There will be no second season for Beau Willimon’s Hulu series The First, starring Sean Penn. Deadline has confirmed that the streaming service has opted not to renew the drama, which it picked up straight to series in 2017.

Written by Willimon and executive produced by Willimon and his producing partner Jordan Tappis, The First followed the first human mission to Mars, exploring the challenges of taking the first steps toward interplanetary colonization. The story focused not only on the astronauts but also on their families and loved ones, as well as the ground team on Earth. Natasha McElhone, LisaGay Hamilton, Keiko Agena and Hannah Ware also starred.

Hulu

“It’s a story about the human spirit,” Willimon said when the series order was announced. “About our indomitable need to reach for unknown horizons. About people working toward the greatest pioneering achievement in human history. And about the cost of that vision, the danger and sacrifice – emotional, psychological, and physical – that’s required to achieve it. How ordinary, imperfect people band together and overcome a myriad of obstacles to grasp the extraordinary.”

The series is owned and produced by Westward Productions, founded by Willimon and Tappis, and co-financed by Hulu, Channel 4 and IMG.