"Attention all passengers, Mr. Wilford would like to address the rumours of disturbances in the tail. Let me assure you, your security is our highest priority. Order will be restored."
That's the ominous opening PA announcement featured in the trailer for Netflix series 'Snowpiercer', an adaption of the 2013 South Korean-Czech film of the same name and the 1982 French graphic novel 'Le Transperceneige'.It's 2021, seven years after the world becomes a frozen wasteland (you'll need to move pass the eerily similar environmental issues our planet currently faces); the series follows the remnants of humanity, who inhabit a perpetually moving train, built by billionaire Mr Wilford, that circles the globe once a year.
While a dystopian fantasy, 'Snowpiercer' explores pertinent themes such as class warfare, social injustice, and the politics of survival.
Head of Hospitality (the department responsible for smooth relations) and the Voice of the Train (responsible for making the PA system's daily announcements) aboard Snowpiercer is Melanie, played by Jennifer Connelly, who also has a secret (known only to a handful of Snowpiercer inhabitants) with the potential to disrupt their fragile world.
Grammy and Tony award winner, Daveed Diggs (who originated the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the musical 'Hamilton') portrays Detective Andre Layton, the world's only surviving homicide detective.
A quiet thinker who lives in the tail of Snowpiercer, he's also a rebel that's helping to coordinate the revolution against the first class for better living conditions. Sound familiar?
When there's a series of murders, Melanie elevates Layton to the role of train detective where he uses his new-found authority to further support the revolution.
The main cast also features Alison Wright ('The Americans'), Iddo Goldberg ('Peaky Blinders') and Mickey Sumner ('Low Winter Sun', Sting's daughter). Look out for appearances from Sean Bean, Steve Ogg ('The Walking Dead') and Happy Anderson ('The Knick') among a massive ensemble cast.
With the first 7 episodes available to watch on Netflix, the final 3 episodes release weekly.
