This week, Syfy will debut their new miniseries, Childhood’s End , airing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. Based on the novel by Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey), the story follows an alien race of “Overlords” who come to Earth and bring with them ways to seemingly help and improve humanity. But can they be trusted and what are their true intentions?

Daisy Betts as Ellie in Childhood's End.

Daisy Betts and Mike Vogel in Childhood's End.

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Finding themselves swept up in this story are husband and wife Ricky and Ellie Stormgren. A Missouri farmer, Ricky (Mike Vogel) is handpicked by the Overlord leader Karellen (Charles Dance) to be the bridge between their two species, as Ellie (Daisy Betts) sees her husband suddenly thrust into a position of great importance.I spoke Betts -- known for her roles on shows like Last Resort, The Player and Chicago Fire -- about working on Childhood's End (which also includes Julian McMahon, Yael Stone, Ashley Zuckerman, Osy Ikhile, Hayley Magnus and Colm Meany among the cast), the questions it raises, filming the series in her native Australia and more.Yeah, the first night is very narrative and introduces the characters and then it gets very high concept and explores such huge issues because it basically turns a mirror to face humanity and say, “You’re not working towards sustainability. You’re not looking out for people in terms of health. There’s injustice, there’s greed… All these horrible things.” The Overlords come in and say, “We’re going to take all those things away and create this utopia.” It’s a huge concept, the idea of utopia, and what that really means. We knew where it was going to end when we started.It’s really nice to have that package and see what the journey is going to be when we get there. Plus, I couldn’t say no because it was three months shooting in Australia in the summertime, so that was a huge bonus. Sunshine does factor into my role choices. [Laughs] I didn’t last long in Chicago. So from that perspective, it was really nice to just be in Melbourne for three months and be working on this project.But it was a journey. I had to put full faith in [executive producer/writer] Matt Graham and Nick Hurran, our director, because they had a vision, a strong vision. At times I was not sure where it was going and I just brought my faith in them. I think it’s going to be incredible. The production value is so high. Syfy is behind it 150%. I have never been on a show where they’re more excited about it. Sometimes it goes the other way. Sometimes you do a show and then it’s not all that you thought it would be. This is so much more. it’s more than I ever thought it would be. From a miniseries perspective, it’s really nice, it’s complete. It’s a whole work and it’s going to be a different experience for people to watch, knowing that it does have an end and it may not be the ending you want.It’s dark! I will say that. But it leaves people feeling different ways and it really asks big questions. It’s going to be exciting for everyone to take the journey. I haven’t seen it. There are so many parallel storylines so mine and MIke’s journey is one part, and Yael intertwines with us at one point. We see Karellen in all his glory. Then other people are going through crazy stuff as well... which I can’t talk about! You’ll have to watch the show to find out what that is.It’s a slow burn for sure. These aliens come... It’s a presence but they don’t make themselves seen. They do make themselves felt by creating this utopia and if they see any injustice or disease they just eradicate everything. They answer all our questions. Everything we strive towards, they give us and so then where does that leave us as a race? What are we striving towards? What inspires us? What challenges us? All of those things.There are a few skeptics that pop up and say “Hang on, what are we going to pay for this in the long run?” For Ricky, unfortunately, it’s too late. He’s too deep in the process, so Ellie is by his side, wishing that it wasn’t him that is the chosen one, but understanding why the man that she chose to love is chosen by these people. He’s so lovable! [Laughs] He’s humble and he’s relatable and he’s the everyman. As much as she hates the invasion of their life and their privacy, she understands why he’s chosen and they’ve got to navigate it as a couple, as best they can and try to keep the strength in that and answer to the skeptics and answer to the fans and go on that journey. There’s a few different perspectives on it. It’s a bit of a slow burn but when there’s big reactions, it might be too late.It’s going to leave the question of “Are they good or are they bad?” You decide and you decide what message you want to take away from this. I know that I felt like I wanted to live a little differently after I read this and I think that hopefully is what people are left with. It’s just a question. There is no right or wrong. There is no good or bad. It just is. And it’s inevitable fate and that is kind of scary.

The three-night Childhood's End debuts Monday, December 14th at 8:00pm ET/PT on Syfy, with the second and third episodes airing Tuesday and Wednesday.Eric Goldman is Executive Editor of IGN TV. You can follow him on Twitter at @TheEricGoldman , IGN at ericgoldman-ign and Facebook at Facebook.com/TheEricGoldman