Science fictionis one of the most beloved and intriguing genres in film, literature, and television alike.The nature of sci-fi content often limits its portrayal in a visual medium.They typically include technology, scenarios, or futuristic concepts that would be impossible to display in a form other than the written word. Books have the unique ability to utilize the imagination of the reader and present stories that simply wouldn’t work if presented on screen. With that being said, certain shows effectively turn their written source material into a thoughtful representation of the original story.
The most recent example of famoussci-fi literature-turned-television is Netflix’s3 Body Problem,which explores mind-blowing ideas across space and time. Given the show’s popularity, Netflix is set to release asecond season of the3 Body Problem.Perhaps the most critically acclaimed sci-fi series of this natureisThe Expanse,a thoughtful tale of futuristic travel across the solar system. AlthoughThe Expanse came to an endin 2022, several series bring sci-fi books to life in a similar fashion.
Under the Dome
Cast
Under the Dome is a science fiction mystery drama series that aired on CBS for three seasons from 2013-2015. Based on Stephen King’s 2009 novel of the same name, Under the Dome tells the story of how a giant, transparent, and indestructible dome suddenly traps the fictional small town of Chester’s Mill inside of it. The mystery of where the dome came from, and if it will ever go away, is at the heart of the show’s storylines.
For those with a sense of claustrophobia,Under the Domemight not be the best series to watch.Under the Domewas originally a sci-fi novel written by legendary American author Stephen King in 2009, and was later developed into a three-season series by Brian K. Vaughan.Under the Domefollows the story of the townsfolkof Chester’s Hill, Maine, when they are suddenly isolated from the outside world when a massive, impenetrable dome lands over their home.
Although the concept is relatively simple, the series does an excellent job of bringing King’s vision to life. There are a lot of prominent differences between the novel and the show, from changes in character development to the origin of the dome’s existence. However, even though it strays from the source material,Under the Domeexcels in its ability to demonstrate the hysteria that comes with isolation.
Foundation
Foundation is a science fiction film that follows a band of exiles on a crucial journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the Galactic Empire collapses.
Foundationimagines a future about 50,000 years from the present, in which all humans live under the rule of the Galactic Empire, the powerful governmental body of the galaxy. The show is based on a series of sci-fi books written by Isaac Asimov, with the first title originally published in 1951. The collection consists of seven installments that take place over roughly 550 years.
For those who are die-hard Asimov fans and strongly attached to the original book series,the television seriesFoundationmight ruffle some feathers.Although the show is loosely based on Asimov’s works, it shouldn’t go as far as to be labeled an adaptation. The show shares similar characters and names, but it’s a standalone universe. With that being said, the series still has a lot of great qualities and is undoubtedly entertaining.
The 100
The 100 is a sci-fi post-apocalyptic TV series set ninety-seven years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. When a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors send one hundred juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet, they discover that Earth is still inhabited. Now constantly in a state of power flux with warring clans, cannibals, and mountain-dwellers, the juveniles must attempt to survive while re-establishing contact with the Ark.
Kass Morgan’s sci-fi novel seriesThe 100has a similar style to other famous young adult stories likeThe Hunger GamesorDivergent.Although the latter were made into film franchises,The 100was adapted into a series that takes place over seven seasons.The story imagines a universe where Earth has been decimated by nuclear war, and the only remaining survivors live on 12 space stations orbiting the atmosphere.
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When one of the stations finds its resources to be limited, the leaders decide to send 100 young prisoners on a mission to Earth to determine whether it’s inhabitable. Upon their arrival, they discover an unfamiliar world and must face the challenges that come their way.The series has a gripping plot, likable characters, and never fails to entertain. AlthoughThe 100ended after season seven, it presented an amazing story during its runtime.
7Altered Carbon (2018-2020)
Based On The Book By Richard K. Morgan
Altered Carbontakes place over 300 years in the future in a world with virtually limitless possibilities. Humans have figured out a way to download their consciousness onto cortical stacks and transfer them into synthetic bodies referred to as “sleeves.“Consequently, individuals can effectively live forever— if they have the proper funds. The book was originally written by Richard K. Morgan in 2002 and adapted into a two-season series in 2018.
The budget for season 1 was rumored to be roughly $7 million per episode, making it one of Netflix’s most expensive productions.
The plot follows Takeshi Kovacs, a member of elite soldiers known as “envoys” who wakes up in a new sleeve after centuries of unconsciousness. Kovacs is forced to aid a powerful galactic business executive in exchange for his freedom of resurrection.Altered Carbonis downright awesome, and it stretches the confines of traditional science fiction.The show is packed with excellent fight scenes, edgy humor, and mind-boggling concepts. Given the quality of the story, it’s a shameNetflix canceledAltered Carbonafter a mere two seasons.
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.
Netflix’s3 Body Problemis based on author Liu Cixin’s famous book series, with the first installment beingTheThree-Body Problem.The novel belongs to theRemembrance of Earth’s Pasttrilogy, and the TV series covers the content of the first book and parts of the latter two.The story spans the past, present, and future,demonstrating how communication across the universe can kick off a series of irreversible events.
There are several differences between the television adaptation and the book series, but it isn’t surprising given the complexity of the novel’s subject matter. Many of the descriptions, concepts, and events are far too intricate to be effectively displayed on screen, but the show does a great job of communicating the content with the resources it’s given.3 Body Problemended season 1with a cliffhanger finish, laying a great foundation for the upcoming episodes.
Dark Matter
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
Dark Matterwas originally a sci-fi thriller novel written by Blake Crouch in 2016. In May 2024, Apple TV took Crouch’s vision and brought it to life with a series of the same name. The show is utterly fascinating,even though it’s still significantly different from the book in several areas.DarkMatterfollows Professor Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), who is transported to an alternate reality that includes a different version of his own life. In an exploration of the multiverse, Jason journeys to return to his original reality and get back to his family.
The series takes the premise presented in the novel and polishes it into a more digestible form.
Interestingly enough,the critical reception of the show is generally better than that of the book,which usually isn’t the case. The series takes the premise presented in the novel and polishes it into a more digestible form. Although it can be a slow burn, the concept is as intriguing as it is terrifying. Joel Edgerton delivers a nuanced performance that’s hard to pull off considering the context of the plot. Given its popularity,Dark Matterseason 2is sure to continue the mind-blowing story in style.
The Man in the High Castle
The Man in the High Castle is a tv adaptation of the alternate historical thriller book written by Phillip K. Dick. The show follows multiple perspectives in a world where the Nazis and Japan won World War II and have now taken over the world and split the united states into East and West sections. When several characters discover that the current reality isn’t supposed to be based on prophetic newsreels, it becomes a race between the ruling powers and the rebellion to find the figure that knows the truth behind it all.
The Man in the High Castlepresents an interesting example in the context of the science fiction genre. It doesn’t necessarily propose any mind-bending technological concepts, but rather depicts a future in which the events of the past were carried out differently. The series, loosely based on the novel of the same name, was originally published by Philip K. Dick in 1962.
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In a dystopian world,The Man in the High Castleimagines a timeline in which the Nazis and Japan were victorious in World War II.Consequently, the United States is divided into zones, controlled by the Japanese Empire and the Greater Nazi Reich. The plot follows Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos), who comes across a mysterious tape that offers a glimmer of hope and a potential outlet from the oppressed world. Although the show is primarily a form of alternative history, it’s sprinkled with elements of sci-fi and makes for a fascinating story.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a television adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel, released in 2017. It is set in a dystopian future where a woman is compelled to live as a concubine under a strict fundamentalist theocracy.
Based on the famous 1985 novel written by Margaret Atwood,The Handmaid’s Taleimagines a futuristic dystopian society. Unlike several shows derived from literature,the television series extends the contents of the book significantly past the limits of Atwood’s ideas. There are currently five seasons out, with asixth season ofThe Handmaid’sTaleexpected to be released sometime in 2025. Surprisingly, only the first season covers the plot of the book, while the latter episodes continue the story without source material.
The series follows June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), who lives in a totalitarian society referred to as Gilead, located in the former area of the United States. In this fictional world, birthrates are plummeting, and consequently, the fundamentalist regime treats women as property and confines them to a life of sexual servitude.The series is extremely harsh in both content and concept,but explores important ideas and effectively builds off Atwood’s initial vision.
Silo
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
Similar toThe Handmaid’s Tale,Silotakes place in a dystopian future, but the circumstances are entirely different. The hit Apple TV series is based on Hugh Howey’sSilotrilogy of novels, which includeWool,Shift, andDust. The show is set in a society where the surface is plagued by toxicity. Consequently,humans are forced to live under strict regulations in a massive underground silo that spans across hundreds of levels.
At the forefront of the story lies Juliette Nicholas (Rebecca Ferguson), an engineer who seeks to discover the mysteries about the world she lives in. The show is an excellent adaptation of the novels and is executed in a way that feels fresh.The dystopian premise is so unique, and the set design truly brings it to life.Additionally, Ferguson delivers a stellar performance that bolsters the plot. There is currently one completed season in existence, withSiloseason twoepisodes being released periodically.
The Expanse
The Expanse is a sci-fi series set in the distant future where humanity has spread out across the solar system, but the alliances between the three most potent governing bodies have reached a state of the cold war. In the series, a mixed crew finds themselves at the center of a dangerous intergalactic conspiracy that threatens to bring war to the colonized worlds.
The Expanseis considered to be one of the best sci-fi shows there is, and for good reason. The series is based on a collection of novels written by James S.A. Corey, that includes a whopping ten installments. Generally speaking, the television version covers the first six novels across its six seasons.The Expanseis set hundreds of years into the future, where humans have managed to colonize the entire solar system.
Mars is a fully fleshed-out planet that has turned into an independent power with hyper-advanced technology, and there are political conflicts between the Martian government and Earth. After an important woman goes missing, characters from different walks of life converge to get to the bottom of the case, which ultimately reveals more than meets the eye. There are so many qualities that make this show lovable. The set design is intricate, the plot is solid, and the hilarious dynamic of the characters makes it that much better.
