Watchingsci-fievolve on the small screen has been a thrilling ride for fans of the genre. Each decade, beginning from the 1950s, has left an indelible mark on television, but there’s something truly remarkable about the 2010s as an era. By the time the decade rolled in, the sci-fi landscape was already overflowing with options. Behemoths likeDoctor WhoandStranger Thingsdominated the genre andredefined the boundaries of speculative fictionwith their captivating storylines. They shaped the very essence of science fiction.
Still, amidst the dazzling array of crowd pleasers, there were a bunch of equally brilliant but often overlooked sci-fi shows that emerged. These shows were good enough to gather a devoted fanbase, but underrated enough to either get canceled after a couple of seasons or simply fade into obscurity. In this list, we take a look at 10 underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s that deserve to be rediscovered and celebrated.
10’Class' (2016)
From the mind of Patrick Ness and set in the same universe as the iconicDoctor Whois a forgotten spin-off titledClass. It brings viewers to Coal Hill Academy, where a group of students must navigate the ups and downs of adolescence while also thwarting constant threats from extraterrestrials. These teenagers are the chosen protectors of the world, and while relying on each other, they must juggle ordinary life with the extraordinary.
Young Heroes Face Cosmic Challenges
Despite taking place in the same world asThe Sarah Jane AdventuresandTorchwood,the other two relatively successfulDoctor Whospin-offs,Classfailed to achieve popularity because it features less popular characters. Still, it stands out in the sci-fi genre for its rich storytelling and relatable emotional depth. The sci-fi elements and a well-crafted narrative, paired with solid performances by the ensemble cast, make it worth revisiting.
9’Warehouse 13' (2009 – 2014)
Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13follows Secret Service agents Pete Lattimer and Myka Bering as they are recruited by the titular top-secret government facility in the South Dakota badlands. The facility houses an extraordinary collection of artifacts that possess powerful abilities that can become dangerous when used for the wrong purpose. The duo is tasked with retrieving more such artifacts and preventing global chaos.
Lighthearted and Witty and Mysterious
The sci-fi series balances the fantastical with the grounded by mashing up elements of sci-fi and supernatural withprocedural-style storytelling, ultimately delivering an offbeat adventure of sorts. The team of warehouse staff, the leads, played by Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly, as well as various retrieval missions, work together in elevating the intrigue and humor. The series ran for four seasons and was canceled briefly before returning for a final season to provide a satisfying conclusion.
8’Colony' (2016 – 2018)
In a dystopian near-future Los Angeles, an alien invasion has left the city divided into blocks, and each one is under strict authoritarian rule. We follow Will Bowman, a former FBI agent, and his wife Katie, who find themselves embroiled in a conflict on opposite sides. They’re forced to choose between joining the resistance movement against the alien occupiers and collaborating with them to find their son, who was separated during the invasion.
Exploration of Humanity Under Occupation
Colonystarts off with a complicated yet gripping premise that keeps views on the edge of their seats. The portrayal of a society under occupation is nuanced and the atmosphere of changing alliances, power plays, and moral dilemmas is tense. The turns by Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies as the two leads are rich and layered, but the show struggled with viewership and was canceled after three seasons.
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7’Defiance' (2013 – 2015)
Defiancetakes place in a post-apocalyptic future, in the year 2046, where aliens have arrive Earth and use terraforming tech to radically transform the planet into something devoid of flora and fauna and with an entirely new landscape. The change has also given birth to a new species, which co-exists with the surviving humans. We follow Nolan, an ex-Marine, and his adopted alien daughter, who arrive in Defiance and attempt to adapt to life there.
Creative World-Building and Intricate Plot
The show offered a richly detailed and immersive science fiction setting not too far from the world we currently live in yet entirely new and innovative. Its narrative wasn’t tense orfilled with plot twists, but there were power struggles, internal politics, and alien tech to continuously drive the storyline forward. Overshadowed by other sci-fi TV shows at the time,Defiancewas eventually cancelled after three seasons.
6’Travelers' (2016 – 2018)
Created by Brad Wright,Travelershas a unique premise, where a collective societal collapse has sent the world into an ice age. Operatives from the future, known as “travelers,” are tasked with going back in the past to take over the consciousness of certain individuals and prevent the disastrous events that led to their bleak reality, but in the process, they face several unexpected threats.
Rewarding Journey Through Time
Even though it’s a sci-fi show that putsa refreshing spin on the time travel trope,Travelers, at its core, is a deeply nuanced, captivating, and character-driven series. It explores the human condition with the help of the main characters, who end up forging bonds in the past, with people they’ve never met, and are forced to navigate their resolve and morality. It has an intelligent script, layered storylines, and enough thrills to keep you hooked for three seasons straight.
5’Caprica' (2010)
TheBattlestar Galacticauniverse was rich and popular, andCapricaserves as a prequel to the series by delving into the origins of the Cylons, the sentient machines that would go on to threaten the very existence of humanity. At the center of the story, which is set on the titular planet, are two families, the Graystones and the Adamas. Through personal tragedies and growing intrigue, they explore the world around them.
Explores How Technology Progressed
Despite telling the story of the events that would shape the iconicBattlestar Galacticauniverse,Capricafailed to gain the same popularity as its action-oriented predecessor. It had great world-building and explored themes of artificial intelligence, grief, corporate politics, and identity, with its atmospheric tone and overall dark narrative getting some attention. So it deserves a second chance to captivate audiences.
4’Future Man' (2017 – 2020)
Future Man
A couple of years following the fame fromThe Hunger Gamesfranchise, Josh Hutcherson led this comedy/sci-fi/time travel series as Josh Futturman, a socially awkward janitor who also happens to love video games. When Josh is unexpectedly recruited by a pair of time-traveling warriors from the post-apocalyptic future, he realizes having a hobby is costing him a lot because now he has the burden of stopping the extinction of the human race on his shoulders.
Sci-Fi Comedy Willing to Subvert Expectations
Future Manis truly a hidden gem in the sci-fi genre. It combines sharp-witted humor, thrilling action, and surprisingly emotional character arcs. The show is also self-aware andhas an irreverent tonethat puts a playful spin on popular tropes to offer a wildly entertaining premise from start to finish. Along with Hutcherson, it stars Eliza Coupe and Derek Wilson, who are just as charming in their roles. Perhaps it flew under the radar due to its niche appeal, which makes it worth rediscovering.
3’Dimension 404' (2017)
Dimension 404
Heavily inspired byThe Twilight ZoneandThe Outer Limitsis this anthology science fiction series that explores the bizarre and the unexpected corners of the genre.Dimension 404features only six standalone episodes, each presenting a tale where characters experience strange phenomena and navigate dystopian futures in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Fascinating Anthology Series
Every episode ofDimension 404feels like a mini-movie with unique characters and scenarios that challenge our perception of reality and broaden the limits of our imagination. Its cinematic production and the ability to weave together humor, horror, sci-fi, and social commentary is worth praising. The series has a rotating cast that includes some notable names such as Robert Buckley, Constance Wu, and Lea Michele, and it’s narrated by Mark Hamill.
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2’Continuum' (2012 – 2015)
Continuum, created by Simon Barry, is a Canadian sci-fi series spanning four seasons. It follows Kiera Cameron, a law enforcement officer from 2077, who is transported back in time to the year 2012 along with a group of terrorists. Her job is to stop the terrorists from carrying out violent campaigns against the government to change the future, so she teams up with a tech genius and a local detective.
Intricate and Thought-Provoking
The series garnered significant praise from audiences and critics back in the day, and it still remains underrated and forgotten over a decade later. It excelled in portraying high-stakes time-travel narratives and interesting themes of corporate power. Led by the very stunning Rachel Nichols, it featured tightly-women storylines and thorough world-building. Overall,Continuumis a must-watch series of 2010s sci-fi.
1’Almost Human' (2013 – 2014)
Almost Human
Fans now identify him by his role as Billy Butcher inThe Boys, but beforehe played the foul-mouthed vigilante, Karl Urban led an underrated sci-fi TV show. Set in a future where humans and androids co-exist,Almost Humanrevolves around Detective John Kennex and his advanced android partner, Dorian, as they tackle crimes in society. Even though Kennex is mistrustful of tech at first, he ends up forming a bond with Dorian.
Gripping Human-Android Duo
Almost Humanstands out for its intriguing exploration of the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Even though the concept seems overused today, a decade back, it was truly mesmerizing to watch. It only ran for one season, but it featured a classic buddy-cop dynamic between Urban and Michael Ealy. The show’s clever mix of procedural drama and sci-fi elements was ahead of its time, but its existing episodes are worth a watch.
