2026's Most Exciting Sci-Fi TV Series Is Picking Up Where The Expanse Left Off

The Expanse ended in 2022, leaving a host of unresolved storylines and shattered dreams behind it. Alcon Entertainment has continued to expand that fictional universe with wider media such as comics, but the cold reality is that three books in James S.A. Corey's The Expanse series are yet to be adapted in live-action.

That situation may change one day. The Expanse was rescued when it got canceled by Syfy, after all, so there's reason to hope Alcon will eventually bring the rest of the saga to TV. In better news for The Expanse fans, Prime Video has another James S.A. Corey adaptation, The Captive's War, in development. And yet, it's another upcoming series that may end up becoming The Expanse's true successor.

Alcon's Next Big Sci-Fi TV Series Is Blade Runner 2099

Alcon Entertainment has overseen The Expanse's transformation from a book series to a multimedia behemoth encompassing TV, video games, and more. Alcon produced three seasons of The Expanse for Syfy, followed by a further three for Amazon, but James S.A. Corey's world of Belters and blue goo isn't the only great sci-fi franchise on the company's books.

In 2011, Alcon acquired the rights to Blade Runner, which led to the well-received sequel Blade Runner 2049 starring Ryan Gosling. Next on the agenda is the TV series Blade Runner 2099, which will be set - as the title suggests - 50 years later. Blade Runner 2099 represents a partnership between Alcon, Ridley Scott's production company, and Amazon MGM, but also marks Alcon's first live-action sci-fi series since The Expanse.

The Expanse's Success Is An Encouraging Sign For Blade Runner 2099

Blade Runner 2049 may not have been a box office success, but was nevertheless hailed as a titan of the sci-fi genre that lived up to Ridley Scott's 1982's original. As with The Expanse, Alcon evolved the Blade Runner IP in a natural and exciting way, thus largely keeping fans of the franchise happy.

That should already be an encouraging sign for Blade Runner 2099, but producing a good movie is very different to producing a good TV show. It is, therefore, The Expanse that makes Blade Runner 2099 a particularly exciting propositio. Alcon has already proved itself capable of delivering great long-form sci-fi based on a popular existing property, and if Blade Runner 2099 continues in that same tradition, it could be one of 2026's top new shows.

The Expanse is an especially vital point of comparison because, unlike Blade Runner 2049, the upcoming Blade Runner TV sequel will take a larger step away from the main storyline. Without Deckard to lean upon, Alcon's past sci-fi TV experience, as well as the changes made to The Expanse during its transition to screen, will become vital in ensuring Blade Runner 2099 still feels anchored within the same world.

Blade Runner 2099 Is Picking Up Where The Expanse Left Off

Blade Runner 2099 is being created by Silka Luisa, who had absolutely nothing to do with The Expanse, so the two shows will undoubtedly feel very different. With Alcon involved in both, however, it's only natural that certain hallmarks from The Expanse could follow into the new Blade Runner series.

That could be visible in broad, overarching concepts such as the aversion to rewriting canon, or more specific qualities such as sweeping, epic visuals and fictional futures that feel grimy and well-worn.

In the absence of The Expanse season 7, Blade Runner 2099 may fill the hole it left behind, being a sci-fi TV series produced by the same company in a similar sort of spirit.