The Sci-Fi Series That Fans Of Westworld Need To Watch Next
Since the release of its first season in 2016, Westworld – inspired by the 1973 Michael Crichton film of the same name — has been one of the most talked about TV shows on HBO. As fans know, Westworld's storyline and setting are all-consuming, and the mystery behind everything has left countless viewers wanting more. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there will be a fourth season until 2022, at the earliest, so in the meantime, you're probably wondering what to watch next.
There are quite a number of science fiction shows out there these days — more than ever before — but if you particularly enjoyed Westworld and its unique genre mix of drama, sci-fi, mystery, and philosophical musings, there's one specific show that should be right up your alley, and that's Netflix's Altered Carbon.
When you put Westworld and Altered Carbon beside one another, the two shows have many similarities — like questioning the potential ramifications of future technology, and the impact this would have on society — but they also stand confidently on their own. So, if you haven't watched Altered Carbon on Netflix yet, here are some reasons why this show might be meant for you.
Altered Carbon is the sort of intellectual sci-fi fix that Westworld fans crave
Altered Carbon was released in 2018, and even though the show only made it to two seasons, it continues to be celebrated by fans today for bringing a new type of sci-fi action to Netflix. The series is based on a classic cyberpunk novel by Richard K. Morgan, set over 300 years into the future. Without giving too much away, the concept centers around the futuristic living conditions of the human race, and the notion that a person isn't truly dead if their consciousness still exists: in turn, a soul can be transferred into another body or "sleeve" by simply inserting a disc-shaped device into it. Obviously, this changes the entire nature of society, death, and the future.
The protagonist of the show is Takeshi Kovacs, played at various points by Will Yun Lee, Joel Kinnamon, and Anthony Mackie – a recasting that occurs for plot reasons, made clear by the premise. Kovacs is a soldier with a certain set of skills, and was once involved with the rebel uprising. The first season has Kovacs tasked with investigating the murder of a wealthy man named Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), and of course, the situation gets more tangled from there.
Altered Carbon's story is complex, but don't let that steer you away from how amazing it is — much like Westworld, these complexities are a huge part of the appeal. Overall, Altered Carbon is a solid show that can stand next to Westworld in terms of genre, tone, and excellent storyline. On the other hand, Altered Carbon's originality, much like the Richard K. Morgan novel it is based on, makes it worth viewing on its own merits.