Summary
Dark Matterseason 2 isn’t confirmed, but the show’s star has made a confusing claim that he’d be satisfied with how the inaugural run ended if the show didn’t return. As the leader of theDark Mattercast, Joel Edgerton’s Jason Dessen was at the heart of the saga, with many versions of the character popping up throughout the multiverse. WhileDark Mattermade changes to Blake Crouch’s 2016 novel, the adaptation was largely faithful and made several tasteful additions to enhance the narrative. However,Dark Matterseason 1’s ending prevented the show from serving as a standalone project.
Crouch’s source material ends definitively, although it does leave some things up to artful interpretation. The author returned as the adaptation’s showrunner and lead writer, making some creative decisions at theend ofDark Matterseason 1that suggested he has more to add to his original story. The cliffhangers he installed perfectly set up a second season of the sci-fi tale, which meansEdgerton’s appraisal makes little sense.
Dark Matter Season 2: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The ending Apple TV+’s mind-bending sci-fi series Dark Matter was anything but conclusive, and that opens the door for even more in season 2.
Sorry Joel Edgerton, Dark Matter Season 1’s Finale Isn’t Satisfying As A Series Ending
Blake Crouch’s new Dark Matter cliffhangers need resolving
Speaking withDecider, Edgerton didn’t confirm or deny whetherDark Matterseason 2 will happen. In all likelihood, he probably doesn’t know for sure. It all depends on how well the first season does on Apple TV+ and whether a follow-up is deemed worthy of being made. That being said, the show’s star did have a stance on how he would feel ifDark Matterremained a single-season project.Edgerton’s statement seems to make sense at first, but upon further inspection, there are a few words that don’t quite add up.
“If a season 2 doesn’t pan out, I’m satisfied with the deeply fulfilling season 1 journey. It’s been a profound experience exploring themes of longing, regrets, and family through the lens of science-fiction.”
The actor is certainly correct aboutDark Matter’s central themes, butclaiming he’d be “satisfied” ifDark Matterseason 2 doesn’t happen is a little confusing. The last-minute additions to the final minutes of the season 1 finale would mean several loose ends never being resolved if Apple TV+ opts not to pick up the show for more episodes. If anything, the show ending now would be the opposite of satisfying - it’d be deeply frustrating.
Dark Matterseason 1’s ending extends the stories of both new and original characters.
Dark Matter Should Have Avoided Its Season 2 Setup
The last-minute loose ends mean Dark Matter season 1 doesn’t work on its own
Dark Matterseason 1 adapted almost every moment from the book, and the additions it made elevated the story to the next level. The casting decisions were brilliant, and Apple TV+ nailed the tone of the source material. The original novel is a powerful story that stands up well on its own without the need to find out what happens afterward. Oddly,Crouch felt the need to risk his live-action adaptation’s endingby embedding open-ended storylines that could be continued into a potentialDark Matterseason 2.
Now, if the show isn’t picked up for a second season,Dark Matterwill have ended with irritatingly compelling cliffhangers that can never be resolved.
The writing decision could be viewed as brave, but also a little over-confident. There’s never a guarantee that any show will continue beyond its first season, andDark Matterhad the perfect fail-safe- that it wasted - by having a single book that had everything the adaptation needed to be effective. Now, if the show isn’t picked up for a second season,Dark Matterwill have ended with irritatingly compelling cliffhangers that can never be resolved. This would further contradict Edgerton’s description ofDark Matterseason 1 as a “Fulfilling” journey - because the journey will have come to an abrupt halt.
Why Dark Matter Season 1’s Finale Suggests A Continuation Beyond The Source Material
Crouch wanted to force Apple TV+’s hand into making Dark Matter season 2
Dark Matterseason 1’s additions to the book flesh out the existing universe, albeit in a separate canon. However, the show’s finale edgesDark Matterinto the category oflive-action adaptions that go beyond the source material. The show has no more books on which to base a follow-up, as Crouch never wrote a sequel. So, if the story were to continue onscreen, then it would be an entirely original narrative - although it would need to keep the established canon in mind.
Dark Matter Season 1’s 9 Biggest Unanswered Questions & Mysteries
Apple TV+’s Dark Matter raises a lot of compelling questions throughout the story, but it doesn’t solve every mystery it creates as it goes.
This could have been achieved without the teases, but including them increases the chance ofDark Matter’s renewal. If season 1 ended as the book had, not renewing the show would have been an easier call due to what would have been a cleaner conclusion. With the show having unanswered questions and the implied continuation of fresh storylines, there’s a bigger appeal for those who have read the book as well as those who haven’t. In short, making a statement of intent to continue the story beyond the final page of the book boosts the chances ofDark Matter’s return.
Dark Matter
Cast
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
