Arguably the best contemporary sci-fi show on television right now, many TV lovers are desperately looking for shows like The Expanse to binge-watch. The production which follows a series of books written by James S.A Corey comes with a futuristic setting where human beings succeed in colonizing the solar system.
The Expanse is centered on different human groups who compete for power as they exert control over space, as well as its resources. Within a short time of its release, the show won the hearts of millions of sci-fi movie lovers which is why the hiatus that occurred between the 4th and 5th seasons was difficult to bear. However, fans of the sci-fi drama have a cause to smile as there are many other alternatives that are equally interesting.
Check out these other TV shows like The Expanse and you won’t regret it.
1. Counterpart
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 100%
- Google users: 88%
Counterpart image source
When it is about delivering nerve-wracking twists, television series like Counterpart would sure give The Expanse show a run for its money. Though this Starz espionage thriller, was regrettably canceled after just a couple of seasons, the plot is centered on a low-level government employee named J.K. Simmons; he discovers that a past event divided the globe into two parallel universes.
Furthermore, he also realizes there is an imminent war between the two universes. The Expanse as we all know focuses on exploring politics and war across the galaxy, Counterpart comes with a tighter focus but conveys just as powerful results. The series is twisty but smartly plotted, combining the best aspects of spy dramas and sci-fi to create something that is completely unique.
2. Babylon 5
- IMDb: 8.3/10
- Google users: 90%
Babylon 5 image source
Created by J. Michael Straczynski, co-creator of Sense 8, Babylon 5 is considered to be an ambitious TV series set after a plethora of inter-species clashes in the year 2257. It is an early 1990’s series that follows the populace of Babylon 5 – a space station established to maintain peace and galactic diplomacy.
Truly ahead of its geographical time, Babylon 5 was among the first shows to come with serialized episodes. More impressive is the fact that every one of its five seasons was pre-planned right from the onset. Babylon 5 earned praises for several reasons – its character list, intricate storytelling, as well as CGI that was considered revolutionary for its time. More importantly, just like other shows like The Expanse, Babylon 5 is a political show that never shied away from exploring themes of authoritarianism, religion, and sexuality.
3. Orphan Black
- IMDb: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 93%
- TV.com: 9.1/10
Orphan Black image source
Similar to The Expanse, Orphan Black is driven by different conspiracies and rival undercover parties with pointed agendas. But on the show, rather than an ice hauler crew that gets trapped in the crosshairs, you get a group of clones (all depicted by Tatiana Maslany). Orphan Black is one great sci-fi thriller, action-packed, and with fantastic character work. It raises vital questions concerning the ethical and moral implications and repercussions of human cloning, including its threats to reproductive rights. Fans who are morbidly fascinated by the way The Expanse prioritized progress and profit for a few over the common good will find comparable bleakly relatable themes in Orphan Black – a BBC America drama.
4. Battlestar Galactica
- IMDb: 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 96%
- Google users: 91%
Battlestar Galactica image source
Battlestar Galactica will always have pride of place as one of the best sci-fi series that ever hit the small screen, and more often than not, it is used as a yardstick in measuring other space dramas of similar ilk. Set in an era when humanity was not only struggling to preserve its last remnant, but the remaining humans were on the run from Cylons (alien robots). This raised so many questions about who (humans and Cylons) deserve to survive and at the same time, explore the complexities involved in bridging discrimination to engender a better future.
Compared to shows like The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica has a way of presenting its characters with rather difficult decisions completely devoid of easy answers. Thus, fans who loved the way The Expanse explores problems from all sides, forcing our heroes into several morally tough spots time without number, will also love Battlestar Galactica as it presents them with an entirely new set of moral conundrums to ponder over.
5. The Orville
- IMDb: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 65%
- TV.com: 8.6/10
The Orville image source
Even among the raving fans of The Expanse, many have admitted that the series can be somewhat dense at times. Thus, viewers who would prefer something a bit lighter can try The Orville. Screen icons like Seth McFarlane from Family Guy (he is also the creator) bring to life the adventure and exploits of the crew onboard the exploratory space vessel, named The Orville.
The series did not just parody great sci-fi projects of all time like Star Trek, it equally created a fun space adventure filled with compelling characters. Two seasons of The Orville have already aired with the third expected in 2021.
6. Raised by Wolves
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 73%
- Google user: 93%
Raised by Wolves image source
Raised by Wolves is obviously for the entertainment of people on the lookout for another action-packed sci-fi series with loads of things to say and a willingness to take huge narrative risks. This Ridley Scott drama centers on two androids saddled with the task of saving humanity by bringing up kids in a virgin world, however, violent tensions are sparked following the arrival of some religious fanatics who came to seek refuge on the planet. The show is considered to be more on the weird side and even outdid The Expanse in that regard. It raises questions about religion, parenting, and humanity.
7. Dark
- IMDb: 8.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 95%
- TV.com: 8.7/10
Dark image source
Dark is a German drama for people who are in love with The Expanse’s readiness to trust its viewers to follow intricate stories across diverse worlds. Situated in the little town of Winden, the drama follows a quartet of interconnected families enmeshed in a web of mysteries, secrets, and time travel. Dark is a Netflix original that gained fame for being among the most perplexing shows to follow, however, after watching the drama, you will have to agree that the meticulously plotted show is worth the effort it will take to unravel the timelines and family trees.
8. Westworld
- IMDb: 8.6/10
- TV.com: 8.6/10
- Google users: 92%
Westworld image source
Michael Crichton wrote and directed Westworld, a continually evolving sci-fi thriller based on a 1973 movie of the same name. This serpentine narrative is set against the scenery of a near future, where an unbelievably pragmatic Wild West-themed amusement spot which is populated by life-like android “hosts” becomes the world’s greatest source of recreation.
But then, things aren’t quite what they appear to be, a plot within the park engendered far-reaching repercussions for the world outside its vicinity. The suspense is really too high as viewers are constantly kept guessing.
9. Fringe
- IMDb: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 90%
- TV.com: 8.9/10
Fringe image source
From the production portfolio of J.J. Abrams, Fringe is a great pick for people who are on the lookout for shows like The Expanse, a drama that comes with deep sci-fi mythology and at the same time, not so intense that you need to strain your brain to keep up with the normal intricate storytelling inherent in sci-fi dramas. Fringe centers on a team of experts charged with the responsibility of investigating fringe cases that are completely unexplainable when you follow the normal means. The Fox series explores the layered mysteries about a parallel universe, as well as the impact of these revelations on the core cast of the show.
10. Vikings
- IMDb: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 93%
- TV.com: 9.1/10
Vikings image source
Though Vikings is completely off among shows like The Expanse, considering it is without any sci-fi elements, it is comparable to The Expanse as they have several things in common. The History Channel drama is not focused on exploring the obvious tribalism between the clashing sections of the populace across space in the future, it is rather focused on the ones between sparing divisions of people across Europe during the medieval time. The History Channel drama is all about discovering brand new worlds and battles in a bid to determine political machinations, and sovereignty, as well as examine how our societies need to acclimatize if they have hope of surviving through the changing times.