The Tomorrow People – A Short-Lived Sci-Fi Reboot
In 2013, The CW premiered The Tomorrow People, a science fiction drama based on the classic 1970s British series of the same name. Developed by Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer, and Julie Plec, the show attempted to reintroduce the cult classic to a new generation, blending teenage drama with superpowered science fiction. Despite a promising premise, it ran for only one season before being canceled.
Plot Overview
The series follows Stephen Jameson (Robbie Amell), an ordinary teenager who begins experiencing strange blackouts and hearing voices. Soon, he discovers that he is one of the “Tomorrow People”—the next stage in human evolution. This group of young people, scattered across the globe, are gifted with three unique powers:
- Telepathy – the ability to communicate with each other through thought.
- Telekinesis – the power to move objects with their minds.
- Teleportation – the ability to instantly travel from one place to another.
Stephen joins forces with others like him, including John Young (Luke Mitchell), Cara Coburn (Peyton List), and Russell Kwon (Aaron Yoo). Together, they try to survive against Ultra, a secret paramilitary organization led by Stephen’s uncle, Jedikiah Price (Mark Pellegrino), which hunts Tomorrow People to control or eliminate them.
The Cast
The show featured a young ensemble mixed with experienced TV actors:
- Robbie Amell as Stephen Jameson
- Peyton List as Cara Coburn
- Luke Mitchell as John Young
- Aaron Yoo as Russell Kwon
- Madeleine Mantock as Astrid Finch
- Mark Pellegrino as Jedikiah Price
- Sarah Clarke as Marla Jameson
Themes
At its core, The Tomorrow People explored themes of evolution, identity, survival, and belonging. The Tomorrow People were positioned as a persecuted minority, hunted for their abilities, reflecting social struggles for acceptance and freedom. The show also layered in family conflict, with Stephen torn between loyalty to his human family and his new identity.
Reception
The series received mixed reviews. Many praised its action sequences, sleek visuals, and cast performances, particularly Robbie Amell and Peyton List. However, critics felt that the show leaned too heavily into teen drama tropes and struggled to balance its ambitious sci-fi storytelling with character development.
Cancellation
Despite a dedicated fan base, The Tomorrow People was canceled after one season in 2014 due to declining ratings. The CW chose to focus on other shows within its lineup, such as Arrow and The Flash, both of which would become staples of the network’s superhero-driven era.
Legacy
Though short-lived, The Tomorrow People is remembered as an ambitious reboot that introduced the story of evolved humans to a new audience. Its themes of belonging, evolution, and survival resonated with fans, even if it didn’t achieve mainstream success. Today, the series maintains a small cult following, especially among viewers who enjoyed its blend of sci-fi action and emotional drama.