Why The Expanse Shouldn’t Be Compared To Game Of Thrones

The Expanse has often been compared to another successful TV show adapted from a popular book series, but they are distinct in many ways. Hailed as one of the best sci-fi shows of all time, The Expanse’s political intrigue, extensive worldbuilding, and strong performances make it a show like no other.

Despite The Expanse being an excellent series, the show hit a few roadblocks during its run and didn’t get the acclaim it rightly deserved. The space opera, which originally aired on Syfy from 2015 to 2018, was canceled after three seasons. Thankfully, Amazon Prime Video picked up the series for three more seasons.

TV shows like The Expanse are rare, so it’s not surprising that fans of the series have been looking for something that’s just as good or even better than the soap opera. Curiously, The Expanse is often compared to Game of Thrones. However, the two series couldn’t be more different.

It’s Time To Stop Likening The Expanse To Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones left an impact on TV shows that can still be felt to this day, despite the fantasy series’ divisive ending. As Game of Thrones became more popular with each season, other networks rushed to create a series that could be just as successful and garner a loyal fan base in the same way that the HBO show did.

The Expanse has often been referred to as “Game of Thrones in space.” However, the two TV shows have very few things in common. Other than the obvious fact that The Expanse is a sci-fi TV show set in the future, whereas Game of Thrones is a fantasy series set in its own world, the two have completely different tones.

There is a narrative distinction between the two shows because they tell stories that, upon a closer look, aren’t that connected. Game of Thrones focused on the battle for the Iron Throne, while The Expanse is about a future where humans are spread across the solar system and the fight for resources that results from this expansion.

If you are looking for something to watch that’s similar to Game of Thrones, The Expanse shouldn’t be your first pick. Granted, I can see why it’s been argued that the Prime Video series is the best Game of Thrones replacement, but their differences are too significant to ignore.

Why The Expanse And Game Of Thrones Are So Frequently Compared

One of the best things about Game of Thrones is how it incorporated multiple characters’ storylines and managed to maintain a cohesive plot. This is also a characteristic that The Expanse has, which has led some to claim that the sci-fi series is the space version of GoT.

Both TV shows were adapted from popular novels, with The Expanse being based on James S.A. Corey’s books, while Game of Thrones drew its inspiration from the A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R. R. Martin.

Other than that, Game of Thrones and The Expanse were pretty lengthy and ran for multiple seasons. The political intrigue and sprawling worldbuilding have also been seen as reasons why fans of GoT would enjoy The Expanse. However, it’s worth noting that these comparisons are pretty surface-level.