‘Nautilus’ Comes As AMC’s Biggest Series Launch Since ‘The Walking Dead’ Spin-Off

AMC’s latest adventure drama Nautilus premiered June 29 to a strong debut, drawing 2.6 million viewers on its opening night, according to Nielsen live+3 data. The series also launched simultaneously on AMC+, where it is pacing as a top new title in both viewership and acquisition, Deadline reports.

The premiere marks AMC’s most-watched debut since The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live aired just over a year ago. The company tells Deadline the series is off to a “promising” start with audiences both linear and streaming.

“This is our biggest premiere night audience in over a year,” Deadline cites AMC as saying.
“Nautilus is performing as a top new series on AMC+ in terms of both viewership and subscriber acquisition,” says an article via Deadline.

Nautilus stars Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, Toast of London) as Captain Nemo, a former Indian prince imprisoned by the East India Mercantile Company. Stripped of his title, family, and freedom, Nemo’s story is one of revenge, rebellion, and redemption beneath the waves.

Nemo escapes incarceration by stealing a prototype submarine and fleeing into the depths with a ragtag crew of fellow inmates. Their goal: to unearth a legendary Viking treasure hidden at the Pillars of Halvar, all while evading relentless pursuit from their powerful enemies.

The show draws inspiration from Jules Verne’s classic novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, reimagining it through a new lens of colonialism, vengeance, and found family. Written and executive produced by James Dormer (Devils, Strike Back) the story infuses fresh urgency into a timeless literary adventure.

Joining Latif in the ensemble cast are Georgia Flood (American Princess, Anzac Girls) as Humility Lucas, Céline Menville (One Way or Another, The Churchmen) as Loti, and Thierry Frémont (Tell No One, The Page Turner) as Benoit. Notable guest stars include Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Loki), Anna Torv (Fringe, Mindhunter), and Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones, Shine).

Behind the camera, the series is a collaboration between Moonriver TV’s Xavier Marchand and Seven Stories’ Anand Tucker. Additional executive producers include Johanna Devereaux (Renegade Nell, Culprits), Chris Loveall (The Night Manager, Humans), Colleen Woodcock (Slumdog Millionaire, Bright Star) and Daisy Gilbert (Too Big to Fail, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris).

Episodes of Nautilus air weekly on Sundays, with a two-episode finale set for August 17. The show’s serialized rollout suggests AMC’s confidence in the title’s long-term engagement potential.

As streaming and traditional networks continue to battle for attention, Nautilus emerges as a rare dual-platform success. It blends high-seas action, emotional stakes, and speculative fiction to chart its own course.

With strong early numbers and a classic literary foundation, Nautilus may have found the formula for turning depth into ratings gold.