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George R.R. Martin’s Favorite Cancelled Sci-Fi Series Officially Dominates Streaming Charts
The Expanse, the acclaimed sci-fi drama once cancelled by Syfy, is now topping streaming charts on Prime Video, vindicating the enthusiastic support it long received from author George R.R. Martin. Martin praised the show as "the show that fandom has been waiting for since Firefly and Battlestar Galactica left the air" after its December 2015 premiere, and had already championed the source novels by James S. A. Corey as a "kickass space opera" before the TV adaptation existed.
Syfy cancelled the series in May 2018 despite strong critical reviews, prompting Martin to publicly back fan campaigns to save it. Amazon subsequently rescued the show, giving it three further seasons on Prime Video and allowing it to reach a planned conclusion with its sixth and final season, which aired on 14 January 2022.
In short
- The Expanse is now dominating Prime Video's streaming charts
- George R.R. Martin has long praised the sci-fi series
- Syfy cancelled it in 2018; Amazon revived it for three more seasons
Explained simply
The Expanse is a science fiction drama series based on novels by James S.A. Corey. It premiered in 2015 on Syfy but was cancelled in 2018 despite strong critical reviews. The cancellation prompted an organised fan campaign to save the series.
Amazon Prime Video rescued the show and commissioned three further seasons, allowing the story to reach its planned conclusion with a final season that aired in January 2022. Author George R.R. Martin had publicly championed both the source novels and the television adaptation, lending his support to the preservation campaign.
The Expanse had built a devoted following among science fiction enthusiasts. Its rescue from cancellation exemplifies how fan campaigns can succeed in reviving cancelled television programmes.
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