Prime Video abruptly ended one of its most ambitious science fiction shows after one season, but Apple TV‘s upcoming cyberpunk book adaptation has the potential to fill the void it left behind.
Almost three years ago, Prime Video released a high-concept sci-fi series that seemingly held a lot of potential. Even from a critical standpoint, the show performed well and managed to land an above-average Rotten Tomatoes score of 79%. Many viewers also appreciated the series for accurately adapting many aspects of its source material. Unfortunately, despite getting so many things right, the show struggled to garner enough viewership to be renewed for another season.
As a result, Prime Video pulled the plug on the series before it could even reveal its true potential. After three years, it seems unlikely the show will ever be revived. However, Apple TV’s upcoming sci-fi TV show could serve as its perfect replacement and fill the void it left behind.
Prime Video’s Canceled Its Promising Adaptation Of William Gibson’s The Peripheral
Prime Video’s The Peripheral was the first major TV adaptation of a William Gibson book. This is surprising because William Gibson is often touted as the Father of Cyberpunk and has written many books and stories that shaped the sci-fi genre. As The Peripheral‘s reviews suggest, the show also managed to do a decent job of capturing Gibson’s vision and perfectly pave the way for more installments.
Unfortunately, The Peripheral‘s season 2 never saw the light of day. Early reports suggested that The Peripheral had been renewed for another installment. However, the show’s production seemingly took a major hit during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which ultimately led to its cancellation.
The Peripheral was among the rare few sci-fi shows that respects a viewer’s intelligence by presenting high-concept ideas and thought-provoking themes. Even from a visual standpoint, the show excelled with its grounded portrayal of cyberpunk aesthetics and sleek world building. It could have become one of Prime Video’s biggest sci-fi IPs, but it was sadly canceled too soon.
Apple TV’s Upcoming William Gibson Adaptation Can Ease The Pain Of Peripheral Cancellation
Apple TV is adapting William Gibson’s most seminal work, Neuromancer, which influenced everything from The Matrix to Ghost in the Shell. Neuromancer will serve as the second major TV adaptation of William Gibson’s work, making it the perfect replacement for Prime Video’s The Peripheral.
While it may be a little too soon to foresee how Apple TV’s take on Neuromancer will turn out, the streaming service’s impressive record with book adaptations and sci-fi shows inspires a great deal of confidence. Apple TV is also known for being more selective with cancellations, making it hard not to believe that if Neuromancer performs well in its opening season, it will not meet the same fate as Prime Video‘s The Peripheral.
