Based on the best-selling trilogy by Justin Cronin, The Passage is described as an epic, character‐driven thriller about a secret government medical facility experimenting with a dangerous virus that could either cure all disease or cause the downfall of the human race. It focuses on a 10‐year‐old girl named Amy Bellafonte (portrayed by 12-year-old Saniyya Sidney), who is chosen to be a test subject for this experiment, and Brad Wolgast (Mark‐Paul Gosselaar), the federal agent who becomes her surrogate father as he tries to protect her. While the series doesn’t necessarily refer to its humans-turned-creatures as “vampires,” the subjects of this experiment are very fond of blood-sucking.
As we reported last May, the series was originally looked at as an off-cycle pickup, but the network wanted extensive reshoots and retooling. Three characters were also taken out. After the fixes, the show became a major favorite at Fox. This isn’t the first time you’ve seen the show’s young star, Saniyya Sidney. She appeared in the films Fences and Hidden Figures, as well as the Roots miniseries and American Horror Story: Roanoke.
The Passage is pretty good television and a thrilling ride within its first few episodes. With such expansive source material, there is a lot to work with here, and the show has a significant opportunity at being the next long-running television series.
A massive find for the show and Fox, Sidney is electric as young Amy. She goes head-to-head with each scene partner she’s paired with, coming out on top each time. The show itself is very ambitious (much like another new series this television season) and has a lot of goals to live up to, and if it achieves them, the outcome will be fantastic.
The series premieres Monday at 9 p.m. on Fox.
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