Apple TV's Upcoming Cyberpunk Series Is The One Show No Sci-Fi Fan Can Skip

20 hours ago 8

A woman stands on a balcony in front of a neon city in Altered Carbon

Published Mar 8, 2026, 10:15 PM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer on the New TV team, focusing on writing and content planning for streaming shows. They often assist with Classic TV coverage, as well.

They have covered events, such as Denver Fan Expo. Their articles have also been shared by professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

The cyberpunk genre will continue to expand with Apple TV’s upcoming series, and it’s one show that no sci-fi fan can skip. When it comes to science fiction, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Audiences can be captivated by epic space operas with intense space battles, then flip to a story about robots taking over the world.

The only area where it hasn’t become as big is live-action TV. A few good live-action cyberpunk series, like Altered Carbon and Mr. Robot, have come out in recent years, but the genre hasn't found widespread success. Luckily, that will most likely change this year. Apple TV is releasing a cyberpunk series that no sci-fi fan will want to miss.

Neuromancer Is The Godfather Of Cyberpunk Fiction

The Neuromancer alternate title shows a person made out of power cords wearing goggles

Canadian author William Gibson released his debut novel, Neuromancer, in 1984, and it’s still discussed today because of its influence on science fiction. While it wasn’t the first piece of media in Cyberpunk fiction, it is the Godfather of the genre. As such, the Apple TV adaptation of Neuromancer is a must-watch for every science fiction fan.

Neuromancer helped pioneer cyberpunk and skyrocket its popularity. The novel was the first book to win the sci-fi triple crown, the nickname for the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award. Utopian space sci-fi dominated the genre, but Neuromancer shifted the focus toward technology as a tool for surveillance and oppression.

Gibson’s novel invented or popularized many of the sci-fi and technology terms we still use today, such as “cyberspace” and “the matrix.” The concept of the “razorgirl” started with the character Molly, and Case is the prototype of the “console cowboy” protagonist.

Prominent authors have credited Neuromancer as an influence on them, including Walter Jon Williams, Neal Stephenson, and Richard Morgan. The Wachowskis’ The Matrix and Rafael Moreu’s Hackers wouldn’t exist without Neuromancer. Mike Pondsmith cited the novel as an influence on his cyberpunk RPG, which in turn became the basis for the popular video game Cyberpunk 2077.

Modern scholars also cite Blade Runner and Neuromancer as the two pieces of media that defined the “high-tech, low-life” foundation of cyberpunk. They also created the visual aesthetic that has become synonymous with the genre. If either of these works hadn’t happened, cyberpunk wouldn’t be the thriving sci-fi subgenre that it is now.

Despite the significance of Neuromancer, it has never been adapted for the screen, while Blade Runner has become a thriving franchise. This makes the Apple show even more important. Sci-fi fans deserve to watch Gibson’s seminal story on their TV screens.

Apple TV Has A Strong History With Sci-Fi Adaptations

Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot with its helmet down and text reading "Hostile Subdued" in Murderbot season 1

Another reason why Apple TV’s Neuromancer is a must-watch is that the streamer has an incredible track record for making phenomenal sci-fi adaptations. So far, Apple TV has five major TV sci-fi shows based on books, and all of them have received high ratings from critics and audiences.

They found a way to bring Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells to the screen in Murderbot, despite the novels being deemed unadaptable. The show strikes a great balance between comedy and sci-fi, and Alexander Skarsgard plays the title role perfectly. The show stays pretty faithful to the series, and the changes they make benefit the onscreen format.

Silo is an adaptation of the book of the same title by Hugh Howie, and it does a great job of bringing the claustrophobic, dystopian story to the screen. The episodes are a slow-burn, just like the book, with extremely high tension. What’s more, Silo is digital VFX done right. The team creates a visually striking world that feels tangible, despite being built mostly from digital extensions and blue screens.

Dark Matter strikes all the same emotional chords as the book by Blake Crouch. It handles the multiverse in a creative way, with some deeming it the perfect show for fans of Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Apple TV series makes us care about Jason Dessen’s constant struggle to get home to his family.

WonderLa was an animated adaptation, so it’s not exactly comparable to what Neuromancer will be. However, it’s still notable because the script and characters perfectly embody Tony DiTerlizzi’s series The Search for WondLa.

The only sci-fi adaptation that’s not a good adaptation is Foundation, which brings Isaac Asimov’s books to life. When I discuss the show, I describe it as “inspired by Isaac Asimov’s Foundation” instead of being a one-to-one adaptation. When framed that way, Foundation is an excellent space opera TV show that’s well-written and visually captivating.

Ultimately, these adaptations prove that Apple TV can handle the iconic cyberpunk novel. They make high-concept prestige sci-fi all the time, prioritizing quantity over quality. They give their shows big budgets that allow for impressive visuals. It’s highly unlikely they would make such a highly anticipated adaptation without putting just as much time and resources into it.

There's Lots Of Great Sci-Fi Coming, But Neuromancer Is Special

With every new sci-fi TV show and movie, the genre continues to become more mainstream and attract a bigger audience. In turn, production companies, streamers, and networks continue to invest more in the genre. Consequently, many great sci-fi shows are on the horizon. With a finite amount of time to watch TV every day, we have to pick and choose which shows to consume.

Neuromancer is one that nobody should skip because it’s special. 42 years after the book’s publication, the story more relevant than ever. Its commentary on AI and corporate power feels like it was written specifically for the world we live in today.

Gibson’s book also critiques the widening wealth gap and social inequities in society, which will resonate with modern audiences. It’s as if William Gibson looked into a crystal ball to discover exactly the story we would need today.

Luckily, Neuromancer presents those themes through an exciting neon-noir heist story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Given its legacy and stellar story, Apple TV’s Neuromancer has the potential to be one-of-a-kind.