Jump to content

The Expanse (TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jeb69 (talk | contribs) at 14:50, 26 May 2018 (→‎Cancellation and renewal: added pick up by Amazon). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the television series. For the series of novels, see The Expanse (novel series).

The Expanse
Textual logo in black block-capital lettering, "The" in smaller text above the word "Expanse", the letter A stylized as a triangle.
Genre
Based onThe Expanse series of novels
by James S. A. Corey
Developed by
Starring
ComposerClinton Shorter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes30 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Daniel Abraham
  • Ty Franck
  • Lynn Raynor
  • Ben Cook
  • Dan Nowak
  • Robert Munroe
  • Steven Strait (season 3)
Production locationToronto, Canada
Running time42–44 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSyfy (2015–2018)
ReleaseNovember 23, 2015 (2015-11-23) –
present

The Expanse is an American science fiction television series developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, and based on The Expanse series of novels by James S. A. Corey. The series is set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System. It follows United Nations executive Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), police detective Josephus Miller (Thomas Jane), and ship's officer Jim Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew as they unravel a conspiracy that threatens peace in the system and the survival of humanity.

The series received positive reviews from critics, who highlighted its visuals, character development, and political narrative. It received a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as a Saturn Award nomination.

Alcon Entertainment produces and finances the series. It sold three seasons to Syfy. After a cancellation, Amazon Video renewed the series for a fourth season.[1]

Plot

Two hundred years in the future, in a fully colonized Solar System, police detective Josephus Miller (Thomas Jane), born on Ceres in the asteroid belt, is assigned to find a missing young woman, Juliette "Julie" Andromeda Mao (Florence Faivre). James Holden (Steven Strait), the Executive Officer of the ice hauler Canterbury, is involved in a tragic incident that threatens to destabilize the uneasy peace between Earth, Mars and the Belt. On Earth, Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), a United Nations executive, works to prevent war between Earth and Mars by any means necessary. Soon, the three find out that the missing woman and the ice hauler's fate are part of a vast conspiracy that threatens all humanity.

Cast and characters

Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Cas Anvar
Dominique Tipper, Florence Faivre, Shohreh Aghdashloo

Main

  • Thomas Jane as Josephus "Joe" Aloisus Miller, a Belter detective on Ceres assigned to find Julie Mao[2]
  • Steven Strait as James "Jim" Holden, the Earther captain of the Rocinante, formerly the executive officer of the Canterbury[2]
  • Cas Anvar as Alex Kamal, the Martian pilot of the Rocinante, formerly the pilot of the Canterbury[3]
  • Dominique Tipper as Naomi Nagata, the Belter engineer of the Rocinante, formerly an engineer of the Canterbury[3]
  • Wes Chatham as Amos Burton, the Earther mechanic of the Rocinante, formerly a mechanic of the Canterbury[3]
  • Paulo Costanzo as Shed Garvey, the Canterbury's medical technician[3] (season 1)
  • Florence Faivre as Juliette "Julie" Andromeda Mao, the missing daughter of business tycoon Jules-Pierre Mao (seasons 1–2)
  • Shawn Doyle as Sadavir Errinwright, UN Undersecretary of Executive Administration[4]
  • Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala, UN Deputy Undersecretary of Executive Administration[2]
  • Frankie Adams as Roberta "Bobbie" Draper, a Martian Marine gunnery sergeant[5] (season 2–present)

Recurring

  • Chad L. Coleman as Frederick "Fred" Lucius Johnson, "The Butcher of Anderson Station," a former UNN colonel-turned-leader of the OPA (Outer Planets Alliance)[4]
  • Andrew Rotilio as Diogo Harari, a young Belter from Ceres
  • Athena Karkanis as Octavia "Tavi" Muss, Miller's former partner (season 1)
  • Jared Harris as Anderson Dawes, the OPA's Ceres liaison[4]
  • François Chau as Jules-Pierre Mao, the owner of Mao-Kwikowski Mercantile, its subsidiary Protogen, and Julie's father
  • Jay Hernandez as Dmitri Havelock, Miller's Earther partner with Star Helix Security (season 1)[3]
  • Lola Glaudini as Shaddid, the captain of Star Helix Security's Ceres detachment (season 1)
  • Kevin Hanchard as "Semi" Sematimba, a detective on Eros, and an old friend of Miller's (season 1)
  • Martin Roach as Souther, UNN admiral, former UNN Fleet Commander, now commander of the UN's Jupiter fleet
  • Daniel Kash as Antony Dresden, Protogen's head of biological research (seasons 1–2)
  • Brian George as Arjun Avasarala, Chrisjen's husband
  • Greg Bryk as K. Lopez, a MCRN lieutenant assigned to the MCRN Donnager (season 1)
  • Elias Toufexis as Kenzo Gabriel, a corporate spy on Tycho Station (season 1)
  • Nick E. Tarabay as Cotyar Ghazi, a security professional working for Avasarala (seasons 2–3)
  • Cara Gee as Camina Drummer, Johnson's Belter second-in-command and captain of the OPA warship Behemoth (season 2–present)
  • Mpho Koaho as Richard Travis, an Earth-born MMC private in Draper's squad (season 2)
  • Sarah Allen as Hillman, a MMC private in Draper's squad (season 2)
  • Dewshane Williams as Sa'id, a MMC corporal in Draper's squad (season 2)
  • Peter Outerbridge as Martens, a MCRN captain assigned to the MCRN Scirocco (season 2)
  • Conrad Pla as Janus, a UN colonel assigned to the UNS Arboghast (season 2)
  • Byron Mann as Augusto Nguyễn, a UNN fleet admiral (season 2–present)
  • Ted Whittall as Michael Iturbi, a UNN scientist assigned to the UNS Arboghast (season 2)
  • Terry Chen as Praxideke "Prax" Meng, a Ganymedian botanist (season 2–present)
  • Leah Jung as Mei Meng, Prax's daughter (season 2–present)
  • Ted Atherton as Lawrence Strickland, a Protogen pediatrician on Ganymede (seasons 2–3)
  • Jonathan Whittaker as Esteban Sorrento-Gillis, UN Secretary General (season 2–present)
  • Elizabeth Mitchell as Rev. Dr. Annushka "Anna" Volovodov, a Europan Methodist pastor (season 3)[6]
  • Raven Dauda as Namono 'Nono' Volovodov, the Ugandan wife of Anna Volovodov (season 3)
  • David Strathairn as Klaes Ashford, a former Belter pirate and now the second-in-command of OPA warship Behemoth (season 3)[7]
  • Anna Hopkins as Monica Stuart, a journalist from Earth filming a documentary on the crew of Rocinante (season 3)
  • Brandon McGibbon as Cohen, a cameraman from Earth filming a documentary on Rocinante with Monica (season 3)
  • Nadine Nicole as Melba Alzbeta Koh, a mysterious newly appointed technician aboard UNN support ship Seung Un (season 3)

Episodes

Main article: List of The Expanse episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
110December 14, 2015 (2015-12-14)February 2, 2016 (2016-02-02)Syfy
213February 1, 2017 (2017-02-01)April 19, 2017 (2017-04-19)
313April 11, 2018 (2018-04-11)June 27, 2018 (2018-06-27)
410December 12, 2019 (2019-12-12)Amazon Prime Video
510December 15, 2020 (2020-12-15)February 2, 2021 (2021-02-02)
66December 10, 2021 (2021-12-10)January 14, 2022 (2022-01-14)

Production

Development

The Expanse is based on the novel series of the same name by James S. A. Corey, a pen name of the authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, who also serve as writers and producers for the show. The first novel, Leviathan Wakes (2011), was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel and Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. On April 11, 2014, Syfy announced a straight-to-series commitment to a television adaptation of the book series, and ordered the production of 10 one-hour-long episodes for the first season. On that date Syfy President Dave Howe commented: "The Expanse is epic in scale and scope and promises to be Syfy's most ambitious series to date".[8]

Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby wrote the pilot, directed by Terry McDonough, and serve as writers and showrunners alongside Naren Shankar.[9] Produced by Alcon Television and The Sean Daniel Company, principal photography started on October 29, 2014, in Toronto.[9] The pilot episode was screened at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2015.

In May 2015, before the first season aired, writing commenced for a second season,[10] which was ordered in December 2015.[11] The second season of The Expanse premiered on February 1, 2017.[12]

On March 16, 2017, The Expanse was renewed by Syfy for a 13-episode third season to air in 2018.[13] Filming for season 3 began on July 12, 2017.[14][15]

Four digital comics based on the books and tying into the television series have been published by ComiXology. The first focuses on the origin of James Holden and was released February 1, 2017.[16] The next three, highlighting the origins of other characters are: Naomi Nagata, released April 19, 2017; Alex Kamal, released May 24, 2017; and Amos Burton, released July 12, 2017.

The show's title sequence was animated and directed by Australian studio Breeder and its VFX team.[17]

Cancellation and renewal

In May 2018, Syfy did not purchase the rights for future seasons, because of reportedly restrictive distribution arrangements, and announced it was cancelled. Alcon looked for other channels to distribute future seasons.[18][19]On May 21, Amazon began talks to acquire the show and four days later Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos officially announced they would be renewing the series for Season 4.[20]

Fans protested the cancellation, gathering over 100,000 signatures for an online petition. They lobbied Amazon Studios and Netflix to pick the series up; a crowdfunding campaign paid for an airplane to fly a "#SaveTheExpanse" banner around Amazon Studios.[21] Celebrities including Wil Wheaton, George R. R. Martin, Patton Oswalt and Andreas Mogensen supported the campaign.[22] On May 26, at the International Space Development Conference, Jeff Bezos announced that Amazon picked the series up for additional seasons.[1]

Music

The show's soundtrack was composed by Clinton Shorter.[23][24] The first season's soundtrack dubbed The Expanse Season 1 – The Original Television Soundtrack, consisting of nineteen tracks, was released by Lakeshore Records, on May 20, 2016 via iTunes,[23] and on May 26, 2016 via Amazon.[24]

Release

In the United States, The Expanse is broadcast by Syfy and streams on Amazon Prime.[25] In Canada, the series airs on Space[26] and streams on CraveTV.[27] In New Zealand, the series airs on Sky.[28] In all other countries where Netflix is available, seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed.[29]

Reception

Season 1

Hawk Ostby accepting the Hugo Award at Worldcon in Helsinki 2017

The first season received a rating of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic based on reviews from 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[30] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 76% with an average rating of 7.12 out of 10 based on 42 reviews. The site's consensus states: "The Expanse blends sci-fi elements and detective noir into a visually compelling whole, though it takes a few episodes for the story to capture viewers' intrigue."[31]

Reporting on the pilot screening, io9's Lauren Davis declared herself "blown away" by The Expanse, appreciating its "incredible sense of scale" and its "deeply thought out future world that reflects on our present one, with high production values and characters who speak and act like real people".[32] Max Nicholson of IGN characterized the pilot as "grim and dramatic", and a "very dense hour of television", with the terminology and large cast sometimes difficult to follow for viewers unfamiliar with the novels, but highlighted the pilot's "gorgeous" visuals and effects reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica, Dune and Firefly.[33]

Writing for Variety, Maureen Ryan was unimpressed by the first four episodes "awkwardly linking a series of somewhat muddled stories" and the series' stereotypical characters, but credited it with tackling "issues of class, representation and exploitation", and a convincing design.[34] At Tor.com, Justin Landon highlighted The Expanse's "bold and unique cinematography" and its claustrophobic, discomforting set designs, as well as the "extremely faithful" characterization, but remarked that the patois spoken by the Belters, the natives of the asteroid belt, made the series difficult to follow.[35]

Season 2

The second season was also received favorably. On Metacritic, it has a score of 77 out of 100 based on 5 reviews.[36] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 95% with an average rating of 8.83 out of 10 based on 20 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Expanse's second season offers more of the show's excellent signature production values while increasing character development and politically thrilling narratives."[37]

Writing for io9, Katherine Trendacosta noted how the show had become "shockingly prescient", insofar as many of the issues and ideas explored by The Expanse mirrored contemporary trends in global politics.[38] Brian Tallerico, in "Why The Expanse Is the Best Sci-FI TV Show You're Not Watching" for Rolling Stone, praised the show for its contemporary political relevance and called its willingness to mix tones, and its protagonists, laudable. He summarized that at its core, The Expanse was all about people responding to fear – fear of the other, fear of the new, fear of inequality, fear of death.[39] Writing for NPR, astrophysicist Adam Frank praised the show and its writers for the scientific realism. He wrote that "more than any other TV space-themed show, it gets the science right", which he found interesting.[40]

Season 3

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.75 out of 10 based on 12 reviews.[41]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per season of The Expanse
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired Avg. viewers
(millions)		 18–49
rank		 Avg. 18–49
rating
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Monday 10:00 pm (premiere)
Tuesday 10:00 pm		 10 December 14, 2015 (2015-12-14) TBD February 2, 2016 (2016-02-02) TBD 0.703[42] TBD 0.22[42]
2 Wednesday 10:00 pm 13 February 1, 2017 (2017-02-01) TBD April 19, 2017 (2017-04-19) TBD 0.562[43] TBD 0.18[43]
3 Wednesday 9:00 pm 13 April 11, 2018 (2018-04-11) TBD TBA TBD TBD TBD TBD

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 Visual Effects Society Awards Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode Robert Munroe, Clint Green, Kyle Menzies, Tom Turnbull (for "Salvage") Nominated [44]
2017 Directors Guild of Canada Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Robert Lieberman (for "Rock Bottom") Nominated [45]
Dragon Awards Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series The Expanse Nominated [46]
Hugo Awards Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby and Terry McDonough (for "Leviathan Wakes") Won [47]
Saturn Awards Best Science Fiction Television Series The Expanse Nominated [48]
2018 Saturn Awards Best Science Fiction Television Series The Expanse Pending [49]

References

  1. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 25, 2018). "'The Expanse': Amazon Picks Up Space Drama Series After Syfy Cancellation". Deadline. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Weinstein, Shelli (August 21, 2014). "Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo to Star in Syfy's 'The Expanse'". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Petski, Denise (October 29, 2014). "Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, More, Round Out 'The Expanse'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Noonan, Kevin (November 20, 2014). "Syfy's 'The Expanse' Adds 'Walking Dead,' 'Mad Men' Alums". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (April 14, 2016). "'The Expanse' Casts Frankie Adams As Bobbie Draper". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  6. ^ Ross, Dalton (July 22, 2017). "The Expanse casts Lost star Elizabeth Mitchell in key role". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (July 14, 2017). "'The Expanse': David Strathairn Cast In Key Role In Syfy Space Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  8. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 11, 2014). "Syfy Gives Straight-to-Series Greenlight to 'The Expanse'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (October 29, 2014). "Syfy and Alcon TV Announce Start of Production on The Expanse, New 10-episode Epic Space Drama". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 31, 2015). "'The Expanse' Renewed For Season 2 By Syfy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  11. ^ Moore, Trent (December 31, 2015). "Space opera The Expanse officially picked up for second season at Syfy". Blastr. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  12. ^ @ExpanseSyfy (December 1, 2016). "#TheExpanse Season 2 premiere has moved to 2.1.17. Happy now, Earthers?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Gelman, Vlada (March 16, 2017). "The Expanse Renewed for Season 3". TVLine. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  14. ^ Eisner, Breck (July 12, 2017). "A small tradition for me is to raise a flag over the set on first shoot day. Today was day 1 of season 3 #TheExpanse". Twitter. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  15. ^ "What's Shooting?". ACTRA Toronto. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Expanse Origins #1 (of 4)". ComiXology. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  17. ^ "Breeder Opens "The Expanse" for SyFy". Stash Magazine. December 17, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 11, 2018). "'The Expanse' To End On Syfy With Season 3, Will Be Shopped Elsewhere By Alcon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  19. ^ Ahr, Michael (May 11, 2018). "The Expanse Canceled, Season 4 To Be Shopped Around". Den of Geek. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  20. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 25, 2018). "'The Expanse' Officially Revived for Season 4 at Amazon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  21. ^ Kelly, Autumn Noel (May 18, 2018). "'The Expanse' is So Good, Fans Flew a #SaveTheExpanse Plane Over Amazon Studios After SyFy Cancellation". Newsweek. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  22. ^ Shepherd, Jack (May 18, 2018). "George RR Martin and Will Wheaton plead for Amazon and Netflix to renew cult scifi The Expanse". The Independent. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  23. ^ a b "The Expanse – Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack) – Clinton Shorter". iTunes. May 20, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  24. ^ a b "The Expanse – Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack) – Clinton Shorter". Amazon. May 26, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  25. ^ Trendacosta, Katharine (December 21, 2016). "Someone Is Finally Streaming The Expanse, the Best Scifi Show of the Year". io9. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  26. ^ "The Expanse Is Coming To Space, And Here's Why You Should Be Excited". Space. August 27, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  27. ^ "The Intergalactic War Continues on Season 2 of Hit Space Series THE EXPANSE, Premiering February 1". Bell Media. January 24, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  28. ^ "The Expanse is the new sci-fi show you're about to binge on". New Zealand Herald. March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  29. ^ Petski, Denise (October 11, 2016). "Space Drama 'The Expanse' Acquired By Netflix For Global Distribution". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  30. ^ "The Expanse: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  31. ^ "The Expanse: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  32. ^ Davis, Lauren (July 11, 2015). "The Expanse Is the Show We've Been Wanting Since Battlestar Galactica". i09. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  33. ^ Nicholson, Max (July 11, 2015). "Comic-Con 2015: Syfy Debuts Thomas Jane's New Series The Expanse". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  34. ^ Ryan, Maureen (November 23, 2015). "TV Review: 'The Expanse'". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  35. ^ Landon, Justin (November 11, 2015). "A Risky Adaptation: Syfy's The Expanse". Tor.com. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  36. ^ "The Expanse: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  37. ^ "The Expanse: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  38. ^ Trendacosta, Katharine (February 1, 2017). "The Expanse Is Back, and It's Become Disturbingly Prescient". io9. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  39. ^ Tallerico, Brian (March 30, 2017). "Why 'The Expanse' Is the Best Sci-FI TV Show You're Not Watching – How Syfy's series about Martian colonies, missing-person cases and interstellar class warfare is slowly turning into a must-see gem". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  40. ^ Frank, Adam (March 28, 2017). "Sci-Fi Show 'The Expanse' Preps Us For The Future". NPR. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  41. ^ "The Expanse: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  42. ^ a b "The Expanse: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. February 3, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  43. ^ a b "The Expanse: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. April 20, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  44. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 10, 2017). "'Rogue One' Leads Visual Effects Society Feature Competition With 7 Nominations As 'Doctor Strange,' 'Jungle Book' Grab 6 Each". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  45. ^ "2017 Directors Guild of Canada Awards Nominees Announced". Directors Guild of Canada. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  46. ^ Liptak, Andrew (August 4, 2017). "The 2017 Dragon Awards are a far-ranging sci-fi and fantasy reading list". The Verge. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  47. ^ "2017 Hugo Awards". Hugo Awards. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  48. ^ Couch, Aaron (March 2, 2017). "'Rogue One,' 'Walking Dead' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  49. ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Expanse_(TV_series)&oldid=843052164"