Look, I’m still getting over the finale of The Expanse, but if you’re like me and need another great sci-fi fix, let me tell you about this show. It really hits all the classic notes – think big, sweeping space opera with a truly massive scale. But what really grabbed me was the found-family aspect. It’s a show that builds genuine connection, and honestly, that’s what elevates it to masterpiece level.
What truly sets The Expanse apart is how it handles science and technology. While still a work of fiction, the show strives for realism in these areas – something you don’t often see in science fiction. However, many of the show’s other strengths – like its characters and storytelling – are comparable to those found in other excellent sci-fi series.
Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica is a cornerstone of the science fiction space opera genre and heavily influenced shows like The Expanse. Over the years, it’s grown into a large franchise with different versions appearing in many formats – including a 1979 movie and TV series, several updated TV shows between 1980 and 2010, a web series, and various video games.
You’ll love getting into Battlestar Galactica. This sci-fi series takes place in a far-off future where humanity is under attack by robotic enemies called Cylons. Aboard the massive spaceship Battlestar Galactica, a group of survivors journeys to find Earth – a legendary lost colony – and escape the Cylons. Battlestar Galactica is a gripping, thought-provoking show with a lot to say about politics and the human condition.
For All Mankind
You’ll likely see several shows by Ronald D. Moore featured here, and with good reason. His series For All Mankind is a more recent sci-fi offering, and it’s currently airing on AppleTV. If you’re looking for a sci-fi show with many more episodes to come, this is a great choice.
The show For All Mankind presents an alternate history where the space race between the US and the Soviet Union continued indefinitely. In this scenario, the Soviets were the first to land on the moon, prompting the Americans to push even harder to explore the rest of our solar system. By exploring this ‘what if’ scenario, For All Mankind achieves a level of realism comparable to The Expanse, making it a particularly captivating show.
Farscape
Both Farscape and The Expanse have interesting stories behind their production. Farscape originally aired in 1999 and was well-received, leading to four seasons out of a planned five. However, it was unexpectedly canceled on a cliffhanger. Luckily, just like The Expanse found a new home on Prime Video after being canceled, Farscape was brought back thanks to producer Brian Henson, resulting in the miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
One of the things that makes Farscape so great is the incredible alien creature design, brought to life by the Jim Henson Company using puppets and special effects. This, along with the show’s heartwarming found-family story and engaging political themes, makes Farscape a really special series to watch.
Babylon 5
While Babylon 5 might be a bit more over-the-top than The Expanse, that’s actually what makes it so great. It’s a classic space opera, first shown on PTEN in 1993 and concluding on TNT in 1998. Babylon 5 combines stand-alone episodes with a larger, intricate story arc, creating a rich and engaging experience.
Babylon 5 is a space opera that focuses on the struggles between different planets and species, all seen from the perspective of a central space station. While the special effects haven’t aged perfectly, this actually enhances the impact of the show’s enduring political messages. It’s a very enjoyable show to binge-watch and offers plenty of replay value – you might even like it better than The Expanse.
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is a classic sci-fi series from the 1990s. It’s based on the 1994 movie Stargate and takes the original story much further, creating a vast universe filled with planets, alien civilizations, and the descendants of ancient Earthlings. While many episodes are self-contained adventures, the show also features a compelling overall storyline.
Stargate is a sci-fi adventure centered around a mysterious device – an alien wormhole – that allows people to travel instantly to other planets with similar devices. What sets it apart is its clever use of mythology. The show proposes that ancient gods from cultures like Egypt, Norse, Greece, Rome, and even Christianity were actually aliens who once visited Earth and sought to control humanity. It’s an imaginative, entertaining, and often deeply moving series.
Star Trek: The Original Series
While not the very first of its kind, Star Trek is largely responsible for making space opera popular on television. In many ways, it paved the way for all the shows on this list. Surprisingly, the series didn’t do well in ratings when it first aired in 1966. It gained a huge following and became a cultural phenomenon only after being rerun in the 1970s.
I first encountered science fiction with The Expanse, but honestly, if you’re a fan of that show, you need to check out Star Trek. Set in the 2200s within our own Milky Way galaxy, it follows the adventures of Captain Kirk, the logical Spock, and the ever-human Dr. McCoy. What’s amazing is how those characters – the brave captain, the brilliant scientist, the empathetic doctor – have become staples in almost every sci-fi story since. Star Trek really set the standard, and even though it only ran for three seasons originally, it’s become incredibly influential – a true classic that deserves a watch.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Following the success of Star Trek: The Original Series in the 1970s, the franchise officially expanded with Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973. Over a decade later, in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered, introducing Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who followed in the footsteps of Captain Kirk. The new series was set towards the end of the 24th century.
While fans debate which is better—the original Star Trek or The Next Generation—The Next Generation was more popular during its run. It also continued to influence science fiction, particularly shows like The Expanse, by focusing on well-developed characters, thought-provoking ideas, and intricate settings.
Firefly
Fox via MovieStillsDB
Firefly perfectly embodies the ‘found family’ story. While it’s a space adventure like many others, it stands out with its strong Western feel. The characters are essentially space cowboys, and though the crew led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds (played by Nathan Fillion) often clashed, the show is ultimately about the deep bonds of connection and loyalty they share.
Both The Expanse and Firefly center on the tensions between a central government and people living on the fringes. A key similarity is their commitment to realism. Even with exciting action and fights, Firefly grounds its futuristic technology in believable science.
Andor
Andor is a show within the larger Star Wars universe, which is already incredibly popular. But this Disney+ series has built its own dedicated audience, separate from other Star Wars content. Unlike typical Star Wars stories focused on Jedi and action, Andor is more of a political thriller.
Unlike most Star Wars stories, Andor feels different in terms of genre, so it’s not quite a classic space opera like The Expanse. Still, its focus on politics and the fight between rebels and an empire should appeal to fans of The Expanse. And you don’t need to know anything about Star Wars beforehand to enjoy it.
Foundation
Apple TV has proven its ability to deliver compelling science fiction, and with the series Foundation, it’s created a truly impressive space opera. Premiering in 2021, Foundation has been renewed for a fourth season. The show is intellectually stimulating and beautifully crafted, featuring a dark and atmospheric tone that keeps viewers engaged.
The series Foundation takes place in a galaxy governed by a vast Empire, but that’s where most of the familiar tropes end. The story follows a brilliant mathematician and psychologist who can foresee the Empire’s collapse using a science called psychohistory. It’s hard to fully explain how intricate Foundation is, but that complexity is a big part of what makes it as compelling as, or even better than, The Expanse.
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2025-11-26 04:51