Season Two Order Expected for Filmed-In-Chicago ‘Dark Matter,’ Starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly

It’s been a tremendous year for the Chicago and Illinois television production community so far, and it appears more good news may be on the way. With its premiere fast approaching, the future appears to be bright for Apple TV’s new sci-fi thriller franchise Dark Matter, starring Joel Edgerton and Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly. Sources tell SCREEN Apple TV is “very happy with the first season” and expectations are high the media giant will move forward with a second season of the series.

Keeping in mind that any season renewal is purely speculative at this point, when could a possible Season Two of Dark Matter potentially begin filming in Chicago? As early as this September but possibly not until 2025, accordingly to sources close to the show. It’s important to note that while expectations are high, Apple TV+ will likely not make a final decision until after gauging the reception of the first two episodes of Dark Matter, both of which premiere on May 8th.

And of course, the looming prospect of an IATSE strike this Summer will also likely factor into the final verdict. That being said, Apple TV+ has reportedly renewed the lease on its stage at Cinespace Film Studios in Chicago and the overall sentiment is very positive for the future of the show.

Looking Ahead to the May 8th Premiere

Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for its new sci-fi thriller “Dark Matter,” starring Joel Edgerton alongside Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi and Oakes Fegley. Based on the blockbuster book by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch, the new nine-episode Apple Original series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on May 8, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through June 26th.

The series filmed throughout and around the Chicagoland area, beginning in October 2022 and wrapping last April. Locations included a jaunt to the North Side for an epic blizzard scene at Montrose Harbor, to Downtown Chicago, and then outside the city limits, including a stint in nearby Gary, Indiana. Click here for more of SCREEN’s coverage of the production.

Let’s take a look at the thrilling new trailer for Dark Matter…

Hailed as one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade, “Dark Matter” is a story about the road not taken. The series follows Jason Dessen (played by Edgerton), a physicist, professor and family man who — one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago — is abducted into an alternate version of his life. Wonder quickly turns to nightmare when he tries to return to his reality amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could have lived. In this labyrinth of realities, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from the most terrifying, unbeatable foe imaginable: himself.

Crouch serves as creator, executive producer, showrunner and writer alongside executive producers Matt Tolmach and David Manpearl for Matt Tolmach Productions. Edgerton also serves as executive producer. “Dark Matter” is produced for Apple TV+ by Sony Pictures Television.

Check back here at SCREEN for more previews and posts as the May 8th series premiere nears. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.