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Dark Matter adaptations: books & series
Every version of Dark Matter — the books & series, compared across media.
Jason Dessen is a forty-year-old physics professor living quietly in Chicago with his wife and son — until the night he is kidnapped, drugged, and wakes in an alternate version of his own life. Dark Matter exists as both a 2016 novel and a 2024 television series, each following Dessen's disorienting struggle to return to his real family while confronting the most unsettling enemy he could imagine: another version of himself.
Dark Matter series
Dark Matter books
Frequently asked
Is the Dark Matter TV series based on a book?
Yes. The 2024 series Dark Matter is based on the 2016 novel Dark Matter. Both follow physicist Jason Dessen after he is thrust into an alternate version of his life and must fight his way back to his real family.
How many versions of Dark Matter are there?
There are two versions: the 2016 novel Dark Matter and the 2024 television series Dark Matter, each telling the story of Jason Dessen navigating a terrifying alternate existence.
Should I read the Dark Matter book before watching the series?
Both are valid starting points. The 2016 novel Dark Matter and the 2024 series share the same central premise and character, so you can begin with whichever format you prefer.