TVLine has published a definitive ranking of the ten greatest television series ever aired on the Syfy network, describing the channel as a hotspot for weird and fantastical programming. The curated list encompasses a wide variety of genres, including space operas, slashers, gritty dramas, and comedies, aiming to represent the best of what the network has offered over the years. While many excellent shows were necessarily excluded due to the limit of ten entries, the selected series are presented as highlights that resonate with fans of horror, fantasy, and science fiction beyond the network itself.
Rounding out the list at number ten is Resident Alien, starring Alan Tudyk. The series is described as a unique fish-out-of-water story following an extraterrestrial who arrives on Earth to destroy humanity but instead bonds with the residents of Patience, Colorado. After killing the town doctor and assuming his identity, the alien becomes a physician who solves mysteries and protects his new friends. The show balances humor with heartfelt drama, with Tudyk delivering a performance that is simultaneously off-kilter and imbued with humanity.
At number nine sits Eureka, a series compared tonally to Twin Peaks but with a lighter approach. Set in a secret town built as a haven for the world's greatest scientists, the show follows Jack Carter, an everyman who becomes sheriff and must save the community from catastrophic incidents beyond his understanding. The series is noted for its quirky characters and bizarre scenarios, proving that cautionary tales about scientific overreach can be ridiculous rather than purely fearful.
Warehouse 13 takes the eighth spot, co-created by Jane Espenson, a writer known for her work on Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Game of Thrones. The series follows Secret Service agents Pete and Myka Bering as they work in a South Dakota location housing powerful artifacts with paranormal abilities. Tasked with finding more of these objects, the agents engage in time travel and otherworldly adventures that appeal to fans of The X-Files, offering lively character dynamics despite predictable plotting.
The seventh entry is Chucky, marking the television foray of the long-running Child's Play franchise created by Don Mancini. Voiced by Brad Dourif, the murderous doll torments teenagers in various settings, eventually infiltrating the White House to perform a ritual. The series maintains the original formula while incorporating social and political themes without sacrificing dark humor. It earned critical acclaim with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes before being canceled by Syfy after three seasons.
Wynonna Earp ranks sixth, continuing the legacy of the legendary Old West lawman Wyatt Earp through his great-great-granddaughter, played by Melanie Scrofano. Created by Emily Andras, the show features the protagonist battling reincarnated souls of her ancestor's victims alongside demons and witches. Praised for its Western sensibilities and high-octane action, the series relies heavily on Scrofano's charismatic performance as a gunslinger who oozes cool.
Stargate SG-1 secures the fifth position, emerging from Roland Emmerich's 1994 film to become a successful multi-media franchise. Picking up immediately after the movie, the series follows a military unit using the Stargate to travel between planets and face extraterrestrial threats. While the storytelling is described as rip-roaring rather than thought-provoking, the show addresses weighty themes regarding power and politics while maintaining a fun tone that does not take itself too seriously.
The Expanse holds the fourth spot, based on James S.A. Corey's novel series. Set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, the show depicts interplanetary friction between Earth, Mars, and the outer planets amidst a wider conspiracy threatening all-out war. Known for its hard sci-fi accuracy, dense world-building, and political intrigue, the series is often compared to Game of Thrones but stands as an original story that evolves from a noir-inspired detective mystery into a complex narrative.
At number three is The Magicians, a five-season series based on Lev Grossman's novels. Centering on student Quentin Coldwater at a university for those with special abilities, the show subverts Harry Potter tropes by presenting magic as unable to fix life's messy human problems. Blending dark humor with mature drama, the series is praised for its complex characters and nuanced storytelling, offering substance alongside fantasy wonder.
Farscape claims the second spot, created by Rockne S. O'Bannon. The show distinguishes itself in the space opera genre by featuring animatronic aliens alongside human actors to tell a story of underdog heroes evading fascists. Following John Crichton and the crew of the Moya, the series is noted for its original universe, unique alien slang, and silly levity. It is also recognized as a major influence on James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Topping the list at number one is the reboot of Battlestar Galactica, created by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Set in a universe devastated by the robotic Cylons, the series follows the crew of the titular ship protecting the remnants of humanity. Described as a cornerstone of small-screen science fiction, the show is notably darker than its 1970s predecessor, offering a morally ambiguous examination of human nature, politics, and theology that reflects the socio-political mood of the post-9/11 era.
Sources: TVLine.