7 Most Underrated Sci-Fi TV Shows of the 21st Century (So Far)

Science fiction is perhaps the most challenging type of show to make for television. It requires creators to invent completely new worlds – with their own rules, technologies, and societies – and ask viewers to quickly understand them. This means audiences need to be patient and trust that complex stories will eventually come together. When a sci-fi show succeeds, it can become a huge cultural hit, like Stranger Things, The Expanse, and the recent Doctor Who. These shows connected with audiences by combining imaginative ideas with characters people could relate to and intriguing mysteries, leading to both critical praise and large, dedicated fan bases.

While a few sci-fi shows become huge hits, many excellent ones never find a large audience. Sometimes a show is simply too innovative or complex for mainstream viewers. Other times, a show that takes its time to develop a story doesn’t gain enough immediate attention to succeed in today’s crowded TV market. These are the shows that often develop passionate fan bases after they’ve been canceled, leaving viewers to imagine what might have been. This highlights the risk inherent in the sci-fi genre – bold storytelling can easily be ignored, even though it might be truly brilliant, proving that great ideas don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

7) Ascension

The 2014 miniseries Ascension started with a compelling idea, but quickly surprised viewers with a daring plot twist. The show takes place on a huge spaceship secretly launched by the U.S. government in 1963, tasked with safeguarding humanity on a 100-year mission. After 51 years, life on the ship has become a preserved snapshot of the early 1960s, reflecting the fashion, social classes, and underlying anxieties of the Cold War era.

Life on the seemingly perfect ship, Ascension, is shattered when a young woman is found murdered – a first for the vessel. A hesitant investigator must unravel a complex mystery, exposing hidden grudges and political schemes that could destroy the ship’s carefully built society. This gripping sci-fi murder mystery only gets better as the truth comes to light.

6) ReGenesis

Long before shows about biotechnology became common on TV, the Canadian series ReGenesis stood out for how realistically it portrayed science. The show followed the scientists at the North American Biotechnology Advisory Commission (NorBAC), a made-up group that dealt with bioterrorism, strange outbreaks, and other problems caused by new scientific discoveries. Led by the talented but often impulsive scientist David Sandström (played by Peter Outerbridge), the NorBAC team solved challenging biological mysteries while also grappling with difficult ethical and political questions.

ReGenesis stood out because it didn’t dumb down science, confidently presenting complex ideas in molecular biology and epidemiology to its viewers. This commitment to accuracy made the show’s dangers feel real and immediate, resulting in a suspenseful and insightful story about how science affects our world.

5) Osmosis

The French Netflix series Osmosis puts a fresh spin on a classic sci-fi idea. Set in Paris in the near future, the show centers on a brother and sister who create a groundbreaking dating app. This app claims to find people their perfect match by implanting a device in their brain. A sophisticated AI then analyzes their thoughts to pinpoint their soulmate with complete accuracy.

As a film and TV lover, what really grabbed me about Osmosis is how it dives into the complicated fallout when romance loses its mystery. It’s not just about a futuristic premise, though; the show brilliantly examines how the idea of technology making life perfect bumps up against the messy, unpredictable reality of being human. Honestly, it’s less a cautionary tale about AI and more of a beautifully haunting look at what makes us us – our memories, our identities, and how deeply we define ourselves through the people we love. It’s a really thoughtful take on love and connection in our increasingly digital world.

4) Real Humans

Long before shows like Westworld popularized philosophical questions about artificial intelligence, the Swedish series Real Humans tackled similar themes with a uniquely somber and insightful approach. The show imagines a present-day Sweden where incredibly lifelike androids, called “hubots,” are everyday products, working as helpers around the house and even companions.

Real Humans tells its story through the lives of two families and a group of highly advanced robots, called hubots, who have developed free will and are striving for independence. The show is particularly strong at exploring how this technology affects people on a personal level, focusing on emotional drama rather than big action sequences. It also carefully considers important issues like prejudice, what makes a family, and what it truly means to be conscious, all within a realistic setting that makes the science fiction aspects feel believable.

3) Travelers

The show Travelers offers a fresh take on time travel by focusing on its characters rather than flashy effects. It’s set in a bleak future where operatives send their minds back in time to inhabit people’s bodies just before they die. Guided by a man living as FBI agent Grant MacLaren (Eric McCormack), this team of ‘travelers’ works to complete missions given to them by a sophisticated AI called the Director.

Travelers isn’t just about time travel; it’s about the impact that travel has on real people. The time-traveling team must navigate the everyday lives of the people they inhabit – their work, families, and personal problems – resulting in a compelling mix of suspense and emotional storytelling. The series explores the ethical and emotional consequences of their actions, using its sci-fi concept to tell stories that feel deeply human.

2) Continuum

The Canadian TV show Continuum was a thrilling time travel story that also thoughtfully examined questions of right and wrong, and different beliefs. It started in a bleak version of Vancouver in 2077, where police officer Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) unexpectedly travels back to 2012, along with a group of terrorists from a rebel organization called Liber8. Now stuck in the past, Kiera partners with a local detective to track down Liber8 and protect her timeline.

Continuum stood out because it wasn’t afraid to explore shades of gray. The group Liber8 started as seemingly heartless killers, but as the show went on, we learned about the terrible future they were trying to stop, making both the main character, Kiera, and viewers wonder who the real bad guys were. Plus, the show’s time travel element led to really complicated situations and unexpected turns, making it a captivating sci-fi crime drama.

1) Counterpart

Counterpart is a smart and thrilling show that deserves more recognition. It expertly combines the suspense of spy stories with thought-provoking science fiction. J.K. Simmons gives an incredible performance playing two versions of the same man, Howard Silk. He’s a quiet, unassuming worker at a Berlin-based UN agency who discovers a secret passage to a parallel world – one created during the Cold War. This discovery throws his life into chaos when he meets his alternate self, a much more ruthless and experienced spy.

The show Counterpart presents two worlds that have evolved separately for over three decades, and now stand on the brink of war. Beyond the exciting main storyline, the series thoughtfully examines themes of who we are, what’s meant to be, and how our decisions shape our lives. Counterpart is a brilliantly intricate and suspenseful thriller, elevated by an outstanding performance from J.K. Simmons, making it a truly deserving show that deserves a wider audience.

What sci-fi show do you think is amazing but doesn’t get enough attention? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-23 21:44