The ever-expanding universe is truly infinite and full of all sorts of mysteries and secrets. Some of them can be revealed in the best sci-fi TV series about space. Here is a comprehensive list of the greatest TV shows set on another planets, galaxies and the farthest corners of the vast universe.
For All Mankind
- Rating IMDB – 7.9
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- US production / 2020
- Directed by Mira Menon, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Andrew Stanton
- Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Shantel Van Santen, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt, Chris Marshall, Sonya Walger, Noah Harpster, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Sinty Wu
This is an American TV series with elements of drama and sci-fi that premiered in 2019. According to its plot, USA lost the space race to the Soviet Union in June 1969. The brave Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov hoisted a red flag on the lunar surface.
The representatives of the American government do not intend to give up so easily. They decide to defy the military of the USSR. That leads to an amazing turn of events. A production failure occurs. This unexpected outcome activates the self-destruction countdown, which is impossible to stop by any means.
The Expanse
- Rating IMDB – 8.5
- Genre: Fantasy, drama, detective
- US production / 2015
- Directed by Breck Eisner, Jeff Woolnough, Terry McDonough
- Cast: Wes Chatham, Stephen Strait, Dominic Tipper, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Kas Anwar, Frankie Adams, Kara Gee, Sean Doyle, Thomas Jane, Florence Vanida Faivre
The sci-fi TV show The Expanse, created by American producers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, will definitely amaze viewers with its unusual plot and intriguing course of events.
The solar system is crowded with inhabitants. Chaos and confusion gradually rise among the citizens. Detective Joseph Miller must find the woman Juliette Andromeda Mao, who has gone missing.
During the investigation process, some very unusual and shocking circumstances come to light. The missing girl has been involved in one of the largest conspiracies in the history of mankind.
Mars
- Rating IMDB – 7.5
- Genre: Fantasy, drama, adventure
- US production / 2016
- Directed by Everardo Valerio Gout, Stephen Cregg, Ashley Way
- Cast: Jihyo, Alberto Amman, Clementine Poudatz, Sammy Rotibi, Anamaria Marinka, Nicholas Wittman, Cosima Shaw, Steven Petranek, Olivier Martinez, Gunnar Kothari
This is one of the greatest TV series about Mars ever made. The multi-episode adventure show with sci-fi was produced by creators Ben Young Mason and Justin Wilkes and based on the book by Stephen Petranek.
In the year 2033, the crew of the ship Daedalus, which includes six desperate astronauts, is sent to Mars. They set up a tent city on the Red Planet. There are unforeseen circumstances and a series of adventures waiting ahead.
Dark Matter
- Rating IMDB – 7.5
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, detective, adventure
- US production / 2015
- Directed by Ron Murphy, Bruce MacDonald, Jon Stead
- Cast: Melissa O’Neal, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Jodelle Ferland, Roger Cross, Zoe Palmer, Mark Bendavid, Melanie Liebird, Natalie Brown, Ellen Wong
The Canadian sci-fi series, created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, will leave no viewer indifferent. The story is following the crew of an abandoned space ship, which awakens from cryosleep.
However, the crew members have absolutely no memory of who they are and how they ended up on the ship. Various threats will arise on their way, and in order to survive, they must act together. The team will have to endure various hardships, overcome revenge, betrayal and hidden secrets.
Star Trek: Picard
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, adventure
- US production / 2020
- Directed by Jonathan Frakes, Douglas Arniokoski, Hanel M. Culpepper
- Cast: Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Alison Pill, Jeri Ryan, Santiago Cabrera, Evan Evagora, Isa Briones, Kay Bess, Orla Brady, Brent Spiner
This is a great TV series for all fans of good adventure stories brought by producer Alex Kurtzman. The plot unfolds around the main character, Jean-Luc Picard, a former Starfleet admiral. His retirement is caused by a conflict with the Romulans, who failed to evacuate.
During the raging events, the protagonist meets a girl named Dahj, who asks him for help. Strange events occur in her life. Picard begins his own investigation and discovers that Dahj knows Commander Data.
Jean-Luc has yet to find out what the connection between the girl and the android is. All the man will need for now is a ship and a crew.
Lost in Space
- Rating IMDB – 7.30
- Genre: Fantasy, drama, detective, adventure, family
- US production, 2018
- Directed by Tim Southam, Stephen Surjik, Leslie Hope
- Cast: Molly Parker, Toby Stevens, Max Jenkins, Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall, Ignacio Serricio, Parker Posey, Brian Steele, Raza Jeffery, Ajay Freese
Irwin Allen’s fantastic TV series has managed to capture the attention of viewers from all around the world. The story follows a merry and friendly family decided to go on a trip to bring some excitement into their lives. But they faced the malfunction of the. Now the Robinsons are left with the fear and the unknown.
The heroes, being in a state of panic, begin to conflict. All the family dreams of is getting home. To do this, they need to stop the endless arguments and quarrels, to fix the ship. If this does not happen, the family will remain in outer space forever.
Raised by Wolves
- Rating IMDB – 7.5
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama
- US production, 2020
- Directed by Alex Gabassi, Luke Scott, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
- Cast: Amanda Collin, Travis Fimmel, Abubakar Salim, Vinta McGrath, Neve Algar, Felix Jemison, Ethan Hazzard, Mathias Varela, Jordan Loughran, Aasia Shah
This series was created by Aaron Guzikowski. The story is set in the 22th century. Earth has become nothing more than a huge battlefield, where atheists and mithraists are at war with each other.
At the center of the narrative are two androids. Their mission at the moment is to raise two human babies in one of the colonized territories.
The colony of humans grows by the day. Each human has their own religious notions, which leads to a new war. How events would unfold is a great mystery to the androids.
Another Life
- Rating IMDB – 5.1
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, detective, adventure
- US production, 2019
- Directed by Mairzi Almas, Allan Arkush, Sheri Foxon
- Cast: Katee Sackhoff, JayR Tinaco, Elizabeth Ludlow, Blue Hunt, A.J. Rivera, Samuel Anderson, Jake Abel, Alex Ozerov, Alexander Eling, Justin Chatwin
Netflix is constantly delighting us with some great sci-fi TV series. The TV show Another Life is no exception. The main characters are astronaut Nico Breckinridge and her research ship team. Their mission is to investigate a mysterious alien artifact.
This unusual item randomly appeared on Earth. The team encounters cosmic horrors. The further the astronauts advance, the more mysteries arise in their path, and unexplained terrifying things signal the end of their exploration mission.
Origin
- Rating IMDB – 7.1
- Genre: Horror, fantasy
- Production UK / 2018
- Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, Mark Brozel, Juan Carlos Medina
- Cast: Natalia Tena, Tom Felton, Sen Mitsuji, Nora Arnezeder, Fraser James, Philip Christopher, Madalyn Horcher, Siobhan Cullen, Edelayo Ededaio, Wil Coban
The events of this sci-fi series take place in the distant future, when travel to space has become commonplace. The story centers on a group of strangers in a spaceship that travels to the planet Thea.
The crew is made up of qualified specialists who direct the process of the flight. Soon it is discovered that one of the crew members is not who he really is, and all the crew members are killed. Only ordinary passengers remain on board. Whether the heroes will be able to overcome the difficulties remains a mystery.
The First
- Rating IMDB – 6.7
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- US production, 2018
- Directed by Deniz Gamze Erguven, Agnieszka Holland, Ariel Kleiman
- Cast: Sean Penn, Natasha McElhone, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Hannah Ware, Keiko Agena, Ray Lucas, James Ransone, Anna Jacobi-Heron, Brian Franklin, Oded Fehr
Designed for fans of sci-fi series with elements of drama, screenwriter Beau Willimon created a TV show titled The First back in 2018. The plot of the series follows the events of the space journey of a team of people to the planet Mars in 2033.
The first manned rocket is launched into space. At the head of the expedition is astronaut Tom Hagerty. He used to work at NASA. A lot of difficulties await him in the future.
The captain has to make fateful decisions and cope with all the difficulties that are constantly occurring on the way. Tom is responsible not only for the outcome of the entire mission, but also for the lives of all the crew members.
Defiance
- Rating IMDB – 7.0
- Genre: Fantasy, action, drama
- US production / 2013
- Directed by Michael Nankin, Allen Crocker, Andy Wolk
- Cast: Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jamie Murray, Graham Greene, Mia Kirshner, Dewshane Williams, Nicole Munoz, Justin Rain
This is one of the best series about aliens. The story follows the alien visitors searching for a new home. Earth is among the places of increased interest. The only problem is that it is already inhabited. Only a fraction of the aliens get permission to settle.
The Castians decide to use warships, but an unknown force prevents them from winning. Due to the confrontation, the ecological balance is disturbed, thus threatening both Castians and Earthlings.
Almost immediately after the series premiered, a videogame was released bearing the same title, Defiance.
Defying Gravity
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- Production USA, Canada, UK, Germany / 2009
- Directed by Fred Gerber, Sturla Gunnarsson, Peter Howit
- Cast: Ron Livingston, Malik Yoba, Andrew Airlie, Paula Garces, Florentine Lame, Karen LeBlanc, Eyal Podell, Dylan Taylor, Christina Cox, Laura Harris
The largest scientific mission ever attempted is created. The crew members go on a journey through the solar system. Eight lucky people will see other planets. But during the flight, strange things begin to happen, each of those present begins to see hallucinations.
A suspicion arises that the mission has a completely different meaning – that’s what the organizers of the mission are silent about. Each of the crew members has a shady story in the past. Could this be the key to the mystery?
The Mandalorian
- Rating IMDB – 8.8
- Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, action, adventure
- US production / 2019
- Directed by Rick Famuyiva, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard
- Cast: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, Carl Weathers, Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen, Nick Nolte, Katee Sackhoff, Omid Abtahi, Rosario Dawson
This is one of the greatest sci-fi series that every fan of the genre should definitely watch. This space Western was directed by is Jon Favreau. The story follows the adventures of the lone gunfighter, a Mandalorian named Din Djarin. He tries to survive in a territory where there are no new orders and laws of the newly formed Republic.
The protagonist was once an honorable member of a race of noble warriors, but now he is just a scum of society. The laws of the new world do not apply to his territory, so the Mandalorian is forced to stand up for his honor, truth, and faith on his own.
Doctor Who
- Rating IMDB – 8.6
- Genre: Fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure, family
- Production UK / 2005
- Directed by Graham Harper, Eros Lyn, Douglas McKinnon
- Cast: David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Christopher Eccleston, Jodie Whittaker, Nicholas Briggs, Jon Davey, Jenna Coleman, Paul Casey, Karen Gillan
An absolutely incredible plot grabs the viewer from the very first minutes. The main character is attacked by mannequins, but she is saved by the titular Doctor, who brings her on a time travelling adventure.
Such interference in the course of time does not remain unaffected – history changes, mutants with gas masks instead of heads arise and the main heroine manages to keep her father alive. But the development of civilization is getting slower because of their actions, so they need to solve this problem.
The Orville
- Rating IMDB – 8.0
- Genre: Fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure
- US production / 2017
- Directed by John Cassar, Brannon Braga, Seth MacFarlane
- Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J. Lee, Mark Jackson, Jessica Szohr, Halston Sage, Norm MacDonald
The TV series Orville is an American sci-fi project, the events of which are unfolding in the 25th century. The main character, Ed Mercer, is called upon to be the first to lead a voyage on an interstellar explorer ship of the Earth fleet.
Each member of his space crew has unusual abilities. During the journey the heroes will encounter many strange things and meet the creatures of unusual races. Sometimes hopeless situations will be confusing, but only friendly unity will get them out of trouble.
Extant
- Rating IMDB – 6.6
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama
- US production / 2014
- Directed by Dan Lerner, Christine Moore, Kevin Dowling
- Cast: Halle Berry, Pierce Ganon, Grace Gummer, Tyler Hilton, Goran Visnjic, Linnann Zager, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Michael O’Neill, Camryn Manheim
Fans of sci-fi series with elements of drama will surely love the American TV show titled Extant. The series premiered in 2014. In the center of the plot is the story of a female astronaut named Molly Woods. The management sent the girl into space to perform an extremely important and secret mission.
After a year’s stay, Molly returns to Earth and is surprised to find that she is in an enviable position. All that remains for the main character is to get to the bottom of the truth and make sure that her husband never finds out the truth. After all, not only her job is at stake, but also the happiness of her family.
Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- Production UK, USA / 2017
- Directed by David Farr, Francesca Gregorini, Tom Harper
- Cast: Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Chaplin, Bryan Cranston, Terrence Howard, Richard Madden, Timothy Spall, Annalisa Basso, Greg Kinnear, Mel Rodriguez, Juno Temple
Ronald Moore’s British science fiction TV series contains elements of mystery in its plot. The story is set in a distant future, where an authoritarian regime reigns.
Part of the population of the planet has acquired a gift, namely – telepathic abilities, and became marginalized, living in ghettos and constantly being exposed to discrimination.
Each episode of this TV show tells a separate story that takes place in a particular reality and has its own final outcome, not always a happy one.
Stargate Universe
- Rating IMDB – 7.6
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- Production Canada, USA / 2009
- Directed by Andy Mikita, William Waring, Peter DeLuise
- Cast: Robert Carlyle, Luis Ferreira, Brian J. Smith, Elise Levesque, David Blue, Elaina Huffman, Jameel Walker Smith, Peter Kelamis, Patrick Gilmour, Jennifer Spence
This series is a somewhat darker version of the Stargate TV show. A group of scientists faces the task of finding the key to the Stargate, but it can only be done when a gifted guy appears on the team. His name is Eli. The solution is found, but instead of another planet the team ends up on a spaceship that was launched millions of years ago.
It is noteworthy that the series relies not on special effects, but on psychological relationships, which allows the show to hold the viewer’s attention and delve deep into the complicated human relationships.
Babylon 5
- Rating IMDB – 8.4
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, adventure
- US production / 1993
- Directed by Michael Widger, David J. Egil, Janet Greek
- Cast: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas, Peter Jurasik, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway
Hope for peace and hope for victory. This is the significant motto of the Babylon Project. Disputes and strife have always been inherent not only to members of Earth’s civilization. It is the station where issues can be resolved diplomatically, but peace is shaky. It cannot be saved, and when the last hope vanishes, one is left to believe that Babylon will be the guarantee of victory.
At the time of the series’ creation there was a strong belief among people in the existence of alien intelligence, and some still have it. Will the series fuel such a belief, or will it debunk such myths?
Killjoys
- Rating IMDB – 7.2
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, action, adventure
- Production Canada / 2015
- Directed by Stefan Pleszczynski, Paolo Barzman, Peter Stebbings
- Cast: Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, Luke MacFarlane, Tamsen McDonough, Tom Allison, Rob Stewart, Patrick Garrow, Mayko Nguyen, Kelly McCormack, Sean Baek
Saving a brother and keeping from interfering in a military conflict is no easy task, but the heroes of the series have to do it. The main characters Dutch and John are bounty hunters. The former shows herself not only as a good partner, but also as a friend.
But the latter is willing to risk his life for his brother. Things are serious, so in order to save his brother, he has to be made part of the team. But the guy suffers from a mental disorder – the impact of a difficult past. He managed to survive a real meat grinder. Will true friendship help him cope?
Ascension
- Rating IMDB – 7.1
- Genre: Fantasy, drama
- Production Canada, USA / 2014
- Directed by Mairzi Almas, Nick Copus, Robert Lieberman
- Cast: Gil Bellows, Brian Van Holt, Brandon P Bell, Trisha Helfer, Andrea Roth, Jacqueline Byers, Ellie O’Brien, Brad Carter, Ryan Robbins, Tiffany Lonsdale
Earth becomes an unsafe place, so a ship is launched into space to find a new home. At first, everything goes quite well. The travelers do science and research, celebrate holidays and generally lead a happy life. Suddenly, a young girl is murdered on the ship.
Especially frightening is the fact that a gun was used to kill her, and it simply could not be on the ship. The crime is investigated by the captain, who has never dealt with an incident like this before. The experiment is in danger of failing. How will the investigation end?
Red Dwarf
- Rating IMDB – 8.4
- Genre: Fantasy, comedy
- Production UK / 1988
- Directed by Ed Bai, Doug Naylor, Andy de Emmony
- Cast: Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Chris Barry, Robert Llewelyn, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge, Chloe Annette, Mac McDonald, Tony Hawks, Daniel Barker
All life on the ship dies due to a radiation release. At this time, the main character is in the cargo bay, which saves him and the pregnant cat from certain death. The onboard computer calculates the safe time to stay in isolated space. It takes 3 million years to do so.
The protagonist remains the last of the humans. With the help of a hologram, he recreates a friend, and the ship is also inhabited by a creature that came from a cat. How does the protagonist feel and what does he have to go through in such conditions of existence without communication with living people?
Battlestar Galactica
- Rating IMDB – 8.7
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, adventure
- US production / 2004
- Directed by Michael Reimer, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy
- Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Trisha Helfer, Grace Pak, Katee Sackhoff, Michael Hogan, Aaron Douglas, Tamo Penikett
Martians can take on human form and sabotage the ship. This is what the crew suspects when a humanoid Cylon blows himself up in front of everyone. In order to prevent such incidents and to sort out what has happened, a senior police officer arrives on the ship.
On top of that, Galactica has to go through a cluster of planets. And the personal dramas and mysteries make the series even more fascinating. What secret past is the main character is silent about? Will it be possible to overcome the enemy forces?
Farscape
- Rating IMDB – 8.3
- Genre: Fantasy, thriller, drama, adventure
- Production Australia, USA / 1999
- Directed by Michael Widger, David J. Egil, Janet Greek
- Cast: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Lani John Tupu, Jonathan Hardy, Gigi Edgley, Wayne Pygram, Virginia Hay, Paul Goddard, Melissa Jaffer
Scientists are not always able to calculate all the risks, but this has never kept them from dangerous experiments. The main character tests his own ship. According to his assumptions, it should have the highest speed, but something goes wrong during the experiment and the scientist falls into the open space.
Now he is at the other end of the universe, a hundred light years from home, from Earth. What will help him return and what dangers the scientist will face – this will be known only to viewers who can watch the series to the very finale.
Firefly
- Rating IMDB – 9.0
- Genre: Fantasy, adventure, action, drama
- US production / 2002
- Directed by Joss Whedon, Vern Gillam, Tim Minear
- Cast: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Ron Glass, Christina Hendricks
This TV series is titled after the name of a spaceship, where completely different people are gathered together. They are not scientists or explorers, just people facing the need to escape from an overpopulated Earth.
The fascinating thing is that even on other worlds, Earthlings remain true to their beliefs. The central planets reserve the right to be in charge, while the peripheral planets resist doing so. In short, the plot captivates and engages viewers enough to create a desire to watch the series from the beginning to the end.
