Mr Robot Producer’s Battlestar Galactica Remake Gets New Showrunner

Mr Robot producer Sam Esmail is working on a Battlestar Galactica remake which was first announced in 2019.

Fast forward to now and Esmail has made an exciting update of a new showrunner for the latest iteration of the iconic sci-fi show.

While the remake is currently in production at Peacock, Deadline reports that The Sinner creator Derek Simonds has come onto the project as a writer, executive producer and showrunner for the Battlestar Galactica reboot.

Battlestar Galactica remake gets new showrunner

First announced in 2019, the Battlestar Galactica remake will once again focus on the war between humanity and the Cylons.

While fans might feel doubtful about the reboot of their favorite sci-fi show, Deadline reports that The Sinner creator Derek Simonds has been brought on as a writer, executive producer and showrunner.

Meanwhile, the last update relating to the Battlestar Galactica remake was in October 2023 following the end of the WGA Writers’ strike, with Esmail telling Deadline they were working on the rebooted series. Esmail told the publication, “We are working on it,” adding:

And, in fact, I just read a great outline and it’s in great shape. Because the strike is over now – at least the WGA strike is over – we’re back into developing it.

About the reboot

When the reboot was announced in 2019, Esmail wrote, “BSG fans, this will NOT be a remake of the amazing series @RonDMoore launched because… why mess with perfection?”

“Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar. So say we all!” he added, saying the phrase fans will never forget from the series that launched in the 2000s.

About Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica first debuted in 1978 on ABC and starred Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene. The series followed a group of humans on board the titular ship as they fled from the Cylon robots who had attacked the world. The series ran for one season, following which ABC aired a short-lived spinoff, Galactica 1980.

However, Battlestar Galactica was revived in 2003 as a miniseries for the SyFy channel which later became the hugely successful 2004 TV series. That reboot famously starred Edward James Olmos, Katee Sackoff, Tricia Helfer, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber and Grace Park and ran for four seasons. This led to a short-lived prequel, Caprica, in 2010.

Battlestar Galactica fans among you, are you skeptical about the success of a remake of your favorite sci-fi series? However, do you believe that Sam Esmail and Derek Simonds could produce a magical new BSG story? Let us know by dropping a comment below.