The live-action adaptation of Halo has topped the list of the most-watched Paramount+ shows in 2022.
According to a report from the The Wall Street Journal, Halo became the Paramount+ streaming service's most-viewed show last year, beating the neo-Western drama Yellowstone and its prequel series, 1883. Granted, while 1883 is a Paramount+ original, Yellowstone itself is only available to stream on the platform outside the United States. Still, it's a major achievement for the Halo series, which was second to 1883 on the most-watched list as recently as this past June.
Paramount+'s Halo Got Off to a Strong Start
Fans were interested to see how Halo, one of Xbox's most popular gaming titles ever, would translate to the small screen. While some took exception to Paramount+ series' interpretation of the franchise, the numbers spoke for themselves. Within 24 hours of its March 2022 premiere, Halo's first episode broke Paramount+'s record as the most-watched original series debut of all time. News of Halo becoming Paramount+'s most popular show in 2022 is likely to boost morale among its cast and crew, who have begun filming Season 2.
Moreover, producers have spoken of their desire to expand the live-action Halo universe into a major franchise, with Season 2 being the first element. The video game series the show is based on has certainly set a high bar in the respect, debuting in 2001 and becoming one of the most hallowed titles ever for any console, selling over 82 million copies and topping $6 billion in sales worldwide to date. Like the game, the show chronicles a 26th-century conflict between humanity and the Covenant, an alien threat.
Paramount+'s Halo Stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief
The Wire and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit star Pablo Schreiber stars as Halo's central protagonist, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, a genetically engineered super soldier. The Crown actor Natascha McElhone features as Dr. Catherine Halsey, the creator of the Spartan super soldier, while Jen Taylor replicates her role in the game as Cortana, the artificial intelligence central to preserving humanity's survival. Other key cast members include Shabana Azmi as Admiral Margaret Parangosky, Olive Gray as Commander Miranda Keyes and Danny Sapani as Captain Jacob Keyes.
Halo Season 1 is currently available to stream in its entirety on Paramount+. No premiere date has been announced for Season 2.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, via The Gamer