Hollywood often orbits the Bay Area on its quest for sci-fi inspiration.
Take the cloak-and-danger alterna-San Francisco cooked up in the Amazon Prime series “The Man in the High Castle,” based on a novel by Berkeley High grad and author Philip K. Dick – or Netflix’s “Altered Carbon,” which envisions a sinfully futuristic Bay City, aka San Francisco.
Directors and storytellers gravitate to this fertile region and then mine from it — and sometimes they even film here. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin Civic Center played the role of aerospace headquarters in “Gattaca,” for example, and Star Trek’s Starfleet Command crowns the Fort Baker waterfront.
The adulation, though, runs both ways, since Bay Area residents have always taken a shine to the genre. With that in mind, we launched an exploratory mission, searching the streaming universe far and wide for 10 sci-fi series for you to watch.
“For All Mankind,” Apple TV+
What if Russia took that iconic “one small step for man” and landed on the moon first? This brainy series imagines a butterfly effect leading to a more robust space exploration program and reshaping our history and culture.
With its fourth season, which launched in mid-November, the addictive series drops us into 2003 (each season is set a decade apart) and continues its tradition of mingling notable historical figures (JFK, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Neil Armstrong – sometimes through archival video) with complex fictional ones, portrayed by a top-notch cast (Joel Kinnaman, Krys Marshall, Edi Gathegi, Sarah Jones, Michael Dorman).
It’s one of the best series running.
Bonus: The series’ official podcast, which covers seasons one through three, is hosted by Marshall with a lineup of space experts and former astronauts talking about what life is really like off world.
“The Expanse,” Amazon Prime (originated on Syfy network)
“The Expanse” is mind-blowing, hard sci-fi done right. (Amazon Studios)
Expansive is right. In this deep dive into world-building, we’re thrust 300 years into the future. It’s a treacherous time to be alive, as various colonies within our solar system jockey for power. Amazon Prime retrieved this gem from the dumpster and added three more seasons after Syfy tossed it after the first three.
Based on novelist James S.A. Corey’s novel, it’s often mentioned in the same breath as one of the best TV sci-fi series ever, “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-2009). Like “Battlestar,” “The Expanse” addresses provocative political themes and does so with nuance and skill. The cast matches the level of its impressive writing; Shohreh Aghdashloo as the U.N.’s sharp, no-nonsense Chrisjen Avasarala is a standout.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” Paramount+
Gene Roddenberry’s legendary brainchild remains the most durable franchise on this list and continues to show enterprise and storytelling innovation. In Season 1, Christopher Pike (Anson Mount of AMC’s underrated “Hell on Wheels”) again takes command of the spaceship Enterprise. “Strange Worlds” moves like a 747 from episode to episode, as the diverse, largely female-forward crew wrangles with inner and outer turmoils. Ethan Peck makes a wonderful – and yes, hunky – Spock.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” carries on the enterprising inspiration of series past. (Michael Gibson/Paramount+)
But it is the show’s humanity that distinguishes it from the pack. Here’s a show that believes there is a place for reason and dissension and a path toward working together. It’s music to the ears. Season 2 recently ended, but both seasons are available to stream.
“Silo,” Apple TV+
With her performances in “Dune” and “Silo,” Rebecca Fergusson is becoming the go-to actor for great sci-fi. (Apple TV+)
Many of the best sci-fi series originated as novels. Such is the case with, this 10-part confined-space dystopian thriller, which became a runaway self-published sensation. Dune’s Rebecca Ferguson channels the badass spirit of a Charlize Theron as new gone-rogue sheriff Juliette, who is growing more suspicious about the history behind an underground silo — the outside air is toxic — where survivors now dwell. The final episode leaves you dangling. But it’s OK to exhale, fans. Apple TV+ picked it up for another season.
“Star Wars: Ahsoka,” Disney+
So far, the Star Wars empire has managed to avoid the fatigue global audiences are experiencing over the superhero genre, even though it too has overextended itself at times. The reason this one perseveres is that it sticks to the basics – lightsaber battles, spectacular special effects, imaginative character creations – while expanding on its world-building. “Andor” is more ambitious and, well, better, but “Ahsoka” is still worth the watch.
“Star Wars: Ahsoka” is bolstered by the performance of Rosario Dawson (right) in the lead role. (Lucasfilm Ltd./Disney+)
Rosario Dawson brings gravitas to the role of former Jedi Ahsoka Tano, who teams up with her rule breaker of an apprentice, Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), to give the heave-ho to the in-the-shadows Grand Admiral Thrawn and his ardent followers. If none of that tempts you, Sabine’s cute but not entirely cuddly Loth-kitty Murley might. It did me.
“The Last of Us,” HBO Max
What makes this video game adaptation so special – besides the high-caliber production values – is how it so emotionally swallows us into the harrowing plight of its main characters, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey), as they to try to make do in the aftermath of a fungal infection that transforms Earthlings into killer Mushroom People (called Clickers).
Season 1 of “The Last of Us” worked well because it took risks and took us by surprise — such as in the case of its third episode with Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman. (HBO)
Season 2 is on the way, but you’ll have to be patient. It looks like it won’t arrive until 2025.
“Invincible,” Amazon Prime
Acclaimed comic-book writer Robert (“The Walking Dead”) Kirkman’s mature superhero/sci-fi brings some Shakespearean heft to the genre in this tale about father and son superheroes dealing with some bad blood and various crises. The animation is first rate, and the voice cast – Steven Yuen as teen Mark/Invincible, J.K. Simmons as dad Nolan/Omni-Man and Sandra Oh as mom Debbie – likewise. Then there’s the soundtrack, which makes it ever more appealing than what MCU and the DCU — that’s the Marvel and DC comics’ universes for the non-comics-scenti have cranked out of late. And there are two seasons to enjoy.
“Lost in Space,” Netflix
The big-budget streaming reboot “Lost in Space” was better than its reviews. (Netflix)
Radically different from its kitschy late ‘60s predecessor, this less campy version is suspenseful and outfitted with superior special effects to enhance the tale of the Resolute spaceship, bound for the planet of Alpha Centauri to make it inhabitable, before it was knocked off course. The series even generates a few laughs, courtesy of Zoe Smith (Parker Posey), the duplicitous disruptor/identity thief who impersonates a doctor on the crew. Also on board are the hyper self-sufficient Robinson clan (yes, this is based on the Swiss Family Robinson), who try to get the Resolute back to where it’s intended. The series ran only three seasons and features a terrific Molly Parker as mom/commander savior.
“Severance,” Apple TV+
Initially, this innovative cross between “The Office” and a David Lynch mind puzzle was only lightly seasoned in its sci-fi. Then came that Season 1 ending. The “Severance” through line centers on a collection of officemates, but it’s primarily about the odyssey of grieving widower Mark (Adam Scott), who consented to an experimental program that severs his work life from his home life. What could go wrong with that? A lot.
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Creator Dan Erickson moves the storyline in bold directions and gives juicy roles to Scott and others in the cast, including Patricia Arquette as the by-the-book head of HR and Mark’s co-workers, played by Britt Lower and Zach Cherry. Christopher Walken and John Turturro are scene-stealers. Season 2 is in the works, but shooting was interrupted due to the SAG-AFTRA and writers strikes.
“Altered Carbon,” Netflix
Set in Bay City – formerly known as San Francisco – Netflix’s violent and sexy 2018 adaptation of author Richard K. Morgan’s “Takeshi Kovacs Series” is highly habit forming. It’s a perfect example of the cyberpunk genre. Season 1 found Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman) picking up an inspired gig some 250 years after being killed – he’s supposed to figure out who murdered him. It’s an intriguing premise played out well.
Season 2 gives Kovacs (now played by Anthony Mackie) a new body, new gig and more problems. Sadly, Netflix axed the series, which features impressive and expensive effects. But this is Netflix. You can still stream it.
