Looking through Netflix's lineup for the week, I noticed “Extant” being added today (August 18), and it has all the right ingredients to find success on the streamer despite being over a decade old.
The series first aired on CBS in 2014, following an astronaut as she returns home after a year-long solo space mission only to discover she’s mysteriously pregnant. Add Halle Berry in the lead role, and you’ve got a compelling sci-fi premise that thrives on its intriguing mystery.
Although “Extant” was canceled after just two seasons in 2015, Netflix has now brought both seasons to U.S. subscribers, offering a chance to experience the full story from start to finish. That’s 26 episodes of gripping drama, where family life collides with the unsettling unknown of space and experimental science.
If you’re looking for a sci-fi binge that combines thrilling cosmic mysteries with juicy character drama, “Extant” could be worth watching. Here’s everything you need to know about the show before adding it to your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Extant’ about?
“Extant” follows Molly Woods (Berry), a seasoned astronaut who returns to Earth after spending thirteen months alone on a space mission. Soon after her return, Molly discovers she is inexplicably pregnant, despite the fact that she had no human contact during her time away.
As she struggles to understand what has happened, her family life becomes increasingly complicated. Her husband, John (Goran Visnjic), is a scientist developing advanced androids designed to integrate into society, and their young son, Ethan (Pierce Gagnon), is a prototype of his work.
Molly’s mysterious pregnancy draws the attention of powerful organizations, whose secret experiments and hidden agendas entangle her in a dangerous conspiracy.
Should you stream ‘Extant’ on Netflix?
If you’re debating whether to stream “Extant” on Netflix, the series has a lot to offer for fans of high-concept sci-fi with a human core. Set in a near-future world, the timeline falls around the 2040s to early 2050s (as confirmed by the showrunners).
In this envisioned future, human-level artificial intelligence exists, and space exploration has advanced significantly.
Even back in 2014, this concept wasn’t entirely fresh, but there were fewer TV shows rooted in space mysteries, especially ones produced by Steven Spielberg. Paired with Halle Berry in her first starring television role, “Extant” instantly became an appealing series for its twisty storytelling and family drama.
But, it’s pretty obvious that “Extant” borrows ideas from several sci-fi classics you’ll instantly recognize, most notably “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Alien.”
Like “Odyssey,” it explores the unknowns of space and the tension between humans and advanced technology, while its suspenseful, body-mystery elements echo the isolation and terror of “Alien.”
The show also touches on themes familiar from movies like “Blade Runner,” particularly the moral and emotional challenges of artificial life, but it grounds these concepts in the personal story of Molly Woods and her family.
So while “Extant” might feel like a mash-up of classic sci-fi flicks, the premise is still intriguing enough to keep you engaged. Season 2 ups the mystery even further, introducing new faces like Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a determined cop and David Morrissey as a high-ranking military official.
Unfortunately though, “Extant” was canceled after two seasons primarily due to declining ratings and viewership. While the show had a strong start and benefited from Berry’s star power and Spielberg’s involvement, it struggled to maintain a consistent audience over its run.
The Rotten Tomatoes ratings remained fairly solid, however, with season 1 earning 81% and season 2 scoring 73%. The site’s critics consensus reads: “While many of its ideas are clearly borrowed from other sources, Extant benefits from a unique approach to some familiar stories and a strong lead in Halle Berry.”
If you’re a sci-fi lover and need something to binge-watch this week, “Extant” is certainly worth a go now that Netflix has added all 26 episodes. Its tight run means you get a full, coherent story without the commitment of longer-running shows. I’m hoping it gets a new lease on life in Netflix’s top 10 list over the coming days.
Stream “Extant” seasons 1-2 on Netflix now.
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