7 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Deserved Another Season

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Although television isn’t always the first place people think of when it comes to science fiction, the genre has become incredibly popular on TV. The imaginative nature of sci-fi allows for really creative storytelling, and the best shows fully utilize this potential, playing with familiar themes that viewers enjoy. Bringing these stories to life often provides an opportunity for strong social messages, as sci-fi narratives frequently contain rich symbolism that can be both insightful and challenging. Despite the quality of many sci-fi TV shows, though, they don’t always get the long run they deserve. This is a link. It’s important to note that success isn’t guaranteed.

While many science fiction shows develop dedicated fan bases, this doesn’t always mean they become widely popular. Plus, the television industry is very competitive, and with the rise of streaming, shows generally don’t last as long as they used to. This results in a lot of sci-fi series that felt like they were cancelled prematurely and could have greatly improved with just one more season.

7) Sense8 (Netflix, 2015-2018)

Created by Lilly and Lana Wachowski-the sisters known for making The Matrix–Sense8 originally appeared on Netflix in 2015. It quickly gained a dedicated audience and critical acclaim. The show follows a group of strangers who are mentally and emotionally linked, and its storyline deeply connected with its fans. Despite its popularity, Netflix decided the show was too costly to continue, canceling it after only two seasons, even though there was enough content for many more.

6) Sliders (Fox, 1995-1997 & Syfy, 1998-2000)

Sliders showcased many popular science fiction actors from the 1990s. Although the show initially did very well, it was cancelled after only five seasons. While the show’s quality decreased noticeably in seasons four and five, it still maintained a dedicated fanbase. Unfortunately, the fifth season ended with an unresolved cliffhanger, and another season could have provided closure for the loyal viewers who continued to watch even when the show wasn’t at its best.

5) Utopia (Prime Video, 2020)

The 2020 series Utopia is a genuinely excellent science fiction show that, surprisingly, doesn’t get much attention. It’s based on a British show with the same name, and the story centers around a group of comic book enthusiasts who stumble upon a conspiracy to deceive the public with a manufactured pandemic, followed by a plan to sterilize people using a fake vaccine. Although it was a remarkably well-made and intellectually stimulating series, Utopia unfortunately didn’t find much success. It was released at a particularly unfortunate moment – as the world was entering an unprecedented global pandemic – and was quietly cancelled, despite its compelling narrative clearly warranting at least another season.

4) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox, 2008-2009)

As a big fan of the Terminator movies, I was really excited when they decided to make a TV show. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles definitely delivered, even though it took a little while to get going. The actors – Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, and Summer Glau – were fantastic and really helped the show build a good name for itself. It’s a shame that the ratings weren’t high enough, and it was cancelled after only two seasons, right when things were getting interesting. I don’t think it would have revolutionized sci-fi TV, but another season could have given The Sarah Connor Chronicles the chance to become a truly classic show.

3) Firefly (Fox, 2002)

Starting with what many consider one of the best science fiction pilot episodes ever made, Firefly looked like it was going to be a huge success. It had a fresh idea, an intriguing central question, and a very skilled group of actors, which would have easily supported several seasons of stories. However, fans have been upset about its cancellation after only 14 episodes, because its high quality was clear right away. If any sci-fi TV show truly deserved another season after a short run, it’s Firefly.

2) DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW, 2016-2022)

As a critic, I’ve always felt DC properties translate really well to the small screen – there’s a long and impressive history of successful shows based on their comics. While DC’s Legends of Tomorrow didn’t quite reach the heights of popularity enjoyed by fellow Arrowverse series like The Flash or Arrow, its seven seasons still feel like a win. However, the cancellation always struck me as premature. Seven seasons is good, but the show’s story felt unfinished, and I truly believe one more season could have given us a much more satisfying conclusion, resolving those lingering plot points instead of the rather abrupt ending we got.

1) FlashForward (ABC, 2009-2010)

As a big sci-fi fan, I think there are a lot of shows that still hold up, and FlashForward is definitely one of them. What doesn’t hold up, though, is how quickly it was cancelled – just after one season, even though critics really loved it! The idea behind the show was so cool: everyone on Earth momentarily loses consciousness and gets a two-minute flash of what’s to come for them. It was originally praised as the spiritual successor to Lost, and honestly, FlashForward really deserved a second season to keep developing that amazing start. It’s a shame it got cut short.

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2025-10-05 19:47