Created by Blake Crouch.
Dark Matter premiered on May 8, 2024.
Distributed by Apple TV+.
Dark Matter (TV Series) Review
Dark Matter is a gripping science-fiction thriller that explores alternate realities, identity and the choices that shape our lives.
Season 1 follows Jason Dessen after he is abducted and wakes in a parallel reality where his life is completely different.
His desperate journey home combines suspense, emotional family drama and mind-bending science fiction.
Season 2 expands the story across multiple realities, bringing new challenges as Jason and his family face the consequences of their choices.
The series continues blending emotional stakes with mystery, danger and alternate versions of its characters.
CR Rating: 7.6/10.
Dark Matter (2024) Actors
Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen
DOB: June 23, 1974.
Bio: Australian actor, filmmaker and producer known for his work in both major studio productions and character-driven independent films.
Born in Blacktown, New South Wales, he trained at the Nepean Drama School and began building his career in Australian television before gaining international recognition.
Role : Jason Dessen is a Chicago-based physicist, university professor and family man whose life changes dramatically after he is abducted and transported into an alternate version of his own reality.
In this world, he discovers that a version of himself made very different choices and achieved a level of scientific success beyond his original life.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: Edgerton serves as an executive producer on Dark Matter, giving him a role behind the scenes as well as his lead performance.
Notable works: Animal Kingdom, Loving, The Underground Railroad, The Boys in the Boat.
Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen
DOB: December 12, 1970.
Bio: Academy Award-winning American actress known for emotionally nuanced performances across film and television.
She began working as a child model before moving into acting, gaining early recognition for films such as Labyrinth.
Role: Daniela Dessen is Jason’s wife and his emotional anchor, a grounding presence across multiple realities.
In some timelines, she is a practicing artist; in others, her life diverges significantly, reflecting the series’ multiverse stakes.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: Connelly also serves as an executive producer on the series alongside Joel Edgerton.
Notable works: A Beautiful Mind (Oscar), Requiem for a Dream, Dark City, Blood Diamond.
Alice Braga as Amanda Lucas
DOB: April 15, 1983.
Bio: Brazilian actress and producer who has successfully transitioned to international film and television while maintaining a focus on strong, nuanced character work.
She is known for portraying resourceful, morally complex women who navigate high-stakes situations with intelligence and emotional depth.
Role: Amanda Lucas is a psychiatrist and Velocity Labs insider, playing a critical role in the multiverse mechanics.
In certain realities, she partners with Jason #02, while in others, she allies with Jason #01 to help him navigate the Box and the corridor of alternate realities.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: She draws on her experience in genre films like I Am Legend and dramatic TV such as Queen of the South to bring depth to her characters.
Notable works: I Am Legend, Queen of the South, The Suicide Squad, City of God.
Oakes Fegley as Charlie Dessen
DOB: November 11, 2004.
Bio: Young American actor who transitioned from child roles into substantial supporting parts in major films.
Known for his naturalistic performances, he brings grounded, emotionally honest energy to his characters.
Role: Charlie Dessen is the teenage son of Jason and Daniela.
His existence is the primary emotional anchor for Jason, motivating his desperate attempts to navigate alternate realities and return to his original life.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: His ability to convey vulnerability and intelligence has set him apart as one of the most promising young actors of his generation.
Notable works: The Fabelmans, The Goldfinch, Pete’s Dragon.
Jimmi Simpson as Ryan Holder
DOB: November 21, 1975.
Bio: American character actor celebrated for his versatile, often scene-stealing performances in both television and film.
Known for eccentricity, nervous energy, and emotional range, Simpson has earned Emmy and BAFTA recognition for his work.
Role: Ryan Holder is Jason Dessen’s longtime best friend and a key scientific collaborator in the exploration of alternate realities.
Simpson portrays Ryan as a humanizing lens on the series’ complex physics and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Box.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: Simpson has a reputation for choosing roles with tonal range, moving seamlessly between comedy and drama.
Notable works: Westworld, Black Mirror (episode), Unhinged, The Late Show guest roles.
Dayo Okeniyi as Leighton Vance
DOB: June 14, 1988.
Bio: Nigerian-American actor known for his dynamic performances in both film and television.
He gained international recognition for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and has since cultivated a career blending genre work with complex dramatic roles.
Role: Leighton Vance is the CEO of Velocity Labs, the cutting-edge tech company behind the Box technology central to the series.
Okeniyi’s portrayal balances charisma, corporate polish, and a subtle menace, presenting Leighton as a visionary whose ethical compromises drive much of the narrative tension
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (19 eps).
Interesting facts: Okeniyi trained in the U.S and has consistently gravitated toward roles exploring ambition, moral conflict, and power dynamics.
Notable works: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, See, Fresh.
Amanda Brugel as Blair Caplan
DOB: March 24, 1978.
Bio: Canadian actor celebrated for her versatility across film, television, and stage.
She has earned acclaim for nuanced supporting performances, particularly in character-driven dramas and genre projects.
Role: Blair Caplan is a senior Velocity Labs associate whose personal history and ethical decisions reveal the human consequences behind the company’s experiments with the Box technology.
Brugel’s portrayal imbues Blair with gravitas and moral weight.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (15 eps).
Interesting facts: Brugel has been praised for award-worthy television performances in Canada and has publicly championed diversity and representation in casting.
Notable works: The Handmaid’s Tale, Kim’s Convenience, Room.
Marquita Brooks as Dawn Lawrence
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American actress and multidisciplinary creative whose work includes television and music.
She has steadily gained visibility through guest and recurring roles on TV.
Role: Dawn Lawrence is a Velocity Labs security operative whose duties straddle corporate protection and lethal enforcement.
Her arc ties into the show’s thriller beats and provides a physical threat in certain realities.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (6 eps).
Interesting facts: Beyond acting, Brei-Yon is active in music and creative production, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective that enriches her screen presence.
Notable works: Power Book IV: Force, The Chi.
Chris Diamantopoulos as Agent Mitchel MacNamara
DOB: May 9, 1975.
Bio: Canadian actor known for his work in television, film, animation and theatre.
Born in Toronto, he began performing at a young age and later built a diverse career across comedy and drama.
Role: Agent Mitchel MacNamara is an FBI agent who becomes involved in the events surrounding Jason Dessen and the alternate realities explored in Season 2 of Dark Matter.
Diamantopoulos also plays P.I. Mitchel MacNamara 2, a counterpart version of the character in another reality.
Seasons & Episodes: S2 (4 eps).
Interesting Facts: Diamantopoulos has extensive experience with characters that require different voices and personalities.
In addition to his live-action work, he has become closely associated with voice acting through his work as Mickey Mouse.
Notable Works: The Three Stooges, Silicon Valley, True Story, The Office, Inside Job, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.
William Smillie as Matt
DOB: March 20, 1974.
Bio: Chicago-based actor with a strong background in stage and television.
Smillie is trained in improv and ensemble work, which informs his ability to enhance scenes with naturalistic interaction.
Role: Smillie plays Matt, the owner of the Village Tap, a neighborhood bar in Chicago’s Logan Square.
Matt is familiar with Jason Dessen and serves as a friendly presence in Jason’s regular life.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (6 eps).
Interesting facts: Smillie has extensive experience in Chicago-based productions and brings a strong foundation in improv and stage performance to his television work.
Notable works: Untamed, The Dark Knight, Chicago Fire, South Side, Fargo, Empire, What They Had.
Bassam Abdelfattah as Anthony
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Chicago-based actor with experience in both stage and television.
He has appeared in high-profile Chicago-filmed productions such as The Chi and Chicago Med, bringing authenticity and grounded presence to supporting roles.
Role: Anthony is a supporting character who appears in Velocity Labs and academic environments, contributing to the world-building of Jason Dessen’s multiple realities..
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (7 eps).
Interesting facts: Abdelfattah actively works in Chicago theatre and television, drawing on his stage experience to deliver subtle, professional performances on screen.
Notable works: The Chi, Chicago Med, various indie credits.
Jenne Kang as Dr. Julianne Springer
DOB: N/A.
Bio: U.S. television actor with recurring guest appearances across medical and procedural dramas.
She is known for bringing credibility and professional nuance to supporting roles that require technical or scientific authority.
Role: Dr. Julianne Springer is a medical and scientific consultant within Velocity Labs whom Jason encounters while investigating the Box and its effects.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (4 eps).
Interesting facts: Kang has accumulated experience in guest roles on prestige TV, often portraying authoritative, procedural, or specialist figures.
Notable works: K-Pops!, Albany Road, Them, Atlanta, Stranger Things, The Greatest Hits, Queens.
More Actors
• Missy Fierro as Violet.
• Tyler Merritt as Dr. Lindley.
• Rolando Boyce as Dr. Joseph Hart.
• Kate Eastman as Detective Jamie Mason
FAQ – Dark Matter (2024) TV Series
What is Dark Matter about?
Dark Matter follows Jason Dessen, a physicist and family man who is abducted into an alternate version of his life. He then searches for a way back to his wife and son while encountering different versions of himself.
Is Dark Matter based on a book?
Yes. The series is based on Blake Crouch’s bestselling novel Dark Matter. Crouch also created the television series and serves as showrunner.
What genre is Dark Matter?
It is a science-fiction thriller that combines alternate realities, mystery, suspense and family drama.
How many seasons of Dark Matter are there?
There are two seasons. Season 1 premiered in 2024, while Season 2 premiered on August 28, 2026.
Where can I watch Dark Matter?
Dark Matter is available to stream on Apple TV.
Conclusion
Dark Matter delivers an engaging blend of science fiction, suspense and emotional family drama.
Across its seasons, the series explores alternate realities, identity and the consequences of life-changing choices while keeping the story unpredictable.