The Triumph of Babylon 5

Babylon 5 revolutionized genre television. First aired in 1993, the space opera series is highly respected for everything it was trying to achieve on television at a time when Star Trek was king. This work explores the complex history of series.

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Babylon 5 revolutionized genre television. First aired in 1993, the space opera series is highly respected for everything it was trying to achieve on television at a time when Star Trek was king. Its use of story arcs and long-form storytelling in science fiction can be felt in everything from Battlestar Galactica to Lost and The Expanse. So much of its legacy has been about its struggle to survive. From the rivalry between Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, to the collapse of the Prime Time Entertainment Network, the cancellation of spin-off series, and the failed big screen attempts, the behind-the-scenes details on Babylon 5 are as fascinating as anything we got on screen.

This work explores the complex history of Babylon 5, the career of showrunner J. Michael Straczynski, and the behind-the-scenes drama to stay on air, with many attempts to continue the franchise. Featuring interviews with cast members from the podcast A Dream Given Form, a foreword from Patricia Tallman (Lyta), and an exclusive chat with Peter Jurasik (Londo), this book gives the reader insights into what it was like to be part of Babylon 5, chronicling the show's highs and lows and examining the legacy it left behind in genre television.