Trailer: Netflix's SENSE8

The Wachowki's revitalised the action/sci-fi genre with The Matrix, but their subsequent work hasn't really clicked with the masses. The Matrix sequels sequels were successful but most people disliked them, then Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas and the recent Jupiter Ascending became box-office flops. They desperately need a hit, so have turned to the small-screen, co-creating this epic sci-fi mystery with J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5). Sense8 concerns eight strangers from around the world, who become emotionally and mentally linked to each other—which proves incredibly useful. Naveen Andrews (Lost) plays a mysterious man called Jonas, trying to bring the eight 'Sensates' together.

The first trailer looks very impressive, despite the concept having clear parallels to other works, and a vague whiff of Heroes in how a group of abnormal people are being drawn together. The best thing about Sense8's trailer is its visual style and glimpses of the gorgeous location shooting and special effects, which appear to be lush and very cinematic. That's probably to be expected with the Wachowski's behind the camera, joined by their Cloud Atlas collaborator Tom Tykwyr (Run Lola Run), and friend James McTeigue (V for Vendetta). It's even available in Netflix's Ultra HD, for 4K-enabled televisions. If nothing else, I'm expecting a feast for the eyes—let's just hope the characters and story hold our attention.

Sense8 debuts on Netflix, in most territories, on 5 June 2015.