Nellie Andreeva

There’s no question this marquee Steven Spielberg- and Peter Chernin-produced adventure drama series is important to Fox. So the network has decided not to rush it to air and give it the full-on Glee treatment. Terra Nova, originally slated for midseason, will now premiere in fall 2011 after a preview in May. “Terra Nova will be one of the most visually stimulating and dramatically grand series to air on network television,” Fox’s entertainment president Kevin Reilly said in a statement. “It deserves to have an equally unique launch to distinguish that the show is unlike any other, and the spring promotional platform will give us the perfect opportunity to introduce this bold show to audiences.”

Terra Nova follows an ordinary family going back in time to prehistoric Earth as part of an experiment to save the human race. The series, which will feature elaborate sets and visual effects, was never given a firm midseason launch date because of its complex production process. It also has been slow in casting its leads, with Jason O’Mara the only actor locked in so far. Terra Nova is produced by 20th Century Fox TV, DreamWorks TV, Kapital Entertainment, and Chernin Entertainment. Spielberg, Chernin, Brannon Braga, David Fury, Jon Cassar, Aaron Kaplan, Katherine Pope, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Craig Silverstein and Kelly Marcel serve as executive producers. Alex Graves is set to direct the pilot.

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