With The Expanse having come to an end with season 6, Mama’s Geeky talks with Executive Producers Naren Shankar, Ty Franck, and Daniel Abraham about the series.
The Expanse is easily one of the best Science Fiction television series out there. Based on the popular books, this show was immediately embraced by long time fans. There are 9 books in total, however there is a thirty year gap between books six and seven. In talking with Executive Producers Naren Shankar, Ty Franck, and Daniel Abraham, they explained that is why season six always felt like a good ending point.
Unfortunately it was a bit of a rocky road to get here, which included a network change, but the sixth and final The Expanse season is now in the books, and is a journey we are all happy we were able to go on. The final season of The Expanse was shortened from the typical ten episodes to just seven. This was actually done after the team had already been knee deep in writing. This change caused them to cut a lot of what they wrote, and they admit there is a story or two they wish was able to be told.
Related: The Expanse Season 6: An Epic Finale, But Feels Too Rushed
As I explain what a big fan I am, and that I even have a Rocinante model, Naren Shankar points out that merchandise is one of the things The Expanse series really lacks. As a massive fan of not only the show but collectibles as well, this is something that I can agree on. We chat about all the items we would like to see made available for purchase, and Daniel Abraham throws in a Bobby Draper (in her armor of course) Sideshow Hot Toy Figure. Take my money now, please and thank you. How amazing would that be?
Speaking of the lack of merchandise available for this franchise, when I asked them if they were able to keep anything from the set, it was confessed that they all have something to remind them of their time working on this show. Ty Franck ended up collecting most of the mugs and dishes, something that Naren Shankar is quite jealous of. However, Shankar has the original Rocinante dedication plaque, which is much cooler in my opinion.
The team is especially proud that they never shied away from including politics in the show. These are concepts taken right from the books, of course, but they were sure to include them in multiple aspects of the series. They feel like the final few moments of The Expanse season 6 drive home a great point — if you want to fend a war, you need to give your opponent power over you. Not just power. Sure Earth could have given the Belters control over something that didn’t matter to them at all, but putting their own wellbeing in their hands shows a confidence in them, and your forgiveness.
When asked if we could see more of The Expanse down the line, the answer is a simple never say never. While fans would love to see the final three books play out on the screen, it could be a while until we do. Naren Shankar, Ty Franck, and Daniel Abraham are more than happy to work on the beloved series again though, and it wouldn’t feel the same without them.
About The Expanse Season 6
The sixth and final season of The Expanse picks up with the solar system at war, as Marco Inaros and his Free Navy continue to launch devastating asteroid attacks on Earth and Mars. As the tensions of war and shared loss threaten to pull the crew of the Rocinante apart, Chrisjen Avasarala makes a bold move and sends former Martian Marine Bobbie Draper on a secret mission that could turn the tide of the conflict.
Meanwhile, in the Belt, Drummer and what’s left of her family are on the run after betraying Marco. And on a distant planet beyond the Rings, a new power begins to rise.
Series stars Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cara Gee, Frankie Adams, Keon Alexander, Nadine Nicole, and Jasai Chase Owens reunite for the most epic season yet.
The Expanse series can be streamed on Prime Video.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.