“Dark Matter” has a new season, and that means the multiverse is back on the TV dial. The Apple TV series, based on the novel by Blake Crouch, follows Jason Dessen as he gets exiled to an alternate universe by his multiversal doppelganger. The show’s second season puts Jason and his family on the run through infinite realities, searching for a safe haven.
But “Dark Matter” isn’t the only series of the week with a parallel-dimensions hook. A new list rounds up 10 TV shows for fans who want more cosmic thrills.
Doctor Who’s Long Run
“Doctor Who” is the granddaddy of all time travel and alternate reality shows. The British series started in the 1960s and has kept going, with occasional hiatuses between seasons.
The show follows an extraterrestrial explorer who travels through time and space, often with human companions in tow. The Doctor meets monsters, and the character regularly regenerates whenever a new actor takes on the role.
Sliders From The ’90s
The ’90s produced a number of sci-fi shows that leaned into camp, and “Sliders” is one of the more enduring. It debuted in 1995, and the premise is simple: scientist Quinn Mallory builds a device that lets him and his friends slide through the multiverse.
He and his companions are sent spiralling outside their home reality. They visit strange worlds while trying to find a way back.
Fringe’s Parallel Universe
The 2008 Fox series “Fringe” had a creative team behind it, with frequent collaborators J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Robert Orci. The show followed a special secret branch of the FBI that handles paranormal investigations linked to the existence of a parallel universe.
The unit is led by FBI agent Olivia Dunham, joined by scientist Walter Bishop and his son Peter. They come into contact with strange figures known as the Observers.
Continuum’s Time Travel Hook
Sometimes an alternate reality is the product of a divergent timeline. The 2012 Canadian series “Continuum” revolves around alterations to the space-time continuum, with a battle for the fate of the future at its centre.
The protagonist is Kiera Cameron, a cop serving a North American dictatorship in 2077 who pursues time traveling freedom fighters to 2012. She learns about how time travelers’ actions are affecting the timeline, and ponders the efficacy of the government she works for.
Wayward Pines Before Stranger Things
Before “Stranger Things,” the Duffer brothers made “Wayward Pines.” The show takes a more grounded approach to its premise, something that helps it from becoming overly outlandish.
The List’s Appeal
The list is a survey of shows from different decades and different tones. All revolve around alternate realities, divergent timelines, and other cosmic odysseys.
The list is a way to keep the reality-bending thrills coming, whether you want a classic, a cult favourite, or something modern.
The List In Order
| Show | Premiere |
|---|---|
| Doctor Who | 1960s |
| Sliders | 1995 |
| Fringe | 2008 |
| Continuum | 2012 |
| Wayward Pines | Before “Stranger Things” |
| Dark Matter | 2024 |
Key Facts
- “Dark Matter” is based on the novel by Blake Crouch, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer.
- The show premiered in 2024.
- “Doctor Who” began in the 1960s and has continued through decades of hiatuses.
- “Sliders” debuted in 1995 with Quinn Mallory (Jerry O’Connell) as the lead.
- “Fringe” was created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Robert Orci.
- “Continuum” ran for four seasons and is Canadian.
The list is a useful survey of shows that do multiverse stories well. It simply points viewers to 10 TV shows that share “Dark Matter”‘s fascination with alternate realities and divergent timelines.
Source material: “10 TV Shows To Watch If You Like Dark Matter,” TVLine.
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