The second season of Apple TV+’s “Dark Matter” continues to expand its multiversal scope by introducing key figures from the characters’ pasts that were never fully explored in the original source material. In Episode 6, titled “What the Universe Is Made Of,” which premiered on October 2, 2026, the series introduced Gil Birmingham as Gabriel Vargas, the stepfather of Daniela Dessen (Jennifer Connelly).
Birmingham, who is currently starring as the lead in the CBS series “Marshals” and is widely recognized for his role in “Yellowstone,” brings a grounded presence to a pivotal moment in Daniela’s journey. While Gabriel Vargas is deceased in Daniela’s original home universe, the episode finds her encounter an alternate version of him living in a lower-tech reality. This specific narrative choice provides context for why Daniela carries the Vargas surname in various realities, a detail that adds layers to her identity beyond her marriage to Jason Dessen.
The addition of Birmingham’s character represents a departure from Blake Crouch’s 2016 novel, where Daniela’s family history remained largely off-page. By bringing her stepfather into the fold, the showrunners have deepened the emotional stakes for Daniela as she navigates the displacement caused by the Box. The episode utilizes Birmingham’s role to highlight the inherent danger of these alternate reunions; the tension peaks when the alternate Gabriel realizes the Daniela at his cabin is a variant after receiving a phone call from his actual daughter, who is safely in San Francisco.
This guest appearance comes during a high-profile year for Birmingham, following the 2026 debut of “Marshals.” His role in “Dark Matter” serves as a bridge between the high-concept science fiction of the series and the personal, character-driven drama that has defined the second season.
According to the release schedule for the 10-episode season, the series is set to conclude its current run on October 30, 2026. As the season progresses toward its finale, the introduction of figures like Gabriel Vargas suggests that the show is increasingly focused on the psychological toll the multiverse takes on the families left in the wake of the Dessens’ travels.
