There’s one incredible TV show that will appeal to Game of Thrones fans searching for another epic story, and that’s The Expanse. Adapted from the book series by James S. A. Corey (the pen name of Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham), The Expanse has six seasons. While SyFy canceled the popular series after three seasons, Prime Video picked it up for seasons 4 through 6. Since The Expanse is a show with no terrible episodes, it would have been a shame if it didn’t last.
Since Game of Thrones ended in 2019, fans have been hoping to find another show that transports them to another place, makes them care deeply about the characters, and allows them to engage in some fun and friendly debates. And, honestly, we’ll probably never stop talking about the Game of Thrones ending. While Prime has a huge library of original shows, there’s just one that is great for GoT fans.
Why ‘The Expanse’ Is Perfect for ‘Game of Thrones’ Fans
While The Expanse is a sci-fi series and Game of Thrones is fantasy, they share several things in common. They’re both sweeping, compelling stories that draw viewers in quickly, and they each have several seasons, which allows for fascinating storylines and impressive character development.
The Expanse is also perfect for anyone looking for another excellent TV adaptation of a popular book series. Although HBO’s Game of Thrones made some changes from George R.R. Martin’s epic novels, most would likely argue that it’s a fairly strong adaptation. Sure, some readers would have been thrilled if certain details or characters had been included, and everyone has their own vision for a story’s journey from the page to the small screen. Still, the show remains one of HBO’s most popular series, and it’s hard to imagine the pop culture landscape without that Jon Snow twist (you know which one) or the intensity of The Red Wedding.
The Prime sci-fi series takes place in space, and the Solar System has been colonized by humans. The story focuses on three groups: those from the Asteroid belt, Mars, and Earth. The Belters, who are from the Asteroid belt, are a lower class than those on Earth and Mars. They work hard, and through these characters, The Expanse has a lot to say about poverty and class systems.
Both shows have shocking deaths and complex characters dealing with the constant threat of war. They examine important subjects like conflict, political power, bravery, and freedom. If you enjoyed the battles and tricky relationships on Game of Thrones, you’ll become immersed in the dynamics between the various groups on The Expanse. However, there’s one main reason why fans of HBO’s fantasy epic will love getting lost in space. Unlike Game of Thrones, The Expanse has a satisfying conclusion. Everyone knows the frustration of watching all 8 seasons of GoT and then feeling like the finale didn’t wrap the story up well.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Naren Shankar discussed the creative process of deciding what story The Expanse series finale should tell. Shankar noted that it all fell into place perfectly because “the time gap between book six and book seven is almost 30 years. So it’s a natural place and a natural ending in many ways.”
So, if you dive into the world of The Expanse, you’ll get to experience a fan-favorite, clever sci-fi story that doesn’t disappoint at the end. While Game of Thrones is still worth watching, it can be disheartening to get through eight seasons of a show and wish some significant storylines were different. Like the most impressive movies set in space, The Expanse is both a fun, entertaining escape and an important story about life and death. And the world-building can’t be beat, either.
