Why Altered Carbon Is Netflix’s Most Underrated Sci-Fi Gem You Need to Watch Now

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Over time, Netflix has captivated audiences with numerous science fiction series that stand out. Among these, Black Mirror is the most acclaimed, but there’s more to Netflix’s sci-fi offerings than just this popular anthology. One series that we believe deserves more recognition is the 2018 original series from Netflix, Altered Carbon. Despite only running for two seasons before Netflix decided to cancel it, the series left an impact on viewers with its stunning visuals, intricate plotlines, futuristic backdrop, and exploration of societal class systems.

Despite Altered Carbon often appearing overshadowed by other original series on various platforms, this doesn’t automatically imply that the show isn’t effective or high-quality.

Why Is Altered Carbon So Underrated?

Occasionally, a property fails to reach its intended audience due to insufficient promotion funds, but that’s not true for Altered Carbon. This show is one of the priciest series produced by the streaming service, with each episode reportedly costing the platform around $7 million.

If marketing isn’t the reason for the show’s failure to sustain its success, what could be? Some speculate that several elements contributed to its shortcomings. One major factor that stands out is the change in the main character Takeshi Kovacs in Season 2.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d say: In the first season, Joel Kinnaman embodied Kovacs, becoming the visual representation of this character. However, in Season 2, Anthony Mackie takes over, effectively assuming the role and housing the main character’s consciousness.

As a dedicated viewer, I must admit that I’ve noticed some changes between Season 1 and Season 2 of my favorite show. While some fans are praising these changes, others, including myself, have mixed feelings. Although the second season received critical acclaim, there’s a group of us who aren’t entirely satisfied with certain aspects – like the acting and storyline. To make matters more noticeable, they’ve even switched the vessel for our beloved lead character’s consciousness.

Eventually, the show was terminated after only two seasons by the broadcaster, largely because of the significant costs associated with its production. If viewership had persisted at a high level, this financial burden might have been manageable; however, it appears that viewers found Season 2 less engaging than the initial season.

By August 2020, it was disclosed that the second season of “Altered Carbon” would mark the end of the show’s run.

Altered Carbon Was a Journey More Than a Decade in the Making

Initially, when Laeta Kalogridis acquired the rights to the 2002 Richard K. Morgan novel “Altered Carbon”, her plan was to make a movie, not a TV show. Yet, transforming this property into a film turned out to be more challenging than it seemed.

Initially, it seems that Kalogridis faced difficulties locating a distributor for her project in its feature format. Fifteen years following her acquisition of the rights to the 2002 book, Netflix ultimately approved a television series adaptation of the intellectual property.

If you’re not too acquainted with the premise or it’s been some time since you last watched, the series depicts a world where our minds are stored on a disk-like gadget (known as cortical stack) connected to our spine. This technological advancement means that our memories and consciousness aren’t confined to our physical body, opening up the possibility for human identity to be moved into a new body after death.

In the universe of Altered Carbon, it’s predominantly the wealthy class, referred to as Meths, who can afford advanced technologies such as consciousness transfers.

Overall, the underrated science fiction series “Altered Carbon” is well-received in its first season, and audiences seem to be nearly universal in their appreciation. Although Season 2 generates more divided opinions, many fans remain eager for the show to carry on.

In summary, the official storyline of Altered Carbon encompasses two TV seasons and an anime prequel focusing on events over two centuries before the series timeline. Currently, there are no plans for additional seasons or movies related to the show. If any changes occur, we’ll make sure to let you know.

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2025-05-19 21:43