Variety reported today the two-hour premiere Monday, A&E’s remake of the sci-fi thriller “Andromeda Strain” harvested more viewers in key demos than any other movie or miniseries on basic cable so far this year.

The first half of the heavily promoted four-hour telepic, starring Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack and Andre Braugher, averaged 4.8 million total viewers. It brought in 2.7 million adults 25-54 to become the second-highest rated cablecast of all time in that demo on A&E.

Part one of “The Andromeda Strain” drew 4.8 million total viewers. Sci Fi Channel originally began developing the $15 million project four years ago through its Universal Pictures sibling. When Sci Fi passed, A&E quickly stepped in.

Ridley and Tony Scott exec produced the mini with Tom Thayer and David W. Zucker. Mikael Salomon directed.