Dark Matter Canceled at Syfy, and We’re Heartbroken

Let’s face it, when Dark Matter fans saw the cancellation news, there were a lot of mixed emotions.

Frustration… Sadness… Gratefulness… Confusion…

For everyone involved with Dark Matter,  this wasn’t just a show. This show mattered to a lot of people, including myself. I am grateful for the amazing three seasons, but let’s be honest — Syfy messed up on this call.

I started Dark Matter because I liked producing team Joseph Mallozzi and Jay Firestone. I stayed because of the amazing cast and incredible writing. 

There was something about the chemistry between these actors. Every relationship was unique, and the actors could break your heart and bust your gut laughing within the same scene.

Melissa O’Neil stepped into Two with strength and compassion, and the level of depth she brought to Two’s story captivated us all. Anthony Lemke played the bad boy with a heart of gold to perfection, and no one could have done it better.

Alex Mallari Jr. shined as Four/Ryo and had some of his best work during Season 3 when we got to see how his character handled betrayal and loyalty. Jodelle Ferland was presented as the quirky side-kick in Five, but she knocked us out with her heartfelt pleas for the crew to always do the right thing.

Roger Cross impressively played Six, who was one of the most complex characters on the crew, and who was always trying to find a way to make up for his past mistakes. Zoie Palmer magnificently portrayed Android. Whether it was her comedic timing or trying to understand humanity, there wasn’t a time when she didn’t steal the scene.

The show gave us exciting story arcs that had twists and turns that no one saw coming. The diversity of the characters each week was encouraging to see and having unapologetic strong female characters was amazing.

Executive Producer and showrunner Joseph Mallozzi had a clear path for five full seasons for Dark Matter, and on the Season 3 finale (now the series finale), we had some major revelations, like seeing The Black Ships come into the universe.

We also had some major cliffhangers, including who Kryden was and how he came to be in charge of Two and Shaw’s daughter, and how Sarah, Shaw, and Victor were going to have a big impact in the android revolution.

A show like this one doesn’t come around very often, which is why we are so disappointed. Syfy has been known to invest in strong female lead characters — the entire Friday night line-up was proof of that — but a leader like Two is not something we see in the shows currently on television.

Two and Android were my favorite reasons for why I kept coming back every week.

Not to say that the rest of the characters or actors weren’t amazing, but there was just something that set them a part. Maybe it was the actresses who brilliantly portrayed them, maybe it was the complex writing that made these characters more than just a ‘sexy addition’ to the crew, or maybe because there was some part of me that connected with these characters and drew strength from their individual journeys.

And that’s what good television is all about.

In a statement on his blog, Joseph Mallozzi said, “It is with great sadness that I confirm the news.  Syfy has cancelled Dark Matter after three seasons. To say that I’m incredibly disappointed would be an understatement. You all deserved better.”

But what Mallozzi didn’t add was that the cast and crew also deserved better.

As a fan, I am heartbroken for the everyone – the cast, crew, and fans. Every Friday night during the summer, we had an escape from whatever was going on in our lives — we were a part of the Raza Crew. 

It’s been an honor reviewing this special show. A big thanks to the cast and crew for inviting us on this amazing and unforgettable journey. 

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