In 2014, author Blake Crouch began developing the concept behind his novel "Dark Matter," which was later adapted into an Apple TV series. The story centers around a mysterious box that can place a person into a state of quantum superposition, allowing them to travel to alternate realities—parallel universes where different choices have been made. This idea draws inspiration from actual quantum mechanics and the "many worlds" interpretation proposed by physicist Hugh Everett, though the show's creators acknowledge the device itself is entirely fictional.
The series’ first season follows Jason Dessen, a college professor portrayed by Joel Edgerton, whose doppelgänger from another reality invents the Box and assumes his life. The narrative explores themes of love, choice, and the consequences of alternate paths, with Dessen striving to reunite with his wife Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) and son Charlie (Oakes Fegley). Season two, which began airing recently, expands on these ideas, delving deeper into the science and the limitations of the Box as Jason attempts to understand and manipulate it to protect his family.
To maintain scientific authenticity within the sci-fi framework, Crouch enlisted physicist Clifford V. Johnson as a science consultant. Johnson has reviewed every script and helped the production team visualize the complex technology behind the Box. The creators drew inspiration from real-world quantum computing and cutting-edge aerospace technology to design the intricate internal components of the device, aiming to blend scientific plausibility with dramatic storytelling.
While the show's central premise—maintaining a human in quantum superposition to enter alternate realities—finds some grounding in established physics, experts emphasize the vast differences between theoretical concepts and practical application. Quantum superposition is rigorously observed at the microscopic scale of atoms and molecules, but isolating a macroscopic object, especially a human being, remains beyond current scientific feasibility. Physicists point out that any living organism continuously interacts with its environment through processes such as emitting infrared radiation, making true isolation effectively impossible.
The second season further explores quantum entanglement, another phenomenon where particles remain interconnected across distances. The series extrapolates this concept to relationships between characters and their experiences across universes, intertwining scientific jargon with emotional themes. Edgerton described this use of entanglement as a form of "magic realism," emphasizing that it stems more from narrative intent than scientific accuracy.
Despite these scientific liberties, the show’s creators and their advisors strike a balance between imaginative speculation and real physics, acknowledging the need for dramatic compromise. The Box, while impossible with current technology, serves as a compelling narrative device to explore human relationships and the nature of choice through the lens of quantum theory.