There are many incredible detectivesci-fiTV shows for viewers to enjoy.The most ambitious sci-fi TV shows of all timeare typically remembered for their prominent stories and intriguing characters, but not all of them feature a gripping mystery to push the story forward.The best procedural TV showsare also successful for similar reasons, but the addition of a sci-fi twist often raises the stakes for characters even more.
Crime drama TV showscan become so much more when they are set in a science fiction world. It’s worth noting thatdetective sci-fi titles fit within a very specific TV subgenre. While there are several titles that can be considered as such, these shows stand out for featuring at least one character who takes on an investigative role and tries to solve a sci-fi related mystery. Whether it’s a near-future version of Earth or in the depths of space, there’s always a detective nearby to figure out the truth.
The X-Files
Cast
The X-files takes the police procedural formula and applies it to sci-fi mysteries. Conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder and skeptic Dana Scully team up to solve cases surrounding alien invasions and other unexplained, paranormal phenomena.
The X-Filesstands as one of the best, if not the ultimate, titles in the science fiction genre. Across the show’s incredible 11 seasons, audiences are treated to hundreds of episodes that focus onFox Mulder and Dana Scully’s investigations into the weird and wonderful.
The best episodes ofThe X-Filestypically focus on a new paranormal figure, and with the additional movies to watch as well, there’s plenty of content for viewers to sink their teeth into. Throughout the show, the two face the likes of the enigmatic Cigarette Man, a creepy doll, and the villainous Syndicate group.
Scully and Mulder are two of the most iconic fictional characters of all time, and they are remembered for their incredibly gripping and well-written stories about their interactions with alien threats.
Another hugely popular part of the show is the will-they-won’t-they romancebetween Scully and Mulder, and even after their relationship pays off later in the show, there’s a lot more drama for the pair of FBI agents.Scully and Mulder are two of the most iconic fictional characters of all time,and they are remembered for their incredibly gripping and well-written stories about their interactions with alien threats. It’s no surprise that many are so desperate forThe X-Filesreboot, considering the original is such a classic.
Fringe
This sci-fi procedural follows the FBI’s secretive Fringe Division and its agents Olivia Dunham, Walter Bishop, and Peter Bishop. Together, they investigate cases regarding strange events that threaten society, including cases of parallel universes, human experimentation, and other strange phenomena.
For those who also enjoyTV shows with complex storylines,Fringeis a brilliant title to check out.Fringefollowsa group of FBI investigators who use the titular science process to solve unusual crimes. There is a lot of alien focus inFringe, but the show also frequently delves into concepts like parallel universes and mythology.
While the earlier seasons typically follow a story-of-the-week format, later installments feature more overarching plotlines, but everything always comes together one way or another.Fringe’s weird cases and all of its endearing characterscome from the mind of J. J. Abrams, and much likeLost, there are a lot of twists, turns, and a complicated timeline for audiences to get their heads around.
10 Best-Written Sci-Fi Of All Time
Several things work together to make a memorable sci-fi show, but more important than strong visual effects or great performances is a good script.
While the day-to-day stories ofFringe’s characters are intriguing enough, Olivia Dunham’s backstory and fight to uncover the truth about her childhood and experimentation is even more enjoyable to watch pan out.Fringeisa fantastic TV show for any sci-fi lover, but especially for those who need a new multi-reality mystery to add to their watch list.
Warehouse 13
When Secret Service agents Myka Bering and Pete Lattimer are reassigned to Warehouse 13 in rural South Dakota, they find themselves part of a team of agents tasked with tracking down and recovering supernatural artifacts, to be stored in the warehouse.
Warehouse 13focuses on Myka Bering and Pete Lattimer,two U.S. Secret Service Agents who work at the titular facilityand protect various powerful out-of-this-world artifacts.All 5 seasons ofWarehouse 13follow the pair as they uncover the truth behind these strange itemsin the backdrop of rural South Dakota, but the show also delves further into the personal lives of its characters, too.
What’s so fascinating aboutWarehouse 13is that despite being fictional, it implements details from real-life history, too. Pete and Myka’s dynamic is typical for any kind ofcop TV show, but it doesn’t feel cliché. Myka’s by-the-book attitude and Pete’s rebelliousness work together hand-in-hand,and the pair are often compared toThe X-Files’ Scully and Mulder, which makes sense.
WhileWarehouse 13ensures thatenthralling drama is always at the forefront of every story,there are plenty of comedic and more lighthearted moments that give the show a nice balance. Unfortunately, there are only 65 episodes to enjoy, butWarehouse 13is so bingeworthy that it’s not a problem.
Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon is set in the far future, at a time when a human’s consciousness can be stored in a device called a Stack and transferred into different bodies, allowing people who have the means to become functionally immortal. Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie), the former member of a rebellion against Stack technology, is awakened and released from prison so that he can be employed by a wealthy man to solve the man’s own murder. The Netflix original series is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan.
Altered Carbon: Resleeved
Altered Carbon: Resleeved is an animated film set on the planet Latimer, where Takeshi Kovacs is tasked with protecting a tattooist while investigating a yakuza boss’s death. This standalone story expands the universe established in the Altered Carbon series, blending futuristic intrigue with action-driven plotlines.
AlthoughAltered Carbonis a rather short watch with only two seasons, it’s still worth taking a look at. Season 1 kicks off inthe year 2384, in a world in which people live alongside androidsand have their memories saved to a device implanted in the neck.Altered Carbonuses a similar concept as games likeDetroit: Become Human, shows likeHumans, and movies likeBlade Runner,yet it offers a fresher take on the idea.
Takeshi Kovacs is an enthralling protagonist and is portrayed by three different actors, each of which are a different “sleeve” of the character.Takeshi Kovacs’s tattoo inAltered Carbonserves as a symbol of not just the show, but also as a reminder of the repetitive nature of time, which is fascinating.
I’m Convinced Altered Carbon Season 3 Would Have Happened If Not For This Book Change
Altered Carbon season 2 ended up being the show’s final installment by default, but I think it could have continued if not for a weird alteration.
His mission as the last Envoy seeshim investigate the death of a wealthy manin exchange for leaving prison and a chance for a new life, and his story is nothing short of thrilling. AlthoughKovacs’ fate afterAltered Carbonseason 2’s endingis left ambiguous, and the 2020 anime prequel movie doesn’t clarify anything, his gripping journey is still a great one to invest in.
iZombie
After being turned into a zombie, medical resident Liv must periodically feast on human brains to keep the appearance of being human and takes a job at a morgue to sate her hunger. When she discovers that eating a corpse’s brain gives her temporary access to their skills, traits, and memories, Liv decides to use her talent to help solve murders.
iZombieadds a fresh twist to the crime procedural formulathrough the character of Liv Moore. The show follows the medical resident-turned-zombie, who uses her job in the morgue to eat the brains of murder victims and use their abilities and personality traits to solve their deaths.Liv isn’t a detective in the traditional sense.
However, she finds herself forced into this role for the greater good, all while trying to keep her own secret under wraps from those she assists at the police department.iZombieis a massively underrated show, and it’s a shame that season 6 never happened. Despite this, there are still five incredible installments to enjoy.
Although a majority of episodes focus on a new story and victim,iZombiealso features an overarching plot which involves the fallout of the zombie population rapidly growing, and the way human society tackles the problem. Ravi is another brilliant character with his own unique personality, and his own attempts to solve Liv’s affliction is a great mystery in itself, too.
Bodies
Based on the graphic novel by Si Spencer, Bodies is a mystery sci-fi TV series created for Netflix by Paul Tomalin. A dead body appears in the middle of London with a strange catch - the same body has appeared in four different timelines. Now, following four different detectives across four timelines, the investigations lead to a conspiracy that could lead to the city of London’s ruin.
The recent Netflix hitBodiesfollowsfour London detectives investigating the sudden appearance of a dead bodyin Whitechapel. While this seems like a simple premise,Bodies’ four timelinescomplicates things massively. Hasan, Whiteman, Hillinghead, and Maplewood are actually all investigating the same death, but at four different points in time: 1890, 1941, 2023 and 2053.
This standard murder mystery is flipped on its head with a sci-fi twist, which makes the rather original idea even more unique.
This standard murder mystery is flipped on its head witha sci-fi twist, which makes the rather original idea even more unique. What’s also interesting is thatBodiesis based on the graphic novelof the same name by Si Spencer, but the show amazingly adds even more sci-fi elements.
Not only do the detectives need to figure out the identity of the murder, but audiences are also plagued about what the connection between the cases is. The dystopian setting in 2053 is also fascinating, and the time travel elements to villain Mannix’s story are incredible. Even thoughBodiesis a relatively new show, it is already a notable title in the sci-fi genre, and it’s anamazing miniseries to binge.
Alien Nation
Alien Nation is a science fiction TV series set in Los Angeles in the near future, where humans and an alien race called “Newcomers” coexist. The show follows Detective Matthew Sikes (Gary Graham) and his Newcomer partner George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint) as they solve crimes while exploring themes of racial prejudice and integration.
Alien Nation, the TV adaptation of the 1988 movie, may only have one season to enjoy, but it’s the launching point for the following five TV films. Like the original movie,Alien Nationfollows Detective Matt Sikes and his partner, Detective George Francisco, in a world where humanity shares Earth with the alien race known as the Newcomers. Whileeach episode pushes a message about social issues,these lessons are often connected toAlien Nation’s story of the week.
ThroughoutAlien Nationseason 1,Matt and George investigate several murders, most of which are linked to the Newcomers’ presence on Earth. Their detective work is generally tied to crime, but as the show progresses, George also has to learn about the mysteries of Earth society and the tension of his species living alongside humans.
Many considerAlien Nationagreat sci-fi TV show despite its cancelation after one season. But thankfully, viewers can check out the original film and the TV moviesAlien Nation: Dark Horizon,Alien Nation: Body and Soul,Alien Nation: Millennium,Alien Nation: The Enemy Within, andAlien Nation: The Udara Legacyas well.
Torchwood
This Doctor Who spinoff follows the adventures of beloved character Captain Jack Harkness as he works for the Torchwood Institute, a small team in Cardiff dedicated to investigating extraterrestrial phenomena.
The earlier seasons of theDoctor WhoTV spinoff,Torchwood, definitelyfollow an investigative story-of-the-week format, and although the last two installments veer away from this, there’s still a big mystery to solve. It can be argued thatDoctor Whois somewhat of a detective show, butTorchwoodfits the formula far better, and there is generally an answer provided at the end of each story. The employees of Torchwood Three all come from different backgrounds and professions, but the show kicks off with the introduction of police officer Gwen Cooper and her being hired by the secret agency.
Torchwoodhas a 98% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
In seasons 1 and 2,the team members face a new sci-fi threat in every episode, whether that’s an alien, a time traveler, or sometimes both.Torchwooddoesn’t really care where these figures come from, just why they arrive on Earth and what they’re planning to do, and so the show throws itself straight into the heart of the mystery almost immediately.Children of EarthandMiracle Day, however, focuses on a much bigger antagonistic figure which spans across their respective seasons.
Doctor Who & Torchwood Actor Is Open To Character’s Return After 15 Years (Despite Being Dead)
Over 15 years after Ianto Jones gave his life in Torchwood, Gareth David-Lloyd is still keen to return to the world of Doctor Who in some form.
The unraveling of each character’s past is enthralling, especially Jack’s, which adds to various season arcs throughout.Doctor Whoexplains what happens toTorchwoodafterMiracle Day’s divisive ending, thankfully. WhileTorchwoodis long over now, it’s still a detectivesci-fiTV showthat draws viewers back in time and time again.
