MCN Review: 'The Man in the High Castle'

Studios presents an alternative history lesson with this new original drama. Based on a Philip K. Dick novel, it’s set in a 1962 U.S. ruled by the Axis powers after their triumph in World War II.

Alexa Davalos plays Juliana, a San Francisco resident who comes into possession of a reel-to reel film from her sister, who is killed by the Japanese police force. It shows the U.S. winning the war. She eventually meets Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank), a 27-year-old from New York who’s working with the resistance, but isn’t all that he seems to be.

From executive producer Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), The Man in the High Castle starts slowly and takes time to establish parallel plot lines. It’s a fascinating, espionage- themed thriller with potential to hold viewers throughout a 10-episode run. Watch the trailer here.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.