15 Sci-fi TV Shows That Ended Too Soon

3. The Outer Limits

Firefly Nathan Fillion
ABC

The Beginning:

The Outer Limits took the Twilight Zone's showcase format and switched the gaze from all things lurking in the beyond, to a pure sci-fi experience like no other.

Created by self-confessed 'hack' Leslie Stevens (he was so much more than that, be assured) the show aired from 1963 to 1965, spawning famous episodes such as The Chameleon (penned by Oscar-winner in waiting, Robert Towne) and Soldier, which is notable for writer Harlen Ellison dragging James Cameron into court over, claiming The Terminator plagerised this his story treatment.

In its hey day this was prime time viewing that introduced legions of viewers to the endless possibilities of science fiction.

The End:

After its cancellation, the show's legacy ripened like an old cheddar, with the likes of Star Trek The Original Series taking a few nods from the series and even horror maestro Stephen King seeking inspiration from it.

Its popularity was enduring enough to spawn a relaunch in 1995, which was well-received and (whisper it) arguably as good as the original series.

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Shaun is a former contributor for a number of Future Publishing titles and more recently worked as a staffer at Imagine Publishing. He can now be found banking in the daytime and writing a variety of articles for What Culture, namely around his favourite topics of film, retro gaming, music, TV and, when he's feeling clever, literature.