Despite low ratings, Syfy has renewed their new science-fiction series, The Expanse, for a second season. They’ve ordered 13 episodes this time, up from the first season’s 10 installment order.
The first season, which airs on Tuesday nights, is expected to run until February 2nd. The second season is expected to debut in early 2017.
Here’s the press release:
Syfy announced today that it has renewed its critically-acclaimed series THE EXPANSE for a second season. The 13-episode second season from Alcon Television Group is expected to air in early 2017.
“THE EXPANSE is firing on all cylinders creatively, building a passionate fan base among viewers and critics alike, and delivering on Syfy’s promise of smart, provocative Science fiction entertainment. We can’t wait to see where the story takes us in season two,” said Dave Howe, President, Syfy and Chiller.
Currently airing on Syfy Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT, THE EXPANSE has garnered strong multiplatform viewership since its December 14 debut, with 4.5 million viewers sampling the first episode on Syfy.com, On Demand and digital outlets prior to the series’ linear premiere, and an average of 1.6 million P2+ linear viewers (L3) in its first three episodes.
Set 200 years in the future, THE EXPANSE follows the case of a missing young woman that brings a hardened detective (Thomas Jane) and a rogue ship’s captain (Steven Strait) together in a race across the solar system that will expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.
In the episode premiering next Tuesday, January 5 at 10PM ET/PT — the fifth in the 10-part first season – Holden (Strait) and his crew make a deal with an unlikely ally (Chad Coleman). Meanwhile Detective Miller’s (Jane) obsession over the missing Julie Mao (Florence Faivre) continues to grow. Shohreh Aghdashloo also stars as Chrisjen Avasarala, along with Dominique Tipper, Cas Anvar and Wes Chatham.
Academy Award-nominated screenwriting duo Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (“Children of Men,” “Iron Man”) serve as writers, as well as executive producers and showrunners. Executive producer Naren Shankar (“CSI,” “Farscape”) is also showrunner.
THE EXPANSE is financed and produced by Alcon Television Group (ATG), a division of Alcon Entertainment. Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson serve as executive producers along with former president of Alcon Television Sharon Hall. Alcon Television executive Ben Roberts serves as co-producer. Sean Daniel and Jason Brown of the Sean Daniel Company are executive producers. Ben Cook serves as a producer.
The series is based on the New York Times bestselling book series collectively known as The Expanse, written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (under the pen name James S. A. Corey).
THE EXPANSE is part of a powerhouse Syfy original lineup that includes upcoming 2016 scripted series THE MAGICIANS (January), based on Lev Grossman’s best-selling novels, HUNTERS (April), from “The Walking Dead” executive producer Gale Anne Hurd, and the second season of the critically acclaimed 12 MONKEYS (April). Additional high profile scripted projects in development include INCORPORATED, a futuristic espionage pilot from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Pearl Street Films; Aldous Huxley’s classic novel BRAVE NEW WORLD with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television; and David Goyer’s Superman prequel, KRYPTON.
What do you think? Do you like The Expanse TV show? Do you think it should have been renewed or cancelled instead?
Great show really following the true story line from the book. Truly loved it. Now I gotta wait a whole though?
glad they are renewing. why do we have to wait a year for a second season??? I hate this new way seasons work.
So pleased that a second season season is coming to Syfy. Watched each episode a second time a few days after original aired, in order to glean what I missed. Written with the intent of all the puzzle pieces eventually coming together. This requires more than just a casual focus. Thank you Syfy.
Love it. Interesting quirky characters with unpredictable story.
One of the best Syfi I’ve seen…I’m especially impressed with the attention to detail in its time frame…very realistic and accurate
Breath of fresh air.
Great show with interesting characters and plot. Had to do a running commentary for the girlfriend each episode, but that only made me appreciate it more! Well deserving of a second season by which time hopefully a fan base will have developed and bring added viewers to help keep the show running. 🙂
Love the show – no SyFy in my country so I’m not going to be reflected in any ratings 🙁 I really wish we didn’t have to wait a whole year for season 2, though. Seriously – a whole freaking year for 13 episodes?! The show is actually very well written – you don’t understand the underlying conspiracy at first because you only get bits and pieces as the characters do. You’ll be watching it, a little confused as to how the events you’ve seen fit together, but you’ll start connecting those dots as you go on and the characters… Read more »
Love The Expanse. The Season Finale did not disappoint. I am so happy that the show is picked up for another season. Can’t wait.
I was excited for this show to start… but that excitement quickly waned, after watching 3 of the 4 first episodes. The reason I lost interest? The lack of creativity, behind the story. It takes every single science fiction cliché and multiplies it by a thousand. Hardened lawman? Check. High-profile missing person? Check. Rebel-turned-reluctant-leader? Check. Political tension that tries to conceal itself as commentary on today’s hot button issues (but fails to do so, miserably)? Check. Anything that could even be mistaken for creativity? Nope. I was shocked that SyFy renewed it… until I remembered… oh yeah, it’s SyFy. That… Read more »
I’m extremely surprised SyFy has renewed this show so prematurely, it’s doing terrible in the ratings and it was clearly very expensive to produce. Like a lot of recent ventures from SyFy, everything looks good on the outside, the world created rich and slick… But it lacks a proper soul to really connect with audiences.
I love the show. Behind Game of Thrones, it’s now my second favorite show (a head of the Walking Dead which is now 3rd – Mr. Robot a close 4th)… I’m male, 41, white, with a masters degree. I just went on TeePublic and bought a $30 PUR KLEEN t-shirt). If they want that disposable income demographic of white males 20-55, this show needs to be expanded. Ergo, it need’s to be on Friday night at 8 pm, if it wants more traction.
Some OK SFX but I really have difficulty remembering who the characters are from week to week. It’s also visually underwhelming. A close match to the reality of deep space I suppose but a collection of fairly similar ship models against a starless backdrop or otherwise some glinting metal of a habitat is just dull.
Season finale on audience figures of 0.55 Million doesn’t surprise.
Has a renewed show ever been subsequently cancelled … that is, un-renewed?
If it hasn’t happened previously then I have a suggestion as to how SyFy could once again be a ground-breaking channel.:)
Fell in love with James S.A. Corey books back when I first read Leviathan Wakes. So far the TV series has done him proud. I, too, binged watched the first 4 episodes, and cannot wait to see the rest, but I don’t think I can stand to wait from week to week. The Expanse deserves to be savored in great big, tasty chunks, like an old Saturday matinee double feature. It’s technically grand; extremely well written and acted. Find it and trust it for the first couple episodes till you find the rhythm. Watch it on the biggest screen you… Read more »
Just binge watched first 4 episodes. Huge fan of the books,was worried this could suck. First episode or two were not awesome. Third and fourth have me hooked! Immediately came out to this site hoping ratings are higher and scifi would stick in there. Glad to see they will!
I do not know why everyone keeps saying this is such a good show I find it extremely boring.
One of the best sci-fi shows I’ve seen in recent memory. SyFy should know a good thing when it sees it. I just hope it doesn’t get cancelled and end in a cliffhanger ala Firefly!
Yea like Stargate Universe too!
Expanse is so great that sci-fi renewed it for another season I love the show and everybody I talk to love the show so I’m sure glad that they we need for a second season and for 13 episodes not just 10 Thank You Syfy