The Sci-Fi Show That Could’ve Replaced Game of Thrones

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Numerous fantasy series have strived to emulate the success of “Game of Thrones“, yet a six-season sci-fi drama might have been its rightful heir. “Game of Thrones” is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates fantasy, as it significantly revolutionized the genre. It proved that high fantasy could captivate mainstream audiences, and it sparked numerous networks and streaming platforms to pursue similar ventures. Regrettably, series such as “The Wheel of Time“, “The Rings of Power“, and “The Witcher” have not quite attained the popularity that the HBO phenomenon achieved.

In the realm of fantasy shows, numerous attempts have been made to replicate the success of ‘Game of Thrones’. Yet, there is one science fiction series that held the promise of truly filling its shoes. This series shared the grandeur and intricate plotlines that HBO’s adaptation made famous, but it also hailed from an extensive book series with a devoted fan base. During its six-season run, this sci-fi series garnered significant acclaim. Nevertheless, it failed to achieve the same level of recognition as ‘Game of Thrones’, with several factors playing a role in that outcome.

The Expanse Should Have Been Game Of Thrones‘ Replacement, Not Another Fantasy Show

The Scope, Politics, & Lengthy Source Material Made It An Ideal Successor

Among several fantasy series that initially appeared promising, Amazon’s The Expanse stood out as a top choice for potentially being the next “Game of Thrones.” Drawing from the same-named book series penned by authors James S.A. Corey, The Expanse boasted several factors that made it highly regarded in the sci-fi world. With nine books in the series, the source material had amassed a dedicated fanbase, giving it significant cultural resonance. This also provided the show with an abundance of content to draw from (although The Expanse didn’t manage to adapt all the books).

Beyond sharing lengthy and well-received origins, The Expanse boasted a rich world and political motifs that resonated with fans of Game of Thrones. While it lacked the graphic violence and explicit content found in the HBO series, its sci-fi narrative bore striking resemblances to how Game of Thrones tackled its fantasy realm. Despite their distinct genres, both shows shared significant similarities. If The Expanse had garnered the same level of popularity as the fantasy series, it could have been seen as its successor.

Why The Expanse Never Reached The Heights Of HBO’s Fantasy Series

It Lacked A Few Things That Helped Game Of Thrones

Although “The Expanse” showed promise as a potential successor to “Game of Thrones,” it didn’t quite achieve the same level of popular success as HBO’s fantasy series. Despite receiving an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and being critically acclaimed throughout its run, “The Expanse” failed to spark the same kind of water cooler conversations that “Game of Thrones” did. This discrepancy might be due to several factors.

First off, it’s noticeable that science fiction (sci-fi) has experienced a significant comeback in recent times, as demonstrated by Apple TV+’s handling of the genre. However, when The Expanse premiered in 2015, sci-fi wasn’t as prominent. While Star Trek continued to captivate its dedicated fanbase, and a few other sci-fi series expanded their reach, the genre primarily attracted a more specialized audience. In fact, this was similar to how fantasy used to be before Game of Thrones, but unlike Game of Thrones, The Expanse didn’t attract viewers who weren’t already fans of sci-fi, whereas HBO’s show managed to entice newcomers.

Moreover, “The Expanse” initially aired on Syfy before shifting to Amazon Prime Video, which might have limited its exposure to a broader viewership. HBO is well-known and has more flexibility in terms of budget. The network’s audience anticipates high-quality content, regardless of genre. However, Syfy tends to attract viewers who are already interested in sci-fi shows, making it less appealing for newcomers to tune in. Furthermore, Prime Video was still developing at the time when “The Expanse” first moved, and it hadn’t yet adopted weekly release models. Consequently, its earlier seasons didn’t maintain a prominent position in viewer’s minds.

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2025-06-07 05:37