Steve Carell's 'Space Force' farce will launch on Netflix May 29. See the new trailer.

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This show takes the "workplace comedy" genre to a new, cosmic level.

Editor's note: The "Space Force" trailer features strong language.

The U.S. Space Force faces the parody treatment in a brand new Netflix series aptly titled "Space Force."

The show stars Steve Carell as General Mark R. Naird who, as you can see in the brand new trailer released today (May 5), is surprised to be given command of the brand new military branch "Space Force." 

This show takes the "workplace comedy" genre to a new, cosmic level. Instead of leading a small team at a paper company, like he did in "The Office," Carell is leading the entire United States in space. Much like NASA's current goals with the Artemis program, in the show, Gen. Naird's prime objective seems to be to return land on the moon. 

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Steve Carrell will star in a new Netflix comedy series Space Force based on President Donald Trump's push to establish a real military branch of the same name. (Image credit: Netflix)

But, from the trailer, it seems as though Gen. Naird was set up to fail. As he walks through what is presumably Space Force's headquarters, he overhears someone talking about him on the phone, saying "he is blowing it just like you thought … yeah, it is a complete shitshow."

Gen. Naird seems a bit goofy to begin with and it's clear from the trailer that, not only do people not take him that seriously, he is prone to mistakes. Big, explosive mistakes. 

Carell seems perfectly suited for this character who, while a bit of a buffoon, seems truly dedicated to and excited about space exploration. "This is a great adventure we are embarking on today," Gen. Naird says in the trailer. "There will be setbacks, but greatness was never won without sacrifice."

In the same speech, he references the anniversary of Apollo 11, which landed astronauts on the moon in 1969. "Fifty years ago, our country put a man on the moon. Well, guess what, kids? We're going back," Gen. Naird said.

The trailer ends on a surreal note, with Gen. Naird dancing around his office while singing "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys. The show will also star John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers, Tawny Newsome, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy O. Yang, Jane Lynch, Fred Willard and Noah Emmerich.

This show, which was created by Carell and writer Greg Daniels, who has worked on shows including "The Office" and "Saturday Night Live," comes to Netflix on May 29. 

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Chelsea Gohd
Chelsea Gohd
Senior Writer

Chelsea “Foxanne” Gohd joined Space.com in 2018 and is now a Senior Writer, writing about everything from climate change to planetary science and human spaceflight in both articles and on-camera in videos. With a degree in Public Health and biological sciences, Chelsea has written and worked for institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, Scientific American, Discover Magazine Blog, Astronomy Magazine and Live Science. When not writing, editing or filming something space-y, Chelsea "Foxanne" Gohd is writing music and performing as Foxanne, even launching a song to space in 2021 with Inspiration4. You can follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd and @foxannemusic.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • egribble
    I watched trailer and did not think it was even humorous. Also the film seems to miss the entire point of space force which is to protect space assets and U.S. + allies, not go back to the moon. Re: militrarisation of space, U.S. actually behind as Russia and China been working on anti Sat. rockets for years.
    Reply
  • ieuan
    That was hilarious. It's hard to argue that it 'misses the entire point of space force' when there does not seem to be a point. And they seem to have a much better uniform (in the Netflix series).
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    The show could be as serious (comical) as the need to even establish an actual Space Force....:rolleyes:👽
    Reply
  • Lovethrust
    COLGeek said:
    The show could be as serious (comical) as the need to even establish an actual Space Force....:rolleyes:👽
    Really? It’s funny but the Army had much the same attitude when it came to forming the Air Force.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    One has to wonder why we need a Space Force NOW... Many of the concerns expressed have been handled by the current Services/Agencies for years.
    Reply