‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Cast & Characters Guide

After a terrific first season, the hit sci-fi series Dark Matter returns for an uncharted second season on August 28 on Apple TV.

Based on Blake Crouch’s novel, the first season covered the book’s full story, meaning even readers familiar with the source material can expect surprises in Season 2. With Crouch serving as creator and showrunner, the series ventures beyond the novel to continue the story on screen.

Catch up on season 1 and stream new episodes of Dark Matter on Apple TV with DIRECTV.

Don’t have DIRECTV yet? Sign up today!

Shop Packages

What is the plot of ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2?

Attention! The following contains spoilers for the events that took place in Season 1. Proceed with caution.

The first season of Dark Matter followed Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a quantum physicist turned college professor who was kidnapped, drugged and forced into the Box — a mysterious metal cube capable of transporting people to alternate realities. Over the course of the season, Jason traveled through numerous parallel worlds alongside Amanda, Jason #2’s former girlfriend and colleague, as he searches for a way home and tries to reclaim the life his counterpart stole from him.

Season 2 picks up with Jason, his wife Daniela and their son Charlie attempting to build a quiet life in a seemingly safe world. When a new threat forces them to run again, the family must return to the Box and venture deeper into the multiverse.

‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Cast and Character Guide

Here are the main cast and characters of Dark Matter Season 2 from Apple TV.

Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen

Known from: Loving, Warrior and The Great Gatsby

Jason is a brilliant and thoughtful physicist whose devotion to his family drives nearly every decision he makes. After his counterpart from another universe, Jason #2, kidnaps him and takes his place as Daniela’s husband and Charlie’s father, Jason #1 must rely on his scientific mind and determination to navigate the Box and its endless alternate realities.

Jason finally reunites with his family at the end of Season 1, but their safety is short-lived. Forced into the Box to escape the alternate versions of Jason pursuing them, he must once again use his persistence and creative problem-solving — this time while carrying the responsibility of guiding Daniela and Charlie through the multiverse.

Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen

Known from: A Beautiful Mind, Requiem for a Dream and Top Gun: Maverick

Daniela is a compassionate, perceptive and creative artist who is deeply devoted to Jason and their son, Charlie. She once dreamed of becoming a professional artist but stepped away from that path to focus on her family — a choice that occasionally leaves her wondering what her life might have been if she hadn’t.

When Jason #2 secretly assumes her husband’s identity, Daniela initially dismisses the changes she notices in him. Her strong intuition and emotional intelligence eventually tell her that something is wrong, however, and she refuses to ignore her suspicions.

When the real Jason finally returns, he convinces Daniela of his identity and reveals the truth about the Box and the multiverse. With other versions of Jason closing in on them, Daniela, Jason and Charlie enter the Box together in search of a safe alternate reality where they can rebuild their lives.

Alice Braga as Amanda Lucas

Known from: I Am Legend, Elysium and Queen of the South

Amanda is an intelligent, empathetic and principled psychiatrist who was Jason #2’s girlfriend and professional partner in his original world. Although his decision to abandon her leaves her betrayed and vulnerable, she quickly recognizes that the Jason who emerges from the Box is not the same man.

Guided by a strong moral compass, Amanda chooses to help Jason #1 return to his family. Her adaptability and understanding of human behavior make her an invaluable companion as they navigate a series of alternate realities.

Amanda ultimately chooses to remain in a progressive, seemingly utopian world where she can build a new life of her own. After crossing paths in the Season 1 finale, Amanda and Ryan are expected to join forces in Season 2 as they search for a way home.

Oakes Fegley as Charlie Dessen

Known from: Pete’s Dragon, The Goldfinch and Wonderstruck

Charlie, Jason and Daniela’s teenage son, is your typical high schooler. He’s an artist, a skateboarder and he’s trying to find the right way to talk to his crush from school.

His perceptiveness becomes increasingly important when he notices subtle changes in his father, unaware that Jason #2 has taken the real Jason’s place. After learning about the two Jasons, Charlie experiences a mix of confusion, elation and fear as he learns the truth about his father.

Charlie and his parents escape through the Box in search of a reality where they can live safely. Season 2 finds the family attempting to build a new life in a world that initially appears safe.

Jimmi Simpson as Ryan Holder

Known from: Westworld, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and White House Plumbers

In Jason #1’s world, Ryan is a confident and charismatic neuroscientist who wins the prestigious Pavia Prize for his groundbreaking research into the prefrontal cortex. A good friend to Jason, he shares a spirited competitive streak with him that keeps both scientists on their toes.

In Jason #2’s world, Ryan is equally brilliant, although his career has seen fewer successes. Both versions of Ryan create the chemical compound that allows humans to travel through the Box. When Jason #2 begins to view Ryan #1 as a threat, he lures him into the Box and abandons him in another reality.

Dayo Okeniyi as Leighton Vance

Known from: The Hunger Games, Terminator Genisys and Shots Fired

Leighton is wealthy, ambitious and drawn to the limitless possibilities of the Box, although his personality varies significantly across realities. In Jason #1’s world, he is a thrill-seeking billionaire who eagerly embraces the opportunity to explore the multiverse, armed with enough ampules of the traveling compound to move between worlds freely.

In Jason #2’s world, Leighton Vance is a ruthless CEO of Velocity Labs, the company behind the Box. When Jason #1 escapes from the facility, Leighton pursues him into the Box rather than allow its secrets to slip from his control.

Both versions share a taste for risk and a fascination with the unknown, traits that could bring Leighton into conflict with almost any of the show’s multiverse travelers come Season 2.

Amanda Brugel as Blair Caplan

Known from: The Handmaid’s Tale, Orphan Black and Kim’s Convenience

Blair is intelligent, pragmatic and resilient, with each version of the character bringing those qualities to a very different life. In Jason #1’s world, she is a bioethics lawyer and trusted family friend who remains calm under pressure and helps the Dessen’s escape in the Season 1 finale.

In Jason #2’s world, Blair is a lead engineer at Velocity Labs who helped develop the Box. She becomes stranded in a reality where humanity has been wiped out by giant, deadly insects, leaving her deeply traumatized by her attempts to escape.

She refuses to enter the Box again until she feels mentally prepared, showing patience and self-awareness before ultimately finding the courage to resume her journey through the reality corridor.

‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Trailer

The Dark Matter trailer drops some interesting hints as to what awaits this season.

Dark Matter season 2 hits Apple TV on August 28. The premiere episode, “A Quiet Life,” is written by Blake Crouch and Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, the team that wrote Episode 7 and the season finale.

Watch ‘Dark Matter’ on Apple TV With DIRECTV

Revisit the Dessen family’s journey through the multiverse before Dark Matter season 2 premieres on August 28. Connect your Apple TV account to DIRECTV to catch up on season 1 and stream new episodes.

Watch Dark Matter and other Apple Original series on Apple TV with DIRECTV.

Shop Packages