Hamzah Jamjoom and Alberto Lopez Bring ‘Saucer Country’ Comic Series to TV
Saudi Directors Secure Adaptation Rights for "Saucer Country"
Saudi director and producer Hamzah Jamjoom, alongside Alberto Lopez, has obtained the adaptation rights to the acclaimed comic book series Saucer Country. This endeavor will transform the series into a premium television drama under the banner of Plot Point 1 Productions.
The narrative follows Arcadia Alvarado, a Hispanic Governor of New Mexico, whose presidential campaign takes an unexpected turn after she claims to have been abducted by aliens. What begins as a political controversy quickly evolves into a gripping tale of power, intrigue, and government secrets. The series combines elements of science fiction and political drama, echoing the tones of The X-Files and The West Wing.
Written by UK author Paul Cornell, known for his work on Doctor Who and I Walk With Monsters, and illustrated by artist Ryan Kelly, recognized for A Quiet Place and The New York Five, Saucer Country was initially published under the DC/Vertigo label. The adaptation aims to explore the series’ world and mythology in its first season while establishing a foundation for a prolonged narrative.
The adaptation will showcase scenes set in Washington’s political landscape while drawing on famous UFO folklore locations throughout New Mexico and Nevada, integrating aerospace and defense facilities that are entrenched in the region’s history.
Since its launch in 2012, Saucer Country received a Hugo Award nomination for its debut volume the following year. The complete saga was published as a definitive edition in 2024 by Syzygy Publishing, an independent imprint helmed by veteran publisher Chris Ryall.
Development is currently in progress, spearheaded by Lopez and Jamjoom, who are serving as producers. Cornell will executive produce and write the pilot episode, ensuring the original creators play a significant role in shaping the series for television. Ryall, who is also an Executive Producer on Netflix’s notable adaptation of Locke & Key, joins the project along with artist Kelly.
Jamojoom expressed his admiration for the graphic novel, stating, “Saucer Country is the most visually arresting graphic novel I’ve read in years. The composition is unnervingly precise and the closest thing I’ve seen to a shootable storyboard.” He added, “It offers everything I have been waiting for: striking UFO imagery, cinematic portrayals of alien abductions, and profound metaphors for the politics surrounding the phenomenon. There is an opportunity here to create something timely, grounded, and socially relevant.”
Jamjoom established Plot Point 1 Productions to focus on high-concept, character-driven film and television projects for international audiences. He and Lopez previously collaborated on the thriller Rupture, which revolves around a couple troubled by a sinister concierge during a London fertility treatment visit. Lopez has since contributed writing for the Saudi 2025 action comedy Essaf (Ambulance).
Lopez remarked, “Saucer Country always stood out as a comic that treated UFO mythology with real intelligence and political weight. At a time when global politics and questions around disclosure are once again part of the public conversation, the story feels more relevant than ever. It’s a rare piece of grounded science fiction that feels uniquely suited to television at this moment.”
