The 10 best British sci-fi shows of all time

Over the years, the UK has produced some of the best, most iconic and most memorable Science fiction Already made TV shows. The country shows no signs of slowing down its creative output in this regard either, with Netflix’s superhero show Supacell proving to be very popular. There’s a specific charm associated with British sci-fi shows; they are invariably campy, quirky, and funny, while often challenging viewers to reflect on some of life’s most important questions.

Another great aspect of these properties is that they often push the boundaries of previously accepted notions of the genre. Whether large-scale productions or low-budget series, they all have one thing in common: leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world. There is a distinct difference in budget between American productions and some of the UK’s best sci-fi programmes. THE The X-Filesfor example, it has a more sophisticated production design than some British series, but the writing and acting make the last category shine.

10

Mistakes (1995-1999)

Bugs is a lesser-known sci-fi with major plot twists

Errors is one of the UK’s most underrated sci-fi shows, and its appeal helped it survive near-cancellation after season three, only for a major cliffhanger to bring the story back for another chapter. Throughout its four seasons and 40 episodes Errors can be counted among the science fiction shows from the 90s that still hold up today, namely because they were way ahead of their time, as well as boasting intelligent writing and a great cast.

It’s a classic example of when Saturday night TV was a family affair, and the tight schedule meant you had a specific time for everyone to sit down and watch the latest episode. What it does Errors Just as great, however, is its clever storytelling and cast of charismatic characters. The show also features some of the most compelling and shocking thrillers on TV at the time, and even though it only ran for four seasons, it’s worth seeking out.

9

The Lázaro Project (2022-2023)

The Lazarus Project Is a Highly Compelling Time Loop Drama

The time-loop genre has become extremely popular, with the concept proving incredible in films such as Groundhog Day and Source Code. However, TV also has its fair share of excellent series that focus on the plight of being stuck in an endless day, with The Lazarus Project serving as a great example. The deviation portrayed in this show is that protagonist George, played by Paapa Essiedu, finds his life returning to July 1st every six months.

The cast helps elevate the fantastical premise to great heights over its two seasons, with the likes of Carolin Quentin, Tom Burke and Anjli Mohindra providing stellar support for Essiedu’s protagonist. The show deals with questions of destiny, and its inquisitive nature, in which love is also a central theme, is contagious. It’s a shame it only lasted two seasons, as the twists introduced in the first season especially make it a unique time travel story.

8

Blake’s 7 (1978-1981)

Blake’s 7 was an ambitious, low-budget BBC sci-fi

Blake’s 7 is another BBC program which, despite being produced on a shoestring budget (which is certainly evident), demonstrates many of the fascinating features that made British science fiction television in the 1970s unique. good as the best sci-fi series of the 1970s, it’s still a classic British show in its own right. It was a series that wasn’t afraid to break formulas and evokes things like Star Wars with its narrative of rebels versus bandits.

Yet one of the most compelling reasons to watch Blake’s 7 is that it was created by the legendary Terry Nation, which is also responsible for bringing to the public classics such as The Avengersas well as Davros and the Daleks in Doctor Who. Blake’s 7 it was also ahead of its time, featuring a strong and diverse cast. The female characters are just as compelling as the men, with great stories to match.

7

Black Mirror (2011-present)

Black Mirror is Charlie Booker’s sharp, satirical sci-fi

Black Mirror is without a doubt one of the best sci-fi shows of the 2000s, with its independent dramatic episodes evoking equally exciting series like The Twilight Zone from the 1950s. The series began in 2011 and produced 33 episodes over its six seasons, with season 7 expected to arrive in 2025. Each episode gives a fascinating look at what the future holds for the human race, with everything, from AI to social media, and the dark side of human nature.

The best episodes of Black Mirror offer a satirical, humorous and often shocking portrait of society as a whole. The first episode features an unforgettable plot involving the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom being forced to have sex with a pig, which manages to be both hilarious and disgusting at the same time. Its satirical nature never ceases throughout the series and features some wonderful cameos from stars like Jon Hamm and Bryce Dallas Howard.

6

Life on Mars (2006-2007)

Life on Mars is a time travel action set in the 1970s

The best element of time travel is the mystery that draws the viewer into the action, and Life on Mars is a great example of that. The plot follows John Simms’ character, Sam Tyler, who is suddenly, and mysteriously, thrust back into the 1970s. after he was involved in a car accident. Life on Mars is one of the great TV shows that rewrites time, as it’s fascinating to see Sam trying to keep his head in the wild circumstances he abruptly finds himself in.

Sam becomes a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department, and this is where the series comes to life, largely thanks to an eclectic mix of co-stars. DCI Gene Hunt, whose name is clever slang, is the perfect foil for Sam. They have a dynamic love-hate relationship that is the heart of the series. This is despite Hunt being clearly a violent but somehow lovable bigot from the first moment he is introduced.

5

Ashes to Ashes (2008-2010)

Ashes To Ashes shows characters solving crimes in the 1980s

Serving as a kind of continuation of Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes shares many similarities with its predecessor, albeit with a few different twists. The action shifts to focus on a different protagonist, police officer Alex Drake, played by Keeley Hawes, who is shot and subsequently wakes up in 1981.

The decision to change Ashes to Ashes in the 1980s worked well as it helped to understand what happened in Life on Mars, and the world he created. What differs considerably between the two shows is that Drake is aware of what happened to Sam in the 1970s because she studied his life in the modern timeline. The only character who doesn’t change much is Gene Hunt, who may have lost some of his edge as an officer, but demonstrates many of the same character traits as before.

4

Doctor Who (2005-present)

Never give up. Never give up!

One of Britain’s best-known science fiction programs is decidedly Doctor Who. Starting in 1963, with William Hartnell as the First Doctor, the series has spanned generations, 14 more Doctors (not including alternate versions) and countless screaming Daleks. The series has gone through many ups and downs in terms of storytelling, but its enduring appeal speaks volumes about its popularity, while actors like David Tennant and Matt Smith have given some once-in-a-lifetime performances as the Doctor.

This program is a landmark of British TV and one of the best things the BBC has ever produced. Doctor WhoSeasons may have fluctuated in quality from time to time, demonstrating how such a long show is subject to wide fluctuations. Some seasons are downright stinkers, but still feature some excellent episodes. Other seasons are considered stellar episodes, like season 1 or season 5, but they have some bad episodes. However, Doctor Who is a classic and unbridled example of British science fiction, and will be for a long time to come.

3

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1981)

The legendary sci-fi story comes to the small screen

Douglas Adams first released his story, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in 1973, and its popularity was so great that it spawned a radio play, a video game, a film and, in 1981, the excellent TV series produced by the BBC. The show is an excellent recreation of Arthur Dent’s exploration of the galaxy after surviving the destruction of Earth. and is another example of classic British science fiction.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy includes many wonderful characters with equally memorable names; like Zaphod Beeblebrox, the many-headed president, Arthur himself, and the brooding robot Marvin, the Paranoid Android. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy It’s always worth rewatching when it’s one of the best shows to come out of Britain in the 1980s. The film released in 2005 was fun, but the 1981 series has a nostalgic vibe that perfectly captures the source material.

2

Utopia (2013-2014)

Utopia is dystopian science fiction at its best

About that, Utopia is one of the best science fiction programs to come out of Britain in the last decade. It is also, unfortunately, one of the most forgotten. The premise that a comic can predict future events was original when it launched in 2013, and the series is incredibly fun. The plot follows fans of “The Utopia Experiments” who meet after finding a manuscript for a future publication.

The events that follow offer a gripping look at the conspiracy the protagonists uncover, and the show does a great job of showing how those who have power can manipulate those who don’t. It’s also beautifully designed, with excellent production values ​​for a show with a modest budget, while the violence is incredibly hard-hitting when it arrives. UtopiaThe UK-produced show is far superior to its American counterpart, and it’s a disappointment that we only have two seasons.

1

Red Dwarf (1988–present)

It’s cold outside, there is no atmosphere whatsoever!

Such is the cult appeal of the series that has been proven by Red Dwarfof returned to screens in 2005. The show originally aired from 1988 to 1999 and featured an eclectic and hilarious cast, including Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn. It is one of the most beloved and successful sci-fi comedies to come out of the United Kingdom in the 1980s, if not arguably at the top of all rankings of sci-fi properties from this era.

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All about Red Dwarf It’s wonderfully nostalgic, but also set in a strange and peculiar universe. For example, Lister, one of the main characters, is placed aboard the titular ship in suspended animation for smuggling his cat on board. The cat then becomes a sensitive and talkative guy, played by the great Danny John-Jules. These are just small examples of the creative delights the show has to offer, which deserve to be seen again before the new Science fiction series airs.