10 Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shows From 2022

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s the incredible quantity of high-quality genre shows 2022 has gifted us. This is the golden age for sci-fi and fantasy, and as a big ol’ nerd, I couldn’t be happier.

The year has bestowed us everything from high fantasy series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to more intimate science fiction offerings like Resident Alien. There’s no doubt 2022 sated our appetites for intricate worlds that can only exist in our imaginations. Below, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite sci-fi and fantasy shows from this year. As always, spoilers abound, so proceed with caution.

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Andor

The Star Wars™ universe underwent a much-needed revitalization this year with Andor™. It’s unlike anything the franchise has produced before. Its versatility lies in its ability to stand independently without the Star Wars brand. One could argue (and that “one” is me) that it appeals to a broader audience because it doesn’t rely on the Skywalker™ name or any legacy characters we know, save Cassian Andor™.

Part-spy thriller, part-slow burn drama, Andor peels back the layers of the Empire and Rebellion in equal measure. Seldom do we get to see the inner workings of the imperial bureaucracy. It’s nice to have a balanced focus (much like a balanced Force) on both sides for once. Plus, Andor doesn’t shy away from darker and more adult themes, such as the prison industrial complex and the class system. Diego Luna is the driving force, delivering a nuanced, tense performance.

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The Expanse

Listen, I’m aware that only two episodes of The Expanse aired in 2022. However, I’d still categorize this show as the best modern entry in the science fiction universe. The series finale is, hands down, one of the most satisfying finales I’ve watched in a long time. It’s the perfect conclusion to this chapter of The Expanse saga (there’s a 30-year jump after this portion in the books).

“Babylon’s Ashes” has everything: a fast-paced narrative, breathtaking visuals, an epic space battle, gripping performances, and compelling characters. The women save the day, as they should. Bobbie Draper, Camina Drummer, Naomi Nagata, Chrisjen Avasarala, and Clarissa Mao are some of the most developed and beautifully complex female characters in science fiction.

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House of the Dragon

After Game of Thrones’ hotly contested series finale, did anyone think they’d become obsessed with a spin-off set in the same universe? If there’s one thing that united us this year, it was our collective dissection and theorizing of House of the Dragon. Those damn dragons, y’all. This peek behind the Targaryen curtain feels more intimate and focused than its predecessor because it depicts the events leading to the Dance of the Dragons.

You can also tell there are more women behind the scenes. Most of the sex scenes (keyword there is most) are showcased through a feminine lens. While not all the women on the show have absolute autonomy, I hope that’ll change now that we’re in Dance territory. Anyway, every actor brings their A-game, with Paddy Considine outshining them all in episode eight as King Viserys bade farewell to the Land of the Living. Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, and Milly Alcock are also acting standouts.

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Resident Alien

It’s about damn time Alan Tudyk gets the respect he deserves as a top-tier comedic performer. Syfy’s Resident Alien is an unbelievably endearing sci-fi comedy with oodles and oodles of heart. Tudyk’s Harry Vanderspiegle is more than a wacky alien with nary a clue about human customs – he organically evolves over two seasons. Harry slowly but surely embraces his vulnerabilities and what it means to be human.

The supporting cast consists of nuanced and well-developed characters that don’t exist to prop up Harry but can stand on their own to contribute to the larger narrative. The residents of Patience feel like family. Plus, that season 2 cliffhanger makes the wait for season 3 arduous. I need to know what happens next.

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Interview with the Vampire

Who doesn’t love sexy vampires? The Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise-led Interview with the Vampire from 1994 is a cult classic, so, naturally, AMC developed a series based on the beloved Anne Rice novel. Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid star as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt, respectively, and both performers give their all in these performances.

Anderson injects Louis with beautiful complexity and intensity, while Reid is all swagger and ruthlessness as Lestat. They’re perfect in these roles. Bailey Bass also makes for an exceptional Claudia. Book purists need to take a few breaths and enjoy this show for what it is. Compartmentalization is your friend. If you want a steamy, bloody, fangy (I’m adding this one to the dictionary) good time with high-stakes drama, you’ve got it right here with Interview with the Vampire.

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Reginald the Vampire

Ned from the MCU Spider-Man trilogy finally (and deservedly) headlines his own project. Jacob Batalon is Reginald Andres, a sweet 20-something who simply wants a better life. He carries a torch for Sarah, his coworker at the Slushy Shack, and his feelings are reciprocated. But his life changes forever when one man turns him into a vampire.

Reginald spends season 1 of Reginald the Vampire navigating the elite and bigoted vampire community, fighting for a foothold in said community. The series is bursting at the seams with heart and endearing humanity while delivering its brand of cheeky comedy. It’s a character-driven piece, which is a rarity in genre offerings. Reginald the Vampire encourages us to embrace our weirdness and draws attention to body image while effectively taking a stance against fatphobia. Here’s hoping it returns for a second season.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Boy, did the trolls really crawl out of the woodwork for this one. While so-called Tolkien purists decried The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power for its inaccuracies (let’s face the facts: it’s a coverup for racism), giving representation to marginalized communities who are otherwise underrepresented in the fantasy realm is a good thing. Everyone is welcome here. It opens the doors for more diverse stories even outside this world.

Amazon Studios funneled almost one billion dollars into Rings of Power, and it shows. It’s aesthetically pleasing on all levels, from the gorgeously intricate, sprawling Middle-earth landmarks to the costumes, makeup, and special effects. You’re dazzled by the immersive sights alone. The writers aren’t afraid to slow things down and stay with the characters. They bless us with full-fledged, fleshed-out people. The performances are fantastic, too, with star-making turns from Ismael Cruz Córdova, Morfydd Clark, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, and more.

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Wednesday

Dum-dum-dum-dum … snap-snap. Admit it; you sang that bit in your head. Is there a franchise with as much longevity as The Addams Family Cinematic Universe (TAFCU)? Everyone’s favorite goth finally got her own series with Netflix’s Wednesday. Jenna Ortega spearheads an eclectic cast of characters as the titular Wednesday Addams. It’s easy to filter her performance through a Christina Ricci lens and make comparisons, but Ortega’s version of this character stands on her own two feet. She injects Wednesday with her unique flair, unexpected depth, and biting dark humor.

If you’re a fan of devastating one-liners, look no further than Wednesday. There’s a murder mystery, teeny-bopper drama, horror movie homages, and Tim Burton’s trademark style. Teenage emo Melody would’ve made Wednesday her whole personality if this aired in the 2000s.

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The Peripheral

The creators of Westworld are back for more time-bending, futuristic madness. Prime Video’s The Peripheral stars Chloë Grace Moretz as Flynne Fisher, a woman in a small Appalachian town who uses advanced VR as escapism. She discovers an intriguing alternate reality after a company enlists her to test a game. As with any trippy sci-fi series, Flynne unearths deeply shocking secrets about herself and the darkness of this dangerous new world.

I’ll say The Peripheral isn’t quite as bewildering as Westworld, so that’s a point in its favor. Moretz doles out a career-best performance, along with brilliant work from Gary Carr, T’Nia Miller, and JJ Feild. This series is a visual feast for the eyes while presenting a staggering world that could easily be our future.

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The Sandman

Neil Gaiman’s lush works are ripe for screen adaptations, from American Gods to Good Omens (which he co-wrote with the late, great Terry Pratchett). This year, we were blessed with The Sandman, a stunning adaptation of Gaiman’s DC Comics creation of the same name. The Netflix series captures the detailed mythology of Gaiman’s world with captivating visuals and enthralling characters. It’s an immersive universe in which you want to stay.

It’s dreamy, and not just because the main character is called Dream/Morpheus. Tom Sturridge’s voice as Dream is soothing (he should consider getting into audiobooks). Boyd Holbrook oozes lethal charisma as The Corinthian. Mason Alexander Park is undeniably sensual as Desire. Vanesu Samunyai infuses Rose Walker with sparkly eyed determination and grit. I’m excited to return to this universe for season 2.

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What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy shows from 2022? Share your thoughts with other fans at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!