Update: May 29, 2020 – Go watch the first season of Space Force on Netflix. All 10 half-hour episodes are available to stream now.
The US version of The Office remains one of the most popular shows on Netflix. However, that classic workplace sitcom will be leaving the streaming service in January 2021 for Peacock. Thankfully Space Force is coming soon to Netflix to help fill the gap left behind by the removal of The Office.
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The show was co-created by Greg Daniels, who also created the US version of The Office. The other co-creator is also its lead actor, Steve Carell, who of course played Michael Scott, the lead of The Office, for its first several seasons.
Can lightning strike twice for Daniels and Carell? Let’s take a look at everything we know so far about the Space Force Netflix show. You can sign up for Netflix, if you have not already, at the link below and take advantage of the 30-day free trial.
What is the Space Force TV series about exactly?
The new Space Force Netflix series focuses on a fictionalized version of the real-life US Space Force, created in late 2019 by the Trump administration. Space Force centers around U.S. Air Force General Mark R. Naird (played by Carell), recently recruited to lead the new Space Force. He moves to its home base in Colorado to lead the team as they try to put a man on the moon, over 50 years after Apollo 11.
Ultimately, the Space Force TV Series is meant to be a satire on how the space program could become more militaristic, in contrast to the ideals of NASA’s scientific civilian program. However, Daniels says that the team is aiming to still be respectful of the real U.S. military and NASA programs.
The show was first announced in January 2019 by Netflix.
When will the show be released?
The first season of 10 episodes are available to stream now on Netflix.
Who is starring in the Space Force Netflix show?
Here’s what we know about the cast and characters of the show so far:
- Mark R. Naird (Steve Carell) – A four-star U.S. Air Force general who is ordered to lead the new Space Force military branch.
- Dr. Adrian Mallory (John Malkovich) – The Space Force’s head Science Advisor, who doesn’t care for space turning into a more militaristic location
- Maggie Naird (Lisa Kudrow) – General Naird’s wife who may not be happy with her husband’s newest post.
- Erin Naird (Diana Silvers) – General Naird’s young daughter who gets kicked out of school and decides to join her father in Colorado.
- Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome) – A helicopter pilot who wants to become an astronaut.
- F. Tony Scarapiducci (Ben Schwartz) – The egotistical media consultant for the Space Force.
- Kick Grabaston (Noah Emmerich) – The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force who is resentful of General Naird’s new position as Space Force leader.
Other cast members of note include Silicon Valley’s Jimmy O. Yang as Doctor Chan Kaifang, the assistant to Dr. Mallory. Jessica St. Clair is also in the cast as Kelly King, a civilian contractor assigned to build the Space Force’s Colorado base.
The show will also feature one of the last roles for the late, and great, Fred Willard. He played General Naird’s father (who also happens to be named Fred).
The trailer for Space Force also reveals Jane Lynch, Patrick Warburton, Diedrich Bader, Dan Bakkedahl and Roy Wood Jr. in unnamed roles.
Will the Space Force Netflix show be a good replacement to The Office?
The Office is still a massive hit for the Netflix streaming service. With that show moving over to NBCUniversal’s Peacock service in January 2021, it was a natural for Netflix to replace it with a similar sitcom. The fact that both Carell and Daniels are involved will certainly attract a ton of Office fans to watch at least the first episode of Space Force. The casting of Lisa Kudrow will also likely bring many fans of her former sitcom Friends to Space Force (Friends recently left Netflix and will be streaming exclusively on HBO Max when it launches May 27).
The recently released trailer certainly has some funny bits, especially when General Naird locks himself in his office and stars to sing “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys. The budget for Space Force is clearly bigger than The Office ever had, with visual effects for exploding rockets and high production values for the main base. Hopefully, the promising trailer will be followed by an entertaining full series.
Are you planning to stream the Space Force Netflix show?
