The New Battlestar Galactica Series: What We Know

There's no new Battlestar Galactica series on the way right now. Sam Esmail, the creator of Mr. Robot, spent five years developing one for NBCUniversal's streamer Peacock, but in July 2024 Peacock dropped it without ever ordering it to series. Its producer, Universal Content Productions (UCP), said it would take the project to other outlets. As of October 2026 no other network or streamer has been reported as picking it up, so it is stalled. (Peacock drops the series (TVLine); Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

Is the new Battlestar Galactica series still happening?#

Not at Peacock. On 31 July 2024, TVLine and TheWrap both reported that the series was no longer in development there. It had been in the works since 2019 and never got a series order, so no episodes were filmed. (Peacock drops the series (TVLine); Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

Both outlets said UCP, which has an overall deal with Esmail, would shop the show to other outlets. (Peacock drops the series (TVLine); Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

Since then the trail goes quiet. We haven't found any report from a reputable outlet of another network or streamer taking it on, through to October 2026. When Battlestar Galactica came to Paramount+ and Pluto TV in May 2026, the coverage was about the old show, with no word on a new one. Until someone announces otherwise, treat the series as stalled. (Battlestar Galactica on Paramount+ and Pluto TV)

When was it announced, and who was making it?#

Peacock announced the series on 17 September 2019, months before the streamer launched, as one of its first original shows. Consequence's report counted it as the franchise's fourth TV series, after the 1978 original, Galactica 1980 and the Syfy series that began with the 2003 miniseries. Esmail's producing partner from Mr. Robot, Chad Hamilton, was also on board. (Peacock series announcement; Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

The writing changed hands along the way:

• Michael Lesslie was the writer in the early years. In January 2021, Esmail told Collider that Lesslie was working on the pilot. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2021)
• Derek Simonds, an executive producer on The Sinner, was named writer, executive producer and showrunner in January 2024. (Peacock drops the series (TVLine); Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

Esmail stayed attached as executive producer the whole time. Development stalled during the 2023 Writers Guild strike, and in October 2023 he said work had picked up again and that he'd just read an outline he was very happy with. Nine months later Peacock let it go. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2023; Peacock drops the series (TVLine))

Was it a reboot or a continuation?#

It was never going to remake Ronald D. Moore's series. In 2021 Esmail said he had spoken to Moore before taking the job, and that both agreed the new show wouldn't redo what Moore had done. In 2023 he again described it as part of the existing mythology rather than a reimagining of it. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2021; Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2023)

TheWrap's report on the cancellation described it as set in the same timeline as the 2004 to 2009 Syfy series, the one starring Edward James Olmos as William Adama, Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin and Katee Sackhoff as Kara Thrace. So it would have joined Caprica, Razor, The Plan and Blood and Chrome as another story in that universe rather than replacing it. (Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

What part of that universe it would cover was never revealed. Esmail only ever spoke about it in general terms, saying the franchise's mythology was rich and the new series would focus on one part of it. Whether it would have been set before, during or after the fall of the Twelve Colonies isn't known, and anyone claiming otherwise is guessing. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2023)

What else was said about it?#

Very little beyond that. No cast was ever announced, no characters were named, and there was no episode count or release window. (Peacock drops the series (TVLine); Peacock drops the series (TheWrap))

The one detail Esmail did share was about how it might be released. In the 2021 Collider interview he said the release pattern would follow the story rather than sticking to weekly or all-at-once drops, so a battle spread across three episodes might come out together. He also hoped to start shooting in 2021, depending on the pandemic and the size of the visual effects and set build. None of that happened. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2021)

SYFY WIRE's 2023 piece also mentioned a separate Battlestar Galactica film reportedly in development with producer Simon Kinberg. Esmail wouldn't comment on it, and it's a different project from this series. (Sam Esmail on Battlestar Galactica, 2023)

Where to watch Battlestar Galactica in the meantime#

The 2004 series is easier to find than it has been for years. On 1 May 2026 the 2003 miniseries, all four seasons and The Plan arrived on both Paramount+ and Pluto TV, with Caprica on Paramount+ only. Razor and Blood and Chrome weren't part of that deal. If you're starting fresh, the episode guide runs through every episode and the timeline shows how the films and spin-offs fit around them. (Battlestar Galactica on Paramount+ and Pluto TV)