The Authorities season 1
| The Authorities | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Release | |
| Original network |
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| Original release | October 19, 2026 – May 3, 2027 |
| Season chronology | |
The first season of the American superhero television series, The Authorities, which is based on Squared Media and DC Comics. The season is produced by Mob Productions, Mojang and Warner Bros. Pictures, and released on October 19, 2026[1] until May 3, 2027, and finished with 22 episodes.[2] The season follows a team of powered "metahumans" who set out to stop the powerful Lord Shadowmancer, who uses the deceased against the team of Authorities.
The season was ordered by Freddie Goodwin in 2022, who worked with Sara Case, Benjamin Knowles, Homer Gutierrez and Myla Salazar to write the season. Case directed the episodes. Development for the season began in 2023 with Goodwin. They began working on a story that involves a superhero team that would be created to connect with Minecraft.
Chris Hensworth reprises his role as Simon Lowe from Archer that released in 2025. He is joined by Brie Larson, Dave Bautista, Rami Malek, Zoë Saldana, Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, and Mads Mikkelsen. Even though they appear in most of the episodes in some compacity, Jack Black, Tom Holland, and Amy Poehler reprise their roles as Steve Stonecutter, The "Agent" Derp, and Alex Stonecutter from the original series through CGI usage.
The season was ordered by Mob Productions in June 2022, who planned it to feature the "Minecraft" title in it, however chose to exclude it due to the theme of the series' story. The season received positive reviews from critics and audiences, with praise for its social commentary, story, screenplay and the performances of the entire cast, specifically that of Hemsworth. On February 2, 2027, the series was renewed for a second season. A feature film is in development, that will act as a prequel.
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | October 19, 2026 | 10101 | 11.19 |
| 2 | 2 | "Team Up Jumbo" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | October 26, 2026 | 10102 | 10.27 |
| 3 | 3 | "Traps" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | November 2, 2026 | 10103 | 9.73 |
| 4 | 4 | "Herobrine Returns!" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | November 9, 2026 | 10104 | TBD |
| 5 | 5 | "The Lord of Death" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | November 16, 2026 | 10105 | 9.52 |
| 6 | 6 | "The Boy Named Simon" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | November 23, 2026 | 10106 | TBD |
| 7 | 7 | "Accidents that Happen" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | November 30, 2026 | 10107 | 8.65 |
| 8 | 8 | "Shadowmancer's Plan" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | December 7, 2026 | 10108 | 8.72 |
| 9 | 9 | "Stop the Nether!" | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | December 14, 2026 | 10109 | 8.52 |
| 10 | 10 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | February 8, 2027 | 10110 | TBD |
| 11 | 11 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | February 15, 2027 | 10111 | TBD |
| 12 | 12 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | February 22, 2027 | 10112 | TBD |
| 13 | 13 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | March 1, 2027 | 10113 | TBD |
| 14 | 14 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | February 8, 2027 | 10114 | TBD |
| 15 | 15 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | March 15, 2027 | 10115 | TBD |
| 16 | 16 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | March 22, 2027 | 10116 | TBD |
| 17 | 17 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | March 29, 2027 | 10117 | TBD |
| 18 | 18 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | April 5, 2027 | 10118 | TBD |
| 19 | 19 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | April 12, 2027 | 10119 | TBD |
| 20 | 20 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | April 19, 2027 | 10120 | TBD |
| 21 | 21 | TBA | Sara Case | Sara Case, Freddie Goodwin, and Jackson Greene | April 26, 2027 | 10121 | TBD |
| 22 | 22 | "We Are the Authorities!" | Sara Case | Teleplay by : Jackson Greene Story by : Freddie Goodwin, Homer Gutierrez, and Sara Case | May 3, 2027 | 10122 | TBD |
Cast and characters
- Chris Hemsworth as Simon Lowe / Archer / Arrow
- Jack Black as Steve Stonecutter
- Tom Holland as The Derp / "The Agent"
- Amy Poehler as Alex Stonecutter
- Brie Larson as Aurora Skye / Celestia
- Dave Bautista as Lucas Stone / Titan
- Rami Malek as Nathan Reed / Hydron
- Zoë Saldana as Isabella Cruz / Spectra
- Robert Downey Jr. as Maxwell "Max" Jennings / Gearhead
- Natalie Portman as Serena Blackwood / Mystica
- Mads Mikkelsen as Max Kaine / Lord Shadowmancer
- Antony Starr as Jack / God-Man
Production
Development
In 2016, the development of a new series set in the Minecraft "Live Action" timeline began, attracting interest from Warner Bros. Pictures. However, Mojang initially restricted showrunner Sara Case from using characters from Freddie Goodwin's Minecraft series and suggested changing the title to "The Authorities." This led to a temporary halt in production.
Two weeks later, Freddie Goodwin, then Creative Chief of Mob Productions and later CEO in 2018, learned about the project and negotiated a deal with Mojang. This agreement allowed Case to create the series within Goodwin's universe but as a distinct "Live Action" content category.
Goodwin committed to funding the first season for 10 episodes. By June 2019, Case and Goodwin expanded their agreement to a 22-episode season, maintaining the original budget. Goodwin also promised increased funding for a potential second season and beyond.
During the mid-season break after episode 9, Goodwin expressed satisfaction with the series' initial performance and its continued improvement with each new episode. It was also revealed that the series drew loose inspiration from DC Comics.
Writing
The collaboration between Sara Case and Freddie Goodwin was marked by a distinct creative synergy. Case, in her role as the primary writer, worked closely with a team of co-writers to craft the episodes. Her oversight was crucial in maintaining what was described as "top star quality" throughout the series. She was deeply involved in ensuring that the writing and storytelling were not only grounded and realistic but also carried an undercurrent of heroism, a theme central to the series' appeal.
Case's approach to storytelling was both strategic and thoughtful. In interviews conducted years before the series' release, she began to tease elements of the story, intriguing audiences with her vision. Notably, she made it clear that she intended to write only one season. This decision was significant, as it influenced the narrative structure, leading to a conclusion without any cliffhangers. Such a choice ensured that the season would be a self-contained and complete story, providing a satisfying experience for viewers.
In 2023, it was revealed that Case had been involved with the "Archer" project a year prior to its release. Her contribution to "Archer" was described as bringing about a "strong change" to the miniseries. This involvement was strategic, as it allowed her to effectively set up the narrative groundwork for the main series. By doing so, Case not only enriched the storyline of "Archer" but also created a seamless narrative bridge to her series, ensuring a cohesive and interconnected storytelling universe.
Casting
In March 2026 , it was announced that Chris Hensworth would reprise his role in the series from Archer that premiered the year before. In June 2026, it was announced that Brie Larson was cast as Aurora Skye / Celestia, Dave Bautista was cast as Lucas Stone / Titan, Rami Malek was cast as Nathan Reed / Hydron, Zoë Saldana was cast as Isabella Cruz / Spectra, Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Maxwell "Max" Jennings / Gearhead, Natalie Portman was cast as Serena Blackwood / Mystica, and Mads Mikkelsen was cast as the villain Max Kaine / Lord Shadowmancer.
In September 2026, it was announced that n Black would appear as Steve Stonecutter throughout the season alongside Tom Holland as The Derp / "The Agent", and Amy Poehler as Alex Stonecutter.
Filming
Production of the first season commenced in June 2025 and wrapped up in March 2026. The filming schedule was meticulously planned, with special consideration given to the availability of the actors. This careful scheduling was crucial to accommodate the filming of additional scenes intended to enhance post-production efficiency.
Emphasizing the quality of the action sequences, the production team dedicated extra time and resources to these scenes, striving for a higher level of precision and impact. This approach was not only about achieving visual excellence but also about reducing the reliance on CGI, particularly for smaller, less significant elements of the series. By minimizing CGI usage, the team aimed to cut costs without compromising the visual integrity of the show.
In their effort to balance cost-effectiveness with high production value, the team employed innovative filming techniques. These techniques allowed for a more authentic and immersive viewing experience, while also adhering to the budget constraints. This blend of practical effects and carefully utilized CGI set a new standard for television productions, demonstrating that high-quality action sequences could be achieved without excessive reliance on digital effects.
Visual effects
To align with the unique demands of the 22-episode season, Sara Case, leading the project, directed Mob Productions to approach visual effects with a minimalist mindset. This strategic decision was influenced by the budget constraints, which were initially tailored for an 8–10 episode season. The production team, therefore, faced the challenge of managing finances effectively while ensuring the season's continuity and quality.
The team's focus on prudent budgeting led to innovative solutions in visual storytelling. They employed a mix of practical effects, limited but high-impact CGI, and other cost-effective techniques to maintain the series' visual appeal. This approach not only helped in stretching the budget across more episodes but also infused a unique authenticity into the series, distinguishing it from typical high-CGI productions.
Goodwin revealed that despite the tight budget, they allocated a significantly larger portion of the funds to the season finale. This decision was strategic, aiming to conclude the season with a visually spectacular episode that would leave a lasting impression on the audience. The finale, therefore, stood out not only in terms of storytelling but also in its visual grandeur, setting a high bar for subsequent seasons. This move highlighted the team's commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with creative ambition, ensuring that key moments in the series received the emphasis and investment they deserved.
Marketing
The series, a significant project for Freddie Goodwin and his team, was first announced on June 10, 2022. This announcement was part of a strategic move to schedule and publicize content well in advance. Goodwin described the series as a "big step up" from their previous endeavors, highlighting its ambitious nature. He also shared the premiere date, October 19, 2026, and confirmed that filming was slated to begin in 2025, setting the stage for a highly anticipated release.
In June 2023, further details emerged, revealing that the season would feature 22 episodes. Additionally, there was an open possibility for a second season, suggesting confidence in the series' potential for continued storytelling. Importantly, it was confirmed that the events of the series would be directly set up by three miniseries: "Archer," "The Speed Man," and "Starlight." This interlinking of narratives indicated an expansive and cohesive universe, adding layers to the series' storyline.
The promotional campaign for the series included the release of two trailers. The first trailer, unveiled on June 10, 2026, was a concise 1:30 minutes, setting the tone and expectation for the series. A second and final trailer followed on September 1, 2026, further building anticipation among the audience.
On the day of the series premiere, October 19, 2026, an announcement was made regarding the airing schedule. It was disclosed that after the premiere of episode 9 on December 14, 2026, there would be a break, with the next episode scheduled for release on February 8, 2027. This schedule suggested a mid-season hiatus, a common strategy in television to maintain viewer interest. Additionally, the series finale was confirmed to be titled "We Are the Authorities!", hinting at a climactic and potentially revelatory conclusion to the season.
Release
The season premiered on The CW and Netflix on October 19, 2026.[1]
Two weeks before the premiere, Case announced that the episodes would have 22 episodes.[2]
Ratings
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) |
Viewers (millions) |
DVR (18–49) |
DVR viewers (millions) |
Total (18–49) |
Total viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Armageddon, Part 1" | November 16, 2021 | 0.2 | 0.75[3] | 0.1 | 0.46 | 0.4 | 1.21[4] |
| 2 | "Armageddon, Part 2" | November 23, 2021 | 0.1 | 0.67[5] | 0.1 | 0.45 | 0.3 | 1.12[6] |
| 3 | "Armageddon, Part 3" | November 30, 2021 | 0.2 | 0.73[7] | 0.1 | 0.46 | 0.3 | 1.19[8] |
| 4 | "Armageddon, Part 4" | December 7, 2021 | 0.2 | 0.73[9] | 0.2 | 0.47 | 0.3 | 1.20[10] |
| 5 | "Armageddon, Part 5" | December 14, 2021 | 0.2 | 0.72[11] | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | "Impulsive Excessive Disorder" | March 9, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.59[12] | 0.1 | 0.42 | 0.3 | 1.01[13] |
| 7 | "Lockdown" | March 16, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.56[14] | 0.1 | 0.43 | 0.2 | 0.99[15] |
| 8 | "The Fire Next Time" | March 23, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.69[16] | 0.1 | 0.37 | 0.3 | 1.06[17] |
| 9 | "Phantoms" | March 30, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.54[18] | 0.2 | 0.47 | 0.2 | 1.01[19] |
| 10 | "Reckless" | April 6, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.57[20] | 0.1 | 0.38 | 0.2 | 0.95[21] |
| 11 | "Resurrection" | April 13, 2022 | 0.2 | 0.64[22] | 0.1 | 0.44 | 0.3 | 1.07[22] |
Reception
Critical response
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 JUNE 10, 2022 | www.TVSpot.com | Freddie Goodwin announces The Authorities years ahead of its premiere date
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 OCTOBER 2, 2026 | www.TVSpot.com | The CW, Netflix, and Mob Productions announce the 22 episode first season of The Authorities.
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