Warning! This Post Contains Spoilers For Dark Matter Season 1!

Continuing the streamer's trend of delivering top-notch science fiction, Apple TV+'s Dark Matter thrilled in its first season and left the door wide open for more interdimensional excitement in season 2. Created by Blake Crouch and based on his 2016 eponymous novel, Dark Matter concerns physicist Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) who finds himself in an alternate universe and must work his way back before his alternates can harm his family. Like most modern science fiction programs, the plot serves as a jumping-off point for its heady ideas, and Dark Matter cleverly explores fascinating possibilities.

Generally well-received by critics and viewers alike, Dark Matter's mind-boggling plot was filled with twists and turns, but it never grew tedious or confusing. This was due in large part to the show's strong writing and brilliant performances, all of which added up to a satisfying, but far from conclusive, season 1 ending. With questions still looming about which universe Jason, Amanda, and Charlie ended up in, Dark Matter season 1's finale was practically inviting a second season to not only explore Jason's storyline further, but the storylines of various other characters who were merely teased in episode 9.

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Dark Matter Season 2 Latest News

A New Cast Member s & Another Is Promoted

Joel Edgerton smiling slightly as Jason2 in Dark Matter

With work continuing on the Apple TV+ original's sophomore outing, the latest news confirms that a Dark Matter star has been promoted. In March 2025, Deadline reported that Amanda Brugel will not only return as Blaire, but she has also been upgraded to recurring status going forward. No other details are known about her promotion, but the news comes along with the announcement that Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley) has also ed in an as-yet-unknown recurring role. Diamantopoulos' casting is likely only the first of many new additions.

Dark Matter Season 2 Is Confirmed

Apple TV+ Quickly Renewed Dark Matter

Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen looking confused in Dark Matter

With such an open-ended conclusion to the first season, it was clear from the start that Dark Matter was never envisioned as a limited series. However, it was never certain if the burgeoning sci-fi hit would be revived for a sophomore season. In August 2024, Apple TV+ put the issue to bed when they ordered a second season of Dark Matter less than two months after the debut season ended. Few details are known at this time, but it's implied that writer and series creator Blake Crouch is involved once again.

it's possible that season 2 could arrive in the waning days of the year, or be an early 2026 addition to the streamer's lineup.

While news has been scant in the months since the show's renewal, star Joel Edgerton did reveal in January 2025 that filming was coming soon. That reveal was corroborated a few weeks later by series author Blake Crouch who announced that filming had gotten underway on Instagram in the early part of February 2025. Shooting will likely continue into summer 2025, but Apple TV+ hasn't established a release window yet. However, it's possible that season 2 could arrive in the waning days of the year, or be an early 2026 addition to the streamer's lineup.

Dark Matter season 1 concluded on June 26, 2024.

Dark Matter Season 2 Cast

Because Of The Show's Premise, Anyone Can Return

No matter the circumstances, the show has implied that there are copies of each person in endless numbers of universes meaning no one could truly be gone for good

Being a show steeped in time travel and multiverses, the cast of Dark Matter season 2 could include any number of characters from season 1. No matter the circumstances, the show has implied that there are copies of each person in endless numbers of universes meaning no one could truly be gone for good. With that said, season 2 will see Joel Edgerton back as physicist Jason Dessen, and his numerous alters, while Jennifer Connelly will also return as Jason's wife, Daniela, the object of affection for many of the other Jasons.

Oakes Fegley is a shoo-in to return as Jason's son, Charlie, while Alice Braga should be back as Amanda Lucas. Meanwhile, Jimmi Simpson is likely to come back as Ryan Holder, and Dayo Okeniyi is expected to reprise his role as Leighton Vance. Amanda Brugel appeared in season 1 as Blaire, and she has been promoted to a recurring role for the sophomore outing. The first newcomer ed in early 2025, with Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley) set to play an as-yet-unnamed recurring role.

The presumptive cast of Dark Matter season 2 includes:

Actor

Dark Matter Role

Joel Edgerton

Jason Dessen

Joel Edgerton looking concerned as Jason Dessen in Dark Matter

Jennifer Connelly

Daniela Dessen

Daniela Dessen (Jennifer Connelly) with an expression of disbelief in Dark Matter season 1 episode 7

Oakes Fegley

Charlie Dessen

in a car, Charlie Dessen (Oakes Fegley) in Dark Matter season 1 episode 8

Alice Braga

Amanda Lucas

Amanda Lucas mid-speech in Dark Matter

Jimmi Simpson

Ryan Holder

Jimmi Simpson looking thoughtful as Ryan Holder in Dark Matter

Dayo Okeniyi

Leighton Vance

Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) from another reality in Dark Matter season 1 episode 4

Amanda Brugel

Blaire

Blair wearing a backpack and looking thoughtful in Dark Matter

Aina Brei-Yon

Dawn Lawrence

Dawn Lawrence (Marquita Brooks) looking furious, in a blurry close-up Leighton is drinking a cup of coffee in Dark Matter season 1 episode 1and 2

Chris Diamantopoulos

Unknown Recurring Role

Chris Diamantopoulos as Mike Byrne in The Sticky season 1, episode 6

Dark Matter Season 2 Story Details

Which Universe Did Jason Choose?

Leighton Vance injecting himself in Dark Matter

Perhaps the largest question left after the ending of Dark Matter season 1 is which universe Jason and his family fled to? The show offers no conclusive answer, though it can be surmised that the family picked one where they do not exist in an alternate form. While some of the alternate Jasons, most notably Jason2, had a change of heart, it's clear that many versions are still determined to get to Daniela. This means that no matter which world the family went to, they will always be hounded by Jason's alters.

Another possibility for the season 2 story is to shift away from Jason and his family, and that was teased heavily in season 1, episode 9, "Entanglement". Not only did the finale imply that Ryan1 and Amanda could team up, but it also implied that Dawn, Leighton, and Blaire would no longer play minor roles. Each interacts with The Box in some way in the finale, meaning they will soon be jumping between worlds and opening the door for all sorts of strange quantum entanglements in Dark Matter season 2.

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Dark Matter
Release Date
May 7, 2024
Network
Apple TV+
Directors
Jakob Verbruggen, Alik Sakharov, Roxann Dawson, Logan George

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.

Writers
Blake Crouch
Seasons
1
Creator(s)
Blake Crouch
Where To Watch
AppleTV+
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
Producers
Don Kurt, Joel Edgerton, Matt Tolmach, David Manpearl, Blake Crouch, Megan McDonnell