10 Best Sci-Fi TV Show Settings Of All Time

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Science fiction often brings to mind spaceships and adventures in outer space, but many excellent sci-fi TV shows take place right here on Earth or in uniquely creative environments. The possibilities for sci-fi are endless, as evidenced by shows like The Expanse and Black Mirror, which have both become popular and influential. However, the setting of a show can be crucial to its success.

Creating a believable world is key to great science fiction on TV, and many of the best shows are instantly known for their unique settings. A location can even feel like a character itself – think of the enigmatic island in Lost – and a strong setting can make even the most complex sci-fi stories feel real and relatable.

The UK

Primeval

Britain often celebrates individuality and quirkiness, which gives science fiction shows filmed there a unique feel compared to bigger-budget, more visually focused series. Even shows that travel across the universe, like Doctor Who, frequently feature British culture and oddities. Many of the most popular British sci-fi shows are set in the UK and subtly alter a familiar detail to create their stories.

Primeval is a show with a unique premise: portals regularly open in the UK, letting prehistoric creatures into the modern world. While the special effects aren’t as polished as they would be today—which actually adds to its appeal—the series often feels like an alternate take on Jurassic Park, with dinosaurs and other ancient animals causing trouble across the country.

The Solar System

The Expanse

Lots of great science fiction shows are set on different planets or in made-up universes, sometimes including alternate versions of Earth. However, The Expanse stands out because it focuses on scientific accuracy. Unlike many other sci-fi shows, The Expanse is set in our own solar system in the future, but it avoids using faster-than-light travel, making it feel more realistic.

Astrophysicists frequently commend The Expanse for its scientific accuracy, which contributes to the show’s immersive quality, particularly during intense, G-force-filled scenes. The political conflicts between Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt also feel remarkably realistic, largely due to the show’s believable and well-developed world.

Serenity

Firefly

Giant, planet-like spaceships are common in science fiction, often used to accommodate many characters and create a sense of a long-established community. But the ship Serenity in Firefly feels much more intimate – it’s almost like another character itself. This creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s missing from a lot of big-budget sci-fi shows.

Though not the fastest ship in the galaxy, Serenity has become a beloved and recognizable spaceship thanks to its unique blend of Western and science fiction styles. Despite the crew often being off-ship, Serenity always feels like home, drawing viewers into the world of Firefly with them.

Vulcan

Star Trek Franchise

Image via Paramount

Mr. Spock is one of the most memorable characters in science fiction television, and his home planet, Vulcan, is equally well-developed in the world of Star Trek. Vulcan is a scorching, desert world inhabited by the logical and disciplined Vulcan people, and their culture is a key part of the show.

Although Star Trek frequently explores new planets, it often revisits Vulcan, allowing viewers to learn more about its unique culture and the character of Spock. Vulcan isn’t just a memorable setting; it’s a crucial location that helps the crew develop a broader understanding of different ways of life and embodies the show’s core values.

The TARDIS

Doctor Who

The TARDIS, short for Time And Relative Dimension In Space, is the incredible spaceship The Doctor uses to journey through time and space. It’s a key element of Doctor Who, constantly changing while still serving as the central point of the show. With countless rooms and limitless possibilities, the TARDIS is also one of the most famous images in science fiction.

As a lifelong Doctor Who fan, one thing I’ve always found fascinating is the TARDIS. The outside – that classic police box look – pretty much never changes, apparently because of a malfunction that prevents it from properly camouflaging. But the inside? Oh, the inside is a completely different story! Each Doctor gets a new take on it, and it’s become incredibly varied over the years. We’ve seen everything from swimming pools and huge libraries to multiple bedrooms and even an art gallery inside that little blue box. It’s amazing how much space they manage to fit in there!

The Upside Down

Stranger Things

Courtesy of Netflix

The Upside Down in Stranger Things is a unique alternate dimension. While the idea of parallel worlds isn’t new to science fiction, Stranger Things adds a fantasy element that makes it stand out. The world of the show, and especially the frightening creatures within the Upside Down, are strongly inspired by the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons.

The Upside Down, a dark and eerie alternate reality, is where the terrifying Demogorgon lives, making it one of the scariest monsters ever seen on a sci-fi TV show. While the world itself is uniquely unsettling, the massive budget behind Stranger Things has helped make The Upside Down a truly unforgettable sci-fi setting.

Babylon 5

Babylon 5

As a huge fan, I’ve always been captivated by the Babylon 5 space station. It’s this massive, five-mile-long structure built as a neutral ground for diplomats and ambassadors from all over the galaxy. What makes it so special – and why I think it’s one of the best sci-fi settings ever – is that it’s a place where anything can happen. It’s not just about living beings either; episodes like “Day of the Dead” prove it even welcomes visitors from beyond the grave!

Compared to Game of Thrones, Babylon 5 often delved into more intricate political situations, and the show’s creators carefully mapped out each episode. The space station at the heart of the series felt like a genuine, bustling city, and was key to both individual stories and the overall plot. This made threats to Babylon 5 feel truly dangerous and impactful for all its inhabitants.

Westworld

Westworld

Westworld is a truly impressive science fiction show, and its setting is one of its strongest and most unique features. The series brilliantly combines science fiction with the classic Western genre, creating a completely original atmosphere. The story takes place in a theme park designed like the Wild West, filled with incredibly realistic androids who don’t always realize they aren’t human.

I was completely hooked by Westworld! It really felt like stepping into an old Western, with all the saloons and ranches you’d expect. But then they’d throw in these creepy lab scenes, and the contrast was amazing. Honestly, while the show didn’t quite keep up the magic in later seasons, that first season is still one of the best sci-fi introductions ever – and the way they set up the theme park world is a huge part of why it was so good.

San Junipero

Black Mirror

Many consider Black Mirror to be one of the most unsettling shows ever made, skillfully combining science fiction and horror. Because the series became known for its bleakness, the episode “San Junipero” stood out – it’s one of the few with a genuinely happy ending. The story revolves around the concept of virtual reality.

San Junipero is a virtual world people can enter after they die, offering a form of digital immortality. The episode follows Yorkie and Kelly as they explore this world and face a choice: spend eternity in San Junipero as their younger selves, or embrace real death. What makes this Black Mirror episode unique is that San Junipero isn’t a dystopian nightmare—it’s presented as a genuine paradise.

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2025-10-30 02:37