Syfy orders second season of 'The Expanse'

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Syfy says it has renewed its space mystery series The Expanse for a 13-episode, second season to premiere in early 2017.

Set 200 years in the future, the drama follows the case of a missing woman that brings together a hardened detective played by Thomas Jane and a rogue ship's captain played by Steven Strait in a race across the solar system that will expose the greatest conspiracy in human history, a synopsis said.

The series currently airs Tuesday nights on the cable television network. Executive producer Naren Shankar is also the program's showrunner.

"The Expanse is firing on all cylinders creatively, building a passionate fan base among viewers and critics alike, and delivering on Syfy's promise of smart, provocative, science-fiction entertainment. We can't wait to see where the story takes us in Season 2," Dave Howe, president of Syfy and Chiller, said in a statement Thursday.