More Pieces Of Debris
Debris is the latest slice of sci-fi that features different agents from governments investigating strange phenomena. As a network TV show, there’s plenty of episodic cases and melodrama. If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Debris
Fringe
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Government Conspiracy
Fringe feels like a modern day X-Files, taking what made that show so great and adding a scientific edge to proceedings. The later seasons are absolutely fantastic and add some really shocking twists to the fold too, breathing new life into this show. Fronting these various cases is F.B.I. agent called Olivia Dunham, who’s forced to work with an institutionalized scientist named Walter Bishop. Together with Walter’s estranged son Peter, they start to uncover various strange phenomena. These episodic cases are mixed in with a larger conspiracy that engulfs the series. Fringe expertly blends these two narrative arcs together and tops it off with an excellent dynamic between the characters, growing and evolving over time to produce a really gripping sci-fi series. You can read our thoughts on Fringe in our full season review here!
The X-Files
Similarities – Unexplained Phenomena
Arguably one of the most culturally significant shows of the 20th Century, The X-Files is undoubtedly one of the most engrossing, well written mysteries on the small screen. For those unaware, the story revolves around two FBI agents – one a sceptic and the other a believer. Mulder is desperate to uncover the truth after his sister was abducted by aliens when he was a child. Scully meanwhile, is sent to debunk his work by the higher authorities. This dynamic slowly grows over time to see the pair chasing the truth. Interwoven around Mulder’s sister being abducted are numerous stand-alone slices of horror and hidden gems, making this an easy show to recommend. You can read our thoughts on The X-Files in our full season reviews here!
Travelers
Similarities – Characters & Themes
At first glance you’d be forgiven for writing off Travelers as another generic sci-fi show. After all, a collection of people coming together to try to stop the world from total annihilation is hardly the most original of ideas. Where Travelers stands out though, is the unique way it manages to weave its unique premise through a well written plot and believable, complex characters. The story takes place 100’s of years from now, as surviving humans discover how to send their consciousness back through time into people of the 21st century. Desperate to change the fateful path of humanity, Travelers combines mystery, action and tension to great effect. The show does well to conclude its three season run too with an epic finale that does just about enough to conclude this tale on a high. However, it also leaves the door open for a possible reboot further down the line. You can read our thoughts on Travelers in our full season review here!
The OA
Similarities – Mystery
Speaking of cancellations, The OA’s chop caused quite the stir online. That alone should tell you all you need to know about the power and quality surrounding this utterly bizarre Netflix Original. The OA is undeniably weird and its mystery does so well to keep you glued to find out what happens next. The main story revolves around a missing blind girl called Prairie returning home. Now in her twenties, she suddenly has her sight restored and no one seems to know why. From here, the show grows and piles on more mystery, delivering two seasons of utterly compelling TV. Unfortunately, the final episode of season 2 does end on a cliffhanger which could make or break the experience for you. However, in terms of atmosphere and riveting mystery, The OA absolutely nails it. You can read our thoughts on The OA in our full season reviews here!
Project Blue Book
Similarities – Mystery
When it comes to chasing the truth, Project Blue Book skips out on the paranormal to chase flying saucers instead. This conspiratorial sci-fi thriller is set some time after WWII and is loosely based on the US government’s real life Project Blue Book. The characters we follow are Captain Michael Quinn and Dr. Allen Hynek who are tasked by the US Air Force to investigate reports of UFOs and debunk them – or at least come up with rational explanations for them. It’s your classic two-person investigative drama but there’s some good episodes in here that are well worth watching across the 2 season run.
Orphan Black
Similarities – Mystery & Tone
Smartly written and incredibly moreish, Orphan Black is a fascinating mystery box. The story here centers on a street-wise chameleon known as Sarah. After witnessing a woman’s suicide, she assumes the stranger’s identity – who just so happens to look identical to her. Believing she can make some easy money and clear out the girl’s savings, Sarah is thrust head-first into a crazy mystery as she discovers the truth. With an assassin on the loose, seemingly hunting her down, this cat and mouse mystery opens up in the best possible way. Across the five seasons there’s some great drama and lots of action. This one’s a must-watch.
Dark Matter
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Mystery
Syfy’s 3 season mystery hit was abruptly cancelled back in 2017 – because of course it was! It’s a real shame too because this sci-fi series does a wonderful job with its mystery and characters. There’s a constant sense of dread clinging to this one and plenty of twists and turns along the way. It’s best to go into this one blind but do be aware, the show does end without a clear resolution at the end of season 3. Despite that though, the ride there is undeniably entertaining. For that alone, this is a show that’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a similar mystery box.
The Tunnel
Similarities – Governments Working Together
Much like Debris, The Tunnel revolves around two different government organizations working together. Instead of alien tech though, The Tunnel plays out as a murder mystery. Where this show excels the most is with its characters and opposing organizations. The story here wastes little time getting to the crux of the issue. A French politician is found dead, lying directly on the border line between the UK and France. With both countries divided over who should take on this investigation, it falls to British man Karl Roebuck and French woman Elise Wassermann to team up and investigate. While the later episodes do move a lot closer to thriller territory, there’s actually a lot to like with this one.
Stargate SG-1
Similarities – Space & Episodic Adventures
Stargate SG-1 is sci-fi at its absolute best. With an episodic approach, some classic, charismatic characters and lots of exciting action, SG-1 is quite simple sublime. For those unaware, SG-1 takes place a year after the events of the feature film, Stargate. Someone reactivates the mysterious portal called Stargate, which happens to open various portals that lead to different alien worlds across the universe. At the center of this conflict lies General Hammond, who brings Colonel Jack O’Neill out of retirement to lead an expedition into the unknown. What begins as a one-off mission soon turns to a “well, one more time won’t hurt,” as the team embark on episodic adventures. There is a long-running story here too, with the character arcs growing and evolving over time.
Flashforward
Similarities – Mystery & Tension
Flashforward was an unfortunate casualty of the Network TV cancellation Russian Roulette. In a post-LOST era, every TV show jumped on the mystery box bandwagon with varying degrees of success. Flashforward – despite its similarities to LOST’s opening – quickly stepped beyond that to deliver an addictive slice of sci-fi. The main premise here sees the entire world’s population black out for approximately 2 minutes and 17 seconds. The effect of this leads the entire world to catch a glimpse of life six months in the future. With the world changed forever, an elite FBI task force is formed to investigate just what happened – and why. As the episode progress, more of this mystery starts to unravel. Along the way, there are lots of big cliffhangers and shocking twists. It’s just too bad ABC killed this one after a single season. Despite its agonizing cliffhanger ending, this one’s still worth a watch. So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished watching Debris on NBC. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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