Paramount+ is developing Zero Hour, new science-fiction thriller series from writer and showrunner Matthew Michael Carnahan (World War Z, Deepwater Horizon). According to Deadline, the project is based on a short story by Harrison Query (Trigger Point, The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey) and will be produced by Paramount Television Studios and AGBO.
Deadline notes Paramount+ secured the project following a competitive bidding process involving multiple buyers. The acquisition marks the streamer’s first known major purchase in the science-fiction and world-building genre.
Zero Hour begins when mysterious oval-shaped objects suddenly appear in the sky, changing the world within minutes. The story follows several people struggling to survive, including a woman caring for her sick husband, a doomsday prepper protecting his family and teenage runaways caught in a bank robbery.
Another storyline follows a young presidential aide attempting to understand the mysterious arrivals. As the characters confront their circumstances, the series gradually develops into a larger mystery surrounding the visitors and humanity’s understanding of first contact.
The project reflects Paramount+’s interest in expanding its science-fiction programming, including plans for another installment of the Star Trek franchise. However, the streamer’s future programming strategy remains uncertain following Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which places its content under HBO Max executive Casey Bloys.
Speaking with Deadline in August, Paramount+ executive Jane Wiseman emphasized the importance of character-driven genre programming. “We want our world-building, platform-defining genre series,” she said, explaining that strong relationships should remain central to these stories.
Carnahan will executive produce alongside AGBO, the production company founded by Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame, The Gray Man). The project reunites Carnahan with AGBO after his directorial debut, Mosul, which was produced by the company.
For Query, Zero Hour represents his fourth major project sale in just over a year. His recent projects include Netflix’s Trigger Point, Amazon’s Code Black and the upcoming limited series The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey. Paramount+ has not announced a cast, production schedule or premiere date for Zero Hour.