Who needs a drama set in the big city with clear blue skies when you could have it in space? Setting has always been vital in making films and TV shows memorable. After all, plot points and character development often rely on the nature of their environments to move forward. Therefore, when a show is set in space, there's always going to be a certain level of excitement, especially in the science fiction genre. We have seen outer space as the setting for some of the most popular films and TV show franchises in history and for good reason.

In the realm of television, the outer space setting adds a refreshing layer to what science fiction can be. For generations, TV shows that take place in space have charmed audiences and cemented their place in entertainment history. From classics like Star Trek and The Jetsons to Futurama and The Orville, here are the best TV shows set in space.

10 The Orville (2017-2022)

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The Orville came out in 2017 and ran for three seasons. Created by Seth McFarlane, The Orville is a sci-fi comedy show following the adventures of a newly divorced Planetary Union officer, Ed Mercer, who is looking for his luck to turn around. When granted the honor of commanding his own ship, he assembles a unique crew to accompany him on his travels. The catch? The First Officer assigned to his ship is his ex-wife — yikes!

What Makes It Great

Space travel should be fun. So, why not have a few laughs in there? The mixture of comedy and science fiction is such a great change of pace for both genres, and The Orville does a great job of supporting its storyline and characters with how funny it can be. With that, The Orville also manages to incorporate some necessary commentary on social issues as well as reflecting on the complexities of the human spirit, all while taking place in the vast unknown.

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9 The Jetsons (1962-1963)

The Jetsons is a 1962 animated sitcom that follows the life of the Jetsons, a family living in the futuristic utopia of Orbit City, a sort of mirror to our everyday lives, but with flying cars and houses in the sky. The show became a quick classic and, to this day, still evokes a sense of nostalgia for past, present, and future generations.

What Makes It Great

There is no denying that The Jetsons is in the Hall of Fame of animated TV. Creating animated shows that last across generations is a tall task. The Jetsons is recognizable, family friendly, and truly timeless. First airing in the 60s and then revived in the 80s, the entire premise of a futuristic, domestic family is executed flawlessly and made for some great and entertaining TV for audiences of all ages.

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8 Farscape (1999-2003)

Farscape came out in 1999 and ran for a solid five seasons. The show first aired on the Nine Network in Australia and then on the Sci-Fi Channel in the U.S.. Farscape follows the wild journey of an astronaut named John Crichton, played by Ben Browder. When a mission goes horribly wrong, John finds himself thrown into the great unknown, universes away from the Earth he called home. If unplanned space travel was not chaotic enough, John finds himself in the middle of an intergalactic war as he teams up with some rebels in an effort to find a way back home.

What Makes It Great

Consuming space-related media can feel repetitive. However, the entertainment factor of Farscape is unparalleled. Matched with relatable performances from the cast, Farscape took the unknown of space exploration and created an epic adventure following a human man as he tries to find his way home. If you are looking for a show that has you rooting for the characters and some fantastic world building, this is it.

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7 Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

When TV shows set in space are brought up, there is no avoiding the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek has become a staple franchise for movie and TV lovers alike, and still maintains a massive fanbase in this day and age. Specifically, Star Trek: The Original Series came out in 1966 and, man, does it bring back memories. The show follows a group aboard the starship USS Enterprise. Traveling across space to complete missions, the crew consists of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. "Bones" McCoy, to name a few, and audiences are taken on a journey encountering new alien species, new enemies, and friends.

What Makes It Great

Star Trek as a franchise would be nothing without The Original Series. In the genre of science fiction, Star Trek: The Original Series can be viewed as a blueprint for sci-fi storytelling and character development. The series is not perfect and not all the dialogue and acting chops could be considered up to par with today's standards, but when considering the era in which the iconic show came out, it is definitely worth your time.

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6 Futurama (1999-Present)

Futurama came out in 1999 and, despite multiple cancelations, network changes, and gap years, has virtually been running ever since. The show is currently streaming on Hulu, and with every passing season, fans have yet to fall off the Futurama train. The entire show surrounds a pizza-delivery man named Fry, who falls asleep (and is preserved) for a little longer than expected. Fry wakes up 1000 years in the future, and he is eventually taken in by a very very very distant relative.

What Makes It Great

All you have to do is take a look at how long Futurama has been running to understand its appeal to the masses. Futurama never sacrifices its consistency for the sake of shaking things up. The show manages to be entirely unique with every new season, keeping audiences interested and invested. The animation style is incredibly innovative, and the show itself is designed to give audiences a good laugh.

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5 Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

2004's sci-fi show Battlestar Galactica is one to watch. The show follows what remains of the human race as they try to survive on a group of planets called the Twelve Colonies of Kobol against the Cylons. The Galactica and its crew escape a surprise attack from the Cylons and find themselves on a mission to make it to a distant and almost mythical planet known as Earth.

What Makes It Great

Although 1978's Battlestar Galactica came first, this brilliant 2004 reboot managed to do even more, and even better, than the original. Employing a darker undertone, the show's plot draws audiences in, creating a world that they are immediately invested in. With some really intense action sequences and fantastic casting, Battlestar Galactica is a TV show set in space that is sure to impress any and all sci-fi fans.

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4 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

We are going to circle back around to the Star Trek franchise once again because, of course, we have to include Star Trek: Deep Space Nine! Starting in 1993, the sci-fi show ran for an entire seven seasons and is easily one of the best projects to come from the Star Trek franchise. This show is a spinoff of Star Trek: The Next Generation and, in this show, Commander Benjamin Sisko is the head of a space station off the planet Bajor. In this show, the crew is expected to defend Deep Space Nine from incoming alien enemies.

What Makes It Great

One of the best parts about this space series is the way character development was taken to a whole new level. Deep Space Nine created a world where audiences not only cared about the overarching plot and riveting action sequences, but also where the characters and their personal stories would go as the show progressed. Storylines are creative and with an entire seven seasons to watch, this one won't disappoint.

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3 Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Capping of Star Trek on this list is the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation. As probably the most beloved series in the franchise among critics and audiences, The Next Generation takes place in the 24th Century and follows a new crew, lead by Captain Jean-Luc Picard instead of Captain Kirk, aboard the USS Enterprise-D as they face a mission into uncharted territories across galaxies.

What Makes It Great

Star Trek: The Next Generation is everything that people love about Star Trek to begin with, with a rewatchability factor that is unmatched. This is the Star Trek show that is bound to evoke a sense of nostalgia that will get you to fall in love with the franchise over and over again. The characters are created in a way to have to get attached to their stories and character quality is needed for a show that defines an entire franchise.

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2 The Mandalorian (2019-Present)

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Hopping over to the arguably more popular space franchise, we are going to delve into The Mandalorian. The Star Wars franchise has defined TV and movie-making for years. The Mandalorian, starring Pedro Pascal, follows the titular bounty hunter in the wake of the fall of the Galactic Empire as he travels through an unpredictable galaxy. Although Disney Star Wars projects have received some criticism from fans, this one is an exception in every regard.

What Makes It Great

The Mandalorian is a masterpiece. From the unbelievable storytelling and cinematography to the excitement of the expanding Star Wars universe, The Mandaloriain takes the galaxy far, far away to new heights. This live-action series manages to capture our attention with an intimate story of one integral character in the Star Wars franchise, a stunning change of pace to the plethora of characters you typically need to keep track of in the film series. With three seasons in the books, make sure you're strapped in for season 4 of The Mandalorian.

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1 The Expanse (2015-2022)

If you are a fan of science fiction and just want to escape to a world built in space, 2015's The Expanse is where you should be. The show takes place hundreds of years into the future, in a world where humankind has colonized space. However, trouble arises with the independent Mars, as it and Earth see themselves on the brink of war. Under all of this, there is an overarching plot surrounding a mystery and conspiracy that could unravel everyone's reality as they know it.

What Makes It Great

One word: epic. The Expanse just feels greater and grander than other TV shows set in space. With its ability to accurately portray unique technologies and concepts, using the support of modern-day special effects, The Expanse builds a world that captures exactly what our wildest sci-fi dreams could think of. The characters and storylines are dynamic, the action is thrilling, and if you are looking for something that has classic science fiction elements as well as drama, The Expanse is all that and more.

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