After Silo, Apple TV+’s Upcoming Cyberpunk Show Could Be The Streamer’s Next Big Sci-Fi Adaptation

Silo will remain one of Apple TV+’s most valuable IPs, but the streamer’s new cyberpunk series could potentially become an even better sci-fi adaptation. Viewers familiar with Hugh Howey’s Silo book trilogy were hyped when Apple TV+’s adaptation first premiered. However, the show’s season 1 turned out to be so immersive and compelling that it eventually garnered the attention of both readers and non-readers of the source material alike.

Although Silo season 2 had a few pacing issues and narrative hiccups, it played a crucial role in growing the show’s mythology and expanding its brilliant world-building. Over its next two seasons, Silo will likely grow from strength to strength in acclaim and popularity before ending its run for good. However, while it is at it, it seems like another Apple TV+ sci-fi show will gradually rise in the ranks and potentially become as successful as Silo, if not more.

An Upcoming Apple TV+ Sci-Fi Show Will Adapt One Of The Most Influential Cyberpunk Novels

Apple TV+ Is Adapting William Gibson’s Neuromancer

Cyberpunk was still nebulous as a subgenre in the early 80s before William Gibson’s Neuromancer became one of the few additions to the literary works that defined it and gave it its early shape. Everything from the character beats to the sci-fi concepts in the book have now become genre stereotypes. However, when it first landed on bookshelves, Neuromancer was revolutionary and even served as one of the many inspirations behind the most influential work in sci-fi cinema: The Matrix.

…Apple TV+’s success with sci-fi shows like Severance and Foundation, and particularly with book adaptations like Dark Matter and Silo, makes me hopeful that Neuromancer is in good hands.

Surprisingly, despite being the benchmark novel in cyberpunk, Neuromancer has never been adapted in the live-action medium. Over 40 years since its publication, Apple TV+ has now taken the responsibility of finally bringing it to the small screens. While only time will tell how the show will eventually turn out, Apple TV+’s success with sci-fi shows like Severance and Foundation, and particularly with book adaptations like Dark Matter and Silo, makes me hopeful that Neuromancer is in good hands.

Most details surrounding the series are still under wraps. However, several aspects surrounding its production seemingly set it up for success. The show has two talented creators at its helm: Graham Roland and J. D. Dillard. Roland has not only been the showrunner for the highly acclaimed 100% Rotten Tomatoes series Dark Winds but has also worked on popular sci-fi shows like Lost and Almost Human. Neuromancer also has a promising cast, including names like Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Joseph Lee, Mark Strong, and Peter Sarsgaard.

Neuromancer Has The Potential To Outshine Apple TV+’s Best Sci-Fi Shows (Including Silo)

Neuromancer Could Help Apple TV+ Continue Its Sci-Fi Reign

With some critically panned shows like Invasion and Hello Tomorrow!, Apple TV+ has experienced a few hiccups in the sci-fi genre. However, for the most part, the streamer has reigned supreme in sci-fi with its highly acclaimed shows like Severance, For All Mankind, Foundation, Silo, and Dark Matter. If Apple TV+’s Neuromancer adaptation turns out to be good, the streamer would not only continue its upward trajectory in the sci-fi genre but also potentially have one of the most important shows in the genre under its belt.

Given the scalability of the ideas and concepts presented in Neuromancer, its well-executed adaption could be something in line with Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner or John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. Since many story beats and ideas from the book, such as jacking into the Matrix, AI sentience, and corporate control, have become sci-fi staples, the Apple TV+ show will have to tweak the source material to make it seem less derivative. However, considering what the streamer achieved with Silo, it has the potential to deliver a compelling adaptation.

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  Neuromancer
  

  
  

  Network

  Apple TV+

  Showrunner

  Graham Roland

  Directors

  J.D. Dillard

  Writers

  Graham Roland, JD Dillard