Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Series

The Expanse

The Expanse is an American science fiction television series based on the novel series of the same name by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, writing as James S.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Expanse is an American science fiction television series set in a future colonized Solar System. It ran for six seasons from 2015 to 2022, exploring political tension and alien mystery.

What it is

The series is adapted from the novel series by James S. A. Corey (Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). Developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, it premiered on Syfy in 2015 and later moved to Amazon Prime Video, concluding in 2022 with 62 episodes. The story follows characters like James Holden, Josephus Miller, and Chrisjen Avasarala as they uncover a conspiracy threatening Earth, Mars, and the Belt.

Why it matters

The Expanse gained a strong reputation for its detailed world-building, political intrigue, and realistic portrayal of space travel. Its depiction of factions—the United Nations (Earth), an independent Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA)—offers a grounded take on interplanetary conflict. The series is considered a standout in modern science fiction television.

Canadian connection

During its early seasons, The Expanse was broadcast in Canada on Space, giving it a notable presence among Canadian viewers. The show's availability on Amazon Prime Video later expanded its reach, contributing to a dedicated fan base in the country.

In short

  • Set in a colonized Solar System with Earth, Mars, and the Belt as major powers.
  • Based on the novel series by James S. A. Corey.
  • Originally aired on Syfy, later continued on Amazon Prime Video.
  • Ran for six seasons with 62 episodes from 2015 to 2022.
Canadian angle

The Expanse was broadcast in Canada on Space during its early seasons, giving it a notable Canadian television presence.

Quick questions

What is The Expanse about?
It follows a group of characters in a future Solar System as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens peace between Earth, Mars, and the Belt.
What is The Expanse based on?
It is based on the novel series by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, who wrote under the name James S. A. Corey.
How many seasons does The Expanse have?
The television series has six seasons.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series premise, setting, main characters, and overall run
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_expanse
    Supports: Synopsis, network, genre, and release information
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(s%C3%A9rie_t%C3%A9l%C3%A9vis%C3%A9e)
    Supports: Canadian broadcast on Space, episode count, and adaptation details
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-expanse/1000588257/
    Supports: Series dates, seasons, and synopsis
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3230854/
    Supports: Series dates, origin, and general description