Electric Dreams (2017 TV series) explained

Theme Music Composer:Harry Gregson-Williams
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:10
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Runtime:50 minutes

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, or simply Electric Dreams, is a science fiction television anthology series based on the works of Philip K. Dick. The series consists of ten standalone 50-minute episodes based on Dick's work, written by British and American writers. It premiered on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2017,[1] and in the United States on Amazon Prime Video on 12 January 2018.[2]

Production

Development

The series was initially planned to run on AMC and Channel 4, before AMC pulled out, leading Channel 4 to announce the series.[3] In February 2017, it was announced that Amazon Video had bought the U.S. rights to the series.[4]

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television with Ronald D. Moore, Michael Dinner, and Bryan Cranston serving as executive producers. Cranston also stars in one of the episodes.[3] The episode writers include Ronald D. Moore, Michael Dinner, Tony Grisoni, Jack Thorne, Matthew Graham, David Farr, Dee Rees, and Travis Beacham.[5] Jack Thorne wrote the teleplay for "The Commuter", based on the short story of the same name, with Tom Harper directing the episode.[6]

Casting

In March 2017, Timothy Spall joined the episode "The Commuter", starring opposite Anthony Boyle and Tuppence Middleton.[6] The following month, Jack Reynor and Benedict Wong were cast to lead the episode "Impossible Planet", alongside a supporting cast including Geraldine Chaplin and Georgina Campbell.[7] Also in April, Steve Buscemi was cast in "Crazy Diamond", and Greg Kinnear and Mireille Enos joined the episode "The Father Thing".[8]

On 3 May 2017, Anna Paquin and Terrence Howard were cast in the episode "Real Life", with a supporting cast including Rachelle Lefevre, Jacob Vargas, Sam Witwer, Guy Burnet and Lara Pulver.[9] [10] Also in May, Richard Madden and Holliday Grainger were announced to star in "The Hood Maker".[11] Later that month, Vera Farmiga and Mel Rodriguez were cast to lead the episode "Kill All Others", with Jason Mitchell, Glenn Morshower and Sarah Baker also appearing.[12] [13] Finally in May, Janelle Monáe and Juno Temple joined the cast of the episode "Autofac" alongside Jay Paulson and David Lyons.[14]

In June 2017, Maura Tierney and Annalise Basso were cast to star in "Safe and Sound", and Bryan Cranston was confirmed to appear in the episode "Human Is" with Essie Davis, Liam Cunningham and Ruth Bradley.[15]

Filming

Five episodes were filmed in England and five were filmed in Chicago.[16]

The fourth episode of the series, "Crazy Diamond", filmed in two locations in Kent, England; the Dungeness estate was used for various exterior settings and driving scenes, and the Cheyne Court wind farm was used as the checkpoint Sally passes on her way in and out of the estate.[17]

Music

Harry Gregson-Williams was hired to compose the main titles theme music and score an episode, and Ólafur Arnalds and Cristobal Tapia de Veer were also hired to score multiple episodes each.[18] Brian Transeau and Mark Isham scored music for the episode titled "Autofac", while Bear McCreary scored music for three episodes in the first season.[19]

Sequels

Amazon intended the production as a limited series. The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2019 that sources said Sony TV was attempting to find a new home for the drama.[20]

Episodes

Each episode is based on a short story by Dick.[21] The episode sequences are different on Channel 4 and Amazon Video.[22]

Reception

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 72% based on reviews from 53 critics, with an average rating of 6.06/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Electric Dreamss dreamy production values and optimistic tone help make up for a lack of originality and tonal cohesion – and save the show from feeling like just another Black Mirror clone."[23] Metacritic assigned the first season a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
201844th Saturn AwardsBest Guest Performance in a Television SeriesBryan Cranston[25]
Best New Media Television SeriesElectric Dreams
2nd Black Reel Awards for TelevisionOutstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited SeriesTerrence Howard[26]
Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited SeriesJanelle Monáe
Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited SeriesDee Rees
Outstanding Writing, TV Movie or Limited Series
70th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Music Composition
for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special		Cristobal Tapia de Veer
Harry Gregson-Williams

Broadcast

The series was greenlit for production by Channel 4 in the UK and Amazon Prime in the United States. The first six episodes were screened weekly on Channel 4 in 2017, with the rest premiering on 12 January 2018 on Amazon, when the entire season was released on Amazon Streaming worldwide (except UK, Canada and Australia). On Amazon, the episode order is sequenced differently from the UK broadcast.[4] Electric Dreams was broadcast on Space in Canada[27] and on the streaming service Stan in Australia.[28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bryan Cranston To Star Electric Dreams: The World Of Philip K. Dick. Ali. Jaafar. Deadline Hollywood. 10 May 2016. 19 February 2020. 23 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223023123/https://deadline.com/2016/05/bryan-cranston-to-star-in-electric-dreams-the-world-of-philip-k-dick-for-sony-channel-4-1201752278/. live.
  2. Web site: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams': Amazon Sets January Premiere. Peter. White. Deadline Hollywood. 20 November 2017. 19 February 2020. 26 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926002226/https://deadline.com/2017/11/amazon-to-launch-episodes-of-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-in-january-1202212190/. live.
  3. Web site: Bryan Cranston to Star in Philip K. Dick Series From 'Outlander's' Ron Moore. Diana. Lodderhose. Variety. 10 May 2016. 11 December 2017. 5 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012308/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/bryan-cranston-boards-electric-dreams-for-sony-and-channel-4-1201770073/. live.
  4. Web site: Amazon Grabs U.S. Rights to Bryan Cranston's 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' Anthology Series. Cynthia. Littleton. Variety. 14 February 2017. 11 December 2017. 24 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170424234338/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/philip-k-dick-bryan-cranston-electric-dreams-anthology-series-1201987470/. live.
  5. Web site: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' TV Series From Ron Moore, Michael Dinner & Bryan Cranston Picked Up By Amazon. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline Hollywood. 14 February 2017. 19 February 2020. 15 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170215121202/http://deadline.com/2017/02/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-anthology-series-amazon-ron-moore-bryan-cranston-1201911194/. live.
  6. Web site: Timothy Spall To Star In 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' 'Commuter' Episode. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. 21 March 2017. 19 February 2020. 27 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210627235043/https://deadline.com/2017/03/timothy-spall-star-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-the-commuter-episode-amazon-1202047501/. live.
  7. Web site: Jack Reynor & Benedict Wong To Star In 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' 'Impossible Planet' Episode. Diana. Lodderhouse. Deadline Hollywood. 7 April 2017. 7 April 2017. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/https://deadline.com/2017/04/jack-reynor-benedict-wong-philip-k-dick-electric-dreams-impossible-planet-david-farr-bryan-cranston-1202064126/. live.
  8. Web site: Steve Buscemi, Greg Kinnear Enter 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams'. Robert. Mitchell. Variety. 18 April 2017. 11 December 2017. 6 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230806173535/https://variety.com/2017/tv/global/steve-buscemi-greg-kinnear-enter-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-1202033409/. live.
  9. Web site: Anna Paquin & Terrence Howard To Guest On 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' For Amazon. Erik. Pedersen. Deadline Hollywood. 3 May 2017. 19 February 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003824/https://deadline.com/2017/05/terrence-howard-anna-paquin-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-amazon-1202082332/. live.
  10. Web site: Terrence Howard, Anna Paquin Join 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams'. Joe. Otterson. Variety. 3 May 2017. 11 December 2017. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/anna-paquin-terrence-howard-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-amazon-1202407678/. live.
  11. Web site: Richard Madden Joins Philip K. Dick: Electric Dreams Anthology TV Series. Alex. Gilyadov. IGN. 18 May 2017. 19 February 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/18/richard-madden-joins-philip-k-dick-electric-dreams-anthology-tv-series. live.
  12. Web site: Vera Farmiga Joins Cast of Anthology Series 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams'. Robert. Mitchell. Variety. 24 May 2017. 11 December 2017. 2 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171002200648/http://variety.com/2017/tv/global/vera-farmiga-joins-cast-of-anthology-series-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-1202442760/. live.
  13. Web site: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams': Mel Rodriguez & Vera Farmiga Join Sci-Fi Anthology Series. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. 24 May 2017. 19 February 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003823/https://deadline.com/2017/05/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-mel-rodriguez-vera-farmiga-cast-sci-fi-anthology-series-1202101273/. live.
  14. Web site: Janelle Monáe, Juno Temple Join 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' Cast. Carli. Verlocci. TheWrap. 31 May 2017. 19 February 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625005323/https://www.thewrap.com/janelle-monae-juno-temple-electric-dreams/. live.
  15. Web site: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams': Amazon Finalizes Season 1 Cast With Maura Tierney & Others; Bryan Cranston Role Set. Erik. Pedersen. Deadline Hollywood. 6 June 2017. 19 February 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/https://deadline.com/2017/06/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-maura-tierney-bryan-cranston-essie-davis-liam-cunningham-ruth-bradley-1202107923/. live.
  16. Web site: Swanberg's "Easy" one of 3 new TV series filming here. ReelChicago. 11 January 2017. 24 December 2020. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003823/https://reelchicago.com/article/two-netflix-and-showtime-series-film-chicago170111/. live.
  17. Web site: Filming in Kent: Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (2017). Kent Film Office. 14 September 2017.
  18. Web site: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' to Feature Music by Harry Gregson-Williams, Olafur Arnalds & Cristobal Tapia de Veer. Film Music Reporter. 25 September 2017. 28 September 2017. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2017/09/25/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-to-feature-music-by-harry-gregson-williams-olafur-arnalds-cristobal-tapia-de-veer/. live.
  19. Web site: New Episodes of 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' to Feature Music by Mark Isham, BT & Bear McCreary. Film Music Reporter. 9 January 2018. 16 January 2018. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625003821/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/01/09/new-episodes-of-philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-to-feature-music-by-mark-isham-bt-bear-mccreary/. live.
  20. Web site: Goldberg. Lesley. 2019-01-28. Isa Dick Hackett Inks First-Look Deal With Amazon. 17 October 2020. Hollywood Reporter. 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190128231241/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/isa-dick-hackett-inks-first-look-deal-amazon-1180168. live.
  21. Web site: How Electric Dreams Compares to Philip K. Dick's Short Stories . Tobias . Carroll . Vulture.com . 5 February 2018 . 10 January 2019 . 16 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201216145941/https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/electric-dreams-philip-k-dick-short-story-comparison.html . live .
  22. Web site: Every Episode of Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, Ranked . Brain . Tallerico . Vulture.com . 22 January 2018 . 2018-01-25 . 25 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180125020936/http://www.vulture.com/2018/01/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-best-episodes-ranked.html . live .
  23. Web site: Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. 24 January 2019. 6 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190406061045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/philip_k_dick_s_electric_dreams/s01. live.
  24. Web site: Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams: Season 1 Reviews. Metacritic. 14 February 2018. 3 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303024102/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams. live.
  25. Web site: 'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations. Variety. McNary. Dave. 15 March 2018. 15 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023438/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/. 16 March 2018. live. mdy-all.
  26. Web site: 2nd Annual Black Reel Awards for Television Nominees. Lipstick Alley. 15 June 2018. 4 July 2018. 6 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230806173536/https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/2nd-annual-black-reel-awards-for-television-nominees.1648412/. live.
  27. Web site: Bell bags Dick's Electric Dreams. C21Media. Richard. Middleton. 5 June 2017. 9 October 2017. 9 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009194314/http://www.c21media.net/bell-bags-dicks-electric-dreams/. live.
  28. Web site: Philip K Dick's 'Electric Dreams' Is Coming To Stan. Gizmodo Media Group. Rae. Johnston. 1 August 2017. 9 October 2017. 9 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009194554/https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/08/philip-k-dicks-electric-dreams-is-coming-to-stan/. live.

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