Anna Maxwell Martin delivers a standout performance as Raskova in ‘Star City’
Image Credit: Apple TV
In the realm of sci-fi television during the first half of 2026, the landscape presents a mixed bag of offerings. While some series shine brightly, others struggle to make a lasting impression. A standout among them is Star City, a gripping alternate-history thriller that delves into the Soviet space program, featuring characters evading KGB interrogators and navigating harrowing space perils.
Other shows this season offered great moments but came with their own challenges. Take, for instance, Fallout, which faced an uneven start in the new year after three episodes. Set against the backdrop of a nuclear nightmare, the series follows privileged individuals seeking refuge in underground “vaults” as others struggle to survive the harsh conditions above ground.
Fans are thrilled to see the heroes return in Fallout Season 1! From the vault dweller Lucy to the mechanic-enhanced soldier Max, and the irradiated gunslinger known as the Ghoul, drama unfolds. Max grapples with his allegiances to the Brotherhood of Steel while Lucy, despite her past experiences in Season 1, ends up wasting her time with dynamics that don’t seem to evolve.
The Ghoul, however, is a bright spot in Fallout Season 2, showcasing impressive character depth and charisma. His backstory is rich, with hints of Westerns woven into his life narrative, making his character unforgettable as he navigates pre-nuclear disaster intrigues.
Another series, Paradise, had the monumental task of living up to its acclaimed first season, where significant twists shook the foundations of power and governance post-civilization collapse. Despite this, its second season manages to explore new elements, including a subplot surrounding a long-lost wife and the tensions of surviving in a dystopian world.
“
In Star City, real-life rocket engineer Sergei Korolev survives, enabling the Soviet Union to eclipse the United States in the moon landing.
“
Overall, Paradise yields mixed results, adding a ghoul character and a complex villain-turned-Secret Service agent storyline that may feel cheesy but keeps viewers engaged. It creatively uses various sci-fi tropes better than many current series.
For All Mankind presents a fascinating alternate reality where the US and USSR are in a fierce race to colonize space. Despite being set in 2012, the show imagines characters who live on Mars and attempt to access Titan to uncover extraterrestrial life.
The narrative centers on the Baldwin family, primarily Ed, a disgruntled Apollo-era astronaut, navigating the complexities of life on Mars. However, the new season disappointingly skims over the pivotal conflict between Mars and Earth, which many had anticipated.
Fortunately, For All Mankind expands its universe through a spin-off from Star City. The divergence in timelines begins with Sergei Korolev’s survival, allowing a different trajectory for the Soviet space program. This spin-off features Anastasia Belikova, the first female cosmonaut on the moon, as she grapples with political tension from the KGB surrounding her fellow cosmonauts, particularly with the chilling performance by Anna Maxwell Martin.
For anyone seeking a compelling sci-fi series to watch in 2026, For All Mankind comes highly recommended.
Topics:
- Science Fiction/
- Television Series
Source: www.newscientist.com
