‘The Expanse’ Set to Continue Three Years After Finale, but TV Fans Are Disappointed

Three years after the television series ended, The Expanse is getting a new chapter, but not in the way fans might have hoped.

Instead of a seventh season on screen, the story will continue in a graphic novel titled The Expanse: A Little Death. The comic is co-written by Wes Chatham, who played Amos Burton in the series, along with author Andy Diggle. According to Chatham, the story will keep Burton at the center.

The Expanse: A Little Death is set two years after the events of Season 6, around the year 2358. It introduces a new world called Auberon, a thriving colony within the Ring Network. Chatham and Diggle describe the story as one of violent revenge, with Burton encountering trouble and eventually reconnecting with familiar characters in Baltimore.

The Expanse has always been known for its detailed depiction of a futuristic universe. Humanity has spread across the solar system after depleting Earth’s resources, and the series explores tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt.

These tensions escalate into full-scale conflicts, often involving multiple storylines that intersect in unexpected and dramatic ways.

Originally developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby for the Syfy network, the television series is based on the novels by James S.A. Corey.

It follows a diverse set of characters, including UN Security Council member Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), detective Josephus Miller (Thomas Jane), and James Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew. The series combines political intrigue with science fiction elements, including alien technology, while exploring human and societal challenges.

The show received praise for its visuals, political narrative, and character development. It earned a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and three Saturn Award nominations for Best Science Fiction Television Series.

After Syfy canceled the show following three seasons, Amazon picked it up and produced three more seasons, concluding with Season 6. The series originally premiered on December 14, 2015, and the final episode aired on Amazon on January 14, 2022. Rotten Tomatoes gives the final season a 96% rating, with an average score of 8.6 out of 10. The site wrote, “The Expanse’s truncated final season honors the series’ characters and themes with a graceful conclusion.”

The Expanse has also been praised for its scientific accuracy. Reviewers and fans alike have noted the show’s realistic portrayal of space physics, spacecraft propulsion, stealth technology, and the vacuum of space. Executive producer Naren Shankar, a former PhD student in applied engineering, has been credited with bringing technical expertise to the series, helping it stand out for its attention to detail and plausible science.

While fans hoping for a televised continuation may be disappointed, the graphic novel offers a chance to explore the Expanse universe in a new format. Seeing Amos Burton back at the center of the story should be exciting, even if it’s not on screen.

While a Season 7 would have been ideal, a graphic novel is still a valuable way to continue the story and keep the universe alive. It might even explore aspects that a TV show couldn’t fully cover. What do you think about the Expanse continuing in comic form rather than on TV? Share your thoughts in the comments.