​ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK SERIES
BY A.K. DUBOFF
​​​LOGLINE​​
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After their colony ship mysteriously explodes above an untamed alien world, a burned undercover operative Evan and a xenobiologist Anya team up to survive the planet's perilous wilds—only to unravel the first threads of an insidious interstellar conspiracy.
A ONE HOUR SCI-FI ADVENTURE SERIES
OVERVIEW
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Stranded is a one-hour sci-fi adventure series.
It begins as a survival story—two leads, a crash on an Earthlike planet—and unfolds into a layered mystery as powerful factions race to control civilization-defining alien technology. It’s a story of nobodies trying to do the right thing as they fight for the future of humanity.
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The market is full of doomed-institution sci-fi and spectacle-first space opera. Stranded is built for the space in between:
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Survival mystery and “we are not alone” dread of Lost.
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Grounded political conspiracy and moral complexity of The Expanse.
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Hopeful, otherworldly adventure like Lost in Space.
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Anchored by a slow burn romance that keeps audiences invested at every turn, the character-driven story balances high-stakes action with personal stakes. Early clues—a destroyed military escort, a murdered corporate liaison, strange energies in the forest—unveil the crash wasn't an accident, but an interstellar cover-up. An exiled former chancellor, his usurper, and a criminal syndicate are vying for the same prize: an ancient alien ship with true FTL.
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This is accessible sci-fi that brings both the prestige audience and the broader adventure audience.
Stranded is based on the internationally bestselling book series Starship of the Ancients by USA Today bestselling and Nebula-nominated author A.K. DuBoff.
It is Lost meets The Expanse — blending otherworldly adventure with escalating mystery to deliver a truly epic payoff.
BACKED BY PROVEN IP
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Amazon #1 Space Opera bestseller (US, UK, Australia, Canada)
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German translation #1 Science Fiction ebook on Amazon Germany
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Clear seven-book roadmap already written and published
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Author retains full film/TV rights — no outstanding options
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Finished pilot script registered with the WGA and available now
KEY CHARACTERS
At its core, Stranded is a story about trust, survival, and partnership. Evan and Anya’s relationship evolves from wary allies into something deeper as they navigate shifting loyalties, dangerous enemies, and the moral gray areas of a larger interstellar conflict.
Evan Taylor (mid-30s)​
Former undercover operative whose parents were murdered by the organization he spent three years infiltrating. He has no one left and has spent so long pretending to be other people that he no longer knows who he is. From isolated survivor running from his past to a reluctant leader and steward of world-changing alien technology, he rediscovers himself through danger, loyalty, and unexpected love.
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Anya Rojas (early-30s)
Brilliant, witty xenobiologist from a privileged background who thought she was simply doing field work. She transforms from a corporate scientist to a revolutionary willing to expose corruption and fight for justice. Scrappy, playful, and endlessly curious, she “sciences” her way out of impossible situations, finding light even as she learns her life was built on lies.​
Chancellor Conroy (late-50s)
The supposedly dead former leader of the Commonwealth, living in exile on Aethos. Calm, authoritative, and operating from a hidden bunker as he plots his return. Forces Evan and Anya to question every alliance.
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Roman Santano (late-20s)
Volatile younger brother of the Noche Syndicate’s leader. Ambitious, ruthless, power-hungry. Sent to Aethos for redemption—and determined to claim the alien ship for himself.
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Zaris Alva (early-30s)
Sharp, resourceful black-market operator with a complicated past with Evan. Tough, creative, and a key ally once the stakes go interstellar.
THE STORY
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Pilot Episode: “Crash”
When a colony transport ship explodes in orbit above the wild planet Aethos, burned undercover operative Evan and xenobiologist Anya crash-land in pods with approximately fifty other survivors. As they confront the reality that help is months away, they realize what looks like a disastrous landing might be the opening move of an interstellar cover-up: their military escort is burning on the horizon, a corporate liaison has been murdered in a sealed pod, and something is hunting them in the lowlands. Combining their complementary skills, Evan and Anya decide to venture across the unforgiving terrain to get answers.
At dawn, the two slip out of camp and head toward the escort wreckage with the hope of finding a way to call for help.
Final image: From high on a forested ridge, a booted foot in military camo steps into frame. Below, the two tiny figures of Evan and Anya hike away from the crash site under a pink dawn sky… while dark storm clouds gather on the horizon.
They think they are alone on this planet. They are not.
TONE & STYLE
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Cinematic. Adventurous. Hopeful.
Aethos is a vibrant world—part lush jungle, part strange alien wilderness—rendered in bright, saturated colors rather than the muted gray of much prestige sci-fi.
Sweeping vistas. Dramatic landscapes. Striking contrast between the beauty of the planet and the wreckage of human technology.
The tone balances high-stakes action and conspiracy with genuine emotional warmth. Even in moral gray areas, the series believes people can still choose to do the right thing.
As one recent Hollywood executive put it:
“The world is bleak enough. Give us some goddamn hope.”
Stranded delivers exactly that.
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SELECT TV PILOT ACCOLADES
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ABOUT THE WRITER
AMY KAY DUBOFF, Author & Screenwriter
Amy Kay (A.K.) DuBoff is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author and screenwriter. Bringing her lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy to the page, she is most known for her internationally bestselling Starship of the Ancients book series and her acclaimed Cadicle Universe, which includes interconnected space opera series by multiple authors. Amy co-wrote and executive produced the feature film CRYPTO SHADOWS (2024), which was distributed by California Pictures.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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To request a copy of the TV pilot script or pitch deck:
Amy DuBoff
(503) 516-1782
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Author-controlled rights. Finished pilot.
Built-in audience. Multi-season plan.
Starship of the Ancients® is a registered trademark of A.K. DuBoff. All rights reserved.