 18 to 49 demographic. action adaptation of Beauty and the
Order: Special Victims Unit), one of
invented world.
Birds specialists. Her team also includes what jarring or confusing, Legion Fans and critics have been particularly Beast, set to premiere in theaters
Worlds is more like it. The story moves
Syd, savant Kerry Loudermilk (Amber seems to have broad appeal that goes keen on Stevenss performance as the March 17.
back and forth through time, and seem-
Midthunder, Longmire) and Dr. Poole beyond fans of the superhero genre. conflicted Haller, a role he prepared for Until then, check out Stevens as
ingly through different realities, as Haller
(Scott Lawrence, Fear the Walking Viewers wont likely see capes and by talking to sufferers, psychiatrists and Haller, who returns to where it all began
tries to figure out whats really going on.
Its an exhilarating ride, and the audi- Dead), Birds memory specialist. Katie tights as Haller continues his quest to psychologists. The British actor is well in a new episode of Legion, airing
ence is left to wonder which reality is the Aselton (The League) portrays Hallers control his powers and figure out whats known to fans of the hit ITV period Wednesday, March 15, on FX.
real one. His adventure began in a men- sister, Amy.
tal hospital where he lived with his BFF, A stellar cast and slick special effects
Lenny (Aubrey Plaza, Parks and give Legion an arty, big-screen feel,
Recreation), until a beautiful new and FX has thrown the full force of its
patient showed up and caught his eye. publicity machine behind the series,
His infatuation with Syd (Rachel Keller, which has been generating buzz since
Fargo) set off a chain of events that the development deal was announced in
led him to escape from the institution October 2015. Filmed in Vancouver, the
and go on the lam from a mysterious show features visuals that include both
group that knows hes actually a power- modern elements as well as hints of
ful mutant. 1960s design to reflect Hallers distorted
Luckily, thanks to Syd, he fell in with view of reality. The Jan. 26 red carpet
another group that appears to have his premiere in West Hollywood was even
best interests at heart. Emmy winner and followed by a three-day immersive art
television icon Jean Smart (Designing exhibit that included pieces from Mark
8 | M INERAL W ELLS I NDEX M ARCH 12 - 18, 2017