Prime Video’s Canceled 2-Part Hard Sci-Fi Mystery Series ‘Outer Range’ Is One of Its Best

Prime Video’s insanely underrated sci-fi series is one of the best shows on the streaming platform. Prime Video is already home to tremendous sci-fi shows like The Expanse, Fallout, Tales From the Loop, The Man in the High Castle and more. But arguably the most underrated sci-fi show around is a hidden gem on the streaming platform. It’s a surprise that the series didn’t receive more fanfare when it was released in 2022. The show stars some A-list actors, and it’s an original concept sci-fi show (something which sci-fi fans are always clamoring for more of).

Josh Brolin plays Royal Abbott, a rancher coping with his daughter-in-law’s disappearance, when a mysterious black void appears in one of their pastures. As well as Brolin, the series stars Tom Pelphrey and Lewis Pullman as Royal’s sons, Perry and Rhett, with Imogen Poots, Isabel Arraiza, and Tamara Podemski in the supporting cast. Outer Range was created by Brian Watkins, who acted as executive producer and showrunner for the series.

Debuting in 2022, Outer Range lasted for two seasons on Prime Video before being unceremoniously canceled. During its 15-episode run on the streamer, Outer Range received great reviews from critics and viewers. The series holds an 85% overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 77% user score. Season 1 got off to a rocky start with the critics, with a 79% rating. But, by Season 2, Outer Range had jumped up to a 92% critics’ rating and an 84% audience score.

‘Outer Range’ Is Prime Video’s ‘Yellowstone’ With a Sci-Fi Twist

There are two types of sci-fi stories. There are those where the science and technology are explained, the worldbuilding methodically laid out from the first episode, and we get to see how the characters interact with that technology (see The Expanse). Then, there are those sci-fi shows where you have absolutely no idea what’s going on, but you’re still engrossed in it. That’s Outer Range through and through.

What starts as Prime Video’s version of Yellowstone very quickly diverges into a bizarre sci-fi mystery where nothing is as it seems. Just when you think you have a grasp on what’s going on, another 12 plot twists are hurled at you and the mystery is as far-reaching as Royal Abbott’s ranch. It’s complex and demands your full attention. But, in between that, the characters are grounded and have tangible motivations that, somehow, make a gaping black void in the middle of a ranch feel believable.

‘Outer Range’ Deserved Better From Prime Video

Prime Video

Imagine you’re Prime Video. You’ve got a phenomenal sci-fi western on your hands. It might not have groundbreaking viewership numbers, but it has Josh Brolin at the helm, who’s received even more acclaim within sci-fi circles thanks to Dune. Oh yeah, and the critics absolutely adore it. What do you do? Cancelling it would probably be at the bottom of that list. Well, someone should give that list to the executives at Amazon Prime Video. After two seasons, Outer Range was canceled by the streamer, leaving fans’ hopes of a third season shattered. Nevertheless, Outer Range is still a tremendous series. It’s almost on-brand for the show to end with a massive mystery still looming over it.