Although nothing quite matches the brilliance of the sci-fi show The Expanse, a new series coming to Prime Video has a lot in common with it. The Expanse, based on the novels by James S.A. Corey (a pen name for Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham), ran for six seasons and 62 episodes from 2015 to 2022. It originally aired on SyFy, but moved to Prime Video after SyFy cancelled it following the third season.
In the future, humans have colonized the solar system, and The Expanse explores the complex political struggles between Mars, Earth, and Luna. The show starts with a gritty, detective-noir feel, similar to Blade Runner, as a detective investigates a mysterious plot. However, it quickly grows into a large-scale sci-fi epic with political intrigue reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
Widely considered one of the best science fiction shows in recent years, The Expanse is a sprawling and detailed story with a large cast of characters. It’s known for being similar in quality to classic Star Trek, and it may have even influenced newer Star Trek series like Discovery and Strange New Worlds. Its success also likely helped pave the way for other popular sci-fi shows such as Foundation, Silo, and For All Mankind. With The Expanse now finished, the upcoming Prime Video adaptation of Mass Effect looks poised to fill the void for fans.
The Expanse’s Story Is Very Similar To Mass Effect’s
The popular video game series Mass Effect began in 2007 with the first game, developed by BioWare and led by Casey Hudson. The original game and its three sequels received widespread praise from critics, who often drew comparisons to science fiction classics like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and the writings of Isaac Asimov. When a Mass Effect series for Prime Video was announced, however, another parallel became clear.
The upcoming Mass Effect series will be penned by Daniel Casey, known for his work on the Fast & Furious films, and Doug Jung, who served as showrunner for Star Trek: Beyond. While the team isn’t coming from the The Expanse like some might expect, the two shows share similar creative elements. The Mass Effect games feature the ruins of the Protheans, a technologically advanced alien race that existed long before humans.
In The Expanse, finding remnants of an alien substance called the protomolecule leads humans to incredibly advanced technologies, like the Ring Gates which connect different star systems. Interestingly, while Mass Effect features Reapers who wipe out civilizations to prevent them from growing too strong, The Expanse presents the Ring Entities – mysterious beings that destroyed the civilization responsible for the protomolecule ruins, likely for a similar purpose.
The Expanse Season 7 Would Be Better Than A Mass Effect TV Series
Both Mass Effect and The Expanse share similar ideas: key characters experience visions due to alien technology, and both stories explore how humanity deals with the possible consequences of using powerful, new technologies. While Black Mirror also examines the dangers of technology, Mass Effect and The Expanse stand out because their advanced technologies are remnants from ancient civilizations that were wiped out by mysterious threats.
Many viewers will likely be excited about Prime Video’s upcoming Mass Effect adaptation, especially if they’re looking for a show similar to a classic series. However, some fans would rather see the original series return instead of a new adaptation. With The Expanse widely considered one of the best sci-fi shows in recent years, it will be a challenge for the Mass Effect series to reach that same level of acclaim.
2026-07-21 01:08