Nowadays, there's a movie or series on just about everything. Streaming platforms have gone hard bringing the chaos of cults to our screens, there's a hit Netflix show entirely dedicated to the art of cleaning, an obsession with true-crime and don't get us started on the overwhelming push for book-to-screen adaptations. Nothing is off limits. It should come as no surprise then; that the latest addition to our lengthy 'to-watch' list blends two of the most in demand genres – non-fiction and adaptations – to draw the curtain on one of the world's biggest organisations, Facebook. Introducing Doomsday Machine.
The scripted series is based on Cecilia Kang’s New York Times bestselling book; An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination. The book focused primarily on Sheryl Sandberg – Facebook's chief operating officer and her relationship with Mark Zuckerberg and the obstacles the company has faced on its relentless quest for growth.
The series' creator, Ayad Akhtar, author of the bestselling novel Homeland Elegies, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright (Disgraced, Junk); has also consulted with several journalist who actively reported on Facebook's movements during the specific time period. Bringing a different and informed perspective into the narrative.
While it's no secret the lengths Sandberg, Zuckerberg and Facebook are willing to go to; this is one of the first on screen retellings we have seen since The Social Network. Intrigued? Here's everything we know so far.
What will Doomsday Machine be about?
Doomsday Machine will begin back in 2016, starting with the 2016 U.S election and the rise of disinformation. It also will cover the recent revelations like XCHECK, a program that shielded important users, including former president Trump, from Facebook’s rules and regulations.
The series will also touch on the recent reports that the company was aware of the mental health risks posed by Instagram to younger users, and the push by Zuckerberg to use the News Feed as his own propaganda machine to push out articles with positive slants about Facebook.
In essence, the series – if done properly – will certainly not do good ol' Facebook any favours.
Who will star in the series?
So far, there hasn't been much news on the cast, except for one major announcement – that Claire Foy (yes, The Crown), has been confirmed to star as Sandberg; and we can totally see it. There's no question that Foy has a knack for bringing major public figures to the screen and we can't wait to see what she does in this role.
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