As the winter chill sets in across Britain, many of us are opting to stay indoors with a compelling sci-fi series rather than brave the elements. Metro readers have shared their favourite little-known science fiction gems that deserve much more attention than they've received.
Reader-Recommended Sci-Fi Hidden Gems
While everyone awaits the next season of Stranger Things, there are plenty of older, newer and altogether stranger shows available to stream right now. The recommendations span time-travel adventures, distant galaxies and paranormal detective work, offering something for every science fiction enthusiast.
Farscape: The Ultimate Space Adventure
Farscape emerged as the most recommended series among Metro readers. Originally debuting in 1999, this cult classic follows astronaut John Crichton, played by Ben Browder, who finds himself hurled through a wormhole into a distant part of the universe.
He joins forces with a group of alien refugees aboard the living ship Moya, constantly pursued by the militaristic Peacekeepers. The series was planned for five seasons but was unexpectedly cancelled after four, concluding with 88 episodes. Fortunately for fans, the story received proper closure with the 2004 miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
One reader, Lee Miles, described the show as "Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Muppets," while Ali Luck simply stated: "I don't want to have to say Farscape because people should all know about it. But just in case... Farscape."
Continuum: Time-Travelling Political Thriller
Running from 2012 to 2015, Continuum blends sci-fi thriller elements with police drama. The story follows Kiera Cameron, a cybernetically enhanced police officer from 2077 who becomes trapped in present-day Vancouver.
In her dystopian future, corporations rule everything and surveillance keeps the population controlled. Kiera's mission involves tracking the terrorist group Liber-8 through time. Reader Adam Whatford praised the show's "valid political commentary" when it first aired, noting that "unfortunately, the commentary is still very much valid today."
12 Monkeys: Viral Apocalypse Drama
While many remember the Brad Pitt film, the 12 Monkeys television series developed its own loyal following. The show focuses on James, a scavenger from 2043 who travels back to prevent the outbreak of the deadly Kalavirus that nearly wipes out humanity.
The narrative jumps between the 2010s and 2040s, creating complex cause-and-effect loops that will delight fans of time-travel paradoxes. Ben Dieter Holt offered high praise: "One of the best things I've ever watched and probably surpasses the original film." Though the first season received mixed reviews, the consensus suggests it's worth persisting as the quality improves significantly.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
With an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency remains available on Netflix. Based on Douglas Adams' detective novels, the series stars Elijah Wood as bellhop Todd Brotzman, who finds himself suspected of murdering a millionaire.
He's rescued by the eccentric detective Dirk Gently, who instead recruits him to help solve the case. The investigation quickly ventures into paranormal territory. Justin Bodle described it as the "best program on Netflix" before its cancellation after two seasons.
Space – Above and Beyond: Military Sci-Fi Pioneer
Nathan Hobbs recommended Space – Above and Beyond, calling it "one of the best and most overlooked sci-fi series ever made" and noting it was 30 years ahead of its time. Set in 2063, the show follows the US Marine Corps 58th Squadron as they defend humanity against mysterious aliens called The Chigs.
Although it only lasted one season, the series has aged remarkably well according to critics. Starburst Magazine noted in 2018 that "it's stunning how well the series has aged since its original run," while Jesse Alexander of i09 observed its influence on later hits like Lost and Alias.
Sliders: Multidimensional Adventure
Chris Jrj championed Sliders, describing it as "underrated" and noting that "real heroes will mention Sliders." The series follows a group of explorers who invent technology allowing them to travel between parallel dimensions but lose their way home.
The concept enabled creative storytelling across varied realities, including worlds where Nazis control America, dinosaurs never went extinct, and zombies roam the Earth. While fans agree the first two seasons are brilliant, the quality reportedly declines in later seasons.
Why These Hidden Gems Deserve Your Attention
These reader-recommended series demonstrate that some of television's best science fiction has flown under the radar. From the space opera of Farscape to the time-travel complexities of 12 Monkeys, each offers unique perspectives on the genre.
What they share is dedicated fanbases who recognise their quality despite limited mainstream recognition. As British viewers seek new entertainment options during colder months, these six series provide perfect binge-watching material that might just become your new favourite discoveries.
