With the unexpected cancellation ofResident Alien,fans are scrambling to find their next sci-fi fix. Although the show is beloved among its fanbase, the series’ overall viewership didn’t justify a renewal. Therefore,Resident Alienis being cancelled after four seasons. The final decision is certainly taking the fandom by surprise, butResident Alien’s cast and crew anticipated the series' cancellation"a long time ago."
Starring Alan Tudyk,Resident Alienfollows the main character named Harry, an undercover alien residing on Earth, who finds himself caught up in a local murder mystery. While trying to subtly complete his secret mission of wiping out humanity, he ends up questioning whether humans deserve to be saved after all.
Resident Alien’s cancellation is leaving fans heartbroken that the series will soon come to a close, but there are quite a few series that are not only fellow members of the sci-fi genre but have the same easy-going, light-hearted humor that earnedResident Alienits loyal fanbase.
People of Earth
Cast
People of Earth is a television series following journalist Ozzie Graham as he investigates a support group for alien abductees. Initially skeptical of their claims, Graham gradually uncovers evidence that not only supports their stories but suggests his own possible connection to extraterrestrial encounters.
People of Earthisn’t justsimilar toResident Alien;it could serve as a prequel. Ozzie Graham is a journalist who travels to Beacon, New York, to investigate a group of people who claim to have been abducted by aliens. At first, he doubts the authenticity of these stories he overhears from their support group, known as the “StarCrossed.”
However, things soon take a turn when he realizes he might have experienced something similar in the past. LikeResident Alien,People of Earthis a cheeky sci-fi comedy that involves an alien debating the value of human life,which is why many fans consider it to be a sort of “prequel” to Alan Tudyk’s series.
In addition, there’s a surprising number of casting crossovers, most notably, Michael Cassidy, who plays Ozzie’s secretly reptilian boss, Jonathan Walsh, inPeople of Earth.While the show only ran for two seasons, it is considered the perfect segue to and fromResident Alien.
Miracle Workers
Miracle Workers is a TBS-based television series that began in 2019 and is currently set to see its fourth season in 2023. A Comedy anthology series, each season follows a different story that revolves around the inner-workings of angelic “miracle workers” and God.
Also from TBS,Miracle WorkersprovidesResident Alienfans a unique look into a new form of mystical beings: angels. Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi star as Craig, a low-level angel, and his boss, God, in this anthology series. When God decides to step away from his divine duties, Craig and a recent transfer from the Department of Dirt, Eliza, must step in to save Earth from total destruction.
Miracle Workersis equally parts funny, silly, and downright stupid, making for an easy watch and perfectly binge-worthy show.
As an anthology series,Miracle Workersfeatures the same cast but is based on a new short story each season, keeping things fresh.Miracle Workersis equally parts funny, silly, and downright stupid, making for an easy watch and perfectly binge-worthy show. Not only will audiences have a great time with this series, but it’s clear that the actors themselves had a blast during the production process.
Future Man
Future Man is a science fiction comedy focusing on a gaming janitor named Josh Futturman who teams up with time-traveling heroes trying to stop humanity from becoming extinct. Future Man lasted for three seasons and starred Josh Hutcherson as Josh Futturman alongside Eliza Coupe, Derek Wilson, and Haley Joel Osment.
From executive producer Seth Rogen,Future Manis an absurd comedy series that follows Josh Hutcherson’s character, Josh Futterman, an aimless janitor who just wants to sit at home and play video games. When he finally manages to conquer a supposedly “unbeatable” game,Biotic Wars,the game’s two main characters come to life.
These two characters, named Tiger and Wolf, have come to recruit Josh to help them save the world from a real-life version of theBiotic War.With an entire episode dedicated solely to poking fun at James Cameron,Future Manis simply a blast.The show was canceled after just three seasons, but it still managed to provide its characters with satisfying character arcs and a fantastic series finale.
LikeResident Alien, Future Man’scomedic style is simplistic and often on-the-nose,but downright hilarious. From time-travel to Seth Rogen’s cameo in the final season,Future Manis sure to please.
Good Omens
Based on the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens follows an angel and demon as they attempt to defy the forces of Heaven and Hell to avert the apocalypse. With Pratchett and Gaiman’s funny and irreverent style shining through, Good Omens stars Michael Sheen and David Tennant as Aziraphale and Crowley, with a larger cast that includes John Hamm, Francis McDormand, and Michael McKean.
LikeMiracle Workers, Good Omensexplores the relationships between Earth, Heaven, and Hell. The BBC/Amazon MGM Studios series, inspired by the book series of the same name, follows thefallen angel Crowley(David Tennant) and angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), who reside on Earth together as good friends.
Good Omensis a unique iteration of the “angels and demons” trope.
Deciding to put their apparent differences aside, the two lead a relatively pleasant existence, but all will soon come crashing down when they learn that Armageddon, along with the coming of the Anti-Christ, is just around the corner. Known for its brilliant character design and quick-witted humor,
While not necessarily considered part of the sci-fi genre,the fantasy elements and prominent comedic themes are guaranteed to draw in fans of theResident Alienseries,thanks to the series’ writers and exceptionally talented cast, led by Tennant and Sheen.
6Nobody’s Looking
This Brazilian Fantasy Comedy Deserves Much More Recognition
The Brazilian fantasy comedy,Nobody’s Looking,is truly a hidden gem. With only 1 season and eight episodes,whatNobody’s Lookinglacks in length, it makes up for in stellar acting and a lovable comedic style.Ulisses, the first angel to join the Angelus System in 300 years, quickly becomes disinterested in his black-and-white job. Uli sets out to push the boundaries of good and evil, much to the dismay of his supervisors.
Nobody’s Looking,while produced in Brazil, also has a multitude of dubbed versions available, all of which have highly talented actors, a rarity in dubbed TV shows. This story is heart-warming, beautifully written, but most of all, hilarious.
While lesser-known TV shows rarely get the attention they deserve,Nobody’s Lookinghas amassed a fandom that not only adores the few episodes they uncoveredbut is hoping that the series is eventually picked up by an even larger studio and brought back to life.
Ghosts
Ghosts (2019) follows a financially struggling young couple who inherit a dilapidated country house, only to discover it is inhabited by the spirits of its former residents.
Based on the UK version of the same name,Ghostson CBS is an American sitcom starring a young couple, Jay and Samantha, who have just inherited their dream house: Woodstone Manor. Things take a turn after Sam has a near-death experience, which now allows her to see the ghosts that haunt their brand-new home.
Perhaps the most intriguing part ofGhostsis its unseriousness, like the inconsistency of ghosts being able to drift through walls but not through floors, the ghosts sleeping but not knowing why, and, of course, the general shenanigans they find themselves in.
Unlike some of CBS’s other shows,Ghostsis wholesome, light-hearted, and overall just a good time.However, for fans ofResident Alienwho like a little sci-fi in their shows,Ghostsdoes a great job of incorporating mythology when needed.
Eureka
In the fictional town of Eureka, Oregon, sheriff Jack Carter is an ordinary guy in a town full of geniuses. Whenever there’s a technological accident or a science experiment gone wrong, Sheriff Carter and the town’s scientists step in to solve the mystery and save the day.
Syfy’s forgotten TV series,Eureka!,is another hidden gem just waiting forResident Alienfans to find. Back in 2006,Eureka!ran for five seasons and was centered on a small town of the same name, which is inhabited by a group of brilliant research scientists. When something goes horribly wrong at their advanced research facility, Global Dynamics, Sheriff Jack Carter steps in to help.
Eureka!has unfortunately become a long-forgotten series, but it is also one of the few shows that improved itself as time went on. Many fans have pointed out that the show reinvents its style in later seasons, and for the better, encouraging viewers to stick around through the first episodes.
LikeResident Alien,Eureka!is another nonsensical sci-fi and total boredom killer,and came out around the same time that many consider to be the golden age of sci-fi.
iZombie
After being turned into a zombie, medical resident Liv must periodically feast on human brains to keep the appearance of being human and takes a job at a morgue to sate her hunger. When she discovers that eating a corpse’s brain gives her temporary access to their skills, traits, and memories, Liv decides to use her talent to help solve murders.
iZombieisn’t your average sci-fi series; it’s actually based on a DC comic of the same name, but that doesn’t mean it’s just another superhero series either. While attending a boat party in Seattle, Olivia “Liv” Moore is turned into a brain-eating zombie, or rather, she could if she doesn’t satisfy her need for humans every once in a while.
iZombiesteers clear of the scaryWalking Dead-type zombies and provides fans a much more humorous look into the horror genre.
For fans ofResident Alienwho are hesitant to trade their light-hearted sitcom-style comedy for a superhero show,iZombiemanages to cut ties with its DC-style predecessors.In addition to her zombie side, the brains Liv eats allow her to view her victims’ memories, which she uses to help solve crimes.
A comedy-drama that teeters on the slasher side,iZombiesteers clear of the scaryWalking Dead-type zombies and provides fans with a much more humorous look into the horror genre.
What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadows, released in 2019, is a mockumentary series exploring the nightly lives of a group of centuries-old vampires residing in Staten Island. The comedic show delves into their interactions with each other and the modern world, providing a humorous take on the vampire genre.
FX’sWhat We Do in the Shadowsis by no means underrated, and for good reason. With an exceptionally talented cast and self-aware silliness, it’s no wonder that this series has such a massive fanbase.What We Do in the Shadowstells the story of four vampires who live together on Staten Island, along with Nandor’s bodyguard and former familiar, Guillermo.
As the four vampires go about their business, often getting into trouble with other vampires and an assortment of mystical beings, Guillermo attempts to win back the trust of Nandor so he, too, might become a vampire as well. A classic fish-out-of-water story,What We Do in the Shadowscertainly has its flaws, such as minor inconsistencies with its worldbuilding rules.
However, the argument can be made that this is simply part of the show’s charm; its blatant unseriousness and humor set the series apart from other vampire-centered stories. Take humor comparable with that ofThe Office andcombine it with the mythology of a traditional fantasy series, and you’ve gotWhat We Do in the Shadows.
Brain Dead
Brain Dead is a horror film released in 2007, focusing on a small fishing town besieged by parasitic zombies after a mysterious crater crash. As chaos ensues, six strangers find themselves hiding in an abandoned fishing lodge, striving for survival against the relentless threat outside.
Brain Deadis a hilariously daringtake on the political events occurring in America around the series' initial release. While it only lasted for one season, fans were left disappointed, believing that it could have expanded much further, possibly even becoming an anthology in the future.
When documentary filmmaker Laurel Healy decides to take a job working for her brother, Democratic Senator Luke Healy, she soon discovers that alien bugs have taken over the brains of several people in power. Originally,Brain Deadwas planned for a four-season arc, with the brain-eating bugs eventually infiltrating Hollywood, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley.
However, the story itself wraps up quite nicely, even as a standalone miniseries. Not only is the content of the story humorously and unapologetically relevant given the prominence of political topics in today’s world, but the humor is just as outlandish asResident Alien,making it the perfect series to fill the void.
