Thesci-figenre on television is dominated by titles likeStar WarsandStranger Things, but beyond the mainstream exists a vast, unexplored cosmos of sci-fi gems that have become obscure over time. In the earlier days, when shows likeThe Twilight Zonewere thrilling audiences with their mind-bending tales, so many others chose to venture beyond the conventional tropes of the genre and offer a refreshing perspective.
Asdecades passed and sci-fi evolved, television followed suit and shows likeBattlestar GalacticaandFringegarnered critical acclaim. But this list is not about the overwhelmingly popular shows. Instead, it dives into 10 obscure sci-fi TV series that deserve to be celebrated for their limitless imagination and for taking the genre into new directions.
9’Class' (2016)
Coal Hill Academy is an iconic location for Whovians, and set within the same universe asDoctor WhoisClass, a spin-off that explores the lives of a group of students. The series kicks off when a tear in space and time at the school unleashes a torrent of deadly creations from across dimensions into the real world. These unlikely heroes don the mantle of protectors and combat the menaces.
A Hidden Gem Worth Rediscovering
Classblends the coming-of-age drama of shows likeDegrassiwith the high-stakes, otherworldly dangers ofDoctor Whoto craft aunique and compelling sci-fi experience. Helmed by acclaimed writer Patrick Ness and produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin, the same minds behind the other two Doctor Who spin-offs, the series addresses heavier themes like grief and identity with its character-driven narratives. It flew under the radar due to minimal promotion and placement on niche channels and was canceled before time.
8’Terra Nova' (2011)
Terra Nova
The year is 2149 and the Earth is teetering on the brink of total collapse, choking under the weight of human overpopulation and ecological destruction. The only hope is a science experiment where a time portal can send people 82 million years into the past, to the age of dinosaurs. The Shannon family is among the few to be selected to join the first wave of settlers determined to establish a colony, but this prehistoric paradise comes with its own challenges, like politics and dinosaurs and a conspiracy.
Sci-Fi Experiment Canceled Too Soon
Terra Novawas an ambitious project from Fox. The network put a lot of faith in writer Kelly Marcel’s idea and brought Steven Spielberg in as executive producer. With his involvement, the series brought cinematic-quality visuals and meticulous world-building to the small screen and became a promising contender for the sci-fi landscape. Despite its intriguing premise and grand scale, however, the show struggled to find its footing and fell victim to a high-stakes gamble that never paid off. Jason O’Mara, Stephen Lang, and Shelley Conn starred in the series.
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7’Blake’s 7' (1978 – 1981)
Narratively similar toBattlestar GalacticaorStar Warsbut visually distinct,Blake’s 7is set at least 700 years in the future, where the oppressive Terran Federation is the dominating power. The story follows Roj Blake, a former freedom fighter turned prisoner, as he escapes from captivity and assembles a team of outlaws, each with their own personal vendettas, to wage a war against their overlords.
Morally Complex Space Opera
Predating the more optimistic versions of shows mainstream audiences are familiar with, this one offers a more gritty and morally ambiguous take on the sci-fi genre. It blends elements of espionage and political drama with action and gives into the complexities of heroism by showing both sides of how freedom is obtained. The strong performances by Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, and Jacqueline Pearce, paired with both themes and unique pacing makes it an unsung standout. That said,the series was a hit in the UKbut is not well-known among US audiences.
6’Torchwood' (2006 – 2011)
Also aDoctor Whospin-off,Torchwooddiffers from its predecessors with its darker and more mature tone. It revolves around a covert organization tasked with investigating supernatural threats andan extraterrestrial presencein Cardiff, Wales. Captain Jack Harkness leads the team and, together, they dive into the uncharted lands that push them to their limits.
Doctor Who’s Edgy Counterpart
From saving humanity from alien invasions to wresting their own demons, there’s almost nothing the members ofTorchwooddidn’t do while living on the fringes of society and sacrificing their own happiness for the greater good. The series takes the whimsical sensibilities of the parent series and infuses them with an edge. Created by Russell T. Davies, it is known for its fearless storytelling, intricate character arcs, and emotionally heavy narrative. Despite having a dedicated cult following, it remains obscure for casual viewers.
5’Tales From the Loop' (2020)
Tales from the Loop
Inspired by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag’s surreal artbook of the same name,Tales from the Loopunfolds in a retro-futuristic fictional town of Mercer, Ohio, where nothing is ordinary. The Loop is a mysterious underground facility that houses a machine that can make the impossible possible.
Sci-Fi Meets Art
The premise may seem vague on the surface, buteach episode features a standalone storydepicting how the Loop’s influence has transformed the lives of local residents in peculiar and unexpected ways. The series, thus, takes an introspective approach to sci-fi by embracing emotion and themes of love, loss, and connection, over high-stakes battles and spectacle. The show’s slow pacing and soft aesthetic mirrors the tone of Stålenhag and offers a meditative experience to the viewer, which is perhaps why it remains underappreciated.
4’Lexx' (1996 – 2002)
Developed by Lex Gigeroff and brothers Paul and Michael Donovan for Canada’s Citytv, this boundary-pushing sci-fi TV show combines elements of dark comedy and space opera. It follows a ragtag group of misfits at the helm of the organic spacecraft Lexx – an enormous, sentient, insect-shaped ship with the power to destroy an entire planet. They find themselves thrust into a quest to fight the forces of power that threaten their existence.
Outrageous, Campy, and Original
Lexxdefies easy categorization because it does everything at once. With its surreal visuals and unconventional narrative structure, the series thrives in its own quirkiness and subverts genre tropes with a self-aware and hilarious disregard for convention. The characters, like a reprogrammed love slave and an undead assassin from a lost civilization, add to its charm. Its low-budget charm was a sharp contrast to its wildly ambitious storytelling, which polarized viewers and critics initially, but the series went on to become a cult favorite.
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3’The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy' (1981)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
An adaptation of Douglas Adams’ radio broadcast and book series of the same name, this one is a surreal comedy that takes viewers on an unpredictable journey across space. It follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary man who learns that the Earth is about to be obliterated. Saved at the last minute by his alien friend Ford Perfect, Arthur finds himself aboard the spaceshipHeart of Goldand on a cosmic adventure with some quirky pals.
Absurd Cult Classic
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in its entirety as a franchise, is not forgotten or unpopular. Thebooks, countless stage shows and comics, as well as the 2005 movie, reached a decent audience. But it is the 1981 TV adaptation that particularly shines with its unique blend of humor, vivid surrealism, social satire, and philosophical undertones. The lo-fi and unpolished effects reflect the limitations of early ‘80s television and the genre tackles subjects with a lighthearted touch, relegating it to the status of a niche masterpiece.
2’The 4400' (2004 – 2007)
Most sci-fi television comprises stories about alien invasions and the fights they ensue, butThe 4400stands out because it centers on alien abductees returning home. The series kicks off with the sudden return of 4,400 individuals who had disappeared over the past century, all at once. The world grapples with this event and federal agents Tom Baldwin and Diana Skouris investigate the matter, but what is strange is that these people haven’t aged and now possess special powers.
Mix of Mystery and Emotion
The character-driven narratives and overarching sci-fi intrigue are the entire appeal ofThe 4400, a show that deftly balances elements of a conspiracy thriller with themes of social and ethical implications of humanity’s contact with the unknown. Created by René Echevarria and Scott Peters, it focused mainly on the personal stories of the individuals and the way their abilities evolved as they tried to cope with change. Despite its critical acclaim,The 4400remained popular with only a smaller audience.
1’Bugs' (1995 – 1999)
A British sci-fi show spanning four seasons,Bugsfollows a trio of high-tech troubleshooters, Beckett, Ros, and Ed, who are called in to investigate and neutralize threats related to advanced technology. From thwarting cybercrime to disabling weaponized systems, their missions are a thrilling combination of expertise and espionage.
Action-Packed and Tech-Based
Bugswas clearly ahead of its time because, despite being canceled several times in its four-season run, it still holds up pretty well. Moreover, its relevance has only grown in the decades since, because each tech-based scenario is both unique and familiar, and withscientific breakthroughs happening almost every dayin the current world, it provokes thought and intrigue. Created by Brian Clemens, it almost feels like Mission: Impossible but with a sci-fi twist. While overshadowed by mainstream sci-fi shows,Bugsis a must-watch for fans of tech-centric TV.
