Dark Matter (2015 TV series) explained

Genre:	Space opera
Creator:	Joseph Mallozzi Paul Mullie
Composer:	Benjamin Pinkerton
Country:	Canada United States
Language:	English
Num Seasons:	3
Num Episodes:	39
List Episodes:	List of Dark Matter episodes
Location:	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Runtime:	43 minutes

Dark Matter is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2015, developed by Prodigy Pictures in association with the Space channel and the Syfy channel.^[1] The concept was created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie while they were working on the Stargate franchise, and was originally published as a comic book series in 2012.

An order for 13 episodes was placed for the first season of the series, which premiered on June 12, 2015, on both Space and Syfy.^{[2] [3]} On September 5, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season.^[4] Dark Matter was renewed for a third season in September 2016, which premiered on June 9, 2017.^{[5] [6] [7]} On September 1, 2017, Syfy canceled the series.^[8]

Premise

A group of people in stasis pods awaken aboard the starship Raza. They have no memories of who they are or their lives before awakening, so they assume the names One through Six in the order in which they left stasis and set about trying to uncover their identities and what happened to them.^[9] Also onboard is a female-looking android who has a wireless neural link to the ship.

At the end of the pilot episode, the crew discover that they are a band of mercenaries who are among the worst criminals in the galaxy, leaving them with the dilemma of continuing their original selves' violent path or seeking redemption. Their lives are frequently complicated by secrets from their forgotten pasts.

Cast and characters

Main

• Marc Bendavid as One / Jace Corso / Derrick Moss (season 1; recurring, season 2)^[10]
• Melissa O'Neil as Two / Portia Lin / Rebecca, the de facto captain of the Raza, who was the leader before the mindwipe as well
• Anthony Lemke as Three / Marcus Boone / Titch
• Alex Mallari Jr. as Four / Ryo Tetsudo / Ishida Ryo, the exiled heir to the throne of the Principality of Zairon
• Jodelle Ferland as Five / Das / Emily Kolburn,^[11] the youngest member of the crew and the only one not wanted for capital crimes
• Roger Cross as Six / Griffin Jones / Lt. Kal Varrick
• Zoie Palmer as The Android / Suki.^[12] Palmer also plays the Android's creator Dr. Irena Shaw in the third season.
• Melanie Liburd as Nyx Harper (season 2; guest, season 3),^[13] a new crewmember in the second season on the run from the rest of her people, the Seers
• Shaun Sipos as Devon Taltherd (season 2),^[14] a disgraced doctor and new crewmember in the second season

Recurring

• David Hewlett as Tabor Calchek, the crew's unreliable handler and "talent" agent^[15]
• Jeff Teräväinen as Lt. John Anders, a Galactic Authority officer^[16] and former partner of Six
• Torri Higginson as Commander Delaney Truffault of the Mikkei Combine,^[17] an occasional ally
• David Richmond-Peck as Commander Nieman of Ferrous Corp
• Natalie Brown as Sarah, Marcus Boone's lover.^[18] Though she dies of an incurable illness in season 1, in season 3 the Android finds her consciousness had been digitally uploaded into the Razas server.
• Ellen Wong as Misaki Han-Shireikan, commander of the Ishida Royal Guard and childhood friend of Ryo (seasons 2–3)
• Ennis Esmer as Wexler, a manic sociopath and the leader of a mercenary group who are hired by Delaney Truffault to work with the Raza crew but prove untrustworthy. Although Wexler is killed during season 1, an alternate reality version of him returns in seasons 2 and 3, from a universe where the Raza were never mindwiped and are still villains, with the crew consisting of Portia Lin, Marcus Boone, Jace Corso, Wexler and Tash. This version is significantly less brutal and ultimately sides with the main-universe crew.
• Mike Dopud as Arax Nero, the leader of a prison gang (season 2)^[19]
• Kris Holden-Ried as Galactic Authority Inspector Kyle Kierken (season 2)
• Brendan Murray as Victor, leader of a group of rogue androids and love interest for the Razas Android (seasons 2–3)
• Andrew Moodie as Teku Fonsei, Ryo's former teacher, whom Ryo appoints an advisor after seizing the throne of Zairon (season 3)
• Mishka Thébaud as Adrian Maro, former assistant to Calchek, who travels with the crew of the Raza during the first half of season 3
• Ayisha Issa as Solara Shockley, Maro's bodyguard, who also travels with the crew until she leaves with Adrian (season 3)
• Wil Wheaton as Alex Rook, President and CEO of Dwarf Star Technologies^[20]

Guest

• Andrew Jackson as The General, the leader of the terrorist group Procyon Insurrection to which Six once belonged^[21]
• Amanda Brugel as Keeley, a miner the Raza crew encounter on a mission^[22]
• Ruby Rose as Wendy, an entertainment model android^[15]
• Rachael Ancheril as Della, a colonist on a planet oppressed by Traugott Corporation
• Dan Jeannotte as Derrick Moss, One's original identity before assuming that of Jace Corso
• Jessica Sipos as Tash, a member of Wexler's mercenary group.^[23] Although Tash is killed during season 1, an alternate reality version of her returns in seasons 2 and 3 as part of the parallel Raza crew.
• Jon Cor as Vons, a member of Wexler's mercenary group,^[23] who may be Tash's brother, lover or both - they don't subscribe to "outdated social categories"
• Conrad Pla as Cain, a member of Wexler's mercenary group^[23]
• Kerr Hewitt as Sgt. Voss, a Ferrous Corp soldier who serves aboard the FCS Deliverance^[24]
• Franka Potente as Chief Inspector Shaddick of the Galactic Authority's Serious Crimes Division (season 2)^[25]
• Inga Cadranel as Alicia Reynaud, a businesswoman who wants what Emily Kolburn (Five) stole (season 2)

Production

Principal photography for the first season began in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 9, 2015,^[26] and concluded on May 20, 2015.^[27]

On September 1, 2015, Syfy renewed Dark Matter for a second season. Chris Regina, Syfy's senior VP of program strategy, said that "With its mysterious premise and fascinating characters, Dark Matter has built an incredibly loyal, passionate and engaged fan base. We look forward to another out-of-this-world season from this talented creative team."^{[28] [29] [30]} Production on the second season began on December 9, 2015,^[31] and concluded May 6, 2016.^[32]

The third season began production on November 18, 2016.^[33] Dark Matters third season would be its last; its cancellation was announced in September 2017. According to Mallozzi in various interviews, the show was picked up by Syfy's acquisition division in New York, but it was not well received by the network's original programming division in Los Angeles.^[34] In addition, while the series was outperforming several Syfy first-run programs, the network was unable to monetize the show because it was an acquisition.^[35]

Broadcast

Dark Matter premiered on Syfy in the United States on the same day as Canada.^[3] Within the following week, the series premiered on Syfy Australia and Syfy UK – on June 13 and 16, 2015, respectively.^[36]

Reception

As of 21 March 2022, review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave season 1 an approval rating of 68%, with an average rating of 5/10 based on reviews from 19 critics.^[37] The site's consensus statement says: "... [the] premiere benefits from likable characters and a concluding twist, but its gaping plot holes and worn premise add up to an aimless episode". Metacritic gave the series an average score of 58 out of 100, based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".^[38] On Rotten Tomatoes season 2 received a 100% rating based on 7 reviews,^[39] and season 3 also received a 100% rating based on 7 reviews.^[40]

Ratings

The series premiere pulled 273,000 overnight viewers on the Space channel in Canada,^[41] and 1.28 million viewers for its premiere on the Syfy channel in the U.S.^[42]

See also

• List of science fiction television programs
• List of science fiction TV and radio shows produced in Canada

Notes and References

1. All-New Sci-Fi Series DARK MATTER Exerts Its Gravitational Pull, June 12 on Space. Space. Bell Media. May 20, 2015.
2. News: Kennedy . John R. . Sci fi series 'Dark Matter' to be filmed in Toronto . Global News . December 12, 2014 . July 29, 2015 . August 16, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160816073232/http://globalnews.ca/news/1724345/sci-fi-series-dark-matter-to-be-filmed-in-toronto/ . live .
3. Web site: Liszewski . Bridget . Dark Matter Premiere Dates Set . TheTVJunkies.com . May 20, 2015 . June 21, 2015 . June 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150626130505/http://www.thetvjunkies.com/dark-matter-premiere-dates-set/ . dead .
4. News: Bryan. Enk. Dark Matter Season 2 Coming in 2016. Syfy. September 1, 2015. September 3, 2015. September 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905073135/http://www.syfy.com/darkmatter/blog/dark-matter-season-two. dead.
5. Web site: 'Killjoys' & 'Dark Matter' Renewed For Third Season By Syfy . . Denise . Petski . September 1, 2016 . September 3, 2016 . September 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160902141116/http://deadline.com/2016/09/killjoys-dark-matter-renewed-third-season-syfy-1201812120/ . live .
6. Web site: November 10, 2016: If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try again!. Mallozzi. Joseph. November 10, 2016. November 10, 2016. November 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118042654/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/november-10-2016-if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-try-try-try-try-try-again/. live.
7. Web site: Syfy Sets Summer Premiere Dates for Sharknado 5, Dark Matter, Killjoys, Wynonna Earp and More . . Alex . Gilyadov . April 7, 2017 . April 10, 2017 . August 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230809210949/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/07/syfy-sets-summer-premiere-dates-for-sharknado-5-dark-matter-killjoys-wynonna-earp-and-more . live .
8. Web site: 'Dark Matter' Canceled After Three Seasons At Syfy . . Denise . Petski . September 1, 2017 . September 1, 2017 . September 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170901234214/http://deadline.com/2017/09/dark-matter-canceled-syfy-after-three-seasons-1202159804/ . live .
9. News: Dark Matter - Welcome To Your New Home - Review: "Crew Of The Raza" + POLL. 2016-07-02. SpoilerTV. 2016-10-21. 2016-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007154303/http://www.spoilertv.com/2016/07/dark-matter-welcome-to-your-new-home.html. live.
10. Web site: So, uh, THAT'S why ONE (Derrick Moss). Mallozzi. Joseph. July 31, 2015. August 1, 2015. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305150528/https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/627358151860461569. live.
11. Web site: May 14, 2016: Farewell, Jodelle!. Mallozzi. Joseph. May 14, 2016. May 14, 2016. October 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012145340/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/05/14/may-14-2016-farewell-jodelle/. live.
12. Web site: Introducing the Dark Matter cast!. Mallozzi. Joseph. December 10, 2014. April 5, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626143640/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/december-18-2014-introducing-the-dark-matter-cast/. live.
13. Web site: May 1, 2016: Easy to root for!. Mallozzi. Joseph. May 1, 2016. May 1, 2016. October 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012032428/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/may-1-2016-easy-to-root-for/. live.
14. Web site: 'The Path' Ups Paul James; Shaun Sipos Joins 'Dark Matter'. Petski. Denise. May 6, 2016. Deadline Hollywood. May 6, 2016. May 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160507062941/http://deadline.com/2016/05/the-path-promoted-paul-james-shaun-sipos-dark-matter-1201750498/. live.
15. Web site: Dark Matter casting announcements! David Hewlett! Ruby Rose!. Mallozzi. Joseph. April 2, 2015. April 2, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626152256/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/april-2-2015/. live.
16. Web site: July 22, 2015: Lulu! #DarkMatter notes!. Josephmallozzi's Weblog. 23 July 2015. 12 August 2015. 31 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170731082642/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/july-22-2015-lulu-darkmatter-notes/. live.
17. Web site: The Two Baddest Ladies of Stargate Have Joined Syfy's New Show Dark Matter. Sam. Maggs. February 13, 2015. February 13, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626105332/http://www.themarysue.com/stargate-ladies-dark-matter/. live.
18. Web site: Space Expands its Universe as it Becomes #1 Entertainment Specialty Network For Key A25-54 Demo. Bell Media. July 21, 2015. August 12, 2015. October 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151028022359/http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/space-expands-universe-becomes-1-entertainment-specialty-network-key-a25-54-demo/. live.
19. Web site: June 2, 2016: Bubba's unruly travels! Dark Matter first looks pics! More casting announcements!. Mallozzi. Joseph. June 2, 2016. June 2, 2016. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144024/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/june-2-2016-bubbas-unruly-travels-dark-matter-first-looks-pics-more-casting-announcements/. live.
20. Web site: Wil Wheaton on Twitter. May 5, 2015. May 5, 2015. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183207/https://twitter.com/wilw/status/595661425420406784. live.
21. Web site: April 3, 2015: Yet another Stargate-Dark Matter connection! And let's meet some more of the people who'll be bringing you the show! - Josephmallozzi's Weblog. Josephmallozzi's Weblog. 4 April 2015. 12 August 2015. 8 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161008011954/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/april-3-2015-yet-another-stargate-dark-matter-connection-and-lets-meet-some-more-of-the-people-wholl-be-bringing-you-the-show/. live.
22. Web site: Somewhere between druidic and herbaceous!. Mallozzi. Joseph. January 25, 2015. April 5, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626151035/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/january-25-2015-somewhere-between-druidic-and-herbaceous/. live.
23. Web site: April 29, 2015: Episode #110 rocks! Smoked meat and scotch! And, a mailbag!. April 29, 2015. June 15, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626153053/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/april-29-2015/. live.
24. Web site: June 25, 2015: We're going to Comic Con! Dark Matter episode #102! More pics! Vids! Secrets!. Mallozzi. Joseph. June 25, 2015. June 25, 2015. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143535/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/june-25-2015-were-going-to-comic-con-dark-matter-episode-102-more-pics-vids-secrets/. live.
25. Web site: May 24, 2016: Franka Potenta boards Dark Matter!. Mallozzi. Joseph. May 24, 2016. May 24, 2016. October 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012214441/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/05/24/may-24-2016-franka-potenta-boards-dark-matter/. live.
26. Web site: Dark Matter, Episode #101, Production Day One!. Mallozzi. Joseph. January 9, 2015. April 5, 2015. June 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626151545/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/january-9-2015-dark-matter-episode-101-production-day-one/. live.
27. Web site: May 20, 2015: And that's a wrap on Dark Matter's first season!. Mallozzi. Joseph. May 20, 2015. June 15, 2015. June 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623195305/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/may-20-2015-and-thats-a-wrap-on-dark-matters-first-season/. live.
28. Whitney. Friedlander. Syfy Gives Second Seasons to 'Dark Matter,' 'Killjoys'. Variety. September 3, 2015. September 3, 2015. September 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150902035809/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/syfy-dark-matter-killjoys-season-2-1201582673/. live.
29. News: Denise . Petski . 'Killjoys' & 'Dark Matter' Renewed For Season 2 By Syfy . . September 1, 2015 . September 1, 2015 . September 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150902104307/http://deadline.com/2015/09/killjoys-dark-matter-renewed-season-2-syfy-1201511362/ . live .
30. News: Killjoys, Dark Matter Get Season 2 Premiere Dates at Syfy . Ryan . Schwartz . TVLine . April 29, 2016 . April 30, 2016 . August 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819021508/http://tvline.com/2016/04/29/killjoys-season-2-premiere-date-syfy-dark-matter/ . dead .
31. Web site: December 9, 2015: Production begins on Dark Matter season 2!. Mallozzi. Joseph. December 9, 2015. December 9, 2015. December 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172558/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/december-9-2015-production-begins-on-dark-matter-season-2/. live.
32. Web site: May 6, 2016: And that's a main unit wrap on Dark Matter season 2!. Mallozzi. Joseph. May 6, 2016. May 6, 2016. November 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118041654/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/may-6-2016-and-thats-a-main-unit-wrap-on-dark-matter-season-2/. live.
33. Web site: November 18, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 1 of 91!. Mallozzi. Joseph. November 18, 2016. November 18, 2016. November 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161124100208/https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/november-18-2016-dark-matter-season-3-day-1-of-91/. live.
34. Web site: Dark Matter: Why Was the Syfy Series Cancelled? The Show's Creator Says… . Jessica . Pena . March 29, 2019 . TV Series Finale . 2019-06-20 . 2023-08-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230809210948/https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/dark-matter-why-was-the-syfy-series-cancelled-the-shows-creator-says/ . live .
35. Web site: Why Dark Matter Really Got Cancelled By Syfy, According To The Creator . Adrienne . Jones . 5 September 2017 . 2019-06-20 . 2019-06-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620211455/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1699611/why-dark-matter-really-got-cancelled-by-syfy-according-to-the-creator . live .
36. Web site: Foxtel in June: 200+ new shows including Orange Is The New Black, True Detective, Suits, PLL, Wimbledon and more. June 1, 2015. The Green Room. Foxtel. June 4, 2015. October 10, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151010134751/http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Blog/Foxtel-in-June-200-new-shows-including-Orange-Is-The-New-Black/ba-p/74188. live.
37. Web site: Dark Matter: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. 21 March 2022. 9 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210309004701/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark-matter/s01. live.
38. Web site: Dark Matter : Season 1. Metacritic. February 15, 2016. March 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160314141823/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-matter. live.
39. Web site: Dark Matter: Season 2. Rotten Tomatoes. 4 April 2022. 9 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150909235010/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark-matter/s02/. live.
40. Web site: Dark Matter: Season 3. Rotten Tomatoes. 4 April 2022. 9 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230809211032/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_matter/s03. live.
41. Web site: DARK MATTER's Mission a Success as Series Premiere Pulls in 273,000 Overnight Viewers Last Friday on Space. June 15, 2015. BellMedia. June 15, 2015. June 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150618223426/http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/dark-matters-mission-success-series-premiere-pulls-273000-overnight-viewers-last-friday-space/. live.
42. Web site: Kondolojy. Amanda. Friday Cable Ratings: 'Alaskan Bush People' Tops Night + 'Childrens Hospital', 'Girl Meets World', 'Tanked' & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20150618154511/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/15/friday-cable-ratings-alaskan-bush-people-tops-night-childrens-hospital-girl-meets-world-tanked-more/417272/. dead. June 18, 2015. TV by the Numbers. June 15, 2015. June 15, 2015.