Dark Matter (2015 TV series)

Last updated
Dark Matter
Dark Matter Intertitle.png
Title card since the second season
Genre Space opera
Created by Joseph Mallozzi
Paul Mullie
Based on
Dark Matter
by
Starring
ComposerBenjamin Pinkerton
Country of originCanada
United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locations Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseJune 12, 2015 (2015-06-12) –
August 25, 2017 (2017-08-25)

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.

Contents

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.

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 13June 12, 2015 (2015-06-12)August 28, 2015 (2015-08-28)
2 13July 1, 2016 (2016-07-01)September 16, 2016 (2016-09-16)
3 13June 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)August 25, 2017 (2017-08-25)

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

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 Matter's 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] [ failed verification ]

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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Ashmore</span> Canadian actor (born 1979)

Aaron Richard Ashmore is a Canadian actor. He is known for his roles on American television series such as Jimmy Olsen on Smallville, Steve Jinks on Warehouse 13 and Johnny Jaqobis on the Canadian television series Killjoys. He is the identical twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wormhole X-Treme!</span> 12th episode of the 5th season of Stargate SG-1

"Wormhole X-Treme!" is the 100th episode of military science fiction adventure television show Stargate SG-1 and is the 12th episode of the fifth season. The episode was first broadcast September 8, 2001 on Showtime in the United States. It was written by series co-creator and executive producer Brad Wright along with supervising producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and was directed by Peter DeLuise.

"Revisions" is the 5th episode from the seventh season of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1 and is the 137th episode overall. It was first broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel on July 11, 2003. The episode was written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and was directed by Martin Wood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Mallozzi</span> Canadian writer and producer (born 1965)

Joseph Mallozzi is a Canadian writer and producer.

Shaun Sipos is a Canadian actor, known for playing Jack on the series Complete Savages, Eric Daniels on Life Unexpected, David Breck on Melrose Place, Aaron Whitmore on The Vampire Diaries, and Adam Strange on Krypton.

<i>Stargate Universe</i> 2009-2011 American-Canadian science fiction TV series

Stargate Universe is a military science fiction drama television series and part of MGM's Stargate franchise. It follows the adventures of a present-day, multinational exploration team traveling on the Ancient spaceship Destiny several billion light years distant from the Milky Way Galaxy. They are now trying to figure out a way to return to Earth, while simultaneously trying to explore and to survive in their unknown area of the universe. The series, created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, premiered in the United States on Syfy on October 2, 2009. The series featured an ensemble cast and was primarily filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A second season of 20 episodes was announced by Syfy in December 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoie Palmer</span> Canadian actress

Zoie Palmer is a Canadian actress best known for her roles as Dr. Lauren Lewis in the supernatural drama Lost Girl and as the Android in the science fiction series Dark Matter.

"The Shrine" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode is also the 300th produced episode in the overall Stargate franchise. The episode first aired on August 22, 2008 on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States, and subsequently aired on October 23 on Sky1 in the United Kingdom. The episode was nominated for a Nebula Award, and a further four Leo Awards.

Matthew Scott (<i>Stargate</i>) Fictional character

First Lieutenant Matthew Scott, USAF is a fictional character from the 2010 science fiction television series, Stargate Universe, the third live-action series in the Stargate franchise, which centers on a group of soldiers and civilians trapped on the Ancient vessel Destiny. He is portrayed by Brian J. Smith. Matthew Scott holds the rank of First Lieutenant, and is described as a skilled and well-trained junior SGC member in his twenties, but is "mentally unprepared for the urgency of the situation" aboard the Destiny.

<i>Stargate Universe</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Stargate Universe consists of 20 episodes. Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper wrote the three-part series opener named "Air", which was originally planned to be a two-parter. The first two parts of "Air" premiered on Syfy on October 2, 2009, with regularly weekly airing beginning on October 9, 2009. "Fire" was originally going to be the title for episode four, but the story and script was too big to be able to fit into one episode, so the producers changed it to become a two-parter called "Darkness" and "Light", therefore pushing all future episodes forward one slot. "Justice" was the mid-season finale. The back half of the first season aired on Friday April 2, 2010 on Space and Syfy.

<i>Dark Matter</i> (comics) Comic book series

Dark Matter is a four-issue science fiction comic book series created by writers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. The story follows six individuals who wake up in a spacecraft with no memory of their past. The concept was originally intended for a television series, but was published through Dark Horse Comics with art by Garry Brown. On October 15, 2014, Syfy announced they had picked up a 13-episode first season of a Dark Matter TV series, which premiered on June 12, 2015. The first episode of the TV series adapts the plot of the first two issues, and the second episode adapts the latter two issues.

<i>Sharknado 2: The Second One</i> 2014 film by Anthony C. Ferrante

Sharknado 2: The Second One is a 2014 American made-for-television science fiction action comedy horror disaster film and a sequel to the 2013 television film Sharknado and the second installment in the Sharknado film series. It was directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, with Ian Ziering and Tara Reid reprising their roles from the first film. The film premiered on July 30, 2014, and was the highest-premiering film on the Syfy Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hannah John-Kamen</span> British actress

Hannah Dominique E. John-Kamen is a British actress. She is known for her roles as Yalena "Dutch" Yardeen in the Syfy television series Killjoys (2015–2019), F'Nale Zandor in Steven Spielberg's film Ready Player One (2018), Ava Starr / Ghost in the superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), the title character in the Netflix mystery miniseries The Stranger (2020), and Jill Valentine in the film Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021).

Syfy was an Australian pay television channel dedicated to science fiction and fantasy television shows and movies. The channel was launched on 1 January 2014, replacing SF.

<i>Killjoys</i> 2015 Canadian space adventure drama series

Killjoys is a Canadian space adventure drama television series that aired on Space in Canada. Primarily a science fiction series, Killjoys follows a trio of hard-living bounty hunters—Dutch, Johnny, and D'avin.

"Episode One" is the first episode of the Space science fiction series Dark Matter.

"Episode Two" is the second episode of the Space channel's science fiction series Dark Matter.

<i>Sharknado</i> (film series) American film series

Sharknado is a series of six American made-for-television science fiction action comedy horror disaster films released by Syfy between 2013 and 2018. It has since been expanded into video games and comics, including a spin-off film, Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness, that was released in 2015. The first two films received mixed to positive reviews from critics, while the others received negative reviews.

References

  1. ↑ "All-New Sci-Fi Series DARK MATTER Exerts Its Gravitational Pull, June 12 on Space". Space (Press release). Bell Media. May 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ Kennedy, John R. (December 12, 2014). "Sci fi series 'Dark Matter' to be filmed in Toronto". Global News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Liszewski, Bridget (May 20, 2015). "Dark Matter Premiere Dates Set". TheTVJunkies.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ Enk, Bryan (September 1, 2015). "Dark Matter Season 2 Coming in 2016". Syfy . Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ Petski, Denise (September 1, 2016). "'Killjoys' & 'Dark Matter' Renewed For Third Season By Syfy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (November 10, 2016). "November 10, 2016: If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try again!". Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  7. ↑ Gilyadov, Alex (April 7, 2017). "Syfy Sets Summer Premiere Dates for Sharknado 5, Dark Matter, Killjoys, Wynonna Earp and More". IGN . Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ Petski, Denise (September 1, 2017). "'Dark Matter' Canceled After Three Seasons At Syfy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Dark Matter - Welcome To Your New Home - Review: "Crew Of The Raza" + POLL". SpoilerTV. 2016-07-02. Archived from the original on 2016-10-07. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mallozzi, Joseph (December 10, 2014). "Introducing the Dark Matter cast!". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (July 31, 2015). "So, uh, THAT'S why ONE (Derrick Moss)". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  12. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (May 14, 2016). "May 14, 2016: Farewell, Jodelle!". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (May 1, 2016). "May 1, 2016: Easy to root for!". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  14. ↑ Petski, Denise (May 6, 2016). "'The Path' Ups Paul James; Shaun Sipos Joins 'Dark Matter'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 Mallozzi, Joseph (June 2, 2016). "June 2, 2016: Bubba's unruly travels! Dark Matter first looks pics! More casting announcements!". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Mallozzi, Joseph (April 2, 2015). "Dark Matter casting announcements! David Hewlett! Ruby Rose!". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  17. ↑ "July 22, 2015: Lulu! #DarkMatter notes!". Josephmallozzi's Weblog. 23 July 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ↑ Maggs, Sam (February 13, 2015). "The Two Baddest Ladies of Stargate Have Joined Syfy's New Show Dark Matter". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Space Expands its Universe as it Becomes #1 Entertainment Specialty Network For Key A25-54 Demo". Bell Media. July 21, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "April 29, 2015: Episode #110 rocks! Smoked meat and scotch! And, a mailbag!". April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Wil Wheaton on Twitter". May 5, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  22. ↑ "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. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  23. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (January 25, 2015). "Somewhere between druidic and herbaceous!". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  24. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (June 25, 2015). "June 25, 2015: We're going to Comic Con! Dark Matter episode #102! More pics! Vids! Secrets!". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  25. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (May 24, 2016). "May 24, 2016: Franka Potenta boards Dark Matter!". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  26. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (January 9, 2015). "Dark Matter, Episode #101, Production Day One!". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  27. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (May 20, 2015). "May 20, 2015: And that's a wrap on Dark Matter's first season!". Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  28. ↑ Friedlander, Whitney (September 3, 2015). "Syfy Gives Second Seasons to 'Dark Matter,' 'Killjoys'". Variety . Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  29. ↑ Petski, Denise (September 1, 2015). "'Killjoys' & 'Dark Matter' Renewed For Season 2 By Syfy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  30. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (April 29, 2016). "Killjoys, Dark Matter Get Season 2 Premiere Dates at Syfy". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  31. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (December 9, 2015). "December 9, 2015: Production begins on Dark Matter season 2!". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  32. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (May 6, 2016). "May 6, 2016: And that's a main unit wrap on Dark Matter season 2!". Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  33. ↑ Mallozzi, Joseph (November 18, 2016). "November 18, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 1 of 91!". Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  34. ↑ Pena, Jessica (March 29, 2019). "Dark Matter: Why Was the Syfy Series Cancelled? The Show's Creator Says…". TV Series Finale. Archived from the original on 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  35. ↑ Jones, Adrienne (5 September 2017). "Why Dark Matter Really Got Cancelled By Syfy, According To The Creator". Archived from the original on 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  36. ↑ "Foxtel in June: 200+ new shows including Orange Is The New Black, True Detective, Suits, PLL, Wimbledon and more". The Green Room. Foxtel. June 1, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Dark Matter: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  38. ↑ "Dark Matter : Season 1". Metacritic . Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Dark Matter: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  40. ↑ "Dark Matter: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  41. ↑ "DARK MATTER's Mission a Success as Series Premiere Pulls in 273,000 Overnight Viewers Last Friday on Space". BellMedia . June 15, 2015. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  42. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 15, 2015). "Friday Cable Ratings: 'Alaskan Bush People' Tops Night + 'Childrens Hospital', 'Girl Meets World', 'Tanked' & More". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.