PREMIERE

A HURRICANE THAT HITS A SMALL FLORIDA TOWN MAY BE MASKING SOMETHING FAR MORE OMINOUS, ON THE PREMIERE OF "INVASION," WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 ON ABC

For centuries man has searched the skies for signs of intelligent life forms. But what if those life forms were already here, and what if a storm was masking something far more menacing? From famed writer/producer Shaun Cassidy ("Cold Case," "American Gothic," "Cover Me") comes "Invasion" -- the suspenseful tale of a blended family trying to recover from a hurricane and its mysterious aftermath -- premiering WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

For dedicated park ranger Russell Varon (Eddie Cibrian, "Third Watch"), a divorced father of two who is expecting a third child with his new wife, local television reporter Larkin Groves (Lisa Sheridan), the hurricane proves to be just the beginning of a long journey into the unknown. Always skeptical about the paranoid conspiracy theories of his wayward brother-in-law, Dave (Tyler Labine, ABC's "That Was Then"), Russell may have to revise his thinking when a number of bizarre occurrences start taking place in his community. Though Russell's young daughter, Rose (Ariel Gade), claims to have seen hundreds of lights floating towards the water during the storm, Russell initially dismisses her claim - until he begins to suspect that something is very wrong with his ex-wife, Dr. Mariel Underlay (Kari Matchett, "Angel Eyes"). The morning after the storm, Mariel is found naked in the water - with no memory of what transpired the night before.

As the tiny town of Homestead, Florida struggles to rebuild itself, Sheriff Tom Underlay (William Fichtner, 2005's "The Longest Yard," "Black Hawk Down," "Armageddon," "Go," "Contact") -- who is married to Russell's ex-wife -- suspiciously orders the entire area quarantined.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," Russell starts to investigate the strange happenings in Homestead after the hurricane hits and unknowingly begins a fight for the survival of his family, his community, and what might ultimately be the whole human race.

"Invasion" stars William Fichtner as Sheriff Tom Underlay, Eddie Cibrian as Russell Varon, Lisa Sheridan as Larkin Groves, Kari Matchett as Dr. Mariel Underlay, Tyler Labine as Dave Groves, Evan Peters as Jesse Varon, Ariel Gade as Rose Varon, Alexis Dziena as Kira Underlay and Aisha Hinds as Mona Gomez.

Guest starring are Jeannetta Arnette as Ruth, Frank Collison as Earl, Bryan Anthony as guardsman, Ivar Brogger as dazed man, Phe Caplan as young woman, Holmes Osborne as Mayor Littles, Amy Watt as Ms. Gilroy, Scott Mercer as A.A. reporter, Rich Skidmore as anchorman, Robert Standley as pilot, Ryan Honey as navigator, Gwen Mihok as weather officer and Mesan Richardson as dropsonde operator, Juan Ramirez as Hispanic man, Lorena Mena as Hispanic woman and Aramis Knight as Hispanic boy.

"Pilot" was written by Shaun Cassidy and directed by Thomas Schlamme.

Shaun Cassidy created the series and serves as executive producer. Lawrence Trilling (director - "Alias," "Nip/Tuck," "Scrubs") is co-executive producer and multiple Emmy Award-winning director Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing," "ER," "Sports Night") is executive consultant. "Invasion" is from Shaun Cassidy Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

"Invasion" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.