British television has given us many popular science fiction shows, both in the UK and the US. While Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi series and the most well-known, it’s just one example of the many excellent shows the country has created – many of which deserve more attention.
Many great British science fiction shows, like Blake’s 7, have been forgotten despite their quality. For decades, Britain has created excellent sci-fi, but these shows often get overshadowed by huge hits like Doctor Who.
7) Blake’s 7
While perhaps not as famous as Doctor Who, Blake’s 7 shares some similarities. Both shows were touched by Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks, and Colin Baker – who later starred in Doctor Who – appeared as a villain in the third season of Blake’s 7.
If you enjoy Star Wars, you might also like Blake’s 7. This British sci-fi show follows a group of rebels who steal a spaceship to fight against a powerful and oppressive ruling force called the Federation. It’s famous for its thought-provoking storylines and memorable characters, and many consider it a groundbreaking series that paved the way for other British science fiction shows. You can watch it now on Britbox.
6) Survivors
The show Survivors centers around the aftermath of a devastating global pandemic. Its premise might feel particularly sensitive given recent world events. The disease is incredibly lethal, wiping out almost all of humanity and leaving the few remaining survivors to struggle with limited resources.
Similar to Blake’s 7, this series was also created by Terry Nation, although he departed after its first season. While it often presents a pessimistic outlook on people, the show is still enjoyable thanks to its compelling storylines. You can currently watch it on Britbox.
5) Space: 1999
Though originally aired in 1975, Space: 1999 still holds up today. It’s a shame this classic sci-fi series has been largely forgotten, especially since it’s now available to stream on Peacock and deserves a wider audience.
The story starts with a bit of a far-fetched idea – an explosion sends the moon drifting into space, along with the lunar base on it. But despite this unlikely beginning, the adventures are fun and engaging, so viewers who like shows such as Star Trek will probably enjoy it.
4) Doomwatch
Before organizations like UNIT and Torchwood, there was the Department for the Observation and Measurement of Scientific Work. Created by the same people who developed the Cybermen, Doomwatch followed a team of scientists responsible for monitoring and regulating unofficial scientific research to ensure it was conducted responsibly.
The show can be quite intense and gloomy, but it’s still a rewarding watch. Sadly, the BBC lost the original 14 episodes after they aired, but the surviving episodes are available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime.
3) The Prisoner
Despite being considered one of the greatest science fiction shows ever made, The Prisoner isn’t as widely discussed as some others. Though it’s a short series with only 17 episodes—and a few aren’t essential—it’s a compelling and well-crafted dystopian story that you can currently stream on Amazon Prime and Tubi TV.
Patrick McGoohan stars as a spy who tries to leave his life behind in the classic series Secret Agent. However, he’s captured and wakes up in a mysterious town called The Village, where everyone is known only by a number – in his case, ‘Number 6.’ The show explores unsettling ideas about government control and what happens when someone refuses to conform, and the anonymity of the residents adds to the eerie atmosphere.
2) Red Dwarf
Though Red Dwarf was quite popular compared to other British science fiction shows, it faded from many people’s memories after it ended. That’s unfortunate, as it’s truly one of the greatest sci-fi comedies ever created.
This sci-fi comedy is set far in the future. A lazy spaceship crew member wakes up from a long sleep to find he’s the only human survivor – except for the descendant of a cat he smuggled onboard! Most of the story unfolds on the ship, where he has to contend with the ship’s computer and a holographic version of his irritating former boss. They also have some funny adventures on different planets, and you can stream the series now on Britbox.
1) Sapphire and Steel
This British show, not many people know about, follows two agents who travel between dimensions. Their somewhat mysterious job is to protect the timeline. They and others like them, including a being called Lead, appear as humans while investigating unusual occurrences.
These strange events usually happen because someone from the future accidentally brings an object into the past. This damages the flow of time, creating openings for creatures from different eras to enter and cause problems. This is how Sapphire and Steel are called to investigate locations and restore order. You can watch their adventures on Amazon Prime.
What underrated British science fiction show is your favorite? Share your thoughts and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-02 17:42