WithDark Mattterseason 1 exhausting the source material, the events of the upcoming continuation of the show will all be exclusive to the Apple TV+ adaptation.Blake Crouch only wrote oneDark Matterbook, so season 2 will be much more unpredictable when compared with the show’s inaugural run. However,Dark Matterseason 1’s endingincludes several tantalizing cliffhangers that don’t appear in the 2016 novel, and they can be extrapolated to predict some of the potential storylines.
Blake Crouch also serves as the adaptation’s showrunner. So, all new introductions and tweaks to the story go through the man who started it all in 2016. Although Crouch made severalchanges to the live-action adaptation of theDark Matterbook, the overall narrative remained largely the same. That being said, the new characters and fleshed-out storylines will have much more room to flourish inDark Matterseason 2.
9Ryan Holder & Amanda Lucas Will Create A Version Of Velocity Labs in The Futuristic Chicago Universe
Ryan approaches Amanda in the Dark Matter season 1 finale
While Alice Braga’s Amanda Lucas has a slightly more expanded role inDark Matterseason 1 than her book counterpart, Jimmi Simpson’s Ryan Holder is given a huge deal more to do than the original character.The novel never reveals where Amanda ends up when he leaves Jason, but the adaptation has her taking up residence in the Futuristic Chicago universe. Ryan’s book fate is even more unclear, as he isn’t seen beyond his celebratory Pavia Prize drinks near the beginning. Of course, Ryan2 does make an appearance, but he’s promptly executed by Velocity in both versions ofDark Matter.
Amanda’s role of training Box Pilots was essential to Velocity Labs operations in her universe.
Dark Matterseason 1’s ending has Ryan seeking out Amanda, as Jason2 has stranded him in the same universe.It’s unclear how Ryan knows Amanda, as he seemingly hasn’t yet encountered her in his native reality. It’s relatively simple to deduce that it’s at least possible Simpson’s character wants to return to his original world and requires Amanda’s help to do so. While she isn’t a scientist, Amanda’s role of training Box Pilots was essential to Velocity Labs operations in her universe. So, the pair may create a rudimentary form of the same organization to help Ryan return home.
8The 2 Versions Of Leighton Vance Will Meet In Dark Matter Season 2
Dayo Okeniyi’s Dark Matter character(s) will have more to do
Leighton Vance is another character who is used relatively sparingly in the book. Once Jason and Amanda flee in the Box, Leighton isn’t seen again. Apple TV+‘sDark Matterchanges this. Not only does Velocity’s Leighton follow the pair into the multiverse, but Jason2 seeks out the version of Leighton Vance from the show’s “main” universe. WhileVelocity’s Leighton is having a much rougher time of his adventures, both versions of the same man were last seen in the Corridoor.
Because both Leightons ultimately are in the same position because of Jason2, it will be compelling to see how they interact and discuss Edgerton’s antagonist.
Just as there were several occasions where Joel Edgerton shared a scene with himself asdifferent Jason Dessens inDark Matterseason 1,Dayo Okeniyi will likely need to double up on performancesinDark Matterseason 2. With both Leightons reality-hopping, it only seems like a matter of time before they encounter one another. Because both Leightons ultimately are in the same position because of Jason2, it will be compelling to see how they interact and discuss Edgerton’s antagonist.
7Detective Mason Will Investigate All The “Spare” Jasons
Dark Matter season 2 is the perfect chance for Kate Eastman’s character to return
Dark Matterseason 1 completely forgets to resolve Detective Jamie Mason’s storyline. Unique to the show, Kate Eastman’sDetective Mason enters the story to investigate the missing Box Pilots, and also Ryan Holder’s disappearance. She is a great addition to theDark Mattercastand fixes a problem that was never addressed in the source material. Unfortunately, she just stops appearing in the adaptation. However, all the remaining copies of Jason Dessen that are left behind open the door for her return.
With Jason2 being responsible for Ryan’s multiversal abduction, the men with the same face won’t be able to remain in the shadows for long.
Whilesome of the Jasons may use the box and escape into the multiverse, the nature ofDark Matter’s interdimensional travelmeans there will be many Jasons who have run out of Lavander Fairy ampoules. Therefore, they won’t be able to leave their current - and original - universe. Even if they attempt to stay hidden, the ongoing mystery of why the replacement Ryan doesn’t remember his current life is sure to bring Detective Mason back to investigate. With Jason2 being responsible for Ryan’s multiversal abduction, the men with the same face won’t be able to remain in the shadows for long.
6The Dessen Family Won’t Be Able To Just Sit Back & Relax
Dark Matter season 2 would be very boring if the Dessens were safe
The ending of theDark Matterbook doesn’t revealwhich universe the Dessens travel to. Like the show, there is just a heavy implication that the world to which they first travel perfectly suits their needs. If that were the case, it would make their arc inDark Matterseason 2 incredibly dull. So, what’s more likely is that a new threat will emerge that will uproot or threaten the Dessens once again.
With Jason’s reunion with Daniela and Charlie complete, it appears their story has reached a satisfying jumping-off point.
Of course,it’s also possible the Dessen family won’t appear inDark Matterseason 1. With Jason’s reunion with Daniela and Charlie complete, it appears their story has reached a satisfying jumping-off point. So, it could be their implied happy ending from the book and the show remains intact, andDark Matterseason 2 focuses on other characters. This wouldn’t mean their respective actors couldn’t return as multiversal copies, but the original versions of the characters could technically be retired.
5The Replacement Ryan Will Try To Integrate Into His New Life
The disorientated Ryan will want to avoid being labeled delusional
The Ryan Holder that Jason2 whisks away to replace the other Ryan was incredibly disorientated when he was last seen. As a mechanic in his native reality,the replacement Ryan doesn’t have a particuarly scientific background, and he also has no idea the Box or the ability to travel between realities even exists. So, short of being labeled delusional, he’ll need to try his best to fit in with his new surroundings.
Dark Matter Season 2 Will Be Better Than Apple TV+’s Season 1 For One Simple Reason
Apple TV+’s surprise renewal of Dark Matter means the multiverse saga will continue, and there’s a reason why season 2 will be an improvement.
It won’t be easy for Jimmi Simpson’s displaced character to step into the shoes of his new universe’s native Ryan. The original Ryan - now stranded in the Futuristic Chicago - is incredibly intelligent and very accomplished in his field. Even Jason2, who spent a long time following Jason1 to learn how to best supplant him, ultimately failed to uphold the illusion of being the same man. So,the replacement Ryan will stand very little chance of successfully blending in.
4The Box’s Lore Will Be Expanded In Dark Matter Season 2
Dark Matter season 1 raised more questions about Jason2’s box design
Jason2’s Box design is essentially identical between both versions of the story. That being said, the Apple TV+ show does flesh out the canon that surrounds the simplistic reality-hopping vessel. For instance, the compound that allows the pilots’ perceptions to be altered isn’t named in the book, but it is given the title, “Lavender Fairy” in the adaptation. The changes andadditions to Box lore inDark Matterare difficult to predict, but it’s too compelling a possibility to waste.
There are now countless, abandoned versions of the Box throughout the realities ofDark Matter. What happens to these Boxes would be very interesting to discover.
One example could beDark Matter’s Box materialization process. This is never really explained in the source material or the live-action version, and it’s incredibly confusing. WhileJason2 is teased to be the only character to have developed the Box, making the cube unique, it appears to duplicate itself as it moves through the multiverse. In other words, it doesn’t vanish when its pilots depart. As a result, there are now countless, abandoned versions of the Box throughout the realities ofDark Matter. What happens to these Boxes would be very interesting to discover.
3Jason2 Will Flee Into The Multiverse Again
Joel Edgerton’s villain has no reason to stay in his current universe
The primary reason for Jason2 choosing his new home reality was to try and undo the mistakes of his past and live out the rest of his life with Daniela and Charlie. Now that both characters have departed with their true family member,there’s very little left in the show’s “main” universe for Jason2. So, it would make sense if he tried to either return to his original universe, or try and find a new one to call home.
Jason2 dies toward the end of theDark Matterbook, which means the Apple TV+ show deviates severely from the source material.
There’s also the possibility thatJason2 may not survive the events ofDark Matterseason 2. In fact, depending on when the follow-up story begins in relation to season 1, he may already be dead. Several of the other Jasons currently in the same universe have proven capable of killing their other selves, and they would surely have a strong motive for also wanting to kill Jason2.
2Blair Caplan’s Multiversal Travels Wills Be A Big Storyline In Dark Matter Season 2
Blair can have a much more prominent arc now Dark Matter season 1’s story is complete
Neither version of Blair Caplan - both played by Amanda Brugel - appear in the 2016 novel at all. In fact,Blair is never even mentioned inDark Mattersource material, making her another completely original character. While Brugel gets her moments in the spotlight inDark Matterseason 2, the season 1 finale tease of her about to re-enter the box suggests Blair will be a big part of the coming season.
If Jason’s original universe receives screentime inDark Matterseason 1, it would also make sense for that reality’s Blair to feature quite heavily.
If Jason’s original universe receives screentime inDark Matterseason 1, it would also make sense for that reality’s Blair to feature quite heavily. With the Dessen family gone, Blair and the replacement Ryan Holder will be the two characters most affected by the disappearance of Jason, Daniela, and Charlie.Blair couldn’t really be too much of a factor in season 1’s story, as it would have pulled focus from the arc taken from the book.Dark Matterseason 2 won’t have that obstacle, which allows Amanda Brugel’s character to receive more attention.
1Dark Matter Season 2 Will Introduce More Original Characters
Reusing different versions of the same Dark Matter characters would get old fast (& confusing)
With Apple TV+ creating new characters like Max Dessen, Blair Caplan, Detective Mason, and variants of pre-existing figures like Ryan Holder, it’s reasonable to assume thatDark Matterseason 2 will continue this trend. Author/showrunnerBlake Crouch has already proven he’s willing to introduce new charactersto his source material, and with the fictitious universe heading into brand-new territory, the door is open for new heroes and villains to enter the fray.
Dark Matter’s Season 2 Renewal Makes Apple TV+’s Other 71%-Rated Sci-Fi Failure Even More Disappointing
Dark Matter season 2 will take the story beyond the source material, but while the show flourishes, it highlights the failure of a similar project.
Dark Matter’s multiverse premise means it would be a huge waste for the show not to visit new realities that have yet to appear in either the book or the show. However, if those endless universes are all populated with different versions of the same handful of characters, it won’t just be mishandling the show’s potential, but it will also get old very quickly. Plus, the more characters that make their debut, the greater the likelihood ofDark Matterseason 3 and beyond being greenlit.
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.
