Dark Matter plot summary: what is the series about?
Jason Dessen lives an ordinary life in Chicago. He is a college physics professor, married to Daniela and raising their teenage son, Charlie. His career may not have turned out as grand as it once promised, but his home life is the centre of his world.
That world is taken from him. Jason is abducted and wakes up in an alternate version of his own life. The people and places look familiar, yet everything has shifted: different choices have produced a different Jason, and the life he knew seems to belong to someone else.
The series draws on ideas from quantum physics and alternative realities to build a tense, very personal story. Jason becomes a fish out of water in a reality that should feel like his own. His goal is simple to state and hard to achieve: get back to Daniela and Charlie. Standing in his way is the most unsettling opponent he could face, a doppelgänger who is, in a sense, himself. The tagline sums up the emotional core: “There’s no world like home.”
Dark Matter review guide: what makes it notable
- Cast: Joel Edgerton leads as Jason Dessen (and his counterpart, Jason2). Jennifer Connelly plays Daniela Dessen. The main ensemble also includes Alice Braga as Dr. Amanda Lucas, Jimmi Simpson as Ryan Holder, Dayo Okeniyi as Leighton Vance and Oakes Fegley as Charlie Dessen. Amanda Brugel appears as Blair Caplan.
- Network: an Apple TV original series from the United States.
- Creator and writers: created by Blake Crouch, who also writes alongside Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, Megan McDonnell and Ihuoma Ofordire. The series is based on a novel.
- Directors: episodes are directed by a rotating team that includes Alik Sakharov, Jakob Verbruggen, Nick Murphy, Roxann Dawson, Charlotte Sieling and Guillermo Navarro, among others.
- Format: 19 episodes are listed across two seasons, with episodes running around 60 minutes each. Season 1 has 9 episodes and Season 2 has 10.
- Genre and rating: sci-fi and drama, rated TV-MA in the US.
- Status: the series is still airing, with new Season 2 episodes being released.
Who will enjoy Dark Matter?
- Viewers who like science fiction rooted in real scientific ideas such as quantum physics and parallel worlds
- Fans of psychological thrillers built around identity and doppelgängers
- Those who want a sci-fi story driven by family bonds rather than spectacle alone
- Admirers of Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly
- Readers who enjoy seeing novels adapted for the screen
Where to watch Dark Matter in the US
Dark Matter is listed on these official platforms in the United States:
- Apple TV (subscription)
- Apple TV Amazon Channel (subscription, through Amazon)
- Amazon Prime Video (listed as free)
Because the series is still airing, new Season 2 episodes are being added over time. The broadcast schedule shown on this page has the latest episode information.
Trailer
Cast
Joel Edgertonas Jason Dessen / Jason219 episodes
Jennifer Connellyas Daniela Dessen19 episodes
Alice Bragaas Dr. Amanda Lucas19 episodes
Jimmi Simpsonas Ryan Holder19 episodes
Dayo Okeniyias Leighton Vance / Oluko / Leighton Vance19 episodes
Oakes Fegleyas Charlie Dessen19 episodes
Amanda Brugelas Butterscotch / Blair Caplan / Blair Caplan15 episodes
William Smillieas Matt2 / Matt8 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 1 | 9 | Aired | |
| 2 | 1 | Aired | |
| 2 | 2 | Aired | |
| 2 | 3 | Aired | |
| 2 | 4 | Aired | |
| 2 | 5 | Aired | |
| 2 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 7 | Aired | |
| 2 | 8 | Aired | |
| 2 | 9 | Aired | |
| 2 | 10 | Upcoming |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- When was Dark Matter released?
- Dark Matter premiered on Apple TV on 7 May 2024. Season 2 premiered on 27 August 2026.
- How many episodes does Dark Matter have?
- 19 episodes are listed across two seasons: 9 in Season 1 and 10 in Season 2. Each episode runs around 60 minutes. Season 2 is still airing.
- Who is in the cast of Dark Matter?
- Joel Edgerton stars as Jason Dessen, alongside Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen. Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi and Oakes Fegley are also in the main cast, and Amanda Brugel appears as Blair Caplan.
- Where can I watch Dark Matter legally in the US?
- In the US, Dark Matter is listed on Apple TV (subscription), the Apple TV Amazon Channel (subscription) and Amazon Prime Video (listed as free).
- What genre is Dark Matter?
- Dark Matter is a sci-fi drama about alternate realities and doppelgängers, based on a novel. It is rated TV-MA in the US.
Doctor X: Mafia in White
Fireworks of My Heart
Flourished Peony
Four Hands, Two Sonatas
Grey's Anatomy
Guardians of the Dafeng