In VisionQuest, White Vision—distinct from any political connotation and functioning strictly as a recreated iteration of the Vision who perished two Avengers films prior—finds himself navigating a surreal existence. He resides within the confines of his own mind on a meticulously constructed fantasy country estate, all while running from bounty hunters and searching for his semi-fictional son. This thematic intersection of artificial persons, existential inquiry, and elaborate constructed realities opens the door to a broader exploration of television science fiction. For viewers looking to dive deeper into these concepts, here are 10 science fiction shows that examine artificial beings, simulated environments, and the blurred lines of human identity.
Humans (2015 – 2018)
Set in a near-future world where highly advanced artificial beings known as "synths" have become commonplace, Humans explores the societal friction of cheap, disposable labor. These synths handle the day-to-day work that regular humans would rather avoid, despite harboring burgeoning signs of genuine humanity. The narrative kicks off in the first season with the Hawkins family purchasing a heavily discounted domestic servant synth named Anita, portrayed by Gemma Chan.
Mom Laura immediately feels uneasy about the domestic arrangement, a tension that escalates when she discovers her husband engaged with Anita, who possesses a deeply complicated backstory of her own. Humans cleverly interrogates the relentless ways human societies find justifications to dehumanize others, establishing the exact kind of sharp social commentary that science fiction does best. Viewers can stream Humans across multiple platforms, including Peacock, Prime Video, and Tubi.
Murderbot (2025 – )
Among the standout recent additions to television science fiction is Murderbot, a dark comedy adapted from Martha Wells’ Hugo Award-winning book series. Alexander Skarsgård stars as the title character, a hilariously deadpan robot and private security construct that has successfully hacked its own governing programming to achieve free will. Rather than plotting global domination, Murderbot’s primary ambition is to use its newfound autonomy to quietly binge its favorite media streams.
While it cannot simply abandon its post without drawing unwanted scrutiny, the self-named Murderbot is content doing the bare minimum when assigned to protect a group of naive, idealistic researchers. These scientists initially see little need for a hardened security robot—at least until they become inextricably tangled in a sprawling capitalist conspiracy where every single one of them is treated as an expendable cog. Murderbot is available to stream on Apple TV.
Demascus (2025)
Created by playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, known for Hooded: Or Being Black for Dummies, Demascus features Okieriete Onaodowan as the title character. Set in an alternate present, Demascus is turning 33 and entering therapy for the very first time. During his sessions, he is offered the opportunity to utilize Digital Immersive Reality Therapy, known as DIRT. This technological tool allows him to visit and observe alternate versions of his own life, provided he strictly avoids interfering with them.
Naturally, he breaks the rules, yielding results that alternate between deeply poignant and genuinely humorous. The series represents an imaginative exploration of a human navigating a complex psychological landscape entirely within his own head. Demascus can be streamed on Tubi.
Alice in Borderland (2020 – )
For audiences seeking a much more perilous and high-stakes vision of a virtual world, Alice in Borderland offers a gripping alternative. The story follows Arisu, a young man obsessed with video games who gets his wish in the most dangerous way possible. Alongside a few friends, he is suddenly transported to an alternate, eerily abandoned version of Tokyo, referred to as the Borderland and brought to life through intricate set design and green screen work.
Upon arrival, the group is directed to an arena and forced to participate in a series of deadly games, whether they want to play or not. The initial competition is a locked-room puzzle where failure results in the entire room going up in flames—presenting a scenario akin to Ready Player One, but with fatal consequences. While the games run nightly and survivors are occasionally granted time off, the elaborate and sadistic rules govern every waking moment. Alice in Borderland is streaming on Netflix.
Legion (2017 – 2019)
Although technically situated within the broader lineage of X-Men spinoffs, Noah Hawley’s phantasmagoric series Legion stands completely on its own artistic merits. The show takes place largely inside the fractured psyche of David Haller, portrayed by Dan Stevens, a troubled man diagnosed with schizophrenia who also wields immense, uncontrollable psychic abilities.
While confined to a psychiatric hospital, David encounters the free-spirited Lenny, played by Aubrey Plaza, and Syd, portrayed by Rachel Keller, a patient who involuntarily swaps bodies with anyone she touches. Moving fluidly through trippy astral planes and deeply damaged mental states, David gradually realizes that his psychiatric diagnoses may not tell the whole story, and that he might not be the hero he thought he was as he battles the authorities and a parasitic entity haunting his mind since childhood. Legion is available to stream on Hulu.
Mrs. Davis (2023)
Mrs. Davis is an ambitious science fiction action comedy centered on a nun who is metaphorically married to Jesus, embarking on a quest to save humanity from a powerful artificial intelligence by locating the Holy Grail alongside her ex-boyfriend. Despite juggling an enormous number of eccentric narrative threads, the series earns considerable praise for its sheer ambition.
Betty Gilpin anchors the chaotic world as Sister Simone, playing her role with total sincerity amidst over-the-top surroundings. It stands out as a rare television project completely unafraid to take massive creative risks. Although it concluded after a single season, the series wraps up with a satisfying narrative resolution, functioning well as a self-contained story akin to Damon Lindelof’s HBO series Watchmen. Mrs. Davis is available to stream on Peacock.
Upload (2020 – 2025)
Combining comedy and drama within a futuristic science fiction setting, Upload stars Robbie Amell as Nathan Brown, a young computer programmer who meets an untimely demise. Set in the year 2033, the story explores a society where humans can have their consciousness uploaded into virtual post-mortem resorts. Nathan’s digital afterlife is chosen for him by his wealthy and controlling girlfriend, landing him in the stifling digital resort known as Lakeview.
His existence is heavily monitored and dictated by his surviving partner until he forms a meaningful connection with Nora, his living customer service representative portrayed by Andy Allo. Upload is available for streaming on Prime Video and Hulu.
Person of Interest (2011 – 2016)
Person of Interest adopts a premise similar to Minority Report, substituting precognitive humans with an all-seeing artificial intelligence. Michael Emerson stars as Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire who develops a sophisticated system known simply as "The Machine." By collating vast amounts of global data, the system predicts terrorist acts and identifies potential perpetrators before crimes occur.
While the series initially functions on the surface as a traditional network procedural, it is guided by creators who inject sharp inquiries into privacy, surveillance, and free will. Much like VisionQuest, the series examines a world where crime-fighting artificial intelligence can be utilized for complex societal protection, contrasting sharply with real-world debates over algorithmic surveillance. Person of Interest can be streamed on Prime Video and Peacock.
Westworld (2016 – 2022)
Set primarily within a high-tech, near-future amusement park catering to the ultra-wealthy, Westworld charts the gradual awakening of lifelike androids designed to serve guests without consequence. As these synthetic beings begin to realize the reality of their disposable existence, the series expands into a broader meditation on power, autonomy, and the ethics of artificial consciousness. While the show experienced narrative shifts and a eventual cancellation, its acclaimed first season remains a landmark achievement in television science fiction. Westworld is available for purchase on Prime Video.
WandaVision (2021)
For viewers exploring the roots of VisionQuest, WandaVision serves as an essential and innovative entry point into the Marvel Cinematic Union. Focusing on a grieving witch who retreats into suburban sitcom fantasies alongside a revived iteration of the Vision, the series represents a surreal, emotionally resonant swing into television storytelling that rewards viewers willing to embrace its unconventional format. WandaVision is available to stream on Disney+.
