'The Andromeda Strain' infects TV on Memorial day weekend

By M&C Smallscreen Apr 29, 2008, 0:53 GMT

Benjamin Bratt - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Brothers and filmmakers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott are bringing the "The Andromeda Strain" miniseries to TV.

A&E Network has announced the launch of LINK, a highly interactive, robust, animated minisite created in conjunction with award-winning interactive agency Big Spaceship. 

The site launch comes six weeks in advance of A&E’s four-hour original television event, "The Andromeda Strain", which infects the airwaves when it premieres in High Definition on Monday, May 26 from 9-11 PM ET/PT and Tuesday, May 27 from 9-11 PM ET/PT.

A key component of the minisite is a four-week long serial game, that brings users into the top secret Wildfire bio-defense labs, where they must investigate, treat and contain unknown biological threats before they become global catastrophes. 

The game features four levels, with a new virus revealed each week starting May 5. 

In order to unlock the final level, The Andromeda Strain itself, on May 27, players must answer three questions correctly, based on clues found in the first night’s premiere. 

Also featured here are online photos and bios, downloadable wallpapers, AIM avatars and movie posters, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast members and film makers. 

Based on the best-selling novel from Michael Crichton, the miniseries stars Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, Daniel Dae Kim and Viola Davis.

A U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors.  As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named “Andromeda,” and a reporter investigates a government conspiracy only to discover what he is chasing wants him silenced.

The miniseries is produced by Scott Free Productions and Traveler’s Rest Films in association with Universal Pictures for A&E Network.

Executive producers are Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free and Tom Thayer for Traveler’s Rest Films.  Mikael Salomon is director and co-executive producer and the screenplay is written by Robert Schenkkan.