''Dark Matter'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

series started in 2015 that was developed by Prodigy Pictures in association with the

Space Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...

channel and the

Syfy Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Lau ...

channel. The concept was created by

Joseph Mallozzi Joseph Mallozzi (born 16 October 1965) is a Canadian writer and producer. He is most noted for his contributions to the '' Stargate SG-1'', '' Stargate: Atlantis'' and '' Stargate Universe'' television series and as showrunner of ''Dark Matter ...

and

Paul Mullie Paul Mullie is a screenwriter and producer. He is credited for writing episodes of '' Stargate Atlantis'', '' Largo Winch'', and '' Stargate SG-1''. He has also worked as executive producer on ''Stargate: Atlantis'' and is the co-creator of ''Dark M ...

while they were working on the '' Stargate'' franchise, and was originally published as a

comic book series a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...

in 2012. An order for 13 episodes was placed for the first season of the series, which premiered on June 12, 2015, on both

and

. On September 5, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season. ''Dark Matter'' was renewed for a third season in September 2016, which premiered on June 9, 2017. On September 1, 2017, Syfy canceled the series.

Premise

A group of people in stasis pods awaken with

amnesia Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or disease,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be caused temporarily by the use ...

aboard the

starship A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for interstellar travel, traveling between planetary systems. The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 188 ...

''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. Also onboard is a female-looking android who possesses 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 ranked 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

Cast and characters

Main

Marc Bendavid Marc Bendavid (born June 12, 1986) is a Canadian film, television and stage actor. Early life Bendavid was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a Belgian-born mother and a Moroccan-Jewish father. He attended Unionville High School and was subs ...

as One / Jace Corso / Derrick Moss (season 1; recurring, season 2) *

Melissa O'Neil Melissa Crystal O'Neil (born July 12, 1988) is a Canadian actress and singer. In 2005, O'Neil won the third season of '' Canadian Idol'', the first Canadian female to have won. As an actress, she is known for her roles as Two / Rebecca / Portia ...

as Two / Portia Lin / Rebecca, the ''de facto'' captain of the ''Raza'' and leader of the crew both before and after the mindwipe *

Anthony Lemke Roger Anthony Lemke (born October 7, 1970) is a Canadian television and film actor, best known for portraying Three (Marcus Boone / Titch) on Syfy's science-fiction drama ''Dark Matter.'' In French Canada, Lemke is best known for playing David R ...

as Three / Marcus Boone / Titch * Alex Mallari Jr. as Four / Ryo Tetsudo / Ishida Ryo, the exiled heir to the throne of the Principality of Zairon *

Jodelle Ferland Jodelle Micah Ferland (born October 9, 1994) is a Canadian actress. She debuted as a child actress at the age of four in the television film ''Mermaid'' (2000) for which she won a Young Artist Award and received a Daytime Emmy Award nominatio ...

as Five / Das / Emily Kolburn, the youngest member of the crew and the only one not wanted for capital crimes *

Roger Cross Roger Cross (born October 19, 1969) is a Jamaican-born Canadian actor who has made numerous appearances in several films and television series, mostly on productions shot in Canada. He is known for his work as CTU Agent Curtis Manning in the ...

as Six / Griffin Jones / Lt. Kal Varrick *

Zoie Palmer Zoie Palmer is a Canadian actress best known for her roles as Dr. Lauren Lewis in the Showcase supernatural drama ''Lost Girl'' and as the Android in the SyFy science fiction series ''Dark Matter''. Early life Palmer was born in Camborne in Co ...

as The Android / Suki. Palmer also plays the Android's creator Dr. Irena Shaw in the third season. *

Melanie Liburd Melanie Liburd is a British actress known for her roles in ''This Is Us'' and '' Power Book II: Ghost.'' In 2016, Liburd appeared as the red priestess in " No One", an episode of the sixth season of the HBO series ''Game of Thrones''. She was ...

as Nyx Harper (season 2; guest, season 3), a new crewmember in the second season on the run from the rest of her people, the Seers *

Shaun Sipos Shaun Sipos (born October 30, 1981) is a Canadian actor, known for playing Jack on the ABC series ''Complete Savages'', Eric Daniels on ''Life Unexpected,'' David Breck on The CW series ''Melrose Place'', Aaron Whitmore on The CW's ''The Vamp ...

as Devon Taltherd (season 2), a disgraced doctor and new crewmember in the second season

Recurring

David Hewlett David Ian Hewlett (born 18 April 1968) is a British-born Canadian actor, writer, and director known for his role as Dr. Rodney McKay in the ''Stargate'' science-fiction franchise. He first gained fame for his roles as Grant Jansky in the Canad ...

as Tabor Calchek, the crew's unreliable handler and "talent" agent * Jeff Teräväinen as Lt. John Anders, a Galactic Authority officer and former partner of Six *

Torri Higginson Sarah Victoria "Torri" Higginson (born December 6, 1969) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles in the '' TekWar'' movies and series, and for portraying Dr. Elizabeth Weir in ''Stargate SG-1'' and ''Stargate Atlantis'' (2004–2 ...

as Commander Delaney Truffault of the Mikkei Combine, an occasional ally *

David Richmond-Peck David Richmond-Peck (born April 5, 1974) is a Canadian actor who has appeared in over 70 film and television roles in Canada and the United States since 2000. Career Richmond-Peck won two Leo Awards: in 2006 for ''Behind the Camera: The Unauthori ...

as Commander Nieman of Ferrous Corp * Natalie Brown as Sarah, Marcus Boone's lover. Though she dies of an incurable illness in season 1, in season 3 the Android finds her consciousness had been digitally uploaded into the ''Raza''s server. *

Ellen Wong Ellen Wong (born January 13, 1985) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles as Knives Chau in the 2010 film '' Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'', Jill "Mouse" Chen in The CW's series '' The Carrie Diaries'', and Jenny Chey in the Netflix s ...

as Misaki Han-Shireikan, commander of the Ishida Royal Guard and childhood friend of Ryo (seasons 2–3) *

Ennis Esmer Ennis Esmer (born December 29, 1978) is a Turkish-Canadian actor, comedian, voice actor, writer, producer and presenter. He is best known for his roles as Osman 'Oz' Bey in ''The Listener'', Kurtis 'Maz' Mazhari in ''Private Eyes'', Nash in '' ...

as Wexler, a manic sociopath and the leader of a mercenary group who are hired by Delaney Truffault to work with the ''Raza'' crew but prove untrustworthy. Although Wexler is killed during season 1, an alternate reality version of him returns in seasons 2 and 3, from a universe where the ''Raza'' were never mindwiped and are still villains, with the crew consisting of Portia Lin, Marcus Boone, Jace Corso, Wexler and Tash. This version is significantly less brutal and ultimately sides with the main-universe crew. *

Mike Dopud Mike Dopud ( sr, Majk Dopuđ, ''Мајк Допуђ'') is a Canadian actor, stuntman, and former football player known for his supporting roles on television. His best-known roles include Vic Hadfield in the miniseries ''Canada Russia '72'', Ja ...

as Arax Nero, the leader of a prison gang (season 2) *

Kris Holden-Ried Kris Holden-Ried (born August 1, 1973) is a Canadian actor. Early life and pentathlon Holden-Ried was born in Pickering, Ontario. He studied at Montreal's Concordia University School of Business. He was a champion competitor in riding and fen ...

as Galactic Authority Inspector Kyle Kierken (season 2) * Brendan Murray as Victor, leader of a group of rogue androids and love interest for the ''Razas Android (seasons 2–3) *

Andrew Moodie Andrew Moodie (born November 30, 1966) is a Canadian actor and playwright.Gaetan Charlebois and Anne Nothof"Moodie, Andrew" ''Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia'', November 16, 2021. He is most noted for his plays ''Riot'', which was a winner of the Floy ...

as Teku Fonsei. Ryo appoints Teku, his former teacher, as his advisor (season 3). * Mishka Thébaud as Adrian Maro, former assistant to Calchek, who travels with the crew of the ''Raza'' during the first half of season 3 *

Ayisha Issa Ayisha Issa is a Canadian actress and martial arts practitioner born in Montreal, Quebec. She has played a number of roles in both English- and French-language television series and films, such as ''Dark Matter'', ''Unité 9'', and ''Brick Mansions ...

as Solara Shockley, Maro's bodyguard, who also travels with the crew until she leaves with Adrian (season 3) *

Wil Wheaton Richard William Wheaton III (born July 29, 1972) is an American actor. He portrayed Wesley Crusher on the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Gordie Lachance in the film '' Stand by Me'', Joey Trotta in '' Toy Soldiers'', ...

as Alex Rook, President and CEO of Dwarf Star Technologies

Guest

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as ...

as The General, the leader of the rebel group Procyon Insurrection to which Six once belonged *

Amanda Brugel Amanda Brugel (born March 24, 1978) is a Canadian actress. Born and raised in Pointe-Claire (a suburb of Montreal), Quebec, she made her acting debut in the drama film ''Vendetta'' (1999). This was followed by roles in the comedy film ''A Diva's C ...

as Keeley, a miner the ''Raza'' crew encounter on a mission *

Ruby Rose Ruby Rose Langenheim (born 20 March 1986) is an Australian model, actress, disc jockey and television presenter. Rose was a presenter on MTV Australia (2007–2011), followed by several high-profile modelling gigs, including Maybelline New York ...

as Wendy, an entertainment model android * Rachael Ancheril as Della, a colonist on a planet oppressed by Traugott Corporation *

Dan Jeannotte Daniel Jeannotte (born 22 September 1981) is a Canadian actor. He gained recognition for his roles as Brandon Russell in the American-Canadian fantasy television series '' Good Witch'', and as James Stuart in the CW period drama series ''Reign. ...

as Derrick Moss, One's original identity before assuming that of Jace Corso *

Jessica Sipos Jessica Sipos is a Canadian actor. She is best known for playing Sarah on ''Chesapeake Shores'', Hayley on ''UnREAL'' and Cassandra Savage on The CW’s ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Life and career Sipos was born in Victoria, British Columbia. Sh ...

as Tash, a member of Wexler's mercenary group. Although Tash is killed during season 1, an alternate reality version of her returns in seasons 2 and 3 as part of the parallel ''Raza'' crew. *

Jon Cor Jon Cor (born November 17, 1984) is a Canadian actor and author, best known for playing Hodge Starkweather in '' Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments,'' and Brick in '' Total Drama: Revenge of the Island''. Early life Cor studied theatre arts ...

as Vons, a member of Wexler's mercenary group, who may be Tash's brother, lover or both - they don't subscribe to "outdated social categories" *

Conrad Pla Conrad Pla (born October 24, 1966) is a Canadian actor and former professional kickboxer. He is best known for founding Tristar Gym and starring in the Canadian television series ''ReGenesis''. Early life Pla was born in Madrid and moved to Can ...

as Cain, a member of Wexler's mercenary group *

Kerr Hewitt Kerr Hewitt, also credited professionally as Kjartan Hewitt, is a Canadian actor and writer. He won the Best Actor award at the Sicily Web Festival for his performance in the YouTube web series ''Clusterfuck'' (2018). Career Acting Hewitt began ...

as Sgt. Voss, a Ferrous Corp soldier who serves aboard the FCS ''Deliverance'' *

Franka Potente Franka Potente (; born 22 July 1974) is a German actress. She first appeared in the comedy film '' After Five in the Forest Primeval'' (1995), for which she won a Bavarian Film Award for Best Young Actress. Her breakthrough came in 1998, when sh ...

as Chief Inspector Shaddick of the Galactic Authority's Serious Crimes Division (season 2) *

Inga Cadranel Inga Cadranel (born April 30, 1978) is a Canadian film and television actress. She is best known for playing the roles of Brooke Fairburn on '' The Eleventh Hour'', Liz Santerra on '' Jeff Ltd.'', Francesca on ''Rent-a-Goalie'', Aife on '' Lost G ...

as Alicia Reynaud, a businesswoman who wants what Emily Kolburn (Five) stole (season 2)

Production

Principal photography for the first season began in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

, Ontario, Canada, on January 9, 2015, and concluded May 20, 2015. On September 1, 2015,

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." Production on the second season began on December 9, 2015, and concluded May 6, 2016. The third season began production on November 18, 2016. ''Dark Matters third season would be its last and the show's 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 wasn't well received by the network's original programming division in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. In addition, while the series was outperforming several Syfy first-run programs, the network wasn't able to monetize the show because it was an acquisition.

Broadcast

''Dark Matter'' premiered on

in the United States on the same day as Canada. Within the following week, the series premiered on Syfy Australia and Syfy UK – on June 13 and 16, 2015, respectively.

Reception

As of 21 March 2022, review aggregation website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

gave season 1 an approval rating of 68%, with an average rating of 5/10 based on reviews from 19 critics. The sites consensus statement says: "... hepremiere benefits from likable characters and a concluding twist, but its gaping plot holes and worn premise add up to an aimless episode."

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

gave the series an average score of 58 out of 100, based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "Mixed or average reviews". On Rotten Tomatoes season 2 received a 100% rating based on 7 reviews, and season 3 also received a 100% rating based on 7 reviews.

Ratings

The series premiere pulled 273,000 overnight viewers on the

channel in Canada, and 1.28 million viewers for its premiere on the

channel in the U.S.

References

External links

* {{Syfy Shows Television shows based on Dark Horse Comics 2015 Canadian television series debuts 2017 Canadian television series endings 2010s Canadian science fiction television series English-language television shows Television shows filmed in Toronto Dystopian television series Space adventure television series Television series about cloning Television series set on fictional planets Androids in television Fiction about amnesia CTV Sci-Fi Channel original programming Television series set in the future