9 Forgotten Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Secretly Masterpieces

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Science fiction has made a big comeback recently, with the genre becoming known for its well-made and intelligent shows. Apple TV has become a key player, producing critically acclaimed series with devoted fans, like Invasion, Severance, and Pluribus. However, longtime sci-fi enthusiasts will point out that the genre has always been full of imaginative and innovative ideas, going all the way back to classics like Star Trek: The Original Series and Babylon 5.

Despite the wealth of great science fiction available, some truly exceptional shows remain hidden gems. They’ve either been forgotten over time or only have a dedicated, but small, following. Here are nine series that deserve to be discovered by any fan of sci-fi TV.

‘The Prisoner’ (1967–1968)


ITV

Often praised for its impact on science fiction television, but not widely seen, The Prisoner centers on a former secret agent known as “Number Six” (Patrick McGoohan). He’s unexpectedly kidnapped and taken to a strange seaside village where he’s constantly monitored by a mysterious authority. Along with other residents, Number Six attempts to discover why he’s there, battling manipulation and attempts to control his mind. Over 17 episodes, he relentlessly tries to escape his bizarre situation.

As a film and TV buff, I’m always searching for stuff that really pushes boundaries, and this series absolutely did. It blended science fiction, spy thrillers, and some seriously mind-bending surrealism, tackling big questions about right and wrong. Honestly, it was way ahead of its time and left a lot of people stunned. The ending? Completely open to your own interpretation, which only added to the impact. It was a really daring show for the 60s, and it’s totally earned its cult classic status. If you’re into shows that mess with your head like Twin Peaks or Black Mirror, you need to check this out – it’s a sci-fi gem, but maybe not for everyone.

‘Space: Above and Beyond’ (1995)


Fox

The sci-fi series Space: Above and Beyond centers on a squad of Marine fighter pilots – Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, Nathan West, Cooper Hawkes, Shane Vansen, and Paul Wang – as they fight a war against the enigmatic Chigs. Initially focused on action-packed space battles and encounters on alien planets, the show slowly reveals the larger story behind the invasion and delves into challenging ethical questions.

The Fox TV show quickly gained attention for its dark and intense tone, feeling more like a war drama than typical science fiction. Unlike many shows in the genre, it realistically portrayed the harsh physical and emotional effects of combat, which viewers appreciated. Sadly, it was cancelled before the first season finished, leaving its fate unresolved. Despite only lasting 24 episodes, the show left a lasting impression.

‘Lexx’ (1997–2002)


City TV

For many viewers, Lexx feels like a strange, unforgettable late-night TV experience. This German-Canadian co-production stood out from everything else on air with its daring, sensual, and often bizarre take on science fiction. The show centered on the crew of the Lexx spaceship – a clumsy security guard, a former pleasure slave, a resurrected assassin, and a crazy robot. Over four seasons, this unlikely group traveled to planets populated by strange aliens and fanatical cults.

While some parts of Lexx haven’t aged well and don’t have the same impact they once did, the series still presents a truly original vision of heroism. It’s often very dark and even disturbing, but always with a touch of humor. Many sci-fi fans loved this combination, especially because the show’s shocking moments weren’t just for effect – they cleverly poked fun at serious topics like religion and what it means to be an individual. It was a bold and imaginative show that, with more support, could have become a beloved classic.

‘Now and Again’ (1999)


CBS

Insurance agent Michael Wiseman’s life takes a dramatic turn – or rather, ends as he knows it – when his consciousness is transferred into the body of a superpowered being, and he’s renamed Michael “Now” Wiseman. He’s then compelled to work on special missions under the direction of Dr. Theodore Morris, while also having to hide his true identity and past from his heartbroken family.

While many science fiction shows aim to break new ground, Now and Again earned a dedicated following simply by being a well-made and engaging series. It skillfully blended spy thrills, science fiction ideas, and relatable family drama, creating a distinctive tone. Despite its strengths, the show didn’t fit CBS’s overall programming strategy, and when ratings weren’t high enough, the network canceled it after just 22 episodes. With more support, Now and Again had the potential to become a beloved classic.

‘Odyssey 5’ (2002–2004)


Showtime

Odyssey 5 centers on the crew of the spaceship Odyssey 5—Commander David Taggart, engineer Adam Elgin, physicist Neil Taggart, pilot Valerie Jackson, and scientist Michelle Henderson—who watch Earth get destroyed. They’re then contacted by aliens and given a chance to travel back in time five years to find out what caused the disaster and prevent it from happening.

Odyssey 5 started with a smart and unique idea and made it easy for a broad audience to enjoy, using a format similar to many episodic shows. It balanced being a casual watch with a compelling, emotional story and a sense of constant danger, reminiscent of Sliders, but with a more serious and realistic sci-fi tone. Peter Weller, famous for his role in the classic 80s sci-fi film Robocop, delivers a fantastic performance as the leader of the traveling team, effectively portraying the burden of their choices.

‘Threshold’ (2005)


CBS

The series Threshold centers on Dr. Molly Caffrey (Carla Gugino), a CDC scientist, and a government team sent to make first contact with extraterrestrial life. However, the encounter quickly turns dangerous when the aliens unleash a fast-mutating disease that begins to impact humanity. As the situation escalates, Dr. Caffrey and her team must contend with both the alien threat and a complex network of government secrets.

Threshold is a sci-fi series that feels ahead of its time. It expertly blends a realistic, science-based approach to first contact with compelling emotional stories. The show also thoughtfully examines ethical and moral dilemmas within its hard sci-fi framework. It’s a shame CBS didn’t fully support the series – it was canceled after just 12 episodes, with one additional episode released later. Though the cancellation is disappointing, Threshold is still a worthwhile watch.

‘Counterpart’ (2017–2019)


Starz

The TV series Counterpart, set in Berlin, centers on Howard Silk (J.K. Simmons), a UN employee who learns his organization is secretly in charge of a portal to a parallel Earth. This alternate world, known as the “other side,” is a much more difficult place, and it also has a version of Howard who works as a spy navigating the connection between the two Earths. As conflict grows between the realities, Howard gets caught up in a dangerous web of espionage, full of deceit and hidden plots.

J.K. Simmons elevates any project he’s in, and he’s especially good at playing convincingly intimidating characters. His work in Counterpart is a prime example – it’s one of his best performances, but didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Sci-fi fans loved the show because it was smart and didn’t over-explain things, offering a complex, slow-paced take on espionage and science fiction. It featured a rich, interconnected cast of characters and remains one of the most insightful series from the 2010s, deserving a wider audience.

‘1899’ (2022)


Netflix

Once you start exploring international shows, Netflix offers a wealth of fantastic options. The creators of the German series Dark and 1899 bring us a story set aboard the steamship Kerberos, traveling to New York around the year 1900, with a diverse international cast. However, the voyage takes a terrifying turn when the Kerberos encounters a long-lost ship called the Prometheus, unleashing a series of frightening events on those onboard.

The series 1899 combined elements of horror, science fiction, historical drama, and mystery, creating a suspenseful atmosphere filled with symbolism and complex puzzles. Although it was cancelled after only one season, many viewers still consider it a brilliant and unforgettable show.

‘Scavengers Reign'(2023)


Netflix

Many sci-fi fans were disappointed that Scavengers Reign was cancelled so quickly. The show stood out with its beautiful, unique animation and storytelling, which often felt like a European comic book, especially reminiscent of the work of Moebius, known for his stunning visuals and thought-provoking stories. While the plot was interesting, the series prioritized creating a captivating experience, following the journey of a damaged spaceship’s crew as they explored a strange planet and delved into larger ideas, all brought to life with a rich and distinctive animation style.

The show truly came alive in its calmer scenes, letting the strange and beautiful alien environment and creatures tell their own story. With a focus on humanity’s connection to the natural world, Scavengers Reign is a visually stunning and ambitious series. However, its complex nature may have limited its mainstream appeal, and now a second season is uncertain due to low viewership.

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2025-12-20 19:20