| FYC

SYNOPSIS

The incredible story of America’s first astronauts begins right here on Earth in the National Geographic original series for Disney+ THE RIGHT STUFF. Based on the bestselling book by Tom Wolfe, the series is an inspirational look at the early days of the U.S. Space Program and the iconic story of America’s first astronauts, the Mercury 7. The two men at the center of it all are Major John Glenn (Patrick J. Adams), a revered Marine test pilot and committed family man, and Lieutenant Commander Alan Shepard (Jake McDorman), one of the best test pilots in Navy history. Other members of the Mercury 7 include Captain Gordo Cooper (Colin O’Donoghue), the youngest of the seven selected to everyone’s surprise; Wally Schirra (Aaron Staton), a competitive pilot with a gift for pulling pranks; Scott Carpenter (James Lafferty), dubbed “The Poet” by the other astronauts; Deke Slayton, (Micah Stock), a taciturn but incredibly intelligent pilot and engineer; and Gus Grissom, (Michael Trotter), a decorated military veteran who eventually becomes the second man in space. The series also examines the astronauts’ families, including Annie Glenn (Nora Zehetner), who contends with a speech impairment inthe public eye; Louise Shepard (Shannon Lucio), a wife and mother who refuses to let Alan’s transgressions affect her home; and Trudy Cooper (Eloise Mumford), an accomplished pilot who puts her own ambitions aside to present the image of a happy family.

Produced for National Geographic by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Warner Bros. Television, THE RIGHT STUFF takes a clear-eyed look at America’s first “reality show,” when ambitious astronauts and their families became instant celebrities in a competition of money, fame and immortality. 

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"An elegant, hugely entertaining original series"

COLLIDER

"Phenomenal"

COLLIDER

"The Right Stuff shoots for the stars"

CNET

"A visually striking, well-acted period piece"

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"Fascinating and endlessly entertaining"

THRILLIST

CATEGORIES

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode

...and all other eligible categories