Sci-fi shows have the unique ability to challenge viewers’ perceptions while exploring complex social and philosophical questions. So, it makes sense that the genre has garnered immense popularity. Yet, there are still some exceptional watches that are often overshadowed by their flashier counterparts. These underrated gems often offer innovative concepts, thought-provoking plots, imaginative storytelling, and memorable characters that deserve the their time in the sun.
It’s safe to say that Sci-Fi as a genre is as saturated as they come, with tons of sub genres cropping up every now and then. While that’s great news for fans of the genre, it does make it difficult for some great picks to be recognized and appreciated. From time-travel epics like Fringe and clone conspiracy stories like Orphan Black, or even Doctor Who‘s Spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures, these underrated sci-fi shows deserve more love and recognition than they are getting.
1. Fringe (2008-2013)
Sort of a pacesetter in the genre, Fringe dives into alternate realities, time travel, and genetic manipulation. The show itself follows the FBI’s Fringe Division, which is saddled with the responsibility of investigating bizarre occurrences ranging from teleportation all the way to reanimation, and parallel universes. To do that, FBI special agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) teams up with genius but dysfunctional scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson).
Starting as a procedural, Fringe gradually evolved into an epic sci-fi show, which was grossly underappreciated at first. However, over the course of its runtime, it garnered a devoted fan base. Besides its bold storytelling, emotional core and ambitious mythology, several character arcs stood out for all the right reasons. A notable one is Walter Bishop — a brilliant, hilarious, and heartbreaking character, all in one.
2. Lost in Space (2018-2021)
Netflix’s Lost in Space is perhaps one of the best sci-fi shows on the streaming platform. Set in a future where life on Earth is threatened, the show follows the Robinson family — John (Toby Stephens), Maureen (Molly Parker), Judy (Taylor Russell), Penny(Mina Sundwall), and Will (Bill Mumy) — who are part of a select group chosen to colonize a new planet. Unfortunately an attack on their ship lands them on a mysterious and dangerous alien planet. While the family hatched the overarching plan to reunite with the rest of humanity, they must do all they can to survive alien threats and possible betrayal from family members.
If it sounds familiar, it’s probably because the premise is inspired by the 1812 novel Swiss Family Robinson. Even more, it’s a reboot of a 1965 television series of the same name. Besides the crisp visuals, this modern rendition deserves a lot more love for its emotional depth and optimistic lookout, because despite all the danger, the show maintained a hopeful tone.
3. Killjoys (2015-2019)
Syfy’s Killjoys premiered in 2015 and ran for five seasons which is ample proof that they were doing something right. Created by Michelle Lovretta, the show centers on three bounty hunters: Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), Johnny (Aaron Ashmore), and D’avin (Luke Macfarlane), who hunt down warrants across the Quad for a neutral organization called the Reclamation Apprehension Coalition (RAC). Part of their mandate is to remain impartial in conflicts, owing zero allegiance to any government or organisation. However, their troubled pasts soon resurface, threatening not just the mission but also the safety of those they care about.
Killjoys never quite broke into the mainstream, but it managed to bag itself a loyal following. The show’s strong worldbuilding and the dynamic between the characters are admirable. There was Johnny with the humor, D’avin with a keen military edge, and Dutch kept them all in check. Unlike most typical sci-fi shows, Killjoys maintained its fun and stylishness without compromising the emotional depth. In more ways than one, it’s is more like a combination of Firefly and Expanse, but with a unique twist.
4. The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-2011)
The Sarah Jane Adventures is a spin-off of the long-running BBC series Doctor Who. The show centers on the adventures of an investigative journalist, the titular Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen. The character herself has had over nine adventures with the Doctor’s incarnations and has gone down as his longest-running and most iconic companion.
Capturing the hearts of all Doctor Who fans, the underrated spin-off debuted on BBC One in 2007 and aired for 5 seasons. Unfortunately, Sladen’s illness and eventually death on 19 April 2011 — during the second half of the fifth series — ensured that the show simply couldn’t go on.
5. Warehouse 13 (2009-2014)
The fun-filled and quirky emotional sci-fi series Warehouse 13 was a unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy. Created by Jane Espenson and D. Brent Mote, the series sported a touch of The X-Files meets Indiana Jones with a dash of Men in Black. It follows SS agents Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly), both assigned to a mysterious top-secret government facility called Warehouse 13. The warehouse is basically a repository for supernatural artifacts. The agents’ are tasked with recovering and neutralizing rogue artifacts before they cause any harm.
With its compelling storytelling and character depth, Warehouse 13 developed a loyal cult following. When the show debuted on Syfy, the first six episodes became among the top 10 highest-rated series episodes on Syfy. Despite its critical acclaim and high ratings, the show remains underrated.
6. Travelers (2016-2018)
As one of Netflix’s best sci-fi gems, Travelers somehow remains hidden. The show is a time travel mystery thriller set hundreds of years in the future, where humans discover the ability to send their consciousness back in time – specifically the 21st century with the ultimate goal of changing the path of humanity. The binge-worthy series focuses on a team of trained agents called Travelers, who go back in time to alter the timeline and steer humanity towards a better future.
Starring Eric McCormack as Grant MacLaren, the team leader, Mackenzie Porter as Marcy Warton, the team’s medic, and Jared Abrahamson as Trevor Holden, the show balances sci-fi intensity with deep emotional arcs, such as the struggles to adapt to another person’s life. It’s a great watch for fanw of shows that explore relationships, sacrifices, and philosopy.
7. Raised by Wolves (2020-2022)
On the market for an intriguing story written with extraordinary imagination and flair? HBO’s Raised by Wolves is your best bet. The show focuses on two androids called Father (Abubakar Salim) and Mother (Amanda Collin) who are tasked with raising human children on Kepler-22b shortly after the Earth is destroyed by a great war.
Once it was released in 2020, Raised by Wolves received positive reviews, which helped it gain a dedicated fanbase. However, the show was cancelled after two seasons. Unlike most mainstream sci-fi shows, this one has been praised for its authenticity, visuals, and excellent performances. Although its cancellation has left some storylines unresolved, the show blurs the line between machine and human, good and evil.
8. The Orville (2017-2022)
Created by Seth MacFarlane, The Orville is a satirical sci-fi comedy series that blends space exploration with humor, heart, and social commentary. Set about 400 years in the future and it the entire focus is on the spaceship USS Orville, captained by Ed Mercer, who’s played by McFarlane himself. He gets the command post shortly after he divorces Commander Kelly Grayson(Adrianne Palicki), who happens to be his first officer. Each episode hones in on a unique mission that involves space anomalies, but with a human, humorous twist.
The general consensus is that if Star Trek and Family Guy had a baby, The Orville would be it, just smarter and more thoughtful than expected. The show’s earliest episodes were heavy on jokes and comedy, but the later ones are more dramatic, philosophical, and emotionally resonant. This drift in tone and style could be from the negative response the first season of the show got from critics. However, later episodes that dive into real-world issues through a futuristic lens garnered more following for the show.
9. Almost Human (2013-2014)
Almost Human didn’t get the love it deserved during its short run. Created by J.H. Wyman, the series is set in the year 2048, a time when crime spiked and the police force paired every human detective with a lifelike android partner. It stars Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban), an emotionally scarred cop who detests synthetic partners, and Dorian (Michael Ealy), a decommissioned model android with human emotions assigned as Kennex’s partner. The pair is tasked with investigating futuristic crimes amidst the tension of human-robot friendship and trust.
Often blurring the line between humans and machines, Dorian shows more compassion than actual carbon-based life forms. Besides that, one thing that made the show stand out has to be the great chemistry between Karl Urban and Michael Ealy. Also, the episodes were standalone and serialized, making it a good mix for casual and committed viewers.
10. Orphan Black 2013-2017
The Sci-Fi thriller Orphan Black tells the eerily familiar slash controversial tale of a clone conspiracy and biotech noir. It kicks off when Sarah Manning, a street-smart grifter, witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her. “Naturally,” she takes on the woman’s identity, and then discovers she’s one of many clones created by biotech company, Neolution. Sarah goes on to unravel a vast conspiracy involving illegal human cloning, corporate and military bioengineering, and shadowy organisations.
Tatiana Maslany plays the part of the multiple clones with distinct characteristics — it’s interesting to see how toggles between different accents, postures and getups. However, what really sells the brief is the fact that these clones share some sort of emotional bond. Each and everyone of them has a sense of individuality that’s as human as they come. All in all, Orphan Black is a must-watch for sci-fi fans who like twisty sci-fi with a grounded emotional core and conspiracy thrillers.
