Simon Kinberg, the Academy Award-nominated producer and writer behind Apple TV+’s sci-fi series Invasion, reflects on the explosive season 3 finale and expresses optimism for a potential fourth chapter. Despite the uncertainty of renewal, Kinberg highlights the show’s growing audience and the creative possibilities for its future.
Season 3 Success and Audience Growth
Kinberg attributes the show’s success to a combination of factors: Apple’s growing subscriber base, vocal fan engagement, and a timely gap in sci-fi programming. “We were out of the wake of big summer tentpole movies,” Kinberg explains, noting that Invasion filled a void in the streaming landscape. He credits Apple’s commitment to high-quality science fiction – alongside series like Severance, Foundation, and Silo – as a key factor in attracting a broader audience. The show’s binge-friendly format also allowed new viewers to quickly catch up on the heavier alien-centric storylines introduced in earlier seasons.
Thematic Resonance and Emotional Impact
A central theme explored in season 3 – and foreshadowed in the previous season – is the terrifying loss of memory and identity. This concept is powerfully illustrated through the abduction of Mitsuki (Shioli Kutsuna), who is taken by the aliens but paradoxically granted the return of her lost memories, including those of her loved one, Hinata. Kinberg describes this as a poetic twist, acknowledging the aliens’ partial victory while delivering an emotional resonance for the audience.
Finale Implications and Narrative Closure
The season finale delivers a sense of narrative closure by dismantling the alien mothership and severing the hivemind control over its hunter-killer forces. The U.S. President’s final line – “It’s a fair fight now” – underscores the shift in power dynamics. While the war is not over, humanity gains an upper hand, allowing characters like Jamila, Aneesha, and Nikhil to return home.
Future Storylines and Potential Season 4
If renewed, Kinberg envisions a fourth season exploring the aftermath of the conflict, a “calm after the storm.” He suggests that the post-war world would eventually be disrupted by new events, ensuring that the story doesn’t stagnate. He emphasizes the unique experience of long-form storytelling in television, having spent years developing the characters and narrative over nearly 30 hours of content.
Personal Impact and Global Production
Kinberg reflects on the transformative experience of working on Invasion, particularly the opportunity to shoot in diverse locations like Japan, Morocco, and London. He contrasts this with his previous career in feature films, where even multiple installments of a franchise couldn’t match the depth and breadth of a single television season.
“To tell almost 30 hours of storytelling around these characters has been an extraordinary experience.”
While the fate of Invasion remains uncertain, Kinberg expresses gratitude for the project’s impact on his artistic and personal growth.
The series’ future hinges on Apple’s decision, but the showrunner’s enthusiasm suggests that there are still many stories to tell in this evolving sci-fi universe
