Adapting a beloved book or comic into a television series is a monumental feat achieved by only a select few writers. This is especially true when the source material is as intricate and multifaceted as The Expanse, a series developed by Mark Fergus (our 2024 and 2025 mentor) and Hawk Ostby. Over six seasons, from 2015 to 2022, the series delves into profound themes of human nature, technological progress, and societal discord, all set against the backdrop of an expansive interplanetary civilization.
Many writers need help adapting anything in Sci-Fi as dense as The Expanse. The real challenge comes with science fiction novels that are deeply philosophical, highly abstract, or heavily focused on the inner thoughts of their protagonists–elements that can be difficult to translate to the screen. However, with the proper adaptation and approach, it's possible to effectively convey the central themes of these stories in a completely different medium.
Nevertheless, in this article, we'll dive into how the pilot sets the tone for the series, demonstrating some writing tools and advice to gather as writers. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to the show, there's a lot you can learn writing-wise, no matter how far along you are as a writer. Let's discuss it!
Still from 'The Expanse'. Photo credit: Syfy
Pilot Recap
While most of you reading this article have likely seen The Expanse, particularly its pilot, let's recap the first episode to refresh your memory and provide a solid foundation for those who are new to the show. This way, everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the series, can glean valuable insights about the craft of writing for television.
The series begins with Julie Mao, isolated in a spacesuit aboard a desolate spaceship. Meanwhile, on the dwarf planet Ceres, Detective Miller is tasked with locating Mao and returning her to her wealthy family on Luna. In New York, UN executive Chrisjen Avasarala interrogates a captured operative from the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA), a militant Belter faction, concerning illicit stealth technology.
While en route to Ceres, the ice hauler Canterbury receives a distress signal from the freighter Scopuli. Acting Executive Officer Jim Holden is ordered to lead a rescue mission, accompanied by engineer Naomi Nagata, mechanic Amos Burton, pilot Alex Kamal, and medic Shed Garvey.
When they reach the Scopuli, they find it abandoned, except for a distress beacon. As they head back to the Canterbury, a stealth ship suddenly appears and destroys the ice hauler with nuclear torpedoes.
The Expanse does a perfect job of introducing us to our characters and the world, setting up the next episode with the sudden appearance of the ship. Those who enjoyed the show can’t wait for the next episode, while those in the middle may stick around to see where it goes.
Sci-Fi and Human Nature
As I’m sure you’re aware, The Expanse is deep into the Sci-Fi world and centers on the common Sci-Fi theme of human nature and its impact. It shows that regardless of nationality, gender, or identity, we all have the potential to shape a better future.
Human nature remains unchanged–power struggles, racism, and the desire for autonomy will persist as long as humanity exists. A shared mission can unite planetary civilizations just as much as division and hatred can tear them apart.
Technology, particularly when poorly understood, can all too easily become a weapon. Pursuing scientific knowledge must be guided by ethics rooted in the empathy that most of us naturally possess. These themes aren’t unique to The Expanse, but the show tries to stand out from other sci-fi works.
Many regard The Expanse as the "Sci-Fi Game of Thrones." That's partially because it's loaded with varying characters and differing ideologies that lead to conflict, tension, and development. Since the Game of Thrones explosion came a few years prior, anything similar will get a comparison.
TV Adaptation
It’s a double-edged sword if you’re lucky to adapt something as beloved as The Expanse. While the novels present proven characters and a world with a built-in audience, expectations are much higher than expected for an original television series.
The Expanse and its pilot demonstrate how to begin by defining the tone of the story you want to tell, understanding that it might differ from the tone of the book you're adapting. Books can have multiple tones, which may confuse a television audience if not streamlined for the screen.
The structure of a novel might not be the most effective way to tell the story on television. While it works for a book, a TV show needs to keep viewers engaged from one episode to the next.
Also, only some characters will make it to the screen when a book is adapted into a TV script. Some characters might be combined into one, serving multiple roles in the story. For example, in the show, Shed's character is developed with a backstory and a comedic personality, transforming him from the minor, almost background figure he was in the book.
The show also understands that visual storytelling thrives on simplicity. Viewers need to grasp who they’ll be following throughout the season quickly, and simplifying the cast of characters can help avoid a pilot heavy on introductions but light on plot.
You can draw heavily from a book—its characters, arcs, relationships, key scenes, and ending. However, remember that television is like a series of mini-movies; each episode needs its plot and a cliffhanger that compels viewers to tune in next week.
Final Thoughts
Adapting a book into a television show can be even more challenging than adjusting it for a movie; TV shows don't adhere to a traditional three-act structure, and there's even less time to convey your message.
Thankfully, plenty of shows demonstrate how to adapt source material and create a killer show that'll last for years to come.
It's a rule that a book can be transformed into something truly magical on television when used as a guiding light. By capturing its essence, highlighting key characters, and maintaining its unique perspective throughout the season, the adaptation can stay true to the spirit of the original work, reassuring and connecting with the audience.