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The Invaders
43 episodes (1967-1968) 60m

50s-style paranoia never translated all that well into the late-60s and, consequently, this show was short-lived. In a Fugitive-style never-ending chase, aliens have invaded and David Vincent seems to be the only one who knows about it. Unfortunately, the aliens disappear whenever they are killed, so things are hard to prove. Another short-lived 60s offering that remains popular.

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UFO
26 episodes (1970-1971) 60m

Gerry Anderson abandons puppets for live actors in this superior pre-cursor to Space 1999. Near-future Earth is invaded by flying saucers full of nasty aliens. Only SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation) resistance is offered, and then only for one 26-episode season. The saucy sexual content of the first episode was quickly toned down, which is an absolute crying shame.

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Crusade
13 episodes (1999) 60m

Short-lived Babylon 5 spin-off regarded by many critics as the superior item. Following the end of the Shadow War, a deadly bio-tech virus is perpetrated on Earth by vengeful aliens. With only five years to find a cure (or we all die), experimental ship Excalibur and crew sets off on the quest. Basically the Knights of the Round Table in space.

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Roswell
61 episodes (1999-2002) 60m

Sci-fi soap has clandestine aliens staying close to the fabled 1947 crash site in Roswell, New Mexico. There's lots of teen relationship drama and romance while the main characters try and get in touch with their alien selves. The series is based on the popular Roswell High books by Melinda Metz and, at the time, had an exceptionally strong following with younger audiences.

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The 4400
45 episodes (2004-2007) 60m

Starting life as a miniseries, The 4400 is the story of 4,400 alien abductees who are returned to Earth supposedly to save the human race. Each episode focuses on the trials and tribulations of various returnees, providing plenty of scope for storytelling set in a host of different times and places. Topnotch sci-fi drama that will appeal to the soapies.

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Torchwood
41 episodes (2006-2011) 60m

Edgy Doctor Who spin-off about a covert group of vigilantes working to keep extraterrestrial incursions in check while scavenging alien technology at every opportunity. Their leader, Captain Jack Harkness, is an action-oriented immortal time traveller. His bisexuality highlights the show's adult themes and represents a significant departure from traditional Doctor Who fare. Superb overall.

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Colony
36 episodes (2016-2018) 60m

Set in the near future, Los Angeles has been walled-off and isolated by a mysterious occupying force. While some people choose to collaborate with the authorities, others rebel and suffer the consequences. A former FBI agent is forced to collaborate with the proxy government in order to protect his family and recover his son, who was separated during the initial invasion.

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Resident Alien
38+ episodes (2021-pres) 60m

An alien sent to destroy the people of Earth crash-lands and takes on the identity of a retired doctor living in a cabin outside the town of Patience, Colorado. He spends his time watching Law and Order to learn to be human and searching the mountains for pieces of his ship. When the town doctor is murdered he takes over. But someone in town can see him as he really is.

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The Man Who Fell to Earth
10 episodes (2022) 60m

An alien arrives on Earth to find the one woman that can save his species. Based on the Walter Tevis novel, it is a sequel to the 1976 film starring David Bowie, with each episode named for one of his songs. Rotten Tomatoes critics' consensus notes, "The Man Who Fell to Earth may not be out of this world, but a commanding Chiwetel Ejiofor gives this space oddity an earthy gravitas."