‘Salvation’ On CBS: EP Teases Optimistic Apocalyptic TV Show, Solutions Use More Fact Than Science Fiction

There is growing popularity with apocalyptic TV shows, and this summer, CBS is adding a new one to its lineup. Called Salvation, the show is aiming to be a bit different than others in its genre. For one, it will not be all gloom and doom. There will be optimism strewn throughout the episodes. Also, the show has an astrophysicist on the set to make sure the solutions are more factual and realistic than other television shows.

In the latest issue of TV Guide, executive producer Liz Kruger discussed the upcoming series. She described it as an “optimistic summer popcorn movie.” Kruger, who worked on Extant, also teased that the characters are trying to save the world.

Every end-of-the-world production has something that threatens to wipe out humanity. With Salvation, it is a massive asteroid that is headed toward Earth. The geopolitical thriller stars Ian Anthony Dale as Harris Edwards, who works for the Department of Defense. Finding a way to save the planet, he works with billionaire tech entrepreneur Darius Tanz (Santiago Cabrera). Darius anticipated this would happen. He was actually working on a seven-year preparedness plan. However, when the show begins, they won’t have years to come up with a solution. The apocalypse is arriving in just 186 days.

Of course, there are more members of the team who are determined to save Earth from the giant rock. Liam Cole (Charlie Rowe) is an asteroid expert. Grace Barrows (Jennifer Finnigan) is a spokeswoman for the Pentagon. Tanz will ask Barrows to be his spy from within the government. That sounds like a big clue that politics will play a major role with the characters in Salvation.

While a lot of similar themed TV shows, the one thing that makes Salvation on CBS different is their approach to solutions. Instead of focusing on unbelievable remedies, astrophysicist Phil Plait was on the set. His job was to make sure the series has storylines, problems, and solutions that are more science-based. That doesn’t mean the show will lack drama, though. There will be love triangles, conspiracy theories, and ethical dilemmas. Of course, viewers should also expect tensions to rise between the government and private sector.

“There’s a story at play about who controls space. The question is, will we destroy ourselves before the asteroid even gets here?”

The official website for CBS posted the following description for the summer TV show.

“Salvation is a suspense thriller that centers on a staggering discovery: an enormous asteroid is just six months away from colliding with Earth. Without alerting the public, MIT grad student Liam Cole and tech billionaire Darius Tanz team up to save humanity from this impending apocalypse. Keeping it secret will complicate life for Liam and those closest to him. Meanwhile, the government has its own approach. Grace Barrows is both the Pentagon Press Secretary and a single mom, and she deftly navigates the complicated waters of both jobs. Deputy Secretary of Defense Harris Edwards has been tasked with running their own top-secret plan to deflect the asteroid. Meanwhile, Darius recruits an aspiring sci-fi writer, Jillian, to work on a theoretical approach to saving humanity—a project that might prove to be all too real.”

The network also released a preview clip, which can be viewed on its website. It reveals that 30,000 people work for the Pentagon. However, fewer than 40 have clearance to an area where the heroes of Salvation will work to save humanity. They are told that the information must remain classified. That seems to tease that the world might not have any clue that death is headed toward the planet.

This speculation is proven in the clip. One man will have access to information that the government wants to keep quiet. Will he do as he is told and remain silent? Or will he leak the classified information? This could definitely bring up some moral questions, especially as doomsday inches closer. He may want to give the public a chance to prepare, but he could just create panic. In TV and movies, panic is never a good thing, and it always has devastating consequences.

The preview clip also reveals that Grace, knowing that a killer rock is coming toward Earth, apologizes to her daughter. Hugging her tight, the mother wishes she could make the world safe for her child.

What do you think of what was revealed about Salvation on CBS? The summer apocalyptic thriller premieres on July 12.

[Featured Image by Mike Windle/Getty Images]