Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Blake Crouch’s bestselling sci-fi novel, Apple TV’s “Dark Matter” is arriving at SDCC with a double feature for fans: a star-studded Hall H presentation and an exclusive first-look screening of the Season 2 premiere.

SDCC 2026: ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Premiere

Season 1 tracked physicist Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) as he was abducted into an alternate reality of his own life, fighting through a multiverse of “lives he could have lived” to get back to his family. Season 2 picks up with the Dessens attempting to settle into a safe, quiet life, until unimaginable forces compel them to run again.

• Jason’s obsession with the reality-shifting Box deepens.
• Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) faces a growing, destabilizing paranoia.
• Amanda (Alice Braga) and Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) team up to find a way home.
• Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) continues his relentless chase to create a perfect world.

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, with author Blake Crouch serving as creator, showrunner, and writer. Crouch co-wrote every single episode of Season 2 alongside executive producer Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry. Stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly also serve as executive producers.

SDCC Fan Events:

Friday, July 24 (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM in Room 6DE): An exclusive fan screening of the Season 2 premiere episode, hosted by Apple TV and Den of Geek. Panelists include Joel Edgerton, Dayo Okeniyi, Blake Crouch, Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, and Matt Tolmach.

Saturday, July 25 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Hall H): Core Hall H panel featuring Blake Crouch, Matt Tolmach, Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, and Dayo Okeniyi.

Season 2 Premiere: August 28, 2026 (Weekly through October 30)

All the Apple TV Events at SDCC 2026

When: Saturday, July 25 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Apple TV is making its historic Hall H debut with a massive two-hour showcase featuring sneak peeks, cast members, and filmmakers from five of its biggest projects:

1. Matchbox The Movie (Premieres October 9)

• The Pitch: An action-packed, globetrotting adventure based on the Mattel toys. Undercover CIA agent Sean returns to his small town and accidentally drags his childhood friends into an international pursuit to save the world.
• Confirmed Panelists: John Cena, Jessica Biel, Arturo Castro, Sam Richardson, and Teyonah Parris.

2. Dark Matter (Season 2 premieres August 28)

• The Pitch: Season 2 picks up with the Dessen family trying to settle into a safe reality, only for new forces to threaten their stability as Jason’s obsession with the Box deepens.
• Confirmed Panelists: Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Dayo Okeniyi, Blake Crouch (Creator/Author), Matt Tolmach, and Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry.

3. Mayday (Premieres September 4)

• The Pitch: A Cold War action-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds as a stranded U.S. Navy pilot who forms an unlikely alliance with a gruff, ex-KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh.
• Confirmed Panelists: Directors/Writers John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.

4. Silo (Season 3 currently airing)

• The Pitch: Season 3 dives into an origin story set centuries earlier while continuing Juliette’s journey underground as she deals with memory loss following her “cleaning.”
• Confirmed Panelists: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick, Alexandria Riley, and Showrunner Graham Yost.

5. Widow’s Bay (Season 1 streaming now)

• The Pitch: Coming off 19 Emmy nominations, this horror-comedy follows a mayor trying to turn a cursed island into a tourist destination, only for old horror legends to come alive.
• Confirmed Panelists: To be announced.

Apple TV Exclusive Screenings & Fan Experiences

Dark Matter Season 2 Sneak Preview

• When: Friday, July 24 | 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Where: Room 6DE
• What: An exclusive fan screening of the Season 2 premiere episode, hosted alongside Den of Geek.
• Attending Guests: Joel Edgerton, Dayo Okeniyi, Blake Crouch, Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, and Matt Tolmach.

The Silo Experience (Interactive Installation)

• When: Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Where: The Lot @ 1st & J (450 2nd Ave, San Diego)
• What: A multi-sensory, immersive walk-through installation that transports fans directly into the underground dystopian world of the series.
• Admission: Free and open to all SDCC badge holders and the general public.

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