From Black Mirror to Humans: 10 British Sci-Fi Series You Can't Miss

1. Humans (2015-2018)

What if your toaster could talk back? Years before OpenAI did the same thing (kinda), Channel 4's Humans posed the question, "what if AI in the form of human-like synths became a part of our everyday lives?" This series tackles the impact of this eerily possible future with the help of a stellar ensemble cast. While it might seem like a typical AI rebellion plot, it dives deeper, exploring themes of consciousness, morality, and what it truly means to be human.

It's no wonder the series boasts a solid 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the synths' choreographer used the movement of ballet dancers as a reference, aiming for the smooth and graceful motion. The result? A series that is equal parts fascinating and kind of disturbing.

2. Black Mirror (2011-Present)

If you think your worst Tinder date was a nightmare, wait until you delve into the dystopian universe of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror. Each episode is a standalone exploration of techno-paranoia, providing a sharp, satirical take on modern society and the unanticipated consequences of new technologies. It's like that bad date, only tenfold worse.

If you've never tried watching Black Mirror, consider watching the iconic "San Junipero" episode, the twisty-turny "White Bear," or the disturbing "Nosedive" first. Each of these presents a unique world that keeps us coming back for more. With a Rotten Tomatoes average rating of 82%, this series is a "love it or loathe it" kind of deal. And believe it or not, the series originally took inspiration from the satirical 1950s series, The Twilight Zone.

3. The Fades (2011)

Ever dreamt of being haunted by ghosts? If so, you're oddly specific. But we've got just the series for you! The Fades, a British supernatural drama, centers around a teenager named Paul who starts seeing spirits, known as "Fades," who can't move on. It gets even better when the Fades figure out how to touch things in the physical world and wreak havoc.

Despite being canceled after one season, this underappreciated series received a BAFTA for Best Drama Series. Even in a world where the undead, somehow, continue to dominate pop culture, The Fades manages to present a unique perspective on the genre.

4. Misfits (2009-2013)

No, we're not talking about a punk rock band from the 70s. This Misfits is about a group of young offenders sentenced to work in a community service program, where they obtain supernatural powers after a strange electrical storm. Imagine the Breakfast Club, but instead of detention, they're in community service, and instead of self-discovery, they get superpowers.

It's safe to say things escalate quite quickly from there. Future Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon was in the original cast of the series alongside with a couple of other familiar faces.

5. Utopia (2013-2014)

Let's not confuse this with the Amazon series of the same name, which is a remake of this original British series. The conspiracy thriller follows a group of people who find themselves in possession of a manuscript sequel of a cult graphic novel, which has accurately predicted the worst disasters of the last century. This leads them to be targeted by an organization known as 'The Network'.

It's like the Da Vinci Code but with a British twist and way more colorfully violent. While the series was canceled by Channel 4 in 2014, it's still well worth a watch for its original storytelling.

6. Life on Mars (2006-2007)

This isn't an interstellar exploration series, despite the cheeky title. The show follows Sam Tyler, a modern-day detective who, after a car crash, finds himself mysteriously transported back to 1973. Now, in the bell-bottom era, he has to grapple with outdated procedures, intolerance, and a lack of modern technology while solving crimes.

Interestingly, the series is named after the David Bowie song "Life on Mars". This truly British time-travel cop drama strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and a raw, disoriented sense of displacement, making it an intriguing watch.

7. Being Human (2008-2013)

How do you cope with life when you're a ghost, a werewolf, and a vampire sharing a house? A sentence never thought you'd hear, right? Well, welcome to the world of Being Human. Set in Bristol, it follows these three supernatural beings struggling with their double lives, striving to live as humans despite their monstrous tendencies.

There's as much humor in this show as there is brooding, so basically there's something for everyone. Aiden Turner, who played the vampire Mitchell, went on to play Kili in The Hobbit films and the titular role in Poldark.

8. Primeval (2007-2011)

What do you do when a T-Rex crashes your BBQ? Primeval, a British science fiction series, explores the chaos that ensues when temporal anomalies start opening up all over England, leading to creatures from the past and future wandering into the present day. Picture Jurassic Park mixed with a dash of Doctor Who, and you're halfway there. The show's creators were sticklers for detail, and they went to great lengths to ensure the creatures were depicted as accurately as possible based on current scientific knowledge.

9. Torchwood (2006-2011)

A Doctor Who spin-off that stands tall in its own right, Torchwood features Captain Jack Harkness leading a group of alien hunters in the eponymous Torchwood Institute. The show's darker tone and more adult themes set it apart from its parent series. But be warned, it's not for the faint of heart or those seeking the lighter touch of its predecessor. With intricate plotlines and well-developed characters, it won't be long before you're too hooked to care about the occasional, gruesome alien mess that the team has to clean up.

10. Red Dwarf (1988-Present)

Red Dwarf, is a beloved series that perfectly blends comedy with science fiction. It's a classic "last human alive" trope but with a twist. When Dave Lister wakes from stasis aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf, he finds that he's the last human alive, accompanied by a hologram of his deceased bunkmate, a creature evolved from his pet cat, and a neurotic maintenance droid.

Quite the company for an existential crisis, isn't it? The series is infused with an endearing silliness that has earned it a loyal fanbase. Watching a group of misfits navigating through the cosmos in a giant red trash can sounds like a weird thing to do, but it couldn't be more entertaining.