From is a popular — if underrated — modern sci-fi hit. Centering on the trapped residents of a sinister small town, the show has earned critical and audience acclaim. From has aired three seasons on MGM+ as of November 2024, with a fourth in development. Based on previous airing schedules, fans should expect to see the fourth outing later this year or early 2026. But while they are waiting, perhaps they could check out this mid-2010s Fox show with a similar setup.
Premiering in May 2015, Wayward Pines follows Secret Service agent Ethan Burke, who is sent to the titular small town to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents. But, like From, Ethan soon discovers that leaving Wayward Pines is next to impossible. The show has an unsettling vibe, and it’s clear that more is happening than those in charge are revealing. So, let’s break down Wayward Pines (without giving away too much). Its creepy feel and setting make it a perfect candidate to hold From fans over between seasons. But it also does its own thing with the concept, focusing more on true sci-fi over fantasy and the supernatural. A modest success at the time, Wayward Pines is less remembered today. But doesn’t that mean it’s the perfect time for a rediscovery? So why should you watch Wayward Pines?
The Setup of ‘Wayward Pines’
Matt Dillon stars as leading man Ethan Burke. He travels to Wayward Pines to locate two of his fellow Secret Service agents, including his partner Kate Hewson (Carla Gugino). But everything in town seems off from the start. Ethan is held in the hospital after arriving, where Nurse Pam (Melissa Leo) and psychologist Dr. Jenkins (Toby Jones) attempt to convince him that he’s mentally unwell. He escapes and finds Kate, who tells him she’s been in town for 12 years despite him seeing her on the outside just a few weeks earlier. Town sheriff Arnold Pope (Terrence Howard) threatens Ethan, who discovers that any escape attempt just leads him back into town.
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The series has been met with critical acclaim and stands at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Residents aren’t allowed to talk about their lives before Wayward Pines. Bartender Beverly (Juliette Lewis) learns this the hard way when she offhandedly mentions her daughter. After her “punishment,” Ethan vows to uncover the truth one way or another. His wife Theresa (Shannyn Sossamon) and son Ben (Charlie Tahan) soon show up in town after setting out to find him. The Burkes must keep up the appearance of a normal, happy family while Ethan tries to get to the bottom of things.
The town’s true nature is revealed in the fifth episode of Season 1. No spoilers here, but those who read the original book series by Blake Crouch will know what’s coming. The second season shook up most of the main cast, with a different ’80s heartthrob (Jason Patric) replacing Dillon as lead. Other new faces included Nimrat Kaur and Djimon Hounsou. Despite promising hints of a third season, Fox ultimately chose to pull the plug after the second outing.
The Legacy of ‘Wayward Pines’ and Where to Stream It
Though Wayward Pines is more obscure today, it had several big sci-fi names among its crew. Author and EP Crouch would go on to adapt another of his books into Apple TV+’s Dark Matter. The Duffer Brothers — known for a little show called Stranger Things — were writers on Season 1. Even the master of twists, M. Night Shyamalan, served as an EP and directed the pilot. And the fifth episode of Season 1 delivers on that signature Shyamalan twist.
Wayward Pines was initially set to be a miniseries, with the first season adapting all three books of Crouch’s trilogy. However, Fox ordered a second season in December 2015. That second outing told an original story that deviated from the books — which could be why it wasn’t as well-received. Ratings were serviceable, if not stellar, in Season 1 but fell even further in the next season. The show picked up a few nominations at the 2016 Saturn and 2017 Leo Awards but failed to bring any wins home. After it was canceled in 2018, Wayward Pines slipped under the radar.
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So, where can fans check out the show? Wayward Pines is streaming now on Hulu. It is also available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Wayward Pines could be the perfect choice for viewers looking to fill that From-sized hole in their viewing schedule. If enough people check it out, Wayward Pines could be a success story of a long-dormant show that finds new life on a streamer. Could that lead to a reboot? That’s unlikely, but it would get Wayward Pines the attention it deserves.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
