Despite garnering a huge amount of critical acclaim, Syfy has opted against a season four renewal for the sci-fi series The Expanse, cancelling the show after its current third season. However, producers Alcon Entertainment are not giving up on the series, and are said to be shopping it around to potential new outlets.
“The Expanse transported us across the solar system for three brilliant seasons of television,” states Chris McCumber, President of Syfy’s parent company NBC Universal Cable Entertainment. Everyone at Syfy is a massive fan of the series, and this was an incredibly difficult decision. We want to sincerely thank The Expanse‘s amazing cast, crew and all the dedicated creatives who helped bring James S.A. Corey’s story to life. And to the series’ loyal fans, we thank you most of all.”
“We are very disappointed the show will not be returning to Syfy,” added Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, CEOs of Alcon Entertainment. “We respect Syfy’s decision to end this partnership but given the commercial and critical success of the show, we fully plan to pursue other opportunities for this terrific and original IP.”
According to Deadline, Syfy’s reasoning for cancelling The Expanse was down to ratings, with season three – which premiered last month – seeing a drop in numbers from season two. Syfy also only has first run rights to the show in the U.S., and so does not generate any income through digital/streaming and international rights.
Hundreds of years in the future, humans have colonized the solar system. The U.N. controls Earth. Mars is an independent military power. The planets rely on the resources of the Asteroid Belt, where air and water are more precious than gold. For decades, tensions have been rising between these three places. Earth, Mars and the Belt are now on the brink of war. And all it will take is a single spark.
