The Strain (TV series)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:05:32 AM Wikipedia source
The Strain is an American horror drama television series that aired on FX from July 13, 2014, to September 17, 2017. It was created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, based on their novel trilogy of the same name. Carlton Cuse served as executive producer and showrunner. Del Toro and Hogan wrote the pilot episode, "Night Zero", which del Toro directed. A thirteen-episode first season was ordered on November 19, 2013. The pilot episode premiered at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, in early June 2014. On August 6, 2014, FX renewed The Strain for a 13-episode second season which premiered on July 12, 2015. On August 7, 2015, FX renewed The Strain for a 10-episode third season which premiered on August 28, 2016. FX renewed the series for a fourth and final season on September 27, 2016, which premiered on July 16, 2017. During the course of the series, 46 episodes of The Strain aired over four seasons. The show centers around Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the CDC's New York-based Canary Project, who is called upon to investigate an airplane landing wherein everyone aboard is dead. What his team discovers is a viral outbreak that has similarities to an ancient strain of vampirism. The virus begins to spread and Goodweather works with his team and a group of the city's residents to wage a war to save humanity. As the series progresses, Goodweather finds new allies as they discover a dark underworld, political corruption, and a sinister plot for dominion over life.
Infobox
Genre
mw- Vampire horror Drama
Created by
Guillermo del Toro Chuck Hogan
Based on
The Strainby Guillermo del ToroChuck Hogan
Showrunner
Carlton Cuse
Starring
Corey Stoll David Bradley Mía Maestro Kevin Durand Jonathan Hyde Richard Sammel Sean Astin Jack Kesy Natalie Brown Miguel Gomez Ben Hyland Max Charles Ruta Gedmintas Rupert Penry-Jones Samantha Mathis Joaquín Cosío
Voices of
Robin Atkin Downes
Composer
Ramin Djawadi
Country of origin
United States
Original language
English
No. of seasons
4
No. of episodes
46 (list of episodes)
Executive producers
Guillermo del Toro Carlton Cuse Chuck Hogan Gary Ungar J. Miles Dale David Weddle Bradley Thompson Regina Corrado
Producers
Ra'uf Glasgow Gennifer Hutchison
Production locations
Toronto, Ontario
Cinematography
Checco Verese Gabriel Beristain Miroslaw Baszak
Editors
Kathryn Himoff Christopher Nelson Sarah Boyd
Running time
39–70 minutes
Production companies
Double Dare You Cuse Productions[a] FXP[b]
Network
FX
Release
July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13) –September 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)
Tables
First released
First released
Season
First released
Episodes
Last released
1
1
Season
1
Episodes
13
Episodes
July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13)
Originally released
October 5, 2014 (2014-10-05)
2
2
Season
2
Episodes
13
Episodes
July 12, 2015 (2015-07-12)
Originally released
October 4, 2015 (2015-10-04)
3
3
Season
3
Episodes
10
Episodes
August 28, 2016 (2016-08-28)
Originally released
October 30, 2016 (2016-10-30)
4
4
Season
4
Episodes
10
Episodes
July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16)
Originally released
September 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 13 | July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13) | October 5, 2014 (2014-10-05) | |
| 2 | 13 | July 12, 2015 (2015-07-12) | October 4, 2015 (2015-10-04) | |
| 3 | 10 | August 28, 2016 (2016-08-28) | October 30, 2016 (2016-10-30) | |
| 4 | 10 | July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16) | September 17, 2017 (2017-09-17) | |
· Reception › Awards and nominations
2014
2014
Year
2014
Award
Critics Choice Television Awards
Category
Most Exciting New Series
Nominee
The Strain
Result
Won
Satellite Awards
Satellite Awards
Year
Satellite Awards
Award
Best Genre Television Series
Category
The Strain
Nominee
Nominated
2015
2015
Year
2015
Award
Saturn Awards
Category
Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series
Nominee
The Strain
Result
Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series
Year
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series
Award
David Bradley
Category
Nominated
Richard Sammel
Richard Sammel
Year
Richard Sammel
Award
Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Year
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Award
Best TV Supporting Actor
Category
David Bradley
Nominee
Nominated
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX
Year
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX
Award
Steve Newburn, Sean Sansom
Category
Nominated
Golden Reel Awards
Golden Reel Awards
Year
Golden Reel Awards
Award
Best Sound Editing – Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television
Category
Nelson Ferreira, Jill Purdy (for "The Box")
Nominee
Nominated
2016
2016
Year
2016
Award
Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards
Category
TV series Cinematography
Nominee
Colin Hoult (for "By Any Means")
Result
Nominated
Saturn Awards
Saturn Awards
Year
Saturn Awards
Award
Best Horror Television Series
Category
The Strain
Nominee
Nominated
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Year
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Award
Max Charles
Category
Nominated
Directors Guild of Canada Awards
Directors Guild of Canada Awards
Year
Directors Guild of Canada Awards
Award
Best Sound Editing – Television Series
Category
John Loranger, Dan Sexton, Adam Stein, Nathan Robitaille, Jill Purdy, Richard Calistan, Joe Mancuso, Craig MacLellan (for "Night Train")
Nominee
Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Year
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Award
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX
Category
Steve Newburn, Sean Sansom
Nominee
Nominated
Golden Maple Awards
Golden Maple Awards
Year
Golden Maple Awards
Award
Best Actress in a TV Series Broadcast in the US
Category
Natalie Brown
Nominee
Won
Visual Effects Society Awards
Visual Effects Society Awards
Year
Visual Effects Society Awards
Award
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Category
Dennis Berardi, Luke Groves, Matt Glover, Trey Harrell, Warren Appleby (for "Identity")
Nominee
Nominated
2017
2017
Year
2017
Award
Saturn Awards
Category
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Nominee
Max Charles
Result
Nominated
2018
2018
Year
2018
Award
Saturn Awards
Category
Best Horror Television Series
Nominee
The Strain
Result
Nominated
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Year
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
Award
Max Charles
Category
Nominated
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
| 2014 | Critics Choice Television Awards | Most Exciting New Series | The Strain | Won | |
| Satellite Awards | Best Genre Television Series | The Strain | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Saturn Awards | Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series | The Strain | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series | David Bradley | Nominated | |||
| Richard Sammel | Nominated | ||||
| Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best TV Supporting Actor | David Bradley | Nominated | ||
| Best TV Makeup/Creature FX | Steve Newburn, Sean Sansom | Nominated | |||
| Golden Reel Awards | Best Sound Editing – Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television | Nelson Ferreira, Jill Purdy (for "The Box") | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards | TV series Cinematography | Colin Hoult (for "By Any Means") | Nominated | |
| Saturn Awards | Best Horror Television Series | The Strain | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series | Max Charles | Nominated | |||
| Directors Guild of Canada Awards | Best Sound Editing – Television Series | John Loranger, Dan Sexton, Adam Stein, Nathan Robitaille, Jill Purdy, Richard Calistan, Joe Mancuso, Craig MacLellan (for "Night Train") | Nominated | ||
| Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best TV Makeup/Creature FX | Steve Newburn, Sean Sansom | Nominated | ||
| Golden Maple Awards | Best Actress in a TV Series Broadcast in the US | Natalie Brown | Won | ||
| Visual Effects Society Awards | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode | Dennis Berardi, Luke Groves, Matt Glover, Trey Harrell, Warren Appleby (for "Identity") | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series | Max Charles | Nominated | |
| 2018 | Saturn Awards | Best Horror Television Series | The Strain | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series | Max Charles | Nominated |
References
- Credited as Carlton Cuse Productions for first two seasons
- Credited as FX Productions for first two seasons
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fx-orders-guillermo-del-toros-657628
- Entertainment Weeklyhttp://insidetv.ew.com/2013/11/19/the-strain-fx-series-order/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttp://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/15/guillermo-del-toro-fx-the-strain-atx-television-festival/
- "'The Strain' Renewed for Thirteen-Episode Season Two by FX"https://web.archive.org/web/20140819183146/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/08/19/the-strain-renewed-for-season-two-by-fx/294611/
- "'The Strain' Season 2 Gets July Premiere Date On FX"https://deadline.com/2015/05/the-strain-season-2-july-premiere-fx-1201429801/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-strain-season-3-american-horror-story-hotel-oct-7-1201559078/
- Strainhttp://tvline.com/2015/10/06/the-strain-season-3-nora-dead-quinlan-eldritch/
- "You're the Worst, The Strain Get Summer Return Dates at FX Networks"https://web.archive.org/web/20160602052302/http://tvline.com/2016/05/10/youre-the-worst-season-3-premiere-date-the-strain-returns-fx/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/strain-renewed-fourth-final-season-932948
- "The Strain's Fourth and Final Season Gets Premiere Date on FX"https://web.archive.org/web/20170603065730/http://tvline.com/2017/05/09/the-strain-final-season-4-premiere-date-fx/
- "Corey Stoll To Topline FX's 'The Strain', From Guillermo Del Toro & Carlton Cuse"https://deadline.com/2013/04/corey-stoll-to-star-in-the-strain-guillermo-del-toro-series-fx-481706/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fxs-strain-casts-david-bradley-658804
- "Actors Brown and Watson talk vampire thriller "The Strain""https://web.archive.org/web/20200923074801/https://globalnews.ca/video/1623990/actors-brown-and-watson-talk-vampire-thriller-the-strain
- "FX Pilots: Director Ang Lee Departs Drama TYRANT, While Guillermo del Toro's THE STRAIN Finds Its Female Lead in Mia Maestro"https://collider.com/guillermo-del-toro-the-strain-mia-maestro/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2013/tv/news/strain-1200416803/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/guillermo-del-toros-fx-pilot-526231
- Entertainment Weeklyhttp://insidetv.ew.com/2013/07/09/sean-astin-fx-vampire-drama/
- "Cable Pilots 'The Leftovers', 'Quarry' & 'The Strain' Add To Casts"https://deadline.com/2013/06/cable-pilots-the-leftovers-quarry-the-strain-add-to-casts-525989/
- "Pilots 'Line Of Sight' & 'Strain' Add Regulars"https://deadline.com/2013/09/pilots-line-of-sight-strain-add-regulars-576715/
- "Miguel Gomez Joins FX Pilot 'The Strain', Roger Howarth To Recur On 'Californication'"https://deadline.com/2013/06/miguel-gomez-joins-fx-pilot-the-strain-roger-howarth-to-recur-on-californication-518712/
- The Island Nowhttps://theislandnow.com/news-98/munsey-park-boy-getting-taste-of-hollywood-life/
- "Max Charles Joins 'The Strain' As Regular In Recasting"https://deadline.com/2015/01/max-charles-the-strain-recasting-fx-1201343303/
- Comic Bookedhttp://www.comicbooked.com/strain-exclusive-interview-robin-atkin-downes/
- "The Strain Recap: Rest in Hairpiece"https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/strain-recap-season-2-episode-5.html
- "Samantha Mathis Cast in 'The Strain; Inbar Lavi in 'The Last Ship'"https://deadline.com/2014/11/samantha-mathis-joins-the-strain-inbar-lavi-in-the-last-ship-1201284535/
- HitFixhttp://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/exclusive-fxs-the-strain-finds-its-vampire-fighting-silver-angel
- "Lizzie Brochere to help track down FX's 'The Strain'"http://www.tracking-board.com/lizzie-brochere-to-help-track-down-fxs-the-strain/
- "The Strain Season 2 – Ron Canada Manages NYC Crisis as Mayor"https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/79898/strain-season-2-ron-canada-manages-nyc-crisis-mayor/
- "Guillermo del Toro Sets 'Pacific Rim's' Robert Maillet As Main 'Strain' Villain"https://deadline.com/2013/07/guillermo-del-toro-sets-pacific-rims-robert-maillet-as-main-strain-villain-538726/
- Revolutionhttps://deadline.com/2013/07/nicole-ari-parker-to-recur-on-revolution-548170/
- "The Strain Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Fort Defiance"http://www.tvfanatic.com/2015/07/the-strain-season-2-episode-3-review-fort-defiance/
- 24https://web.archive.org/web/20201125061040/https://tvline.com/2013/08/12/the-strain-leslie-hope-fx/
- "Doug Jones Talks Falling Skies, The Strain, Crimson Peak, & Hellboy 3"https://comicbook.com/2015/06/05/doug-jones-talks-falling-skies-the-strain-crimson-peak-hellboy-3/
- The Strainhttps://deadline.com/2013/12/regina-king-the-strain-fx-647180/
- "The Strain: "Fort Defiance" Review"https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/27/the-strain-fort-defiance-review
- "Twitter / drewnelsonlive: @MiEg007 I have a major recurring"https://twitter.com/drewnelsonlive/status/443208036996243456
- The Strainhttp://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/27/fx-the-strain-gross-billboards/
- "Guillermo del Toro Talks Future Projects & More"https://screenrant.com/guillermo-del-toro-talks-future-projects-ross-10001/
- "'The Strain' Drama From Guillermo Del Toro And Carlton Cuse Gets Pilot Order At FX"https://deadline.com/2012/09/the-strain-drama-from-guillermo-del-toro-and-carlton-cuse-gets-pilot-order-at-fx-340020/
- Wiredhttp://archive.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-06/mf_deltoro
- "Chuck Hogan on Co-Writing THE STRAIN with "Some Other Guy""https://web.archive.org/web/20140502201818/http://www.sarahweinman.com/confessions/2009/06/chuck-hogan-on-the-strain-and-collaborative-writing.html
- The Strainhttp://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/174729-exclusive-guillermo-del-toro-on-the-televised-horrors-of-the-strain-fx-orders-scripts-for-entire-season
- The Strainhttps://deadline.com/2013/08/tca-fxs-john-landgraf-signals-end-of-nuclear-arms-race-of-darkness-talks-the-strain-game-plan-fx-brand-expansion-555432/
- "Interview: Guillermo del Toro Takes 'The Strain' To Dark Horse And Beyond"https://web.archive.org/web/20130124095911/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/11/12/interview-guillermo-del-toro-the-strain/
- The Strainhttps://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/07/the-strain-guillermo-del-toro-carlton-cuse
- The Strainhttp://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/guillermo-del-toro-brings-the-strain-to-comic-con-live-blog
- "FX's 'The Strain' Gets Official 13-Episode Order, Abraham Role To Be Recast"https://deadline.com/2013/11/fxs-the-strain-gets-official-13-episode-order-639068/
- Beauty and the Beasthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3i35X44DI
- "A Night with GUILLERMO DEL TORO and CHUCK HOGAN"https://web.archive.org/web/20160305182702/http://balzertown.com/cinemaknifefight/2010/09/28/a-night-with-guillermo-del-toro-and-chuck-hogan/
- "FX Pilot Castings: Lauren Lee Smith In 'The Strain'; Brett Gelman, Jenny Slate In Gurland"https://deadline.com/2013/06/fx-pilot-castings-lauren-lee-smith-in-the-strain-brett-gelman-jenny-slate-in-gurland-519667/
- Fangoriahttps://web.archive.org/web/20160304054443/http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-qa-doug-jones-talks-the-strain-crimson-peak-falling-skies-and-more/
- "Finding Emma Watson's Beastly Costar Tops Guillermo Del Toro's To-Do List"https://web.archive.org/web/20140616054033/http://www.mtv.com/news/1710026/guillermo-del-toro-emma-watson-beauty-beast/
- "New premium series added to FX Canada's lineup"https://toronto.citynews.ca/2013/05/29/new-premium-series-added-to-fx-canadas-lineup/
- "Current Productions"https://web.archive.org/web/20210830061904/https://www.iatse873.com/current_productions
- Ravalli Republichttps://ravallirepublic.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_76d7e4e0-78e6-53d0-aa01-2b70e7b8d9bc.html
- "Toronto-shot 'The Strain' renewed for a second season"http://globalnews.ca/news/1495307/toronto-shot-the-strain-renewed-for-a-second-season/
- The Strainhttp://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/09/27/ramin-djawadi-to-score-guillermo-del-toros-the-strain/
- FilmAffinityhttps://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film678887.html
- "The Strain – Season 1 Reviews"https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-strain/season-1
- "The Strain: Season 1 (2014)"https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-strain/s01/
- "The Strain – Season 2 Reviews"https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-strain/season-2
- "The Strain: Season 2 (2015)"https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-strain/s02/
- "The Strain – Season 3 Reviews"https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-strain/season-3
- "The Strain: Season 3 (2016)"https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-strain/s03/
- "The Strain: Season 4 (2017)"https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-strain/s04/
- "2014 // Winners and Nominees from the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20160325133318/http://www.criticschoice.com/television-awards/2014-winners-from-the-4th-annual-critics-choice-television-awards/
- "2014 | Categories | International Press Academy"http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2014/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/2015/03/04/saturn-awards-captain-america-walking-dead/
- Fangoriahttps://web.archive.org/web/20170627174302/http://fangoria.com/new/the-2015-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-winners-and-full-results/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-birdman-nominees-golden-reel-awards-20150113-story.html
- "CSC Awards 2016"https://web.archive.org/web/20170409200138/http://www.csc.ca/CSCawards/2016/default.asp
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2016/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2016-star-wars-mad-max-1201713942/
- "2016 Directors Guild Of Canada Awards Nominees Announced"http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/2016-directors-guild-of-canada-awards-nominees-announced-584005731.html
- Fangoriahttps://web.archive.org/web/20160117114531/http://www.fangoria.com/new/never-mind-oscar-heres-the-2016-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-nominees-ballot/
- TV, eh?http://www.tv-eh.com/2016/07/01/acise-la-announces-2016-golden-maple-awards-winners/
- "14th Annual VES Awards Nominees"https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/14th-annual-ves-awards-nominees
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2017/film/awards/saturn-awards-nominations-2017-rogue-one-walking-dead-1202000833/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/