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

The UK has produced several incredible sci-fi TV shows, many of which audiences haven’t heard of before. The best sci-fi TV shows of 2024 may be relevant right now, but multiple titles that are long forgotten still offer viewers a compelling story to sink their teeth into. British TV is known for producing some of the most famous sci-fi shows ever, such as Doctor Who. Red Dwarf is returning in 2025, which proves just how good the UK’s sci-fi shows are.




However, some titles aren’t as prominent as these. This doesn’t mean that these shows are bad, but rather that they’re simply underrated or overshadowed by other projects. Science fiction is a competitive genre, undoubtedly, but some UK shows simply didn’t make a big enough splash internationally. Despite executing typically overused sci-fi TV tropes well or having 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

Emma Thompson as Viv Rook holding her arms up as she gives a speech in Years and Years.


Years and Years is a fascinating TV 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 Hynes, 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.

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The use of science fiction is subtler than other titles in the genre, but this works in the show’s favor. Technological advancement is normal, but the implementation of political upheaval and the aging of its characters highlight the harsh realities of life moving on intriguingly. Years and Years may not be about spaceships and aliens, but it provides the same motive and messages that the original sci-fi story, H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine, has.

9 Bugs

Full Of Unbelievable Plot Twists

Jaye Griffiths as Rosalyn "Ros" Henderson and Jesse Birdsall as Nicholas Beckett looking at something while standing in the rain in Bugs.


Bugs is a show that survives critics and cancelation multiple times, but it’s slowly becoming 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 TV history. The final episode sees the Bureau’s secretary, Alex, marry her partner, Adam, only for the groom to be suddenly killed off at their wedding.

Sadly, this storyline never receives a satisfying conclusion. Although plot twists are a crucial factor in Bugs’ survival, plenty of other factors make it a great show. Bugs’ characterizations and plotlines are clever and endearing, 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 TV Poster

The Lazarus Project is a sci-fi action/drama series that centers around a secret organization dedicated to saving the world – which is constantly besieged by never-ending threats. When George (Paapa Essiedu) wakes up one morning to discover that the calendar has been reset to six months prior, he sees no one else seems to notice. Due to his awareness, George is recruited to The Lazarus Project – a group of individuals who can re-wind time whenever the planet nears total extinction.

Release Date
June 16, 2022

Seasons
1

Writers
Joe Barton

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 1st every six months. George possesses an obscure gene that allows him to remember time going backward, and he is recruited to join the titular team in investigating why this keeps happening. While there is a focus on science fiction, The Lazarus Project is also deeply profound and has subplots that look into the emotional complications of these events.

The show’s most significant strength is its cast, which includes huge talents such as Anjli Mohindra and Paapa Essiedu.


George’s responsibilities to prevent apocalyptic disasters are thrown out of the window when he fails to prevent his girlfriend’s death, and although his team manages 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, although the jumps through timelines in season 2 do become a little hard to follow at times. However, the show’s most significant 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 (2016)

Class is a British science fiction drama series set in the Doctor Who universe. The show follows a group of students at Coal Hill Academy who must navigate the challenges of adolescence while defending against alien threats. Featuring Katherine Kelly as their mysterious teacher Miss Quill, the series explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the burden of responsibility.

Cast
Katherine Kelly , Greg Austin , Jordan Renzo , Fady Elsayed , Sophie Hopkins , Vivian Oparah , Aaron Neil , Pooky Quesnel

Release Date
December 3, 2016

Seasons
1

Main Genre
Sci-Fi


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

Aliens Quill and Charlie blend in with humanity as a teacher and student, but three other teenagers swiftly get caught up in the dangers that follow them.

There are mistakes in Class that Doctor Who’s 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, which 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

Utopia (2013)

The Utopia Experiments is a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. When a group of strangers find themselves in possession of an original manuscript, their lives suddenly and brutally implode.

Release Date
January 15, 2013

Seasons
1

Main Genre
Mystery

Creator(s)
Dennis Kelly

Utopia uses a wide range of TV 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 gets their hands on an unreleased sequel, they become the targets of The Network organization, who are determined to ensure that they don’t release any details about future world events.


Even though there are only two seasons of Utopia, it’s still an enjoyable watch. There are plenty of comical moments, but Utopia’s theme of conspiracy is at the forefront of the show. It can be rather jarring at times, but this is 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. Utopia’s British original is great compared to the US version, but weirdly, it remains one of the UK’s lesser-known sci-fi shows.

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 ‘70s shows aren’t exactly visually spectacular, Blake’s 7’s is still ambitious with its use of sci-fi tropes. The BBC show is a beloved title in the UK, but it has never truly made an impact in North America. The show is similar to Battlestar Galactica or Star Wars in some ways, and 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, Dayna is brave and a weapons genius, but she is also reckless sometimes, which makes her a balanced character. Blake’s 7 comes 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 Who, as 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 several strange creatures in every episode, all of which mysteriously start popping up all over England with no warning. Even though some of Primeval’s visual effects aren’t the strongest, they’re pretty solid for the time, and it doesn’t distract from the story at hand too much.

Primeval
’s 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.


Primeval typically follows a story-of-the-week format, with overreaching character arcs that are still connected to science fiction. Nick’s wife, Helen, is believed to be dead, but she later appears, and it is revealed that she has been traveling through time, for example. Primeval’s 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 BBC TV Show Poster

Survivors is a British science fiction drama series that explores the aftermath of a global pandemic which wipes out nearly all of humanity. The show follows a group of diverse survivors who come together to navigate a world without modern infrastructure, grappling with new societal norms and the constant threat posed by other survivors. The series delves into themes of survival, community, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Cast
Julie Graham , Max Beesley , Paterson Joseph , Zoë Tapper , Phillip Rhys Chaudhary , Chahak Patel , Robyn Addison , Nicholas Gleaves

Release Date
November 23, 2008

Seasons
2

Main Genre
Sci-Fi

Creator(s)
Adrian Hodges


Survivors is a 2008 TV series that, oddly, isn’t a remake of Terry Nation’s 1975 show, but it is based on his novel about it. Survivors’ 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 Earth’s population. The world has changed into a lawless society, and throughout the show, the main characters each face their own respective issues while trying to ensure each other’s safety, too.

Each of the group’s tales is easy to invest in. Leader 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 as the pandemic broke are all compelling stories. While the group doesn’t always get along, their shared motivation for survival in a world that refuses to let them is fantastic at keeping them together. Survivors’ supporting cast and guest stars include some prominent British names, such as New Amsterdam and Doctor Who’s Freema 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 - Poster

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a sci-fi comedy film directed by Garth Jennings. It follows Arthur Dent, played by Martin Freeman, who is unwittingly swept into an intergalactic adventure after Earth is destroyed. Arthur, along with Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Trillian, explores space while consulting the titular guidebook. Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, and Mos Def co-star in this adaptation of Douglas Adams’ beloved novel.

Director
Garth Jennings

Release Date
April 29, 2005

Writers
Douglas Adams , Karey Kirkpatrick

Runtime
109 Minutes

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is an amazing ‘80s TV show that deserves a rewatch. The BBC’s 1981 series is the first adaptation of Douglas Adams’ legendary radio plays and novels for the screen. 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 Galaxy’s video game, a movie, and stage productions.

However, because of the 2005 film, the 1981 TV show is often forgotten about.


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. What many viewers fail to realize about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is that several of the original radio series cast reprise their roles in the TV show, including Simon Jones as Dent and Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod.

1 Humans

The Ultimate Ethical Argument

Humans is a science-fiction television series that delves into the integration of sophisticated humanoid robots known as “Synths” into society. The story explores the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by humans as they interact with these advanced machines, questioning the nature of consciousness and the definition of humanity. Set in a near-future world, the series balances personal drama with broader social commentary.

Cast
Emily Berrington , Jack Derges , Eva-Jane Willis , Pixie Davies , Gemma Chan , Sope Dirisu


Humans 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 just how talented a performer she is. Chan portrays Anita, who is one of the “synth” robots that resemble humans so well that society struggles to accept their presence. However, Anita starts to break away from her programming and develops her own consciousness, just like many petrifying sci-fi movies have covered.

Chan isn’t the only famous British actor in Humans, though. The show’s stellar ensemble cast also includes the likes of The Thick of It’s Rebecca Front, Baby Reindeer’s Tom Goodman-Hill, and The It Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson. Surprisingly, there are a lot of comic actors in Humans , despite the show’s serious themes and dark plot twists.Humans delves into whether having robot slaves is ethical or not, what the term conscious really means, and the blurred lines between being alive and being an object.


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