Both sci-fi and romance are niche genres that don't always merge as much as I'd like them to. Sure, Han and Leia's love story in Star Wars is a timeless classic at this point, but it's not nearly enough to scratch all the right itches. But thankfully, while it's canon, fan fiction and extended universe books give us the details we desperately want.
A movie like Project Hail Mary (2026) is an absolute must-watch for every kind of viewer, but as most people know, there's absolutely no romance, and that's okay—it's not necessary here. And then there's The Expanse (2015), which I personally believe is the single greatest sci-fi TV show that has graced our screens, with the kind of romance that hits in all the right ways.
Steven Strait's James "Jim" Holden and Dominique Tipper's Naomi Nagata get the kind of satisfying romance that makes every episode of the show extra delicious, including the ones where they aren't together. The progression and maturity of their romance allows The Expanse to shine as a series, and it deep dives into found family territory in a way that's more rare than we think. Currently streaming on Prime Video, if you've been waiting for the chance to start, now's the time to do so.
‘The Expanse’ Takes Its Time Exploring Real Human Emotions
A large part of the reason The Expanse is so excellent as a series is entirely because of the real human emotions we examine throughout the show's six-season run. As a series that also effectively showcases intergalactic politics, its heart is in the connections established throughout. Romantic and platonic relationships need time to develop, and when done right, the outcome is a closeness for which there are very few words. The found family trope isn't rare in sci-fi (or other genres, for that matter), but the detailed display of the good, the bad, and the ugly somewhat is.
Because a lot of popular sci-fi properties are made into movies as opposed to TV shows, the limited time frame doesn't allow us to get to see every little component that we're hoping for. Yet as a series, The Expanse deep dives into everything. Where the majority of characters begin and where they end up is a result of careful development that explores how extremely different and complex characters come together to form irreplaceable bonds.
The way they look out for each other and how we get quiet moments woven into significant spectacles is no small feat. The series is stunning and exemplary in its narrative groundwork, but it's ultimately how it establishes its characters that allows it to stand out. Audience members want people to care about it, and The Expanse ensures that we do, even when we're frustrated with them. And in order for a romance to hit, we have to love the characters individually just as much.
Naomi and Jim's Romance on ‘The Expanse’ Is Endgame Throughout
Unfortunately, happy endings aren't always guaranteed in sci-fi or fantasy, but because the series is based on James S. A. Corey's novels, viewers going into the series had hope. While Han and Leia end in a lovely place at the end of Return of the Jedi (1983), they're at odds with each other in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) before he's killed by their son, Ben Solo, also known as Kylo Ren.
But on The Expanse, from the moment that Jim and Naomi get together in the beginning of Season 2, Episode 1, "Safe," they stay together until the series finale, "Babylon's Ashes." Even when there's conflict, which there understandably should be, there are never petty arguments or fights that feel fabricated for the sake of drama.
The series does an especially admirable job of letting Jim and Naomi take on issues like adults, prioritizing communication to showcase that there's space for these types of authentic displays. Often, TV shows feel as though they need to break couples up to keep things exciting, but The Expanse instead puts distance between them in ways that feel relevant to the plot and character journeys while simultaneously reminding us that they're still each other's person.
There's never a weird love triangle or any sort of scandal between them, and even the most shocking news is dealt with through communication. And it's that very communication that makes the show so evocative, because it's rare to get this level of maturity outside of the romance genre, where writers know that it's what readers and viewers want to see.
We don't want drama for the sake of drama; rather, we want conflict that the couples can deal with together. We want the loyalty that's established in the beginning to continue evolving as they're together, and that's exactly what we see admirably with Naomi and Jim. There's also something to be said about how TV shows often write off and mistreat women of color that's a big conversation for a different time, but it's thankfully never the case with The Expanse, which makes it ten times more incredible. Ultimately, if you're a romance fan who's generally mistrustful of sci-fi, but want to dip your toes with a show that's going to ensure you get all the best tropes and feel all the feelings, look no further.
