Screening and Discussion: Noah Hawley

Join Noah Hawley—novelist, screenwriter, and director—and Bret Anthony Johnson, director of the Michener Center for Writers, for a screening of the pilot episode of Alien: Earth (released August 2025 on FX). The pilot highlights Hawley’s singular storytelling—his ability to craft complex characters, weave resonant themes, and reimagine iconic franchises with originality and depth. Hawley, recently awarded the Steinbeck Writers’ Retreat Summer Residency, will discuss the craft and vision behind the series as part of this special event. A reception will follow the program.

This program is co-sponsored with the Michener Center for Writers.

Noah Hawley is one of the most accomplished auteurs and versatile storytellers working in television, film and literature today. Hawley balances the art of telling cinematic, unforgettable character-driven stories that linger long after you’ve been immersed in them. Over the course of his more than 20-year career, Hawley’s work as a novelist, screenwriter, series creator, showrunner and director has garnered acclaim – winning an Emmy®, Writers Guild, PEN, Critics’ Choice, and Peabody Awards – and passionate response from audiences.

Hawley is the creator, writer and showrunner of Alien: Earth, the critically acclaimed original FX television series based on the iconic film franchise that debuted in August 2025 from Hulu and FX.

Previously from Hawley and his 26 Keys production banner was the fifth chapter of his quintessential FX anthology series Fargo, for which he serves as executive producer, writer, showrunner and director. The five installments of the hit series have been nominated for 70 Primetime Emmy Awards and won seven. Hawley is also the visionary behind FX’s groundbreaking series Legion. His feature film directorial debut, Lucy in the Sky, was released by Fox Searchlight in 2019. Hawley began his television career as a writer and producer on the hit series Bones in 2005, going on to create, executive produce and serve as showrunner for ABC’s My Generation (2009) and The Unusuals (2010).

As a best-selling author, Hawley has published six novels: A Conspiracy of Tall Men, Other People’s Weddings, The Punch, The Good Father, Before the Fall and Anthem, which garnered acclaim as one of the most ambitious novels of 2022. In addition, Fargo: This Is A True Story, a companion book to the first three seasons of the series and authored by Hawley, was released by Grand Central Publishing.

Legion, Fargo, and Alien: Earth are produced under Hawley’s Austin-based 26 Keys Productions banner, which opened their HQ offices in downtown Austin in 2024. He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2025.

Photo by Marshall Tidrick

Please have your reservation confirmation ready upon entering. A reservation does not guarantee a seat. Line forms upon arrival of the first patron, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Doors to our theater will open approximately 30 minutes before the event begins. No food or beverages are allowed inside our theater or gallery space.

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Host or Publisher Harry Ransom Center