They come, they conquer, and then they exterminate the human race.

A lot of science-fiction shows are like that, and focus on the arrival and subsequent bloodbath that follows. TNT's upcoming "Falling Skies" will be different however, and will instead focus on what happens to the human race after the invasion.

In the series, which stars "ER's" Noah Wyle, the invasion of Earth serves as the backdrop to a character drama rather than as the focus of the series itself. Wyle plays a Professor of History who ends up on a quest to reunite his family following an alien assault.

"It's not about the invasion – it's about the resistance," co-executive producer Mark Verheiden told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's about finding hope in an otherwise hopeless situation."

But how can a History teacher make a difference in such an apocalyptic situation? Well, one of the characters specialisms is military history and that knowledge will help him not only survive, but lead the human survivors.

"Our show walks a really interesting line between being a character-based drama and being a sci-fi show," Wyle said. "It's not really one or the other but has a little something for both."

Among the character dynamics at work are common threads of teen angst, only thanks to the alien incursion the problems go from prom and allowance to guns and the best way to survive.

"It's taking place six months after the invasion, so you're seeing how people are banding together and fighting for one cause: living," said Roy, who plays Wyles son, Hal. "There are a lot of different ways of going about that. We have military guys and civilians; there's a nice clash going on."

"Falling Skies" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on TNT.