‘Star Trek’ Inspired These 6 Brilliant Sci-Fi Shows

First debuting in 1966, Star Trek has become one of the most important science fiction franchises of all time. Many fans, known as Trekkies, have been inspired by the adventures of Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise, and countless other space stories likely wouldn’t exist without it. Beyond the numerous Star Trek spin-offs and sequels, the show’s influence on other projects is truly remarkable.

Science fiction television has evolved over the years, but many common themes still appear. Several shows inspired by Star Trek have cleverly updated the original ideas, feeling like loving tributes instead of simple copies. While some *Star Trekinspired series stay quite close to the original, that familiarity is often part of what makes them so appealing.

6
‘The Expanse’ (2015-2022)

Syfy

With six seasons, The Expanse stands out as one of the most developed science fiction shows inspired by Star Trek in recent years. Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, it originally aired on Syfy for three seasons before being continued and concluded on Prime Video. Although it features futuristic technology and alien mysteries, The Expanse feels more realistic and down-to-earth than many Star Trek series.

One key difference is the absence of faster-than-light travel, like warp speed. While space travel with a crew wasn’t created by Star Trek, the show definitely perfected and made it famous. The Expanse is also generally grittier and more realistic in tone than most Star Trek series. This makes it appeal more to older, long-time Star Trek fans who are looking for something a bit different and more mature.

5
‘Firefly’ (2002)

Fox

Despite only lasting one season, Firefly has become a beloved show with a dedicated fanbase that still hopes for a revival. While the 2005 film Serenity provided something of a conclusion to the story, the show’s premise allowed for endless possibilities that we may never see. Similar to Star Trek, Firefly frequently featured a crew traveling to new planets. However, Firefly stands apart from Star Trek because it features no alien life; humanity is the only intelligent species in the show. This difference is significant, but it doesn’t hide the fact that Firefly drew a lot of its initial ideas from Star Trek.

4
‘The Orville’ (2017-?)

Hulu

Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, is a well-known Star Trek fan. He frequently includes Star Trek parodies in his animated shows. But The Orville shows an even deeper dedication to the franchise. While still featuring MacFarlane’s humor, The Orville often feels like a continuation of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show is packed with appearances by Star Trek actors and plenty of references for fans of the original series.

Even though The Orville first aired in 2017, it only has three seasons so far. People involved with the show disagree on whether a fourth season will happen, and if so, when it might be released. Most believe the show will return at some point, but there hasn’t been an official confirmation yet. Both new viewers and longtime Star Trek fans are eager for the show’s return, with Star Trek enthusiasts particularly appreciating the show as a tribute to the classic era of the franchise.

3
‘Red Dwarf’ (1988-)

BBC

The impact of Star Trek can be seen in shows like Red Dwarf. This British sci-fi comedy debuted shortly after Star Trek: The Next Generation, but with a much lighter, humorous tone. While it’s basically a space-based sitcom, Red Dwarf also features clever and imaginative world-building and storylines that clearly echo Star Trek. The show’s laugh track creates a somewhat unusual atmosphere, but it’s something viewers quickly adjust to. Though it doesn’t air as frequently now, Red Dwarf still occasionally returns with new specials.

2
‘Farscape’ (1999-2003)

Syfy

While Farscape shares similarities with Star Trek, it especially feels like a show from that franchise – specifically, it echoes the plot of Star Trek: Voyager, following a character, John Crichton, trying to find his way back to Earth. Though the shows aren’t identical, fans of either one will probably appreciate the other. Farscape had some production help from the Jim Henson Company, but despite that, it’s often a surprisingly dark and serious show – don’t expect Muppets!

As a sci-fi fan, I have to say Farscape really throws everything at the wall – and most of it sticks! Like Star Trek before it, it embraces all the classic tropes. We’re talking a huge universe filled with countless alien species and fascinating planets. They even put a unique spin on faster-than-light travel with something called a ‘Starburst’ drive – basically, it sends our heroes spinning off to a completely random location each time. It’s a shame it was canceled in 2003, but thankfully, they brought it back for a two-part miniseries, Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, the following year to wrap up a major cliffhanger. It was a satisfying conclusion for fans like me.

1
‘For All Mankind’ (2019-)

Apple TV+

One of the appealing things about Star Trek is that its far-off future is built on a foundation of actual Earth history. Over the years, the show has developed some inconsistencies with this backstory, mostly because it’s been on television for so long and how it occasionally depicts the present day. For All Mankind addresses this issue right from the start by creating an alternate history where the Soviet Union, rather than the United States, was the first to win the Space Race.

The Apple TV+ series For All Mankind includes a reference to Star Trek. It’s been confirmed that within the show’s world, only The Original Series, Phase II (which was never made in our timeline), and The Next Generation actually exist. The creators suggest that after those shows, real-world space exploration became more compelling than the fictional universe of Star Trek.

The story depicts a slow, multi-generational journey to the stars, while Earth remains focused on competition. It’s reminiscent of a particular era in Star Trek – the period before warp drive, when humanity was first venturing into space. While the scope is much smaller than what we typically see in Star Trek, that’s not a drawback. It simply presents a unique approach, offering something different from the established Star Trek universe and its related series.

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2026-01-12 05:04

6 ‘The Expanse’ (2015-2022)

5 ‘Firefly’ (2002)

4 ‘The Orville’ (2017-?)

3 ‘Red Dwarf’ (1988-)

2 ‘Farscape’ (1999-2003)

1 ‘For All Mankind’ (2019-)