10 British Sci-Fi Shows You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

The UK has produced some incredible ones Sci Fi TV shows, many of which audiences have not heard of before. The best sci-fi TV shows of 2024 may be relevant right now, but multiple long-forgotten titles still offer viewers a compelling story to sink their teeth into. British television is known for producing some of the most famous sci-fi shows ever, such as Doctor Who. Red dwarf is back in 2025, which proves just how good sci-fi shows are in the UK.

However, some titles are not as well known as these. This does not mean that these shows are bad, but that they are simply underrated or overshadowed by other projects. Science fiction is undoubtedly a competitive genre, but some UK shows simply haven’t made a big enough splash internationally. Despite executing typically overused sci-fi TV tropes well or featuring a cast of popular actors, these British shows 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 delves into the power of technology and societal progression. The show spans fifteen years and focuses on the Lyons family and how they adapt as the world changes around them. years and years‘ Cast is full of massive British names, including Emma Thompson, Russell Tovey, Jessica Hines, and Anne Reid, all of whom are household names in the UK. Despite the dystopian themes, years and years Also uses a lot of realism, which gives the show an overall eerie tone.

The use of science fiction is more subtle than other titles in the genre, but that works in the show’s favor. Technological development is normal, but the implementation of political upheaval and the aging of its characters highlight the harsh realities of life that is intriguing. years and years It may not be about spaceships and aliens, but it shares the same motif and messages as the original sci-fi story, HG Wells’ The Time Machinedid.

9

Bugs

Full of unbelievable plot twists

Bugs Is a show that survives critics and cancellation several times, but it is slowly more appreciated in recent years. The show’s four seasons focus on a group of crime-fighting technology experts, and with each episode, the team faces a life-threatening challenge. Despite being criminally underrated, Bugs Produced some of the best cliffhangers in television history. In the final episode, the bureau’s secretary, Alex, marries her partner, Adam, only for the groom to be suddenly killed at their wedding.

Unfortunately, this storyline never gets a satisfying conclusion. Although plot twists are a crucial factor in BugsSurvival, many other factors make it a great show. bugs Characterizations and plotlines are clever and lovable, And each episode feels fresh and unique. The show is undoubtedly a 90s sci-fi TV show that still holds up, but it’s also one that many have yet to discover.

8

The Lazarus Project

The Lazarus Project is a compelling take on time loop movies like Groundhog Day But with a twist. Rather than waking up on the same day every time he goes to sleep, George finds his life reverting to July 1 every six months. George possesses a rare gene that allows him to remember the past, and he is recruited to join the titular team in investigating why this continues. Although there is a focus on science fiction, The Lazarus Project is also very deep and has subplots that look into the emotional complications of the events.

George’s responsibilities to prevent apocalyptic disasters are thrown out the window when he fails to prevent his girlfriend’s death, And even though his team managed to reset the year and stop him from starting a nuclear war, there are still repercussions. The Lazarus Project Season 1’s biggest twists make the show a time travel story like no other, though the jumps through timelines in season 2 become a little hard to follow at times. However, the show’s most important strength is its cast, which includes huge talents such as Anjli Mohindra and Paapa Essiedu.

7

Class

A short-lived doctor who spin-off

Class is far from the best Doctor Who Spin-off, but the show was unfortunately cut short while it still had potential. Class is designed to serve as a combination of the more notable spin-offs of the iconic sci-fi show, with the mature themes and darkness of TorchwoodWith the teenage focus of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

There are mistakes in Class That Doctor WhoS new spin-off should avoid, but there are also qualities that it can absolutely borrow from. Its first episode cleverly includes a cameo from Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor, who intrigues Doctor Who Viewers and catches their attention. Class Also executes LGBTQ+ storylines beautifully, And Charlie’s budding romance with Matteusz is amazingly compelling. The show also realistically delves into teenage issues, such as Ram’s pressures as an athlete and Tanya’s similar struggles as a young genius.

6

Utopia

What if a comic could predict the future?

Utopia Uses a wide range of television genres other than sci-fi, such as black comedy and thriller, to create a strangely enthralling story about a community of comic book fans. The fictional graphic novel entitled The Utopia Experiments has bizarrely predicted a series of catastrophes. When a group of enthusiasts get their hands on an unreleased sequel, they become the targets of the network organization, which is determined to ensure that they do not reveal any details about future world events.

Although there are only two seasons of UtopiaIt’s still an enjoyable watch. There are many comical moments, however UtopiaThe theme of ​​conspiracy is at the forefront of the show. It can be quite jarring at times, but that’s what makes the show so gripping. Utopia is also a great title for those who enjoy action and mystery, too, And the group’s hunt for the enigmatic Jessica Hyde is a fantastic story. Utopias British original version is large compared to the US version. it.

5

Blake’s 7

Created by one of the UK’s best science fiction TV writers

Blake’s 7 is often overshadowed by many of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 1970s, especially because of its low budget. Although the 70s shows weren’t exactly visually spectacular, Blake’s 7It’s still ambitious with its use of sci-fi tropes. The BBC show is a beloved title in the UK, but it has never really made an impact in North America. The show is similar to Battlestar Galactica Or Star Wars In some ways, it follows a group of rebels fighting back against the Federation, a totalitarian government that controls several planets with mind control and mass surveillance.

Blake’s 7 is quite ahead of its time for a ’70s TV show. There is a diverse cast, and the show’s female characters are just as strong and developed as their male counterparts. For example, Dinah is brave and a weapons genius, but she is also reckless at times, which makes her a balanced character. Blake’s 7 Coming from the mind of Terry Nation, who is also the creator of other massive TV shows and figures in science fiction, Including the Daleks and Davros in Doctor WhoAs well as the hit espionage series The Avengers.

4

Primeval

Prehistoric and modern worlds combine

Primeval is a brilliant sci-fi and fantasy TV show made on a low budget, at least in comparison to similar series from the 2000s. Professor Nick Cutter and his team face dinosaurs, insects and some strange creatures in each episode, All of which mysteriously start popping up all over England with no warning. Even though some of PrimevalThe visual effects aren’t the strongest, they’re pretty solid for the time, and it doesn’t distract from the story too much.

Primeval Typically follows a story-of-the-week format, with overreaching character arcs that are still related to science fiction. Nick’s wife, Helen, is supposed to be dead, but she later appeared, and it was revealed that she was traveling through time, for example. PrimevalThe cast also includes some notable names, such as the hilarious comedian Ben Miller, British pop group S Club 7 member Hannah Spearritt, and star of Guy Ritchie movies Jason Flemyng.

3

Survivors

Sometimes, the threat is humanity itself

Survivors is a 2008 TV series that, oddly, is not a remake of Terry Nation’s 1975 show, but is based on his novel about it. SurvivorsThe story is strangely relatable in 2024. Set in the early 2000s, Survivors Follows a group of people who manage to live through a deadly pandemic that kills a large majority of the Earth’s population. The world has changed into a social society, and Throughout the show, the main characters each face their own respective issues while trying to ensure each other’s safety, too.

It’s easy to get invested in each of the group’s stories. Guide Abby’s search for her missing son, Tom’s escape from prison to discover his mother has died, and Anya’s haunting memories of working in a hospital when the pandemic broke are all compelling stories. Although the group doesn’t always get along, their shared motivation for survival in a world that refuses to let them in is fantastic at keeping them together. Survivors‘ Supporting cast and guest stars include some well-known British names, such as New Amsterdam And Doctor WhoFreema Aygeman and iconic sitcom actor Roger Lloyd-Pack.

2

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The first interpretation of the legendary sci-fi story for the screen

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is an amazing ’80s TV show that deserves a rewatch. The 1981 BBC series is the first screen adaptation of Douglas Adams’ legendary radio plays and novels. Since Adams’ first release of the story in 1978, it has become an international smash hit and has spawned The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxys Video game, a movie, and stage productions.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the winner of multiple BAFTAs for its 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 surviving the destruction of Earth and his exploration of the galaxy. Which many viewers don’t know about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is that several of the original radio series reprized their roles in the TV show, including Simon Jones as Dent and Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod.

1

People

The final ethical argument

People is an intricate and endearing TV show about the power of artificial intelligence. The brilliant sci-fi title is one of Gemma Chan’s best TV shows and the project that shows the industry how talented a performer she is. Chan portrays Anita, who is one of those “synth” robots that resemble humans so well that society struggles to accept their presence. However, Anita starts to break away from her programming and develop her own consciousness, just as many petrifying sci-fi movies have covered.

Chan is not the only famous British actor in PeopleAlthough. The show’s stellar ensemble cast also includes the likes of The thickness of itRebecca Front, Baby reindeers Tom Goodman-Hill, and The it crowdS. Catherine Parkinson. innovation, There are a lot of comic actors in PeopleDespite the show’s serious themes and dark plot twists. People Delves into whether or not it is ethical to have robot slaves, what the term conscious really means, and the blurred lines between being alive and being an object.