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When it comes to epic space operas, few series hit as hard as The Expanse. Smart, grounded, and packed with political intrigue, it redefined modern sci-fi for a new generation of viewers. And now, three years since its final season aired in 202 on Prime, many fans are still looking for TV shows like The Expanse that deliver the same mix of thrilling action, morally grey characters, and hard-hitting world-building.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of stellar replacements for The Expanse out there. The Expanse may have ended, but that doesn't mean there's nothing available to fill the void. From military-minded space operas to mind-bending time-travel sagas, these shows scratch that post-Expanse itch in very different but satisfying ways. Some lean into speculative science and societal collapse, while others channel the vastness of space to explore what it means to be human. Whether you're missing the political chess matches of Earth, Mars, and the Belt, or the breakneck pace of Rocinante’s crew, there’s something new to find for every Expanse fan that will hit some of the same notes. Related 3 Years Have Passed, So What Happened To The Expanse Season 7? Amazon Prime Video dropped The Expanse season 6 finale in January 2022, and three years later, there is still no word on a possible seventh season. Posts 6 12 Travelers A Low-Budget Time Travel Series With Expanse-Level Intensity And Smarts Like Follow Followed Travelers TV-MA Drama Sci-Fi Fantasy Cast Creator Brad Wright Powered by Expand Collapse Netflix's Travelers may not take place in space, but its core themes - survival, sacrifice, and shifting alliances - make it a must-watch for fans of The Expanse. The show follows a team of operatives from a grim future who transfer their consciousnesses into present-day humans, working to alter the timeline and prevent humanity’s downfall. The science is tight, the stakes are personal and global, and like The Expanse, it constantly grapples with the morality of doing what's necessary for the greater good. What makes Travelers stand out is how grounded it feels despite its high-concept premise. Much like The Expanse treats space as dangerous and unromantic, Travelers treats time travel as gritty, complex, and full of unintended consequences. The characters are flawed but compelling, and the storytelling leans heavily on tension and consequence over spectacle. If what drew you to The Expanse was the careful unraveling of big ideas through tight character work and realistic stakes, Travelers is an under-the-radar gem worth diving into. 11 Stargate SG-1 A Military Sci-Fi Classic That Paved The Way For The Expanse's Realism And Scale Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Stargate SG-1 Sci-Fi Adventure Drama 19 8.4/10 Release Date 1997 - 2007-00-00 Network SyFy, Showtime Showrunner Brad Wright Directors Peter DeLuise Writers Brad Wright Cast See All Franchise Stargate Creator Jonathan Glassner, Brad Wright Powered by Expand Collapse Stargate SG-1 and its spin-offs helped define modern serialized science fiction. While it leans more episodic than The Expanse, the Stargate franchise shares that same dedication to political maneuvering, alien technology, and the constant friction between science and military agendas. The series begins with a U.S. Air Force team exploring other planets via ancient wormhole technology, but it quickly evolves into a complex, galaxy-spanning narrative full of warring factions and uneasy alliances. Stargate is less gritty than The Expanse, but it offers similarly ambitious storytelling and richly imagined alien cultures. Fans of The Expanse's geopolitical depth will enjoy SG-1’s interstellar diplomacy, and those craving tightly-knit crews will find that dynamic in spades. And for those who liked The Expanse's gradual world-building, Stargate offers a similar payoff: a universe that starts small and just keeps expanding. 10 The Orville A Heartfelt And Surprisingly Deep Sci-Fi Dramedy That Mirrors The Expanse’s Human Core Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed The Orville Drama Adventure Comedy 21 9.1/10 Release Date 2017 - 2022-00-00 Network FOX Showrunner Seth MacFarlane Directors Jon Cassar Writers Seth MacFarlane Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse What started as a Star Trek spoof from Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane evolved into one of the most emotionally rich sci-fi series of the last decade. The Orville blends humor, character-driven drama, and sociopolitical commentary in ways that feel surprisingly similar to The Expanse, just with a lighter touch and more laughs along the way. The Orville focuses on the crew of a mid-level exploratory starship as they deal with ethical dilemmas, first contact missions, and intergalactic tensions. Like The Expanse, The Orville often uses its setting to explore real-world issues, from prejudice to environmental collapse. And when the show leans into big, serialized story arcs it hits many of the same dramatic beats that made The Expanse so compelling. Don’t let the jokes fool you - The Orville is a sci-fi series with real substance. 9 Fringe A Genre-Bending Mystery Box Series That Mirrors The Expanse’s Intelligence And Escalation Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Fringe Sci-Fi Horror Drama Mystery 8/10 78 9.3/10 Release Date 2008 - 2013-00-00 Showrunner Jeff Pinkner Directors Jeff Pinkner Writers Roberto Orci, J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse If your favorite part of The Expanse was peeling back layers of mystery and watching the story spiral into something massive and unpredictable, then Fringe is the next show like it you should dive into. This J.J. Abrams-produced series begins as a X-Files-style procedural, but quickly evolves into a multidimensional saga full of fringe science, government secrets, and universe-shattering stakes. Like The Expanse, Fringe treats its audience with respect, trusting viewers to keep up with dense plots and morally gray characters. It’s anchored by a phenomenal cast and delivers emotionally resonant stories beneath all the science fiction spectacle. The deeper it goes, the more addictive it becomes, with later seasons matching The Expanse’s boldness in both narrative and emotional payoffs. 8 Farscape A Chaotic, Creature-Filled Space Opera That Thrives On Tension And Found Family Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Farscape TV-14 Action Adventure Sci-Fi 38 9.3/10 Release Date 1999 - 2003-00-00 Writers Rockne S. O'Bannon, David Kemper, Justin Monjo, Richard Manning Cast See All Creator Rockne S. O'Bannon Powered by Expand Collapse Farscape is weird, wild, and wonderfully unpredictable. It follows astronaut John Crichton, who is flung through a wormhole into a distant galaxy and becomes part of a crew of escaped prisoners aboard a living ship. The show’s anarchic tone and practical alien designs set it apart from sleeker sci-fi like The Expanse, but fans will find familiar ground in its tense alliances, fast-paced space battles, and emotionally bruised characters. What makes Farscape a strong follow-up is its commitment to long-term storytelling. Like The Expanse, it starts as a survival story and transforms into a war epic with devastating personal consequences. Its mismatched crew, political intrigue, and escalating conflicts echo many of the same themes, just filtered through a more colorful and unpredictable lens. If you're okay with aliens that don’t look human and storytelling that swings big, Farscape is a gem. 7 Firefly The Original Gritty Space Western Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Firefly Sci-Fi Drama Adventure 8/10 43 9.5/10 Release Date 2002 - 2003-00-00 Showrunner Joss Whedon Directors Joss Whedon Writers Joss Whedon Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse There’s a reason Firefly is still beloved decades after it concluded after a single season in 2002. Joss Whedon’s space western only ran for one season, but its impact is undeniable, especially on shows like The Expanse. Following a ragtag crew of smugglers aboard the spaceship Serenity, Firefly mixes frontier grit with postwar politics, ethical gray zones, and anti-authoritarian spirit - an irresistible combination for Expanse fans. What Firefly lacks in scientific realism, it makes up for in tone and character work. Like The Expanse, it excels at crafting believable relationships under pressure and telling small stories against a backdrop of massive power struggles. The show’s lone season, along with the follow-up movie Serenity, offer just enough to fall in love with and leave you craving more. If you miss the camaraderie of the Rocinante’s crew, Firefly will feel like coming home. 6 For All Mankind A Grounded, Alternate-History Space Drama That Rivals The Expanse In Scope And Sophistication Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed For All Mankind TV-MA Drama History Sci-Fi 9/10 21 9.5/10 Release Date November 1, 2019 Showrunner Ronald D. Moore Writers Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi Cast See All Creator Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi Powered by Expand Collapse The Apple TV+ original For All Mankind imagines what would’ve happened if the Soviet Union beat the U.S. to the Moon, and how that single change to history has a butterfly effect transforms the space race into a multi-decade saga. The result is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, alternate history, and grounded sci-fi, much like The Expanse’s extrapolation of real science and politics. For All Mankind doesn’t just chronicle technological progress - it also dives deep into social change, gender dynamics, and geopolitical chess matches. Every decision has long-term ripple effects, and the time jumps between seasons show how deeply space exploration shapes society. If you loved the big-picture thinking of The Expanse, along with its attention to personal stakes, For All Mankind is the closest thing you’ll find to a cerebral successor. 5 Andor A Slow-Burn Star Wars Story That Matches The Expanse’s Grit And Political Bite Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Andor TV-14 Action & Adventure Drama Thriller Sci-Fi 8/10 260 8.9/10 Release Date 2022 - 2025-00-00 Network Disney+ Showrunner Tony Gilroy Directors Susanna White Writers Dan Gilroy Cast See All Franchise Star Wars Creator Tony Gilroy Powered by Expand Collapse Don’t let the Star Wars label fool you - Andor is a gritty, grounded rebellion story that feels far more like The Expanse than a traditional tale of adventures in a galaxy far, far away. The Disney+ original follows Cassian Andor in the years before Rogue One, chronicling his path from cynical survivor to rebel hero. Along the way, it delivers one of the most compelling depictions of authoritarianism, resistance, and systemic oppression in recent sci-fi. Like The Expanse, Andor eschews fantasy tropes in favor of realism. There are no lightsabers or force-wielding space monks here, just desperate people trying to carve out change in a cold, indifferent system. The show’s slow pacing and mature themes make it one of the most politically rich Star Wars entries ever, and a perfect fit for Expanse fans craving smart, sharp storytelling. 4 Star Trek: Picard A Nostalgic Return With Modern Themes That Expanse Fans Will Appreciate Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Star Trek: Picard Sci-Fi Drama Action Adventure 6/10 107 8.8/10 Release Date 2020 - 2022 Network Paramount Showrunner Michael Chabon Directors Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, michael dorn Writers Terry Matalas Cast See All Franchise Star Trek Powered by Expand Collapse Every Star Trek series has something to offer fans of The Expanse, but it’s Star Trek: Picard that will be the most satisfying with its similarities. Star Trek: Picard brings Patrick Stewart’s legendary Star Trek: The Next Generation captain back into the spotlight, but with a darker, more reflective tone than classic Trek. The series dives into post-federation politics, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the scars of war - topics that feel right at home for fans of The Expanse’s nuanced storytelling. While the pacing can be uneven, Picard excels when it leans into its thematic weight. Jean-Luc's journey is one of reckoning, aging, and legacy, set against a backdrop of bureaucratic failure and emerging threats. Like The Expanse, the show understands that the future isn’t utopian but complicated, messy, and often morally unclear. If you're looking for a series with familiar faces but modern storytelling depth, Picard delivers. 3 Altered Carbon A Cyberpunk Noir With The Same High-Concept World-Building As The Expanse Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Altered Carbon Thriller Drama Sci-Fi 9.7/10 Release Date 2018 - 2019 Showrunner Anthony Mackie Writers Laeta Kalogridis Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse One of the many shows like The Expanse that doesn’t actually venture into space with Altered Carbon. While it doesn’t delve into the specific interstellar sci-fi territory, it does hit many of the same emotional notes and themes, and has a similar tone too. Set in a future where human consciousness can be digitized and transferred between bodies, Altered Carbon explores themes of identity, class, and corruption in a sprawling interplanetary society. It’s darker and flashier than The Expanse, but shares the same love for dense world-building and morally murky characters. At its best, Altered Carbon feels like a neon-soaked cousin to The Expanse, with brutal action, philosophical questions, and a deep mistrust of those in power. The first season is particularly strong, with Joel Kinnaman playing a resurrected super-soldier tasked with solving a murder. If you liked The Expanse's fusion of noir and sci-fi, you’ll feel right at home with Altered Carbon.
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