Sci-fi as a genre is often defined by a handful of hits that are popular with a wider audience, but that typically leaves some incredible shows largely outside the realm of conversation. While some shows are able to work within the confines of more popular TV tropes or find ways to produce their shows at a higher value, others are simply able to hit at the right time, finding the right audience. The popularity of a sci-fi show doesn’t always have to do with its quality, despite the most buzz worthy shows tending to be great in their own ways.
The gap between excellence and recognition can make shows that didn’t hit their marks when they were on the air well worth revisiting. Over the past few decades, sci-fi has expanded as a genre, growing to include network, cable, and streaming TV and allowing for more experimentation when it comes to what works and what doesn’t. With this influx of shows has come a new set of standards and a desire to push the envelope in different ways. While some shows are critically praised for their experimentation, others only get the recognition they deserve after taking a much-needed second look.
10
Continuum
Continuum, a Canadian series that aired in the US on Syfy, follows Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) as she travels from the future to a present day crisis. The show’s four-season run explored time travel from a fascinating lens, watching as Kiera unintentionally accompanies a group of freedom fighters called Liber8 65 years into the past in order to escape their fate.
With the show choosing to treat time travel as something more complex than a plot device, Continuum used the typical sci-fi trope to its advantage, turning it on its ear. Rather than having to depict a future full of unrest, the series rooted itself in the present and poked holes in the system it created, building tension with its character dynamics rather than its plot.
Release Date
2012 – 2015-00-00
Network
showcase
Directors
Pat Williams, David Frazee, William Waring, Amanda Tapping, Mike Rohl, Jon Cassar, Simon Barry, Paul Shapiro
Rachel Nichols
Kiera Cameron
9
The Expanse
Diogo wears a spacesuit in The Expanse season 2
Another Syfy series that eventually moved to Prime Video, 2015’s The Expanse was based on a novel series of the same name by James S. A. Corey. Set in a distant future, The Expanse explores the idea of humanity having colonized the Solar System. Following UN Deputy Undersecretary Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), James Holden (Steven Strait) and the rest of the eventual crew of Rocinante, the series takes on a grounded political landscape in a distant reality.
While The Expanse shifted from one network to a streaming platform in the middle of its run, the show’s rich world building and complicated storytelling make it a fantastic way to explore deeply human themes. By separating the show into different factions, The Expanse ensures that telling layered stories without spectacle is its priority.
8
Dark
A Netflix original series, Dark is a three-season show that tells the stories of a group of interconnected families in Germany who are unknowingly at the center of a time travel conspiracy. The show features a strong ensemble, including Louis Hoffman and Lisa Vicari, which helps ground its large narrative and move it in the right direction.
By telling such a complex, large story, Dark is able to extract incredibly human themes from its bigger work. With little details making connections throughout the course of the seasons, the show rewards viewers who are paying close attention. Even for those who aren’t, Dark is able to commit to its narrative and tell a rich, satisfying story that doesn’t dull itself down.
Release Date
2017 – 2020
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Jantje Friese
Louis Hofmann
Jonas Kahnwald
Lisa Vicari
Martha Nielsen
7
12 Monkeys
Amanda Schull as Cassandra Reilly standing next to James Callis as James Cole, wearing time travel suits, in 12 Monkeys show
Based on the film of the same name, 12 Monkeys tells the story of James Cole (Aaron Stanford) as he travels through time to stop a deadly plague. Cole is tasked with getting assistance from virologist, Dr. Cassandra “Cassie” Railly (Amanda Schull), who comes from 2015 and doesn’t anticipate helping out someone from the future.
The show’s ambitious story only piles onto itself as it moves through its four season run, with Cole and Cassie working together to move through a high-stakes conspiracy. While the show does have a satisfying ending, its brightest moments come from its ability to stick with its high-concept storytelling throughout its run, committing to the story overall.
Release Date
2015 – 2018
Directors
David Grossman, David Greene, Grant Harvey, Joe Menendez, Magnus Martens, Michael Waxman, Steven A. Adelson, Mairzee Almas, Alex Zakrzewski, Bill Eagles, David Boyd, Dennie Gordon, Guy Norman Bee, Jeffrey Reiner, John Badham, Kat Candler, Mark Tonderai, Sheree Folkson, T.J. Scott, Kevin Tancharoen
Aaron Stanford
James Cole
Amanda Schull
Cassandra Railly
6
Counterpart
Starz’s Counterpart, which stars J.K. Simmons throughout both of its seasons, was an ambitious series that needed more leverage to find its way. Steeped in espionage, each season of Counterpart features Simmons playing a different version of the same character in parallel worlds. Simmons’ portrayals of Howard Silk each feel layered and nuanced, allowing viewers a different vantage point.
The restraint shown throughout Counterpart, which is on display in the way Simmons approaches Howard in both worlds, allows the character’s psyche to be a far bigger deal than the spectacle of parallel universes. The show’s depth and lore deserved more of a chance to shine, and viewers deserved more of a chance to see Simmons shine in a fascinating role.
5
Person Of Interest
Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Finch (Michael Emerson) look at a computer in Person of Interest.MovieStills DB
Running for five seasons on CBS, Person Of Interest is a procedural that follows John Reese (Jim Caviezel) as he uses a device developed by genius Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) called The Machine, which predicts violent acts, in order to prevent them. Reese, who works with a team to stop the impending crimes, holds the series together, rooting it despite the pie-in-the-sky premise.
The show was quick to use real-world reflections within its episodes, telling stories about things that hit home for viewers and offering a sense of hope. With high emotional stakes, Person Of Interest was able to capitalize on sci-fi as a genre while bringing a more grounded, everyday accessibility to its stories.
Release Date
2011 – 2016-00-00
Showrunner
Greg Plageman
4
The OA
A Netflix series that ran over two seasons, The OA follows Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), a blind woman who returns from being missing for years with her sight restored. Calling herself the titular OA, the mystery of Prairie’s disappearance, reappearance, and seeming rehabilitation takes shape over the course of the show’s tightly woven seasons.
While The OA definitely could’ve used more storytelling to round out its edges, the series itself paints a wonderful mystery for viewers. Taking creative risks and bringing a sense of originality to its storytelling, The OA was an unconventional show that knew its approach early, which made it stick to its bold choices throughout.
Release Date
2016 – 2019-00-00
Network
Netflix
Directors
Andrew Haigh
Writers
Dominic Orlando, Henry Bean, Damien Ober, Ruby Rae Spiegel
Brit Marling
OA / Nina Azarova
3
Sense8
The Sense8 cast poses in a formation
A Netflix phenomenon, Sense8 featured a large ensemble cast of characters who suddenly find themselves mentally linked with one another and seek out answers about what’s next. With viewers enjoying the cast’s diversity and the show’s tilt toward empathy, Sense8 quickly became a hit for the streaming platform after its 2015 premiere.
The show’s costs became a difficulty as it moved forward, and while sustaining the series didn’t always seem possible, Sense8 carried on for two seasons before its ultimate cancellation. As the sharp storytelling and creative premise were a draw, Sense8 ultimately wrapped up its story with a companion film, and has consistently been praised by viewers for its originality.
Release Date
2015 – 2018-00-00
Showrunner
Lilly Wachowski
Directors
Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
2
Travelers
A group of people in the woods in Travelers season 3.
Another Netflix series, Travelers follows a group of operatives from the future as they transfer their consciousness to people in the present day to avoid societal collapse. The series, which stars Eric McCormack, vacillates between a procedural-style show and a sci-fi drama, which allows for an interesting balance of high-concept and grounded storytelling.
By grounding its sci-fi elements in more human stories, Travelers is able to expand its footprint as a drama series, which makes it stand out among the crowd. The show also honors its roots, maintaining strict rules for its characters as they move through their time travels. Overall, the show is able to move from story to story with ease, and deserves its flowers.
Release Date
2016 – 2018-00-00
Network
showcase, Netflix
Directors
Andy Mikita, Amanda Tapping, William Waring, Helen Shaver, Martin Wood
Writers
Ashley Park, Pat Smith, Jason Whiting, Ken Kabatoff, S.B. Edwards, Mika Collins, Amanda Smith-Kolic, Tara Armstrong
Eric McCormack
Grant MacLaren
MacKenzie Porter
Marcy Warton
1
Orphan Black
A five-season masterclass, Orphan Black stars Tatiana Maslany as a group of clones who uncover a conspiracy surrounding her own origin story. Starting as Sarah Manning, Maslany takes on various identities throughout the series, moving seamlessly from character to character as they navigate the uprooting of their personal lives in the wake of bigger threats.
Orphan Black presents a riveting sci-fi story, but the heart of the show is Maslany’s many performances. Watching her shift from character to character is a gift that doesn’t get praised enough, especially with the understanding of just how much work it took to make the show come to life. Orphan Black portrays a complex story like a breath of fresh air.
Release Date
2013 – 2017
Network
Space, BBC America
Directors
Ken Girotti, T.J. Scott, David Wellington, Grant Harvey, Helen Shaver, Aaron Morton, Brett Sullivan, Chris Grismer, Peter Stebbings
Sarah / Cosima / Alison / Helena / Rachel
Jordan Gavaris
Felix ‘Fee’ Dawkins