“Dark Matter” Renewed for Season 2

There are many more realities to explore within Apple TV’s “Dark Matter,” and the streamer has announced it’ll do just that following a Season 2 renewal of the critically acclaimed sci-fi series.

Based on the novel of the same name by bestselling author and showrunner Blake Crouch, “Dark Matter” follows Jason Dessen (played by Joel Edgerton), a physicist, professor, and family man who, one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago, is abducted into an alternate version of his life. As he tries to return to his reality “amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could have lived,” he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true life and to his family to “save them from the most terrifying, unbeatable foe imaginable: himself.”

Watch the trailer for “Dark Matter” Season 1 below:

Jennifer Connelly stars opposite Edgerton, as well as Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, and Oakes Fegley. A Season 2 premiere date will be announced later.

Disney+ Cancels “The Acolyte”

It’s the end of “The Acolyte,” Disney+’s most recent “Star Wars.” Lucasfilm has announced it will not continue with the mystery-thriller series from creator/showrunner/director/executive producer Leslye Headland, which premiered on the streamer in June and wrapped its eight-episode first (and only) season on July 16. The series got off to a strong start after its June launch but lost momentum after its third week and fell below the viewership threshold needed for a renewal on big-budget series like Disney+’s “Star Wars” properties.

Watch the trailer for “The Acolyte” below:

Set in the final days of the High Republic era approximately 100 years before the events of “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,” “The Acolyte” was led by Amandla Stenberg as Osha, a former Padawan who reunited with her Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) to investigate a series of crimes, discovering the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated. Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Carrie-Anne Moss made up the ensemble cast.

DIRECTV STREAM Now Available on Peloton Machines

DIRECTV and Peloton are making it easier to stay motivated (or distracted) during your workouts! Earlier this week, the two companies announced a partnership that will bring the DIRECTV STREAM streaming service to all Peloton Bike, Tread, and Row machines. Through Peloton’s all-new Just Guidance feature, DIRECTV STREAM subscribers can now enjoy their favorite shows, sports, and more while continuing their workout routines. Peloton subscribers looking to get connected can start with the service’s Entertainment plan, which includes 65 channels for $79.99 per month.

Peloton members can also access other partners such as NBA League Pass, YouTube TV, AMC+, and more on Peloton Entertainment.

BritBox’s “Passenger” Releases Trailer, Announces NYCC Presence and Streaming Premiere Date

One of the year’s buzziest upcoming dramas is keeping up the hype. BritBox has announced the ITV crime drama “Passenger,” led by BAFTA winner Wunmi Mosaku (“Damilola, Our Loved Boy,” “Deadpool & Wolverine”), will make its streaming premiere on the British TV streamer on Thursday, Oct. 17.

The six-part dark-comedy crime thriller, which had its linear premiere TV this past March, is the screenwriting debut of Andrew Buchan (“Broadchurch”) and “explores a close-knit community who are unwilling to face their fears of change, of outsiders and of the unknown.” Set in the fictional small Northern town, “Passenger” follows former Met Police Detective Riya Ajunwa (Mosaku) as she investigates a series of strange and inexplicable crimes after a local girl mysteriously disappears.

Watch the trailer for “Passenger” below:

The mystery limited series also stars David Threlfall, Rowan Robinson, Daniel Ryan, Ella Bruccoleri, Jo Hartley, Barry Sloane, Natalie Gavin, Hubert Hanowicz, Arian Nik, Nico Mirallegro, and others. “Passenger” will stream exclusively on BritBox on Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. ET with its first two episodes. Two episodes will be released every Thursday until the Oct. 31 finale.

Additionally, BritBox announced the series will premiere its first episode with an advanced special screening at this year’s New York Comic Con on Oct. 17, followed by a panel with the cast and Buchan.

Prime Video Announces “Secret Level” Video Game Anthology Series at Gamescom

Ready player one: during the Gamescom Opening Night Live global livestream, Prime Video has announced the upcoming debut of its new adult-animated anthology series “Secret Level,” premiering on the streamer later this year. “Secret Level” will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Watch the teaser trailer for “Secret Level” below:

“Secret Level” comes from Amazon MGM Studios and Blur Studio (“Love, Death + Robots”) and is described as “a celebration of games and gamers.” Each of its 15 episodes is inspired by classic video and tabletop games, including “Armored Core,” “Concord,” “Exodus,” “Mega Man,” “PAC-MAN,” “Sifu,” “Warhammer 40,000,” and more. According to the official description, each episode “serves as a gateway to a new adventure, unlocking exciting worlds from beloved gaming classics and highly anticipated new titles.”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Spinoffs Get Renewals

The search for America’s next drag superstar continues! MTV and Paramount+ have officially announced the Season 17 renewal for the Emmy Award-winning “RuPaul's Drag Race.” The flagship drag competition series, which premiered on Logo in 2009 and currently airs on MTV, crowned its 16th winner this past April. Additionally, the backstage companion series “RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked” has also been renewed for a new season.

Both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” will air first (premiere date to be announced) on MTV and will be available to watch at a later date on Paramount+. Season 16 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Season 15 of “Untucked” are both now available to stream. Paramount+ has also renewed “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars” for its 10th season, following its first-ever charity season, which concluded last month, as well as its companion series “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked”

Watch the trailer for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars” below:

The franchise recently premiered the new global competition series “RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars,” which premiered exclusively on Paramount+ on Aug. 16. The new spinoff sees 12 fan favorites from around the world represent their countries as they compete for the title of “Queen of the Mothertucking World,” a grand prize of $200,000, and a spot in the International Pavilion at the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Paramount+ premiere dates for the new seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Untucked” will also be announced at a later date. The “Drag Race” franchise has been nominated this year for a collective 10 Emmy Awards this year, including RuPaul Charles for Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality Competition Program and Reality Competition Program for the flagship series.

Ilana Glazer Sets Second Stand-Up Special

“Broad City” co-creator/showrunner/star Ilana Glazer is back on stage for an all-new stand-up special, coming to Hulu later this year. Taped at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre in Toronto in May during their 48-city tour across the United States and Canada, the upcoming special “Human Magic” will premiere exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. on Friday, Dec. 20, and internationally on Disney+ (official date to be announced). This is their second stand-up special, following 2020’s “Ilana Glazer: The Planet Is Burning” on Prime Video.

The special is directed by Jeff Tomsic and joins Hulu’s new and growing “Hularious” stand-up comedy brand, launching this November. Other recently announced specials include “Jim Gaffigan: The Skinny,” as well as specials from Roy Wood Jr. and more.