After Channel 4's Humans was declared the channel's most successful original drama, we look at the UK's other sci-fi hits
Sci-fi series Humans was recently announced as Channel 4’s most successful original drama after securing 4 million viewers for its Sunday night pilot. The genre has continued to shock, excite and amaze in equal measures but which shows have gone down in UK history as the most watched? Take a look at our selection…
Doctor Who, BBC
The eighth series of the adventures of the Time Lord averaged an impressive 7.4 million viewers. Peter Capaldi’s debut as the Doctor in the long-running BBC One series garnered a peak of 9.17 million, 100,000 more viewers than Matt Smith’s debut in series seven.
Primeval, ITV
The ITV series based on dangerous creatures both past and present – think dinosaurs and large-toothed mammoths – averaged 6.39 million viewers in its first series, with its very first episode raking in 7 million. The second series garnered slightly less viewing figures at 6.29 million watchers but was still a roaring success.
Torchwood, BBC
The Doctor Who spin off saw a group of investigators in Cardiff specialising in alien technology. The BBC One show lasted four seasons, airing between 2006 and 2011, with the third season averaging 5.88 million viewers. The drama, starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack, was set after the events of Doctor Who’s Doomsday episode.
Black Mirror, Channel 4
The satirical drama focussing on the dystopian effects of modern technology engrossed British audiences throughout its three seasons, with the second season averaging 1.2 million viewers. Created by popular satirist Charlie Brooker, 2 million tuned in to watch the series’ first episode, Be Right Back.
Misfits, Channel 4
The show that brought the orange jumpsuit as a legitimate fancy dress costume even before Netflix cult favourite Orange Is The New Black hit our screens attracted an average of 950,000 viewers for its second series. The TV show enthralled its audience, focusing on the trials and tribulations of the young offenders on a community service programme.
