Away: First look at the trailer ahead of September premiere on Netflix

Netflix’s upcoming series is quite literally out of this world. Away stars Hilary Swank in the lead role and tells the thrilling tale of getting humanity to Mars. It’s more complex than you may think, and we’re not talking about the science of space travel.

Created by Andrew Hinderaker, Away is executive produced by showrunner Jessica Goldberg, Jason Katims, Matt Reeves, Andrew Hinderaker, Edward Zwick, Hilary Swank, Adam Kassan and Jeni Mulein.

Set in the near future, the first season of Away consists of 10 episodes and focuses on the first human-led expedition to Mars. Join the mission on Friday, 4 September 2020 when it airs on Netflix.

‘Away’ on Netflix: What you need to know

‘Away’ plot

Away is a thrilling, emotional drama on an epic scale that celebrates the incredible advancements humans can achieve, but none of that can be achieved without the personal sacrifices we make along the way. 

Emma Green, an American astronaut, prepares to lead an international crew on the first mission to Mars. By following her dream, she must make a tough decision: to leave behind her husband and daughter when they need her the most.

As the crew’s journey into space intensifies, their personal dynamics and the effects of being away from their loved ones back on Earth become increasingly complex. Away shows that sometimes to reach for the stars, we must leave home behind.

“Whatever comes next, we can take it on together”.

Commander Emma Green (Hilary Swank), Away

Watch: ‘Away’ trailer

‘Away’ Cast and Character fact sheet

Emma Green, portrayed by Hilary Swank

Emma Green is an American astronaut and former Navy pilot. She is the commander of the first mission to Mars. She is a headstrong, empathetic and highly intelligent astronaut and leader.

Emma is married to Matt Logan, a chief engineer at NASA, and they share a 15-year-old daughter, Alexis; or Lex for short.

Matt Logan portrayed by Josh Charles

Matt Logan is a NASA engineer, and his wife is commanding the first mission to Mars.  He faces the already enormous challenges of dealing with the mission from home while also raising their teenage daughter on his own.

Alexis “Lex” Logan portrayed by Talitha Bateman

Still a teen, Lex is the daughter of Emma Green and Matt Logan. Like her father, Lex is supportive and proud of her mother’s three-year mission. She struggles with coming of age while her mother is on the mission.

In addition, her father faces his own struggles which would have been easier for Lex to cope with, had her mother been on Earth. Lex is torn between supporting her mother’s mission and wishing she didn’t have to leave at all.

Misha Popov portrayed Mark Ivanir

Misha Popov is a Russian cosmonaut and engineer on the mission to Mars alongside Emma Green. The most experienced member of the crew, Misha doesn’t lack for ego, but secretly struggles with the personal sacrifices he made to get to space.

Dr. Kwesi Weisberg-Abban portrayed by Ato Essandoh

Kwesi Weisberg-Abban is a British citizen from Ghana. Kwesi (pronounced Kway-Si) is good-humoured, modest, and a man of deep faith. He’s a world-renowned botanist and carries with him the hope of growing life on Mars.

Ram Arya portrayed by Ray Panthaki

Ram Arya is an Air Force fighter pilot from India. While the other astronauts are forced to reckon with their attachments to earth and their families, Ram is quite alone in the world. 

Lu Wang portrayed by Vivian Wu

Lu Wang is a chemist and astronaut representing China. She is intelligent and pragmatic but below her focused exterior, she has a complex personal life.  She is married and the couple shares a young son.

Melissa Ramirez portrayed by Monique Curnen

Melissa Ramirez is a former astronaut who is Emma’s Crew Support Astronaut. Her job is to be Emma’s Liaison To Earth.

Melissa gave up her own career as an astronaut to support her special needs child, but she is there for Emma and her family. She takes care of Lex as a stand-in mom while Emma makes her way to Mars.