Resident Alien might be on the move for season 4 (and Netflix could be an option)

The fate of the hit science fiction comedy-drama Resident Alien is up in the air due to budget cuts and the possibility of a network change. Resident Alien has won over critics and fans alike with its charming storyline and offbeat humor. There has been talk about the show's potential future home within the NBCUniversal (NBCU) family or even on Netflix, as the third season finished airing on Syfy and its continuation becomes uncertain.

An iconic Syfy series, Resident Alien features Alan Tudyk as an extraterrestrial sent to Earth to destroy humanity but who ultimately finds himself defending our species. Even though the show is very popular, it doesn't look like the network will pick it up for another season.

The show, which is based on the comic book by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, has gotten a lot of good reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first two seasons got an average score of 97%. The plot, which is a mix of science fiction and comedy, features Harry as he deals with everyday life in a small Colorado town while also juggling his secret mission and his newfound compassion for people.

Moving to USA Network is possible

Since Syfy could be taking a backseat, NBCU is thinking about moving Resident Alien to USA Network, which is a sister channel. This possible move could have big effects on their finances. Reports say that the budget for each episode of the show could be cut by up to $500,000. This budget cut is in line with larger industry trends: ad-supported cable networks are cutting back because more people are cutting the cord and fewer people are watching linear TV.

While USA Network doesn't have many scripted original shows right now (with Chucky being the only one shared with Syfy), it could be a good fit for Resident Alien. That said, this move comes with a lot of problems, especially the big cut in budget, which could affect the quality and length of future episodes.

Netflix could be an option, too

If the producers of Resident Alien can't keep the show within the NBCU family, they might look at options outside of the conglomerate. Netflix is a good option since it already has the initial two seasons of the show, which it added in February. The streaming giant has a history of bringing back popular shows. For example, it just bought Girls5eva from NBCU's Peacock.

While switching to Netflix would be possible, it would not be easy. International streaming rights are a big problem because Resident Alien does well for NBCU around the world and is available in many countries. It would be hard and maybe even expensive to figure out these rights so that the show could be seen all over the world on Netflix. With shows like Lucifer and Designated Survivor, Netflix had to negotiate international rights after buying them, and this problem is similar.

Fans of Resident Alien are worried about the show's future because of all the unanswered questions. People love the show because it has a unique mix of humor and heart, and they can't wait for the next installment. One thing that makes this sci-fi show stand out is that it can deal with serious issues in humorous ways.

After the budget cuts, it will be interesting to see how the show is made if it does move to USA Network. The creative team, led by showrunner Chris Sheridan, has made high-quality content on a small budget, but if the budget goes down even more, it could be very hard to do things. Still, the show's main strengths — its likable characters and clever writing — might help it get through these changes.

Resident Alien could benefit from Netflix's larger audience and better production resources if it moves to the streaming service. However, to make this happen, they would have to figure out how to handle the complicated world of international streaming rights and make sure the show keeps its own voice and appeal. Netflix's history of bringing back popular shows is a sign of hope, but it also shows how hard it can be to make these kinds of changes.

The future of Resident Alien is uncertain as people continue to talk about moving it from Syfy to USA Network or even to Netflix. The show's value is shown by its devoted fans and positive reviews, but it needs to solve its financial and practical problems in order to continue. While fans wait for more information, they still hope that Harry and his human friends will go on more adventures, whether they air on TV or online.

In a time when content is king, Resident Alien is a great example of a unique story that people can relate to. Its path from comic book pages to TV and maybe even to new networks shows how television production and distribution are always changing. It doesn't matter what happens; Resident Alien changed the world of science fiction forever, showing that even the most unlikely heroes can win our hearts.