Netflix Goes Sci-Fi With Its Next Original Series, Sense8

Hot on the heels of Netflix’s original series House Of Cards, the company has announced that it will release a new sci-fi TV series to the platform called Sense8.

The show is being developed under the guidance of the Wachowskis, who are responsible for smash hits like the Matrix series of films, V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas and Speed Racer, as well as J. Michael Straczynski who is the creator behind Changeling, Thor, and Babylon 5.

The series marks the first entry into TV for the Wachowskis.

Netflix has made a push in the last year to provide exclusive video content to its viewers. It’s a huge diversion for the business, but one that’s turning out to be fruitful. House Of Cards already has a strong cult following, and Arrested Development’s return to the screen is one of the most talked-about events of the year.

Plus, competitors like Hulu and Amazon are throwing their hats in the ring as well, promising original and exclusive content for their platforms.

Perhaps more interesting, Netflix’s House of Cards has laid the groundwork for a fundamental shift in the way we watch TV. The company releases the show as a full season, rather than one episode per week. Because of this, viewers tend to “binge-view” the content in long sittings.

Netflix’s choice to release a season at a time wasn’t a fluke. The company uses data from its viewers to make decisions such as how to release exclusive content, and what original content it should focus on making.

With Sense8, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos explained that the Wachowskis and Straczynski are some of the most popular content creators on the Netflix Instant platform. “Their incredible creations are favorites of Netflix members globally and we can’t wait to bring Sense8 to life.”

Sense8 is being produced by Georgeville Television in association with Studio JMS. According to the release, the series is “a gripping global tale of minds linked and souls hunted.” It will debut on Netflix in 2014.