The Terror Season 1 is a 10-episode historical horror drama inspired by the Royal Navy’s Franklin expedition, which set out to find the Northwest Passage. Adapted from Dan Simmons’s novel, it combines a real historical setting with supernatural fiction; it is not a documentary reconstruction. AMC announced a two-hour premiere for March 26, 2018.
What is The Terror Season 1 about?
The season follows the Franklin expedition as its ships and crews face perilous conditions, dwindling resources, isolation and fear of the unknown during a search for the Northwest Passage. AMC describes the series as supernatural, semi-historical horror: the expedition provides the historical foundation, while the story uses fictional and supernatural elements.
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| 1 |
![The Terror: Season 1 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514GF74WkDL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Terror: Season 1 [Blu-ray] | $21.56 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Terror: Season 1-2 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4162QcwsjeL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Terror: Season 1-2 [Blu-ray] | $31.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Terror - Season 1 - Blu-ray UK Version | $39.04 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![The Terror - The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+NUbpwuCS._SL160_.jpg)
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The Terror - The Complete First Season [Blu-ray] | $36.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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The Terror: Infamy: Season 2 - BLURAY | $23.55 | Buy on Amazon |
That distinction matters for viewers coming to the series as documentary fans. AMC’s descriptions establish the historical inspiration and genre, but do not make the show a factual reconstruction or establish its accuracy against archival scholarship. The season is adapted from Dan Simmons’s bestselling novel The Terror.
How many episodes are there, and when did it premiere?
AMC announced a 10-episode first season and a two-hour series premiere for Monday, March 26, 2018, at 9/8c. These are the announced episode count and premiere details, not a current broadcast schedule. AMC’s premiere announcement
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Who is in the cast?
The ensemble portrays officers and crew aboard the expedition. The principal cast named in AMC’s premiere announcement includes:
- Jared Harris as Captain Francis Crozier
- Tobias Menzies as Captain James Fitzjames
- Ciarán Hinds as Sir John Franklin
- Paul Ready as Dr. Henry Goodsir
- Adam Nagaitis as Cornelius Hickey
- Nive Nielsen as Lady Silence
- Ian Hart as Thomas Blanky
- Trystan Gravelle as Henry Collins
How the series was made
AMC says the series was shot in Budapest, Hungary, and produced by Scott Free, Emjag Productions and Entertainment 360 in association with AMC Studios. David Kajganich and Soo Hugh served as co-showrunners and executive producers; Ridley Scott was also among the executive producers. In an AMC interview, the showrunners discussed adaptation choices and Inuit participation. Read the AMC showrunner Q&A.
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- The Terror: Season 1-2
Is Season 1 a standalone story?
AMC presents The Terror as a supernatural, semi-historical horror anthology, with each season drawing inspiration from a different real-life tragedy or mystery. Season 1 is the Franklin expedition story; the anthology premise means the series is not simply one continuous account of that expedition across every season. AMC’s current show page promotes binge viewing of Seasons 1 and 2, but availability can vary by location. Check AMC’s current show page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you read the novel first?
No prior reading is required to understand the television season. The source novel is Dan Simmons’s The Terror; readers interested in comparing how a long-form book and a screen adaptation handle the expedition can start with the novel or read it afterward. The series is an adaptation, so it should not be treated as a substitute for a history of the Franklin expedition.
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