10 British sci-fi series you probably haven’t heard of

Britain has produced some incredible Science fiction TV shows, many of which viewers have never heard of before. The best sci-fi TV shows of 2024 may be relevant right now, but plenty of long-forgotten titles still offer compelling stories for viewers to sink their teeth into. British television is known for producing some of the most famous science fiction shows such as Doctor Who. Red Dwarf returns in 2025, proving just how good sci-fi shows are in the UK.

However, some names are not as prominent as these. This doesn’t mean that these shows are bad, but rather that they are simply underrated or overshadowed by other projects. Science fiction is undoubtedly a competitive genre, but some British series simply haven’t made enough of a splash internationally. Despite playing well on typically tired sci-fi TV tropes or having popular actors in the cast, these British series are relatively unknown and deserve more attention.

10

Years and years

The world can change a lot in 15 years

Years and years is a fascinating television show that explores the possibilities of technology and social progress. The show spans fifteen years and focuses on the Lyons family and how they adapt to the changes in the world around them. Years and yearsThe cast includes many big British names, including Emma Thompson, Russell Tovey, Jessica Hynes and Anne Reid, all of whom are household names in the UK. Despite the dystopian themes, Years and years there is also a lot of realism used, which gives the show an overall creepy tone.

The use of science fiction is subtler than other titles in the genre, but it works to the series’ benefit. Technological advances are fine, but the implementation of political upheavals and the aging of their characters highlight the harsh realities of life that intriguingly continue. Years and years It may not be about spaceships and aliens, but it contains the same motif and messages as H.G. Wells’ original science fiction story. Time machinehas.

9

Errors

Full of incredible plot twists

Errors it’s a show that has endured criticism and cancellation numerous times, but has slowly become more valuable in recent years. The series’ four seasons focus on a group of crime-fighting experts, and each episode pits the team against a life-threatening problem. Despite the criminal underestimation, Errors produced some of the best thrills in television history. In the latest episode, Bureau Secretary Alex marries her partner Adam, but the groom is suddenly killed at their wedding.

Unfortunately, this storyline never received a satisfying conclusion. Although plot twists are a deciding factor in Errorssurvival, as well as many other factors, make this a great show. Errors The characters and storylines are smart and cute, and every episode feels fresh and unique. It’s undoubtedly a 90s sci-fi TV show that is still relevant today, but many have yet to discover it.

8

Project Lazarus

Project Lazarus it’s a compelling look at time loop movies like Groundhog Day but with a twist. Instead of waking up on the same day every time he goes to bed, George finds his life returning to July 1st every six months. George possesses a little-known gene that allows him to remember time moving backwards, and he is recruited to join the titular team to investigate why this keeps happening. Although the emphasis is on science fiction, Project Lazarus It is also deeply insightful and has plots that explore the emotional complications of these events.

George’s responsibilities to prevent apocalyptic disasters are thrown out of whack when he fails to prevent the death of his girlfriend. and although his team manages to reset the year and stop him from starting a nuclear war, the consequences still remain. Project Lazarus The biggest twists of the first season make the series a unique time travel story, although the jumps in the second season become a little difficult to follow at times. However, the show’s most significant strength is its cast, which includes huge talents like Anjli Mohindra and Paapa Essiedu.

7

Variety

Short-lived Doctor Who spin-off

Variety far from the best Doctor Who spin-off, but the show was unfortunately cut short, although it still had potential. Variety is intended to serve as a combination of the most notable spin-offs of the cult sci-fi series with adult themes and darkness Torchwoodwith a teenage focus The Sarah Jane Adventures.

There are errors in Variety What Doctor WhoThe new spin-off should be avoided, but there are qualities it could absolutely borrow from. Its first episode cleverly includes a cameo from Peter Capaldi’s The Twelfth Doctor, which is intriguing. Doctor Who viewers and attracts their attention. Variety also perfectly embodies LGBTQ+ storylines, and Charlie’s budding romance with Matthausz is surprisingly compelling. The show also realistically delves into teenage problems, such as the pressures of Ram as an athlete and Tanya’s similar struggles as a young genius.

6

Utopia

What if a comic book could predict the future?

Utopia uses a wide range of television genres beyond science fiction, such as dark comedy and thriller, to create a surprisingly compelling story about a community of comic book fans. A fictional graphic novel called “Experiments in Utopia” bizarrely predicted a series of disasters. When a group of enthusiasts get their hands on an unreleased sequel, they become the target of an organization called The Network, which is determined to ensure that they don’t divulge any details about future world events.

Even though it’s only two seasons Utopiait’s still a joy to watch. There are many comical moments, but UtopiaThe theme of conspiracy is at the forefront of the show. It can be quite frustrating at times, but that’s what makes the show so exciting. Utopia it’s also a great game for those who love action and mystery. and the group’s hunt for the mysterious Jessica Hyde is a fantastic story. UtopiaBritish original is great compared to the American version, but strangely remains one of the lesser-known sci-fi shows in the UK.

5

Blake 7

Created by one of Britain’s finest science fiction writers

Blake 7 often overshadowed by many of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 1970s, especially due to its small budget. While That ’70s Show isn’t particularly visually impressive, Blake 7He remains ambitious in his use of sci-fi imagery. The BBC show is a beloved title in the UK, but it has never been a big success in North America. The show is like Battlestar Galactica or Star wars in a way, and it follows a group of rebels fighting against the Federation, a totalitarian government that controls several planets through mind control and mass surveillance.

Blake 7 for a ’70s TV show, it’s way ahead of its time. The cast is diverse, and the series’ female characters are just as strong and developed as their male counterparts. For example, Dyna is brave and a genius with a weapon, but she can also be reckless at times, making her a balanced character. Blake 7 comes from the mind of Terry Nation, who is also the creator of other major television shows and a science fiction figure, including Daleks and Davros in Doctor Whoas well as the popular spy series Avengers.

4

Primitive

Prehistoric and modern worlds come together

Primitive is a brilliant sci-fi and fantasy television show made on a small budget, at least compared to similar series from the 2000s. Professor Nick Cutter and his team encounter dinosaurs, insects and a few strange creatures in every episode. all of these mysteriously begin to appear all over England without warning. Despite the fact that some of PrimitiveThe visuals aren’t the strongest, but they’re pretty solid for the time and don’t distract too much from the story.

Primitive usually follows a “story of the week” format with extensive character arcs that are still grounded in science fiction. Nick’s wife, Helen, is believed to be dead, but she later appears and it is revealed that she has time traveled, for example. PrimitiveThe cast also includes some famous names such as hilarious comedian Ben Miller, British pop group S Club 7 member Hannah Spearritt and Guy Ritchie film star Jason Flemyng.

3

Survivors

Sometimes humanity itself is the threat

Survivors is a 2008 series that, oddly enough, is not a remake of Terry Nation’s 1975 show, but is based on his novel about it. SurvivorsThe story is surprisingly relevant in 2024. The action takes place in the early 2000s. Survivors The story follows a group of people who manage to survive a deadly pandemic that kills the vast majority of the world’s population. The world has become a lawless society, and Throughout the show, each of the main characters faces their own challenges while trying to keep each other safe.

Each of the group’s stories is easy to get invested in. Leader Abby’s search for her missing son, Tom’s escape from prison when he discovers his mother has died, and Anya’s haunting memories of working at the hospital after the pandemic hits are all compelling stories. While the group doesn’t always get along, their shared motivation to survive in a world that doesn’t allow them does a great job of keeping them together. SurvivorsThe supporting cast and guest stars include some famous British names such as New Amsterdam And Doctor WhoFreema Eigeman and iconic sitcom actor Roger Lloyd-Pack.

2

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The first screen interpretation of the legendary fantasy story

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is an amazing 80s TV show that deserves a re-watch. The 1981 BBC series is the first adaptation of Douglas Adams’ legendary radio plays and novels. Since Adams first published the story in 1978, it has become an international hit and spawned many The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy‘s video games, films and plays.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the winner of several BAFTA awards for graphics and editing, which is impressive considering the lack of development in special effects in the 80s. Although there are only eight episodes, The show brilliantly recreates Arthur Dent as he survived the destruction of Earth and his exploration of the galaxy. What many viewers don’t realize The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is that several actors from the original radio series reprise their roles in the television show, including Simon Jones as Dent and Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod.

1

People

Main ethical argument

People is a twisted and fascinating TV show about the power of artificial intelligence. The brilliant sci-fi game is one of Gemma Chan’s best TV shows and a project that shows the industry just how talented a performer she is. Chan portrays Anita, one of the “synthetic” robots that are so human-like that society struggles to accept their presence. However, Anita begins to break away from her programming and develops her own consciousness, as shown in many terrifying science fiction films.

Chan is not the only famous British actor in PeopleAlthough. The show’s stellar cast also includes the likes of In the thick of thingsRebecca Front Little deerTom Goodman-Hill and It’s a crowdThis is Katherine Parkinson. Marvelous, there are a lot of comic actors there Peopledespite the series’ serious themes and dark plot twists. People delves into the question of whether it’s ethical to have robot slaves or not, what the term “consciousness” actually means, and the blurred lines between being alive and being an object.