Synopsis

Falling Skies opens in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the six months since the initial invasion, the few survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an… insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force.

He had wanted Wyle to appear in his 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, but Wyle was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts.

In August 2009, Drew Roy was cast as Hal Mason, and Peter Shinkoda was cast as Dai.

Development officially began in 2009, when TNT announced that it had ordered a pilot for an untitled alien invasion project.

Rodat wrote the pilot episode from an idea co-conceived with Spielberg.

Wyle, who worked with TNT on The Librarian films, was sent scripts for various shows on their network.

He also decided to do it as he could relate with his character, stating, "I identified with Tom's devotion to his sons, and admired his sense of social duty." Spielberg wanted Wyle for the role because he knew him from his previous series ER, which Spielberg's company produced.