10 underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s you probably haven’t discovered yet — but totally should

Deeya
Still from Sense8 (Image via Netflix)
Still from Sense8 (Image via Netflix)

Some of the most underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s prove that the decade was filled with inventive and thrilling shows from the genre. From the parallel Earth theory explored in Counterpart, to the blending of sci-fi and comedy in People of Earth. Some of the must-watch yet underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s are filled with character-driven plotlines and thought-provoking themes about humanity and AI. These underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s have proven that the rise in technology currently makes these shows a cautionary tale. Therefore, it is time that viewers revisit these iconic underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


Sense8, Continuum, and 10 other underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.

1. Future Man

Still from the show (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Still from the show (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Created by Kyle Hunter, Howard Overman, and Ariel Shaffir, this sci-fi comedy series premiered in 2017 and aired for three seasons and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Starring Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe, and others, the show is about an underachieving and meek janitor Josh (Hutcherson), who leads a simple and dull life. Even though he works at a high-level medical research facility, he still lives with his parents and feels aimless about life. However, his passion about playing a difficult video game called Biotic Wars, changes his life when the game’s characters appear in real-life and recruit Josh to travel through time and save the world. A show that combines both sci-fi and comedy, the series is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s and is a must-watch. Thrilling, engaging, and with plenty of fun characters and clever comedy, this one is definitely underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


2. Killjoys

Still from the show (Image via CTV sci-fi channel)
Still from the show (Image via CTV sci-fi channel)

Starring Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, and others, this Canadian sci-fi series is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. It is a space adventure drama and focuses on a trip of bounty hunters, Dutch (John-Kamen), Johnny (Ashmore), and D’avin (Luke Macfarlane). The show aired from 2015 to 2019 and had five seasons. The trio work hard and are associated with the Reclamation Apprehension Coalition (RAC), where they work in a planetary system called the Quad. The three usually apprehend people or property and remain neutral about the government. However, their lives change when their past comes back. The show might have slipped under the radar, but it is campy, fun, and is now a cult classic. The show has plenty of bounty-hunting adventures and delivers adrenaline-pumping thrills. Fans of the genre should check out such underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


3. Sense8

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Created by The Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski, this sci-fi drama show is one of the must-watch underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Starring Aml Ameen, Bae Doona, and others, the show focuses on eight strangers from different parts of the world. The eight people mysteriously discover that they have become sensates and are emotionally and mentally linked to each other. The show aired from 2015 to 2018 and had two seasons. Even though it gained positive reviews and was noted for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters and themes, the show was cancelled and ended on a cliffhanger. Due to criticism over the cancellation, the show had a series finale in 2018. Focusing on themes of gender, sexuality, and identity, the show was a unique sci-fi series as it had an emotional center and focused on empathy and compassion. The show takes its viewers on a thrilling ride and is now considered as a cult classic. Inventive and engaging, it is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


4. Travelers

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Starring Eric McCormack, MacKenzie Porter, and others, this sci-fi series is created by Brad Wright and has three seasons, airing from 2016 to 2018 and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. The series has an inventive premise whereby a post-apocalyptic society is presented and many operatives have the task of preventing the collapse of civilization. This, they have to do through time travel and are therefore known as the “travelers”. The travelers’ consciousness is sent back in time and transferred into a “host” body of present-day people who are about to die. Using social media and records, the travelers must learn about their hosts and carry out the mission of saving the Earth in the future. The series has strong performances and is an old-fashioned sci-fi show that is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. The show will surprise the viewers as it is thoughtful, captivating, and character-driven. Even though it was unfortunately cancelled, it is one of the underrated gems of the decade and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


5. People of Earth

Still from the show (Image via TBS)
Still from the show (Image via TBS)

Created by David Jenkins, this sci-fi sitcom features Wyatt Cenac, Ana Gasteyer, and others. The series is wacky and thoroughly hilarious as it focuses on a support group for people who were abducted by aliens and the aliens as well. The show has two seasons and aired from 2016 to 2017. The show focuses on a journalist Ozzie (Cenac), who travels to New York to write a piece on a support group who has survivors of alien encounters. However, as he becomes further involved with the group, he begins to find out about his own possible abduction and the fact that there are aliens living as humans on Earth. It is one of the must-watch underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s and has both empathy and comedy. The show is unique in its plot and has characters that feel relatable as they go through heartbreaks and difficulties. Even though it flew under the radar, it is one of those underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s that has offbeat humor and excellent story.


6. Counterpart

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring JK Simmons, Olivia Williams, and others, this sci-fi thriller show is created by Justin Marks and aired for two seasons from 2017 to 2019. The show is about Howard Silk (Simmons), who is a quiet officer that works for the UN agency in Berlin. However, things change for him when he finds himself in a conspiracy about parallel Earths, which were created in the 1980s during an experiment. The series is engaging and impactful as it highlights the popular parallel Earth theory. Simmons gives a masterful performance as he exists in both Earths and gets to play a mild-mannered and a dangerous secret agent as well. Even though the show could not garner a huge fan following, it is a complex and adventurous series that is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Viewers must watch it for the terrific performances by Simmons and Olivia Williams and the layered narrative.


7. Almost Human

Still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
Still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Created by J H Wyman and starring Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, and others, this sci-fi crime drama has just one season that aired from 2013 to 2014 and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. The show is about a police detective in 2048, who is reluctantly paired with an android as his partner. Urban plays the role of John, the detective, and Ealy plays the role of the android. The show is a unique spin on the police procedural and buddy-cop dramas and is one of the most underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. The series looks at a future where crime rates have increased substantially due to technology and a new policy is rolled out that partners a human detective with an android. The show is not just character-driven, but also thrilling. The show also deals with important topics like the basis of humanity and the importance of empathy. Since the show deals with AI, it is the perfect time to revisit the show. It is therefore, one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


8. Continuum

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Rachel Nichols, Victor Webster, and others, this Canadian sci-fi show is created by Simon Barry and aired for four seasons from 2012 to 2015 and is one of the must-watch underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. The series is about a group of terrorists from 2077 who time travel to Vancouver in 2012 along with a police officer. The terrorists decide to use violence to stop corporations from replacing governments and the show therefore presents important themes about authoritarianism. The police officer who wants to stop them is Kiera (Nichols), who works for the City Protective Services in 2077 and lives under an oligarchic dystopia. When the terrorists time travel into the past, she also joins them. The show received positive reviews from critics but was unable to last for long. With topical themes like the rise of corporates and technology, it is one of the must-watch underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s.


9. Dimension 404

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Another sci-fi series that only has one season, this black comedy anthology show features Robert Buckley, Lea Michele, Ryan Lee, and others. It aired in 2017 and is created by Will Campos, Desmond Dolly, Daniel Johnson, and David Welch. The show’s title is inspired by a 1950s radio program and the HTTP error code found on a webpage. It is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Mark Hamill narrates the show. The show is a must-watch for fans of the genre as it explores bizarre and boundary-expanding concepts and is therefore, one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. In each episode, various characters experience strange phenomena and must navigate a dystopian future. The show is thought-provoking and aims to broaden the limits of imagination of the viewers. Alas, it only has one season. Though one can quickly binge-watch it. Viewers must check out such underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s that offer both sci-fi and social commentary.


10. 12 Monkeys

Still from the show (Image via IGN)
Still from the show (Image via IGN)

Developed by Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas, this sci-fi mystery show is based on the 1995 movie of the same name, which is itself based on a 1962 feature and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Starring Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, and others, the show focuses on James and Dr. Cassandra, played by Stanford and Schull, who are two strangers brought together on a mission to use time travel and stop the evil plans of a destructive organization. The show has four seasons and aired from 2015 to 2018 and is one of the underrated sci-fi shows from the 2010s. Even though the first season has a wobbly start, its remaining seasons elevate in storytelling and characters, and it is unfortunate that the show did not have more seasons. Viewers who have seen the 90s movie must watch this show and fans of the genre will find the series exciting and thrilling.

Edited by Deeya