Whilst many other genres of television programmes have changed over the years, one type that has remained popular and still managed to capture the viewers imaginations are science-fiction (of sci-fi) programmes. Let’s take a look back at the most influential sci-fi programmes in TV history.

Dr. Who

This Brit-based television show is one of the few that managed to ‘break’ America, despite having fierce competition from their own sci-fi shows. Why is it so influential? Because unlike many of the other sci-fi shows of the time, the character of Dr. Who and all the other characters were much more relatable, with the show neither set in the past nor the future (although they did travel there) but in the present day.

Dr. Who

By far the best British sci-fi drama, or arguably just the best Brit drama, Dr. Who was so popular it managed to break America, too. There are many reasons why Dr. Who was always so popular, partly because of the show’s constant revamp, partly because it took place in the past, present and future. But ultimately, Dr. Who deserves to make this list because despite being cheesy, there was – and still is – certain believability to the show’s leading man and supporting characters.

The X-Files

Most sci-fi and non sci-fi fans would agree that Star Trek is the most influential of its kind. The original only ran for three years between 1966 and 1969, but that didn’t stop numerous more TV and film spin-offs from being created. Despite being neither the best acted nor having the best plots, Star Trek’s influence on the future of the sci-fi genre is undeniable.

Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 is the most macho of all sci-fi dramas. The lead commander, Jack O’Neill, is more of an action man than a star-cruiser, giving the otherwise dated genre a modern twist. But one of the great things about the show was that even without the aliens the show had substance to it, with underlying themes of friendship, loyalty and power running throughout the entire collection of series.

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