Apple TV’s Dark Matter Fills The Void Left By J.K. Simmons 100% RT Masterpiece

Despite boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, an incredible sci-fi show with J.K. Simmons as its lead was canceled after two seasons. While the show’s return seems unlikely, Apple TV‘s returning sci-fi series can perfectly fill the void it left behind. The Apple TV sci-fi show in question does not have a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, but it earned positive reviews from viewers and critics after season 1.

Counterpart premiered almost a decade ago, but many cannot help but remember it as one of the best modern sci-fi shows. With J.K. Simmons as its lead, the series was widely praised for everything from its portrayal of parallel dimensions to the performances of its leads. Unfortunately, despite delivering two epic seasons, Counterpart was canceled a little too soon.

Considering how Counterpart had a lot going in its favor, it seems unlikely that any other sci-fi show will even come close to replacing it. Shows dabbling with parallel worlds are a dime a dozen, but none seem remotely as brilliant as Counterpart. However, viewers who loved the J.K. Simmons series would likely enjoy Apple TV’s Dark Matter, which is set to return with season 2 on August 28, 2026.

Apple TV’s Dark Matter Is The Perfect Show For Fans Of Counterpart

photo: ©Apple TV / Courtesy Everett Collection

In most mainstream portrayals of the multiverse, the many-worlds interpretation is often used as a narrative device to drive spectacle. Most multiversal movies and shows explore bizarre worlds and the extreme possibilities that can exist to fascinate viewers. While Counterpart and Apple TV’s Dark Matter also do the same to some extent, both shows cleverly capture their multiversal stories as metaphors for identity and the heavy weight of one’s choices.

Towards the end of its run, Dark Matter ends up portraying different alternate versions of its main character. However, like Counterpart, its central narrative is driven by the story of only two versions of one character. Just like Counterpart examines how two versions of Howard Silk diverged based on life decisions, Dark Matter portrays the distinct parallel lives of two versions of Jason (played by Joel Edgerton).

Dark Matter attempts to explain a few basic quantum physics concepts like entanglement and observer’s effect in its early moments. However, like Counterpart, it does not delve too deep into a high-concept drama. Instead, its primary appeal comes from its human elements and its main character’s relatable struggles with identity and desire to return home to his family.

Similar to Simmons in Counterpart, Edgerton delivers an incredible performance as different versions of the same character in Apple TV’s Dark Matter. Unlike Counterpart, Dark Matter does not unfold as a spy thriller. However, it is also packed with well-timed twists and compelling mysteries that keep you hooked once you get past its relatively slower opening episodes.

Dark Matter also benefits heavily from the fact that its source material’s author, Blake Crouch, is its showrunner. This not only ensures the show perfectly captures the original book’s vision but also allows it to expand the novel’s vision without losing sight of its thematic core.

Counterpart Will Never Return, But Dark Matter Could Last For A Long Time

Interestingly, with Dark Matter season 2, Blake Crouch will expand the lore of his own novel, given how the show’s season 1 exhausts the stories from the standalone book. If Dark Matter season 2 performs well, Blake Crouch could further push the multiversal storyline and follow it up with even more installments.

It has been a while since Counterpart season 2 ended its run. After all these years, it seems unlikely that the show will get a second shot, even though it received almost unanimous acclaim.

Owing to this, viewers who miss the J.K. Simmons series can check out Dark Matter on Apple TV, which seems to share many similar ingredients with Counterpart. Dark Matter is also to get better and far twistier with its exploration of the multiverse in season 2, which is another solid reason for sci-fi fans to watch it.

J.K. Simmons‘ Counterpart will always remain a distinct addition to the sci-fi genre, but Apple TV‘s Dark Matter, too, is no less compelling with its portrayal of parallel worlds.