Warning: Spoilers ahead for Dark Matter season 1.

Dark Matter is one of the best live-action adaptations I’ve ever seen, but the show’s potential future could bring with it enormous risks. I find Joel Edgerton to be the perfect actor to lead the Dark Matter cast, as he aligns very closely with my mental image of Jason Dessen from the source material. Although there were several Dark Matter book changes made by Apple TV+ during the adaptation process, the additions only heightened the experience for me. That being said, the TV show wasn’t afraid to make other bold changes that I’m worried could also hurt the story.

Dark Matter sits perfectly among Apple TV+’s impressive sci-fi collection, with the platform making a concerted effort to specialize in the genre. It’s also not the first sci-fi show on the platform to have literary origins, with Foundation being based on Isaac Asimov’s book series. I initially thought the focused, one-off nature of a Dark Matter limited series adaptation seemed like a perfect idea. While I still hold this opinion, it’s tough not to be concerned about Apple TV+’s implied plans at the end of the nine-episode run.

I’m Worried About Dark Matter Taking Its Story Beyond Blake Crouch’s Book

Apple TV+ has already covered all the events of the novel

Dark Matter season 1’s ending is pretty much the same as the book, which is why I’m so apprehensive about where the show could go from here. In Blake Crouch’s original novel in 2016, the Dessen family heads off into the multiverse to leave their Jason-ridden reality behind. What it doesn’t include is a glimpse at Amanda’s new life, nor does it have her meeting up with Ryan Holder in the futuristic Chicago. Leighton Vance’s adventures are also original to the adaptation, as is the character of Blair Caplan.

So, Dark Matter season 2 could technically happen due to all these additions, and the writing of the season 1 finale suggests the plan is to add to the canon. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it should. If the story does continue onscreen, it’ll be doing so without any source material on which to base it. All the events of the lone Dark Matter book have now been addressed, so trying to tack on a sequel will mean writing an extension to the narrative that didn’t originally exist. I’ve seen that happen before, and it rarely ends well.

Dark Matter Season 2 Would Follow A Risky Adaptation Trend That’s Hurt Other Shows

Apple TV+ needs to be careful not to ruin Dark Matter

Live-action adaptations carrying on beyond the source material bring with them all sorts of risks. The biggest example I can think of is Game of Thrones season 8. The adaptation of George RR Martin’s work was ready to enter its final run before the author had even finished writing the books. Sure, Martin was involved as an advisor, but without a solid foundation to build the finale on, it all just fell apart into an underwhelming mess.

Altered Carbon season 2 is another example of a continuation that had potential, but ultimately fell very short of meeting the quality of season 1. Frustratingly, there were two more Altered Carbon books to use as source material, and despite season 1 being a faithful adaptation of the first novel, Netflix largely ignored the other two books in the trilogy when creating the follow-up.

The one thing that gives me hope is that Blake Crouch also acts as the showrunner and lead writer for Dark Matter season 1, so the original author was heavily involved in the adaptation. If Dark Matter season 2 does happen, then I hope with every fiber of my being that Crouch also returns to the showrunner’s chair. The universe he’s created is unique and incredibly compelling, and I genuinely don’t think anyone else could do it justice.

I Hope The Apple TV+ Show Doesn’t Lose What Makes The Book Great

Dark Matter season 2 would risk diluting the story’s original message

Dark Matter is a strong cautionary tale of being careful of what you regret, as the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. By the time the story is over, Jason Dessen has learned that lesson over and over again. In the TV show, Jason2 even learns the same lesson, which is one of my favorite additions to the Apple TV+ adaptation. Dark Matter works so well because it’s a standalone story that uses sci-fi to augment its message rather than being the main focus.

Revisiting the world(s) of Dark Matter almost undoes the hard work Jason had to do to make peace with his life, and the story would become about something else entirely. I’d be very surprised if the Dessen family made an appearance should Dark Matter season 2 happen. Instead, I think what’s more likely is that the story teased between Ryan and Amanda in the season 1 finale would be the main focus. However, the fact Jason2 actually survives the events of the show when he dies in the book implies Edgerton could still return for Dark Matter season 2.