{"id":238116,"date":"2025-11-01T16:40:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T16:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/238116\/"},"modified":"2025-11-01T16:40:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T16:40:08","slug":"excellent-from-start-to-finish-your-favourite-one-season-sci-fi-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/238116\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Excellent from start to finish&#8217;\u00a0Your favourite one-season sci-fi shows"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_58493681-0775-e1761914758169.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24078455\" alt=\"Three space cowboys point their guns at an unseen enemy.\" decoding=\"sync\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tThey \u2018fire\u2019 guns and \u2018fly\u2019 in a spaceship\u2026 that\u2019s why it\u2019s called Firefly right? (Picture: 20th Century Fox Television)<\/p>\n<p>TV fans often whinge that there\u2019s just too much brilliant television to catch up and they\u2019re not wrong. <\/p>\n<p>It would take you three days to watch <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/the-sopranos\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Sopranos<\/a> start to finish, two and a half days to finish The Wire, and a bum-numbing 11 days to binge <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/the-simpsons\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Simpsons<\/a>\u2026 although to be fair, you can stop after season ten. <\/p>\n<p>Still, the fact is that some TV shows will steal literal days of your life and who\u2019s got the time for that? Not me.<\/p>\n<p>No, I prefer a story that has an ending, and it turns out so do Metro readers.<\/p>\n<p>Metro readers have their say<\/p>\n<p>We asked you to share your favourite sci-fi series that only lasted for one season, and you more than delivered. <\/p>\n<p>So if you\u2019re looking for something out of this world to watch this weekend, or just want to impress your mates with your dazzling knowledge of sci-fi history, we have you covered. <\/p>\n<p>Star Cops<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_272512318-2cce-e1761915223348.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24579893\" alt=\"'Excellent from start to finish'?Your favourite one-season sci-fi shows Star Cops BBC\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tYou\u2019ll never believe what this show is about\u2026 (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n<p>Andrew Gledhill nominated the \u2018absolutely brilliant\u2019 Star Cops, claiming it\u2019s a \u2018tragedy\u2019 that it only got one short season. <\/p>\n<p>Created by <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/doctor-who\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Doctor Who<\/a> and Blakes 7 writer Chris Boucher, this <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BBC<\/a> sci-fi show followed the titular star cop Nathan Spring as he policed the frontier of humanity\u2019s burgeoning space colonies. <\/p>\n<p>Sadly, the show\u2019s down-to-earth tone (pun intended) and realistic tone led to criticism from critics who compared it with the more imaginative Doctor Who. After just nine episodes and low viewership, the series was quietly cancelled before a planned tenth episode could be produced. <\/p>\n<p>In recent years, however, Star Cops has undergone a critical reappraisal with many recognising it as a forerunner of the hard sci-fi genre. <\/p>\n<p>Indeed, critic Kim Newman once wrote that \u2018if it had come back for another couple of seasons it might well have been the BBC\u2019s best science fiction show.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Star Cops is not available to stream at this time. <\/p>\n<p>The Strangerers<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IP_843570-650f.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24579689\" alt=\"TELEVISION PROGRAMME.....THE STRANGERERS Picture shows.....L TO R JACK DOCHERTY &amp; MARK WILLIAMS a new sitcom from the Red Dwarf co-creator Rob Grant.\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tSharp suits, strange men\u2026 well, vegetables (Picture: Jon Hall\/ SKY TV)<\/p>\n<p>Star Cops wasn\u2019t the only British sci-fi series to get some love. Martin Hossell suggested The Strangerers (no, that\u2019s not a mispelling). <\/p>\n<p>This Sky One <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/comedy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">comedy<\/a> was the brainchild of Red Dwarf co-creator Rob Grant, and the channel had high hopes for the series, which told the story of two oblivious aliens on a fact-finding mission to Earth.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the series never found an audience and it was quickly cancelled after the first series. Still, despite its short-lived run, the series does have its champions. <\/p>\n<p>Steve Barnes wrote on IMDb: \u2018The Strangerers is best comedy I\u2019ve seen in a long time\u2019 while orcadiansmeghead added \u2018it\u2019s basically a fun story with some fun characters and some good special effects for a TV show made 10 years ago.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The Strangerers is not available to stream at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Firefly<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_272514672-7b82.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24580312\" alt=\"'Excellent from start to finish'?Your favourite one-season sci-fi shows Firefly 20th Century Fox Television\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tWith a cast this talented, how could the show fail\u2026. oh (Picture: 20th Century Fox Television)<\/p>\n<p>Dozens of Metro readers nominated Firefly, but Kieran Bourne put it most succinctly when he wrote, \u2018Firefly was the best.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve never heard of it, then I\u2019m guessing you weren\u2019t on the internet between 2002-2018 because, for a brief time, it felt like everyone was talking about this ambitious TV show.<\/p>\n<p>Set in the year 2517, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Serenity, a \u2018Firefly-class\u2019 spaceship, as they try and eke out a living on the fringes of the galaxy following a huge interplanetary civil war.<\/p>\n<p>An odd mix of sci-fi shenanigans and western cliches, Firefly received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, who basically enjoyed the world-building but found the show \u2018messy\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>Disappointing viewing figures led to Firefly being pulled after 11 of the 14 episodes made went to air. This wasn\u2019t the end of Firefly, though. Strong DVD sales (remember those?) led to the show getting a follow-up movie, and the franchise lives on in comics and board games.<\/p>\n<p>Arguably, Firefly remains sci-fi\u2019s biggest \u2018what could have been\u2019 and regularly polls on lists of the best sci-fi series ever made. <\/p>\n<p>Firefly is available to stream now on <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/disney\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Disney<\/a> Plus.<\/p>\n<p>Space: Above and Beyond <\/p>\n<p>Iain Fraser chose the \u2018awesome 90s TV show\u2019 Space: Above and Beyond as his pick. <\/p>\n<p>Running from 1995\u20131996, this sci-fi the Space Aviator Cavalry (known as the Wildcards) as they battle a previously unknown <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/aliens\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">alien<\/a> threat called the Chigs. <\/p>\n<p>Boasting some impressive worldbuilding and a surprisingly dark story, Space: Above and Beyond was impressive enough to garner <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/emmy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emmy<\/a> and Saturn Award nominations, but that wasn\u2019t enough to earn it an audience, and the show was cancelled.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being taken off the air, the show retains a strong fandom. On IMDb, Quill_32 wrote: \u2018This was one of the best TV shows I\u2019ve ever seen, and its cancellation was an enormous loss as well as a blow to its fans.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Julecucci was similarly enthusiastic, adding: I loved this show when it was on and now, more than 10 years later have watched it again and love it just as much.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018As has been mentioned, the character development and progression are all but one of a kind.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Space: Above and Beyond is not available to stream at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Childhood\u2019s End<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_5882020h-4f3c.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24580392\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tCan you trust aliens? You\u2019ll have to watch and see\u2026 (Picture: De Luca Prods\/Kobal\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n<p>Jay Zhadum chose a more modern show called Childhood\u2019s End, describing it as \u2018excellent from start to finish\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>Based on the 1953 novel of the same name, by Arthur C. Clarke, and developed by Life on Mars co-creator, Matthew Graham, this show sees a group of benevolent aliens appear in the skies over Earth. <\/p>\n<p>As these beings from another world promise to usher in an age of peace and prosperity, people begin to wonder what the trade-off might be. <\/p>\n<p>Lasting just three episodes (no, it wasn\u2019t cancelled), the show enjoys a respectable 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans on IMDb have been very kind.<\/p>\n<p>LivingWitness wrote: \u2018It\u2019s unfortunate that so few people have seen this. It\u2019s really worth seeing, especially if you\u2019re already a fan of the genre.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Childhood\u2019s End is not streaming for free at this moment, but you can buy it for \u00a36.99 on Prime Video.<\/p>\n<p>Dark Skies<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_15072366zq-6a88-e1761914997740.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24580234\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tMoulder and Scully look a bit different (Picture: THA\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n<p>Tony Bufton is clearly a genre enthusiast, as he chose the forgotten series Dark Skies. <\/p>\n<p>Running from 1996 to 1997, Dark Skies was essentially an X-Files clone set in an alternate history where the US government was working with an alien cabal known as the Hive.<\/p>\n<p>Our heroes then are John Loengard and Kim Sayers as they expose the alien plot. <\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s only got 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, the series still has its fans. <\/p>\n<p>One Rotten Tomatoes user wrote: \u2018I really enjoyed the series. It presents an interesting narrative about historical facts that occurred in the 60s, rewriting these events in a fictional way. <\/p>\n<p>Dark Skies is not available to stream at this time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Got a story?<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/11\/01\/kate-garraway-reveals-one-star-refused-join-celebrity-traitors-whatsapp-group-24586735\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kate Garraway reveals one star refused to join Celebrity Traitors WhatsApp group<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/11\/01\/strictlys-la-voix-replacing-claudia-winkleman-bbcs-greatest-gamble-24578608\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Strictly\u2019s La Voix replacing Claudia Winkleman could be the BBC\u2019s greatest gamble<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/10\/31\/missing-star-tcheky-karyo-acclaimed-french-actor-dies-aged-72-24584643\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Missing star Tch\u00e9ky Karyo, acclaimed French actor, dies aged 72<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tComments<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTV Newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"They \u2018fire\u2019 guns and \u2018fly\u2019 in a spaceship\u2026 that\u2019s why it\u2019s called Firefly right? (Picture: 20th Century Fox&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":238117,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[243,2589,96,24012,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-238116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-bbc","tag-disney-plus","tag-entertainment","tag-science-fiction","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238116\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}