The Expanse season 6: release date, cast, trailer and latest news
The sci-fi drama is returning for a last hurrah on Amazon - but it could return elsewhere.
Amazon Prime Video plucked The Expanse from the jaws of cancellation and have piloted the sci-fi drama to new heights of success, but alas, all good things must come to an end.
The sixth season of the show is arriving imminently and will bring this space epic to a close, following the crew of the Rocinante as they take on the dangerous Marco Inaros, who has been leading attacks against Earth and Mars.
Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, The Expanse boasts a richly developed world and mythology, so it isn't out of the question that the show could find new life in the future – either in its current form or as a spin-off.
Co-star Dominique Tipper recently suggested that she would be open to reprising her role were the show to be picked up by another broadcaster, with showrunner Naren Shankar adding that "there's definitely more to tell".
With a ferociously passionate fanbase in its corner, nothing is out of the question. But for now, read on for everything you need to know about The Expanse season six on Amazon Prime Video.
The Expanse season 6 release date
CONFIRMED: The Expanse season six will premiere its first episode on Amazon Prime Video on Friday 10th December, with new chapters dropping weekly until the finale on 14th January 2022.
This season has been described as bringing the show to a "satisfying conclusion", but comments from co-star Dominique Tipper earlier this year seemed to suggest that the story could stretch further.
“Look, this is the end of the TV show on Amazon,” she told Entertainment Weekly Live. “So, we'll just have to see what happens.”
It wouldn't be the first time that The Expanse has jumped ship, initially premiering on Syfy before the network cancelled it after three seasons, prompting Amazon to swoop in and add the show to its exclusive line-up.
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The Expanse season 6 cast
With the exception of Anvar, whose character has been dramatically written out of the show, the main cast of The Expanse is expected to return for the upcoming season.
That means we can expect more from Steven Strait as James Holden, Dominique Tipper as Naomi Nagata, Wes Chatham as Amos Burton, Frankie Adams as Bobbie Draper and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala.
In addition, expect to see the return of Keon Alexander as the formidable villain Marco Inaros, who has only grown stronger since his introduction in the fourth season.
In October 2021, Deadline announced that Kathleen Robertson (Murder in the First) had joined the cast of The Expanse season six in the major role of Rosenfeld Guoliang, a close associate of Inaros.
The Expanse season 6 trailer
Amazon Prime Video dropped the first full trailer for The Expanse season six in November, which sets up the climactic final chapter with style. Watch below.
What will happen in The Expanse season 6?
The season five finale has set the stage quite nicely for what's to come next, with Marco now firmly established as one of the most dangerous figures in the universe.
The official synopsis from Amazon reads: "The solar system is at war. As Marco Inaros and his Free Navy launch devastating attacks on Earth and Marks, tension threatens to tear the crew of the Rocinate apart. Secret missions could turn the tide, but something is brewing on a distant planet that could cause trouble for everyone."
All eyes will be on his next move, but the crew of the Rocinante have more bad news to deal with following the death of Alex Kamal, which had been suspected following the departure of actor Cas Anvar.
When asked whether the character's death was always planned or written in response to real-world allegations against Anvar, showrunner Naren Shankar insisted it was a "creative choice".
"We started realising we're telling a war story that wasn't heavy because it didn't have consequences," he told Entertainment Weekly. "And really the way to drive those things home is when you start talking about losing characters who are important to the audience."
He added: "It gave realism and cost and a real sense of loss to this incredibly epic season. And from a dramatic perspective, it has tremendous ramifications going forward in how the loss of this very important part of the Roci crew hangs over every character in season six."
The Expanse is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. Looking for something else to watch? Read our guide to the best Amazon Prime series, visit our Sci-fi hub or check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
