Starring: Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, Hill Harper, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Genre: Drama/Sci-fi
Based on: Limitless (2011 Film)
Developed by: Craig Sweeny
Seasons: 1
Episodes expected: 22
Running time: 42 minutes
I don’t believe there are many – if any – shows out there that are a continuation of a film except Limitless. Limitless was a 2011 film that starred Bradley Cooper as Edward Morra, a struggling writer. Morra was introduced to a drug called NZT-48 that gave him the allowed him maximum use of his brain. The film ends with Morra becoming a US senator (spoiler alert). The TV show Limitless picks up the storyline after the movie.
Brian Finch is a 28-year-old man who has not done much with his life. His bandmates left him to venture out in other things or get married; his siblings are successful and moving on in life. Brian is just one of those people who seem to have been left behind whilst everyone kept up with time. His life changes when he is introduced to NZT-48. The drug enables him to use every neuron in his brain and for 12 hours after taking it, he becomes the smartest person in the world. He is able to recall every detail of his life, understand the most complex things and have extraordinary intuition. However, the drug has terrible side effects and as it wears off it leaves the user in an almost fatal state.
In comes Senator Eddie Morra (yes, from the film). Morra gives Brian some more NZT pills and counteractive drug to NZTs deadly side effects. Brian is approached by FBI agent Rebecca Harris who was investigating NZT to help them monitor and understand the effects of NZT. At the same time Brian uses his enhanced abilities to help the FBI solve problems.
For starters, converting a film into a TV show is not common because it is taking an incredible risk. However, for Limitless it just works. Bringing in Bradley Cooper as the OG and introducing a younger much more enthused version of his original character in the film is much like any legacy show on TV. The show just works. Yes, it does have that feel of a normal guy turned superhero vibe to it but we can overlook it. With all the great actors and catchy storylines the show has developed, it is definitely on the must-watch list for 2016.
So far a full season of 22 episodes has been ordered; there are no talks of a second season yet.