Discuss the idea of a “zombie series,” and it’s likely that people will associate it with “The Walking Dead” as a standard. This show was an incredible success for a full decade, and it’s still thriving today through its numerous spin-offs and TV movie sequels.
However, not only our show delved into the undead horror genre over the last decade, but there was another under-the-radar zombie series as well. This unique show managed to find its own space with a peculiar yet entertaining approach, blending humor and fear effectively, while also developing an extensive cast that mirrored the show’s growing mythology.
The television series “Z Nation” was broadcast for five seasons between 2014-2018 on SYFY (and is now available in its entirety on Peacock). It has created one of the most thrilling horror tales from recent years, with an unexpectedly rich level of world development to keep it cohesive. Unlike “The Walking Dead”, which began shortly after a zombie apocalypse, “Z Nation” leaps forward three years to reveal a world that has already collapsed and is barely hanging on to the odd life forms that its survivors can create.
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The situation changes dramatically when they discover a single individual who, surprisingly, remains unharmed despite being bitten and retains some of his mental abilities afterward. This discovery could be a turning point in a world dominated by the undead, setting the stage for the storyline in Z Nation, as an unlikely team gathers to transport this potential Patient Zero to one of the last functioning medical facilities left on earth.
Similar to “The Walking Dead”, the series “Z Nation” saw its cast of characters change from season to season due to the perilous nature of the apocalypse, yet a handful of key figures managed to endure and maintain the show’s central dynamic across its entire run.
Z Nation had a huge cast of survivors
The pilot began with an exciting start, featuring popular character Harold Perrineau prominently in the credits. However, it concluded with an unexpected turn that intensified the storyline immediately. Notably, Kellita Smith, DJ Qualls, Keith Allan, Anastasia Baranova, Russell Hodgkinson, Pisay Pao, and Nat Zang were regular cast members throughout most of the series. Along the journey, they were joined by numerous recurring and temporary actors, including well-known figures from the genre such as Gina Gershon, Mario Van Peebles, Joseph Gatt, Zack Ward, and many others.
The pilot kicked off in a thrilling manner, with fan-favorite Harold Perrineau leading the cast list. But, in an unexpected twist, the episode’s end raised the stakes swiftly. Throughout the show’s run, Kellita Smith, DJ Qualls, Keith Allan, Anastasia Baranova, Russell Hodgkinson, Pisay Pao, and Nat Zang were regular cast members. Additionally, they were supported by a host of recurring and temporary actors, including genre icons like Gina Gershon, Mario Van Peebles, Joseph Gatt, Zack Ward, and others.)
One unique aspect of the show’s structure was Qualls playing Simon “Citizen Z” Cruller, a hacker who spends the apocalypse at an old NSA base in the Arctic Circle. Essentially, he operates a rogue radio station for survivors, utilizing whatever technology still works to monitor the progress of the post-apocalyptic world and offering a broad overview of the situation.
The series didn’t shy away from incorporating famous guest appearances, but there’s no need to fret about an Ed Sheeran appearance around a campfire. Instead, Z Nation creatively utilized its genre history, offering one of the most striking surprises when George R.R. Martin, the author of Game of Thrones, made an appearance as a zombie in Season 2, Episode 8 for a macabre book signing (even in his undead state, he was still working on wrapping up the Song of Ice and Fire series). It turned out that a post-apocalyptic collector had acquired him after the zombie outbreak disrupted a comics convention.
Z Nation even got a spinoff: Black Summer
Remarkably, just as one might expect from the undying influence of shows like The Walking Dead, Z Nation had a spinoff series called Black Summer. This series, which aired from 2019 to 2021 for two seasons, delved into the timeline earlier than its predecessor, offering a fresh narrative. Unlike Z Nation, Black Summer emphasized horror over humor, portraying a story that unfolded during the initial weeks following the onset of the zombie outbreak when the world was in complete turmoil.
If you’re on the hunt for a series to scratch that zombie-itch in your streaming lineup, give Z Nation a try. It’s got just the right blend of humor, horror, quirkiness, and intelligence – chances are, you might have overlooked it during its initial run.
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2025-01-24 23:01