Top 10 Shows To watch If You Like Doctor Who
For this list we're looking at all the shows that true Whovians will probably want to check out. We've also decided to omit all the spin off shows, so no “Torchwood” or “The Sarah Jane Adventures,” we're afraid.
#10: “Sherlock”
“Sherlock” comes up a lot ‘round these parts, and there's good reason for that. Today, our reasoning is thus: Cumberbatch’s Holmes is a fine version of Britain’s original eccentric, problem-solver, and Whovians need to check it out. Not least for the incredible mind bending puzzles and seemingly impossible problems, but also for the quirky fashion sense and Holmes’ chemistry with his trusted sidekick Watson, played by Martin Freeman. Additionally, this well-loved universe, reshaped and reimagined, comes from the mind of noted “Doctor Who” alumnus Stephen Moffat.
#9: “Primeval”
Two words: Time-travelling dinosaurs. If that doesn’t grab you, this may not be the list for you, friend. From the minds behind the “Walking with…” documentary series, this is ITV’s response to the resurgence in Doctor Who mania, but it’s no mere wannabe. The show features creatures from the past and the future entering the UK via time anomalies and it’s up to a band of plucky scientists to investigate them – as well as prevent the end of the world. Because we can’t be forgetting about the rest of the world now, can we?
#8: “Misfits”
This brilliant comedy-fantasy-adventure series mixes superhero tropes with angsty teen drama. It also utilises the kind of bad language and depictions of graphic sex that might make the good Doctor blush. It follows the exploits of a gang of teenagers who, whilst doing community service, are hit by a mysterious storm that gives them personality-appropriate superpowers. The quirky gang use their powers to, make the world a better place, right? Of course not: to party and get some sweet, sweet bedroom action, duh! But also sometimes save the world...
#7: “Star Cops”
It might sound schlocky but “Star Cops” is actually more of a police procedural drama with a sci-fi twist. Think “Law and Order” in space. By 2027, interplanetary travel becomes commonplace; and the show follows the International Space Police Force as they try to uphold the laws in the colonies of a newly developing frontier. For example, the “Star Cops” get more for they bargained for when they investigate a disaster with a freighter that leaves a pair of pilots facing certain death, while the cops are also deep in a murder investigation. And you thought the police here on Earth had their hands full.
#6: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
Don’t Panic... This novel had a big cult following since the beginning, even before it hit our telly screens in 1981. As a series, it’s an influential, big, idea-driven, comedy sci-fi and gave us so many beloved characters and catchphrases. There are a lot of adaptations of this story; all are worth checking out, especially the radio show, but if you skip the TV version, you’ll be missing out on some of the best and most imaginative graphics used in the medium. Yes, ever.
#5: “Life on Mars”
If you’ve ever watched Doctor Who and thought “I wish this show had fewer cyber-men and had a more Sweeney-like vibe whilst still retaining the time travel element”, well, that's a very specific wish list. But, good news – this show delivers on it. Utilising the familiar fish out of water setting, present-day detective Sam Tyler, played by John Simm, winds up in a coma and awakens back in the ‘70s. Once there he teams up with the extremely un-P.C P.C: Gene Hunt, played unforgettably by Philip Glenister.
#4: “The Fades”
Lasting only one series, much like another BBC show worth checking out, “The Omega Factor”, “The Fades” combines psychic phenomena with supernatural horror. The story follows Paul Roberts, played by Ian De Caestecker, who has the ability to see ghosts, or ‘Fades’, who missed their opportunity to ascend into to the afterworld. Like all of pop culture’s angriest ghosts, the Fades don’t like this and start experimenting, finding they can start to commandeer human vessels, and that’s not good news . . cue the saving us from the end of the world, then.
#3: “The Quatermass Experiment”
Before the Doctor there was Professor Quatermass. If you’re interested in the history of these shows and the sci-fi horror genre in general, then this might be the one to start with. The story revolves around Professor Bernard Quatermass, played by Reginald Tate, who is awaiting the return of his lost space rocket. The rocket crash lands, containing only one of the three crewmen sent out; aaaaand that’s never a good sign. Then there are kidnappings, mutations and potentially world-ending spores . . . fairly standard plot stuff today but it was revolutionary at the time.
#2: “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”
Douglas Adams’ other great work couples his trademark sense of humour with Holmes-style mystery solving and a quirky buddy pairing. Samuel Bennet’s titular detective and Elijah Wood’s Watson-esque sidekick Todd Brotzman investigate cases in a unique way, based on the interconnectivity of all things, letting fate guide them. To be frank, breaking down this show is difficult; it involves time travel and soul swapping with animals as well as power hungry hippies. Yeah. But trust us, if you like your sci-fi funny and mad, you’ll love it.
#1: "Fringe"
There’s a lot to cover here, but let’s just see if we can break this down for you in the pithiest way: “Doctor Who” meets the “X-Files” . . . made by J.J Abrams. Let that sink in a minute. The show follows members of the Fringe Division, a Homeland Security team full of FBI agents, investigating unexplained and horrific occurrences, all related to a surrounding parallel universe. It's full to the brim with geeky stuff too, like cameos from “Lord of the Rings” actor Brad Dourif and “Robocop’s” Peter Weller. So what are doing still watching this video? Go watch “Fringe” right now!
