Doctor Who Star’s 7-Part Sci-Fi Series Is One Of The Best Space Operas Of The Century

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One actor, known for playing a Doctor in Doctor Who, also starred in another fantastic seven-episode space opera considered by many to be a classic. While Doctor Who itself is often called the greatest sci-fi show ever – and with good reason – its changing lead actors have allowed it to grow beyond simple science fiction, incorporating elements of many different genres and styles.

Though it’s a long series and might not be one you binge-watch repeatedly, Doctor Who remains a hugely recognizable sci-fi show. However, its popularity has declined recently. This, combined with the rise of streaming, has created a lot of opportunities for new and exciting science fiction television.

There’s a lot to look forward to for science fiction fans, and 2026 promises even more new shows, especially from major franchises. While some will be realistic and thought-provoking like Severance, others – particularly those based on Star Wars and DC comics – will be grand, epic space adventures.

Looking back at classic sci-fi, shows like Doctor Who are now considered some of the best space operas ever made for television. Interestingly, one notable show even featured a well-known actor from Doctor Who, and despite a slow beginning, it eventually became a truly memorable space opera.

Legends Of Tomorrow Is An Excellent DC Space Opera

I’m a big fan of Legends of Tomorrow! It’s a DC show about this ragtag team of, well, let’s just say they aren’t your typical heroes. They’re more like former criminals and antiheroes, and they travel through time fixing things – or trying to! The guy who brought them all together in the first place was Rip Hunter, played by Arthur Darvill, and he’s awesome.

Arthur Darvill played Rory Williams, a companion to the Doctor, for three seasons on Doctor Who. Luckily for fans of his work, he brought some of that sci-fi feel to his role in Legends of Tomorrow. While other shows in the Arrowverse focus on grounded, superhero stories, Legends of Tomorrow leans into the more fantastical side of the DC Universe, becoming a true space opera.

The show didn’t immediately win over audiences, but it eventually evolved into a strong space opera and became one of the best in the genre over its seven seasons. Both fans and critics grew to love it, a significant change from its initial debut.

Legends of Tomorrow Season Rotten Tomatoes Critic Rating
Season 1 65%
Season 2 88%
Season 3 88%
Season 4 98%
Season 5 100%
Season 6 100%
Season 7 100%

Unlike other shows in the Arrowverse like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow wasn’t afraid to experiment with different styles and ended up becoming its own unique type of show. While those other series might have had stronger individual seasons, Legends of Tomorrow was known for being consistently good throughout its run.

Legends Of Tomorrow Started As One Show & Ended As Another

At first, Legends of Tomorrow felt much like Arrow and The Flash. All three shows started with a similar style – a blend of superhero action and dramatic personal stories, typical of The CW. Legends of Tomorrow followed this pattern, but it stood out with its heavier use of time travel, something Arrow and The Flash didn’t explore as much.

When Legends of Tomorrow first started, it honestly felt a lot like Arrow just… with time travel added in. It had that same serious vibe, and it relied heavily on characters and connections from Arrow. It didn’t really use the time travel aspect in a way that felt exciting or unique. But I was so thrilled to see how much it changed! It eventually found its own voice, embracing the playful possibilities of time travel and making it the heart of the show. It really became something special.

Over time, Legends of Tomorrow cleverly used common time travel ideas – like repeating time loops, encounters with dinosaurs, and even mind control – and playfully referenced other shows. It also explored alternate versions of its characters and the wider Arrowverse. What began as a fairly standard, serious superhero series transformed into a lighthearted, funny, and ultimately more enjoyable space opera.

Legends Of Tomorrow Carried The Doctor Who Torch

After switching its focus, Legends of Tomorrow briefly kept the spirit of Doctor Who alive. Arthur Darvill joining the cast as Rip Hunter contributed to this, but it also coincided with a dip in Doctor Who‘s popularity during the mid to late 2010s. It’s clear that the show was most popular during David Tennant’s time as the Doctor.

While dedicated fans and critics generally liked the performances of Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker, Doctor Who saw a drop in viewers and went through a lot of upheaval. Frequent changes in leadership, the return of past actors, and issues with developing new ones, combined with mixed reactions from the broader fanbase, led the show to struggle somewhat during the late 2010s.

After Doctor Who took a step back, I was really hoping for something to fill that adventurous, slightly wacky void, and Legends of Tomorrow absolutely delivered. It really hit its stride in 2016 with season two, and honestly, it just kept getting better until it wrapped up in 2022. What I loved most was that it leaned into the fun, becoming less about traditional superheroics and more of a full-blown space opera. It wasn’t afraid to be silly, and that’s exactly what made it one of the best shows in the genre, in my opinion.

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2026-03-31 04:10