This exciting multiverse thriller on Apple TV is finally back for season 2


As the weeks and months go by, streaming services continue to build their first-party libraries of shows and movies. But while Netflix, Prime Video, and other major platforms spent their time dabbling in every possible genre with mixed results, Apple TV has become an originator of high-quality sci-fi entertainment. In fact, Apple TV has one of the best original sci-fi libraries around. The media giant is home to some of the most prominent series in the genre in recent years, including the mind-splitting Severance, the dystopian series Silo, an alt-history space race saga depicted in For All Mankind, and even a deep, lore-heavy dive into the world of King Kong and Godzilla with the series Monarch.

In 2024, Apple TV debuted another standout sci-fi original: Dark Matter. The series stars Joel Edgerton (The Green Knight, Warrior), Jennifer Connelly (Top Gun: Maverick, Alita: Battle Angel), and Alice Braga (Elysium, Hypnotic), and deals with the mind-bending prospect of an ever-expanding multiverse. The series is based on the novel of the same name authored by Blake Crouch. Critics and audiences both agreed that the first season is a thrill, with a tomatometer score of 81% and an average popcornmeter of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Quiz
8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge

Dark Matter trivia challenge
How well do you know the multiverse?

Think you can navigate every twist and timeline? Put your Dark Matter
knowledge to the ultimate test.

CharactersPlotSci-FiThe BoxMultiverse

What is the profession of Jason Dessen at the start of the Apple TV+ series Dark
Matter?

Correct! Jason Dessen is a physics professor living a modest but happy
life in Chicago when his world is turned upside down. His academic career stands in contrast to the path
his alternate self chose, which becomes central to the show’s conflict.

Not quite. Jason Dessen is a physics professor at a Chicago college, not
a private lab scientist or government researcher. The quiet, settled nature of his job makes his
abduction into the multiverse all the more jarring.

What does a person need to successfully navigate the box to a specific world in Dark
Matter?

Correct! The box responds to the traveler’s mental and emotional state,
making navigation deeply personal and unpredictable. This mechanic is one of the show’s most inventive
ideas, tying the science fiction concept directly to human psychology.

Not quite. The box is navigated through the traveler’s own focused
mindset and emotional clarity, not any external device or substance. This means the multiverse itself
becomes a reflection of the characters’ inner lives.

What traumatic event in Jason Dessen’s past is revealed to have shaped his and his
alternate self’s diverging life paths?

Correct! The pivotal moment centers on Daniela’s pregnancy, which led
Jason to choose family over scientific ambition. His alternate self made the opposite choice, abandoning
that future to pursue his research — and that divergence is the emotional engine of the entire series.

Not quite. The fork in the road between the two Jasons traces back to
Daniela’s pregnancy and the choice Jason made to embrace fatherhood over his career. It’s a deeply human
moment at the core of an otherwise high-concept sci-fi story.

Who is Amanda Lucas in Dark Matter?

Correct! Amanda is a therapist connected to the Velocity project who
ends up trapped inside the multiverse alongside Jason. Her character adds emotional depth to the journey
and explores what it means to be lost between worlds.

Not quite. Amanda Lucas is a therapist who becomes Jason’s companion as
they travel through the multiverse together. Her background in psychology makes her an interesting
counterpart to Jason’s scientific perspective.

What is the name of the corporation at the center of the Dark Matter conspiracy?

Correct! Velocity Laboratories is the powerful organization connected to
the creation and exploitation of the box. The company represents the danger of unchecked scientific
ambition and the ethical consequences of multiverse travel.

Not quite. The organization at the heart of the show’s conspiracy is
Velocity Laboratories. It serves as a symbol of how scientific breakthroughs can be weaponized when
profit and power take precedence over ethics.

In the later episodes of Dark Matter, what unexpected and dangerous complication
arises from multiple Jasons using the box?

Correct! As multiple alternate versions of Jason each try to find their
way home to Daniela and Charlie, they begin converging on the same Chicago, creating an increasingly
chaotic and dangerous situation. It’s a brilliant escalation of the show’s central premise.

Not quite. The terrifying complication is that many versions of Jason
independently navigate toward the same goal — reclaiming their original life — causing multiple Jasons
to flood into the same world. It turns the multiverse concept into a genuinely tense threat.

What is the name of Jason and Daniela’s son in the series?

Correct! Charlie Dessen is the son that the original Jason chose family
life to raise, and his existence is a constant emotional anchor throughout the series. The alternate
Jason’s envy of this relationship drives much of the show’s conflict.

Not quite. Jason and Daniela’s son is named Charlie, and he plays a
crucial emotional role in the story. The entire premise hinges on the original Jason fighting across the
multiverse to return to his family, with Charlie at the heart of that motivation.

Which actor plays the lead role of Jason Dessen in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Dark
Matter?

Correct! Joel Edgerton stars as Jason Dessen and delivers a dual
performance as both the original Jason and his alternate self. His ability to distinguish two versions
of the same man through subtle physical and emotional differences was widely praised by critics.

Not quite. Joel Edgerton plays Jason Dessen, taking on the extraordinary
challenge of portraying two versions of the same character. His nuanced performance helps ground a
fantastical story in genuine human emotion.

Challenge Complete

Your Score

/ 8

Thanks for playing!

Dark Matter Season 2 is primed and ready to go this month

Jason Dessen’s interdimensional journey continues

Fans eager to see more of Dark Matter won’t have to wait long. The next season lands on Apple TV on August 28th. The first season largely followed the arc of the novel and lasted 9 episodes. Season 2 is expected to top that slightly with a 10-episode season. Those who are not used to Apple TV’s typical episode release system should be aware that binging the sophomore season won’t be in the cards until after the final episode drops in October. That’s right, Apple TV will release the first episode of the season on August 28th. From there, a new episode will be available to stream every Friday until the finale’s release date of October 30th.

Dark Matter’s debut season proved to be one of Apple TV’s most riveting sci-fi series. It’s a story that weaves themes of interdimensional travel with both mystery and a healthy dosage of social and familial drama. It’ll appeal to audiences who enjoy a good mind-bending thriller as well as those who love a solid character-centric drama. The main series cast will return for season 2, which will continue the story where season 1 left off.

Season 2 promises an expanded look at the multiverse

The Dessen family’s troubles are not over

The first season of Dark Matter introduced us to Jason Dessen (Edgerton), a quantum physicist who develops a box that uses superposition to enable interdimensional travel. On a meta level, it’s a direct correlation to the concept of Erwin Schrödinger’s cat, a thought experiment wherein a cat placed in a box could be both alive and dead until the box is opened with a determined eventuality. Dessen’s box allows travelers to walk inside while then leaving the possibility of what worlds exist on the outside of the box to be infinite variations until they finally emerge. The concept of alternate realities at play in Dark Matter doesn’t just include world variations, but also people variations. There are many versions of the same person across each world that has lived different lives and experiences. It’s a unique plot device that gives the actors in the series a chance to embody multiple versions of their characters with different motives or personalities.

Fans of the novel likely understand that season 1 encompassed the entirety of Crouch’s novel. Since no sequel novel exists, season 2 is an entirely original continuation of the story. No need to fear, however. The author is heavily involved with season 2. In fact, Crouch takes on multiple key roles, including executive producer, showrunner and writer alongside other producers. With that in mind, season 2 is, essentially, the sequel fans have been wanting.

If the trailer is any indication, season 2 is going to be big. The Dessens’ quest for peace and safety is top of mind as threats from the multiverse continually materialize. There is no doubt that we will see the return of several major characters alongside their multiverse variants. Not only that, but it seems that this season will dive deeper into the fabric of the multiverse and our understanding of its mechanics within the world of Dark Matter. It’s a narrative where the devil is absolutely in the details. Therefore, you might consider rewatching the first season to refresh yourself on all those juicy tidbits before season 2 comes along. I know I will.


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Dark Matter


Release Date

May 7, 2024

Network

Apple TV+

Directors

Jakob Verbruggen, Alik Sakharov, Roxann Dawson, Logan George

Writers

Blake Crouch


  • instar52523451.jpg

    Jennifer Connelly

    Daniela Dessen

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    Joel Edgerton

    Jason Dessen / Jason2

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    Oakes Fegley

    Charlie Dessen

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    Jackie Dallas

    Hazmat Woman


apple-tv-plus

Price

$13 per month

Free trial

7 day free trial and 3 months free if you buy an Apple device




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