It’s been a good few years for sci-fi. No longer seen as a ‘nerdy’ genre, we've been gifted with heaps of fantastic series that appeal to every taste, mood and generation. And while we can't deny the popularity of Stranger Things, there are some that are fast on their way to taking its spot on the throne.
From a long-awaited Doctor Who spin-off (we're looking at you, The War Between the Land and the Sea) to another star turn from James Norton in The Nevers, we've picked out the dramas that we consider to be truly outstanding. So, keep scrolling for our top picks of the best sci-fi series to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
The Nevers
James Norton and Laura Donnelley star side-by-side in this supernatural show set in Victorian London. At the heart of it is a group of women known as the Touched, who have "unusual" abilities. James Norton is the charming, morally ambiguous, wealthy aristocrat who's fascinated by them - but he also wants to exploit them for a profit. Think Downton Abbey meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer (interestingly, the show was, in fact, created by Joss Whedon, the man behind Buffy). Available to watch now on ITVX.
Wonder Man
This new Marvel series only recently landed on Disney+ and it's already gained an army of loyal fans. Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is aspiring actor who's fighting to make it in Hollywood - and his life is about to change. When he's presented with an opportunity to star in a remake of a Wonder Man film from a famous director, he knows he's perfect for it - given he already has superpowers of his own. But can he secure it? Available to watch now on Disney+.
The War Between the Land and the Sea
Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off introduces us to Barclay (Russell Tovey), a low-level UNIT staff member whose ordinary life turns rather terrifying when an ancient species rises from the sea. Barclay becomes humanity’s ambassador when the mysterious Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) emerges from the Tank at a summit on the Thames. Suddenly, humanity must confront the way it’s treated the oceans to avoid total wipeout. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Peacemaker
The first of this two-series sci-fi drama is a spin-off of The Suicide Squad, in which John Cena reprises his role as Peacemaker. Having recovered from the injuries he suffered during the events of the film, he's forced to join the mysterious A.R.G.U.S black ops squad "Project Butterfly", who are on a mission to identify and eliminate parasitic butterfly-like creatures who have taken over human bodies around the world. Series 2 moves to the DC Universe, picking up after the events of the 2025 Superman film - where Peacemaker is now a hero, but once again, he's got a mission to accomplish. Available to watch now on NOW TV.
Silo
Ever wondered what it would be like to exist in a giant underground silo that plunges hundreds of stories deep? You can find out in Silo, which is set in a dystopian world, where a community of 10,000 people is now living in such circumstances after the "real" world is ruined. Rebecca Ferguson is brilliant as an engineer who works on the lowest floor of the silo, which is already 144 levels underground, and she stars alongside Rashida Jones, who plays an IT worker suspicious of whether what the community has been told about the silo is true. Expect plenty of twists and turns. Available to watch now on Apple TV.
3 Body Problem
Based on the bestselling novels by Cixin Liu, this sci-drama comes from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and is a truly fascinating watch. Exploring humanity’s response to its greatest threat - other beings coming to conquer the planet- it picks up in 1960s China when a young woman makes a fateful decision that reverberates across space and time into the present day. A tight-knit group of scientists must join forces with an unflinching detective to save the world - but can they achieve it? Excitingly, a second series is currently in development. Series 1 of 3 Body Problem is available to watch now on Netflix.
Murderbot
The hit book series The Murderbot Diaries is the basis of this compelling series, which blends sci-fi and comedy. At the centre of it is Murderbot (played by Alexander Skarsgård), a security robot, but one day he gains free will. All he wants to do with his free will is… binge on soap operas. Perhaps robots aren’t always that dissimilar to humans, after all. However, this robot also finds itself reluctantly protecting humans, for whom it develops complicated feelings, while trying to maintain its freedom and understand its identity. Get ready for plenty of laughs, but also be prepared to be slightly freaked out. Available to watch now on Apple TV.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
This Star Trek spin-off launched on Paramount+ in January to much fanfare. Set in the 32nd century, we meet a new class of Starfleet cadets (which includes the likes of Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti and Bella Shepard) who are prepared to do whatever it takes to become officers. Navigating blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation, it's the sort of series that'll capture your attention for hours. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is available to watch now on Paramount+.
Cassandra
You might already have guessed that the character at the centre of this German sci-fi series is the titular Cassandra (Lavinia Wilson), an AI bot who's been hidden away in a home that hasn't been inhabited since the 1970s. When a family moves in, they accidentally reactivate Cassandra, and quickly learn that their new "companion can be rogue, possessive and very manipulative. Blending sci-fi and horror, this is one for those who enjoy a jump scare. Cassandra is available to watch now on Netflix.
Alien: Earth
This prequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien film has earned plenty of praise from both critics and viewers - and rightly so. Set two years before the film in 2120, the story picks up when a research ship crashes on Earth, unleashing a deadly alien threat in the process. Wendy (played by Sydney Chandler), the first synthetic being to be given a human consciousness, is among those who make the discovery... but she also has a strange connection to it. While Ridley didn't direct any of the episodes, writer and creator Noah Hawley confirmed that he was very involved in the series and his influence is, happily, felt throughout. Alien: Earth is available to watch on Disney+.
