The enduring popularity of Battlestar Galactica cannot be overstated, yet the 2003 series’ spiritual successor, currently available on Amazon, also merits a revival on the big screen. The Battlestar Galactica franchise began its journey in 1978 with the original series launching on ABC, which earned the 1979 People’s Choice Award for Best New TV Drama Series. Nevertheless, the reboot that aired from 2003 to 2009 has become the more significant hallmark of the franchise, transforming the science fiction landscape and attracting a wider audience.
Since the original’s conclusion in 2009, Battlestar Galactica has maintained a devoted following, spawning a prequel and a web series. Although there have been rumors about yet another reboot since 2019, which were confirmed in 2020, fans of the franchise may find equal excitement in advocating for the return of The Expanse—a series that shares similar thematic depth yet deserves renewed attention.
The Expanse: A Worthy Revival Alongside Battlestar Galactica
The Expanse Lacked a Fitting Conclusion Like Battlestar Galactica
The longing for more content from Battlestar Galactica is justified given its status as one of the greatest sci-fi franchises. Its narrative intricacies and rich character development pushed the genre’s boundaries. While the four-season run provided significant storytelling, many fans still yearn for an extension of this legacy. However, it is crucial to recognize that The Expanse deserves an equivalent opportunity for continuation.
Both critically acclaimed series faced cancellations due to low ratings and high production costs.
The Expanse: An Exceptional Series Cut Too Short
Only A Fraction of The Source Material Was Adapted in The Expanse
Over six seasons, The Expanse drew audiences into the lives of the Rocinante’s crew as they grappled with escalating conflicts within the Sol System. Initially debuting on the Syfy Channel, the series faced cancellation after three seasons. However, a passionate fan-driven campaign for revival successfully led Amazon to rescue the franchise. Despite this welcome intervention, the series did not cover the entire source material, which consists of nine novels and multiple novellas authored by James S.A. Corey.
Notably, the Rocinante’s name pays homage to the legendary horse from Miguel de Cervantes’ classic Don Quixote.
A revival, whether on Amazon or another platform, would provide fans with much-anticipated answers to lingering questions. Fortunately, unlike many shows, The Expanse has the luxury of time; a pivotal 30-year jump between its sixth and seventh books effectively mitigates concerns about the aging of cast members in a potential new season.
The Expanse: A Fitting Spiritual Successor to Battlestar Galactica
Shared Narrative Elements, Themes, and Styles
While there is no direct lineage between Battlestar Galactica and The Expanse, both series evoke a similar thematic spirit. Battlestar Galactica significantly altered the trajectory of sci-fi, and its impact resonates within The Expanse. Though grounded in the sci-fi genre, Battlestar Galactica also borrowed elements from gritty contemporary dramas, exploring complex social issues in a refreshing and politically charged narrative. Similarly, The Expanse delves deeply into the political fabric of the Sol System, confronting themes of conflict, authority, and socioeconomic disparity.
The influences are apparent, yet The Expanse possesses enough distinctive qualities to stand on its own. Both shows adopt a serial storytelling format, ensuring continuity through overarching plotlines and subplots, rather than relying on standalone episodes. While many sci-fi narratives depict aliens as their principal antagonists, Battlestar Galactica showcased humans and humanoid Cylons, while The Expanse introduced human adversaries alongside protomolecule soldiers. Furthermore, both series embed realistic scientific principles and technology into their portrayals of space battles, enhancing their authenticity.
The thematic echoes between these two series are remarkable, further emphasizing their spiritual connection. Rather than simply imitating its predecessor, The Expanse forges its path while borrowing and evolving critical narrative elements.
Status of the Battlestar Galactica Reboot: What We Know
The Battlestar Galactica Reboot on Peacock is Officially Canceled
Prior to its launch in 2020, Peacock touted a Battlestar Galactica reboot as part of its original content. Following years filled with anticipation, minimal updates emerged regarding the series’ production. Regrettably, development on the reboot ceased in August 2024 after a prolonged five-year period. Although Universal Cable Productions, the studio behind the project, intends to shop it around to other networks, the future of the reboot remains uncertain.
Interestingly, the cancellation of the Battlestar Galactica reboot may not be detrimental. Given the cyclical nature of societal issues, the themes explored in the previous iterations—such as artificial intelligence, political tension, and the struggle between individualism and collectivism—remain relevant in 2025. A new reboot that echoes these themes might come across as redundant. Without this vital commentary, the reboot would lack the core essence of Battlestar Galactica. Thus, it could be more advantageous for production companies to pivot towards renewing interest in The Expanse, a show rich with contemporary relevance and insight.
- Both Battlestar Galactica and The Expanse are celebrated for their complex storytelling.
- Fans continue to advocate for their revival on modern platforms.
- Modern streaming services present new opportunities for these rich narratives to flourish.
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