Syfy has renewed its “Dark Matter” and “Killjoys” for second seasons. The space dramas debuted over the summer on Friday nights, earning loyal viewers and decent enough ratings.
“Dark Matter,” created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, will return with 13 episodes in 2016. “Killjoys,” from Temple Street Productions and Michelle Lovretta, gets a 10-episode order and also will return in 2016.
Based on Mallozzi and Mullie’s graphic novel from Dark Horse Comics, “Dark Matter” averaged 1.8 million viewers in its first season, according to Syfy.
Cast members Melissa O’Neil, Marc Bendavid, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Jodelle Ferland, Roger Cross and Zoie Palmer starred as the crew of a derelict spaceship who wake up from stasis with no memory of who they are. Throughout the first season they got some answers, but the season ended with a betrayal that could change everything for the characters.
In a recent interview with reporters, Mallozzi said that if the show were to be renewed, that betrayal will test the characters who became a team by the end of the season.
“Just because of the incredible job our cast did—bringing these characters to life and fashioning them into … truly deep individuals—it’s just given us so much more for Season 2,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of great story ideas for Season 2,” he added. “Hopefully we’ll get the chance to tell them.”
They will, as will the writers of “Killjoys,” which averaged 1.5 million viewers in its first season, according to Syfy.
“Killjoys” focuses on interplanetary bounty hunters Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), D’avin (Luke Macfarlane) and John (Aaron Ashmore). They chase fugitives throughout the Quad, a planetary system on the brink of a class war.
“Killjoys” started out trying a little too hard with quick one-liners that didn’t always land, but settled down to become a fun space drama.
The renewals of both shows is a good sign for Syfy’s return to space after years of abandoning the stars for its shows. Next up comes “The Expanse” on Dec. 14, an adaptation of the series of novels written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (under the pen name James S. A. Corey). It’s set 200 years in the future when humankind has explored and colonized much of the solar system.
Visit: “Dark Matter” behind the scenes
Visit: “Killjoys” behind the scenes
