Must-Watch Prestige Sci-Fi Shows Like Andor You Can’t Miss

by

Star Wars: Andor returned on Disney+ for its second season, releasing fresh episodes weekly and demonstrating once more the captivating power of character-focused science fiction. The series has set a benchmark for Star Wars productions, favoring tense espionage over lightsaber battles, intricate political machinations, and a raw look at the emerging resistance against the Empire. Andor showcases that Star Wars can deliver premium TV content, concentrating on morally ambiguous characters, sophisticated plotting, and themes that resonate beyond a distant galaxy. This is largely due to creator Tony Gilroy, who delivered a mature, thoughtful, and ultimately gripping expansion of the universe, captivating viewers who enjoy sci-fi that isn’t afraid to delve into the darker aspects of its characters and setting. As Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) story nears its end, fans are once more drawn into that unique blend of high-stakes, intelligent narrative.

If the renewal of ‘Andor’ has left you yearning for science fiction that goes beyond mere visual spectacle, then look no further! The following series are some of the finest examples of premium sci-fi television. They focus on intricate storylines, in-depth character development, intellectually stimulating themes, and captivating world creation. Here’s our recommended list of seven prestige sci-fi shows that you should definitely consider watching if you enjoy ‘Andor’.

Foundation

The Apple TV+ series based on Isaac Asimov’s Foundation books is known for its difficulty due to the long timeline and complex ideas like psychohistory. However, this show bravely takes up the challenge, offering a visually impressive epic that mirrors Asimov’s grand vision while carving out its unique path. The narrative follows Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), a brilliant mathematician who foresees the impending collapse of the Galactic Empire and establishes the Foundation, a group of artisans and engineers responsible for safeguarding knowledge to minimize the duration of an upcoming dark age. Seldon’s journey intersects with characters such as Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), a talented individual, and Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey), a resourceful figure, who may be separated by generations but are connected by fate.

In simple terms, the series Foundation skillfully portrays the immense expanse of space and time, juxtaposing the crumbling grandeur of the Empire embodied by the rotating Genetic Dynasty led by Brother Day (Lee Pace), with the efforts of those aiming to construct something fresh at society’s edges. The show delves into deep themes like determinism versus free will, the recurring patterns in history, and the impact of faith, while encompassing political machinations, scientific marvels, and genuine human emotions.

The Expanse

Known for its lifelike portrayal and complex political backdrop, The Expanse initially aired on SYFY but later moved to Prime Video, faithfully bringing to life the acclaimed book series by James S.A. Corey. The story unfolds in a future where mankind has expanded across the solar system, leading to increasing conflicts between Earth, the self-governing Mars, and the oppressed residents of the Asteroid Belt (Belters). At the heart of this struggle are the team aboard the refurbished Martian warship, the Rocinante. This crew is led by the principled James Holden, played by Steven Strait, and includes the resourceful Belter engineer Naomi Nagata, portrayed by Dominique Tipper, as well as the resilient mechanic Amos Burton, brought to life by Wes Chatham.

Initially starting as a simple search for a missing person, events escalate dramatically into a vast, intricate web of corruption and power plays, orchestrated by individuals such as UN executive Chrisjen Avasarala (portrayed by Shohreh Aghdashloo). This complex plot unfolds to uncover a mysterious alien artifact known as the protomolecule, which has the potential to drastically alter humankind’s destiny. The critically acclaimed series, “The Expanse,” gains its reputation through its dedication to scientific authenticity, intricate character development that challenges loyalty, and thoughtful examination of political strife, tribalism, and the human toll of expansion.

Battlestar Galactica

Ronald D. Moore’s 2004 modernization of “Battlestar Galactica” stands as a notable milestone in science fiction television, converting a cheesy ’70s program into a grim, suspenseful post-apocalyptic saga. After an unexpected assault by the Cylons – artificially intelligent machines manufactured by humans – the remaining fragments of humanity scramble through space on a makeshift armada, shielded by the old warship Galactica. Guided by the resolute Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the practical civilian President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), the refugees seek the legendary planet Earth while grappling with dwindling supplies, internal power struggles, and the chilling awareness that Cylon agents, indistinguishable from humans, lurk among them.

In awe of the mesmerizing series “Battlestar Galactica,” I found it brilliantly intertwined pulse-pounding space battles with intricate character journeys that delved into profound and thought-provoking topics, such as genocide, torment, religious fanaticism, and the essence of humanity. The suspense generated by the clandestine Cylons was palpable and agonizing. Characters like the fearless pilot Kara “Starbuck” Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) and the ethically questionable scientist Gaius Baltar (James Callis) experienced deep, sometimes excruciating evolutions. The show’s gritty, authentic aesthetics and fearlessness in tackling complex, modern issues solidified its position as a must-watch for prestige sci-fi enthusiasts.

Severance

Apple TV+’s Severance debuted as a chilling and amusingly eerie psychological thriller enclosed within a complex sci-fi framework. The show presents Lumon Industries, a secretive corporation that offers an operation called “severance,” surgically separating employees’ memories into two distinct realities: their professional lives (“innies”) and personal lives (“outies”). Mark Scout (Adam Scott) oversees a group of severed office workers whose innies perform repetitive data processing jobs without knowing about their non-work identities, while their outies remain oblivious to their work existence. When new recruit Helly Riggs (Britt Lower) defies her isolation, it triggers events that question the entire system.

Under Ben Stiller’s predominant direction, the series Severance delves deeply into themes such as corporate dominion, work-life equilibrium, self-identity, mourning, and conformity, using its chilling premise with remarkable accuracy. The cold, retro-futuristic design of Lumon’s partitioned office space establishes a distinctly oppressive ambiance, further intensified by exceptional portrayals from Scott, Lower, and Patricia Arquette as the enigmatic manager Harmony Cobel. This mind-bending series skillfully combines philosophical queries with biting satire and genuinely suspenseful storytelling, making it incredibly captivating.

Silo

Apple TV+’s Silo, inspired by Hugh Howey’s popular book series, offers a gripping dystopian tale set in a massive underground fortress housing mankind’s remaining population. Within this confined space, residents follow stringent rules and believe the outside world to be perilous and contaminated. Not only are artifacts and past knowledge forbidden, but they are also tightly controlled by the authoritarian Judicial Department. However, when Sheriff Holston Becker (David Oyelowo) transgresses a severe taboo by requesting permission to leave, engineer Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) finds herself unwittingly assuming his duties. As she delves deeper into the secrets that threaten their society’s foundations and the influential figures who preserve order, she uncovers revelations that challenge the very core of their existence.

In a masterful manner, Silo crafts an enclosed, bustling environment teeming with hidden truths and palpable social unrest. The central enigma regarding the Silo’s real function and the essence of the outside world serves as the backbone for the storyline, fueled by Ferguson’s tenacious portrayal of Juliette. With deft handling, the series seamlessly merges aspects of mystery, political intrigue, and personal drama, delving into topics such as power, authenticity, resistance, and the indomitable human spirit’s quest for hope amidst insurmountable adversity within its confined, eerie ambiance.

Dark

The groundbreaking first German-language production on Netflix, titled “Dark“, is a thought-provoking masterpiece that intertwines intricate storytelling with chilling existential anxiety. This series unfolds in the quaint town of Winden, where a missing child mirrors a similar incident from years past, revealing a tangled network of secrets that bind four estranged families across various timelines. As the plot progresses, “Dark” delves into a vast temporal conundrum involving wormholes, predestination paradoxes, and generations ensnared in what appears to be an unbreakable cycle of sorrow and manipulation. Key characters include Jonas Kahnwald (portrayed by Louis Hofmann and Andreas Pietschmann), Martha Nielsen (Lisa Vicari), and Ulrich Nielsen (Oliver Masucci).

Dark, with its intricate plotline, skillfully intertwines character journeys and narrative strands across 1921, 1953, 1986, 2019, and beyond, showing remarkable finesse. It’s a series that places faith in its viewers to follow along with its intricate storyline, offering them thought-provoking philosophical queries about time, destiny, free will, and the impact of family history in return. The brooding ambiance, powerful acting, and carefully constructed narrative make Dark an indelible, complex, and immensely satisfying journey into science fiction.

Counterpart

Starz’s Counterpart seamlessly combines suspenseful spy plots with an innovative science fiction backdrop. This intriguing series provides a captivating platform for J.K. Simmons, who portrays two distinct characters. The story unfolds in current-day Berlin where Howard Silk (Simmons), a routine bureaucrat for a clandestine UN department, discovers that his organization maintains a portal to an alternate Earth developed during the Cold War. When his counterpart from the primary world, a formidable field agent also played by Simmons, crosses over, Howard’s uneventful existence is disrupted, unveiling a generations-long conflict between the two dimensions brimming with spies, assassins, and divergent histories.

Counterpart delves into intriguing ideas about identity, nature versus nurture, and untraveled paths by employing the unique premise of parallel worlds. Starring the exceptional performances of J.K. Simmons as the two Howards, it skillfully weaves suspenseful spycraft elements to build a chilling atmosphere where trust is elusive, and loyalties are frequently in flux. Olivia Williams impresses as both Howards’ wives, Emily Burton Silk, while the narrative unfolds as a thought-provoking character drama with complex plot twists. It’s an intelligent thriller that skillfully uses its sci-fi foundation to generate compelling human drama and intricate storytelling.

Read More

2025-04-27 03:41