There’s nothing quite like a good sci-fi TV show. The genre has provided audiences with some of the most entertaining and longest-running series in history, as well as some of the most iconic characters the medium has ever put out. When these shows reach the pinnacle of pop-cultural relevance, their most iconic characters can become so well-known that some people know them even without having watched the show itself.
This kind of phenomenon is not only a testament to the popularity of the series in question, but also perfect proof of the high quality of the writing and of the actor playing the character. Unmistakable and instantly recognizable symbols of science fiction on television, these characters were able to transcend the boundaries of their own show of origin.
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Eleven
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Capitalizing on the love and nostalgia for the movies, shows, games, and pop culture of the 1980s, Stranger Things soon became one of Netflix’s best and biggest original offerings. It’s still one of the most popular sci-fi shows of the last decade, and that’s in no small measure thanks to its compelling ensemble of characters and the love that audiences have grown to have for them.
It’s abundantly easy to say who the show’s most iconic character is: That would have to be Millie Bobby Brown‘s Eleven, arguably Stranger Things‘ protagonist, the superpowered young girl at the epicenter of the whole story. Brown’s performance has evolved beautifully over the course of the years, and throughout it all, Eleven has remained a mysterious, engaging, often badass character whose extended hand pose anyone—including those who have never seen the series—should be able to recognize. She singlehandedly makes Stranger Things the kind of sci-fi show that everyone should watch at least once.
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Samurai Jack
‘Samurai Jack’ (2001–2017)
He was already a seasoned television writer, but it was Samurai Jack that truly cemented Genndy Tartakovsky as one of television animation’s biggest legends. Thematically profound, enrapturing in its atmosphere and sense of place, and visually stunning beyond description, it’s undoubtedly one of the most endearing cartoons of the 2000s.
Not everyone has seen the show, but one would be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t at least recognize the titular protagonist’s design. Stoic, honorable, driven by justice, and with an irresistibly thrilling fighting style, Samurai Jack (voiced by Phil LaMarr) is as well-known a figure of televisual animation as the medium itself.
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Data
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)
By the time 1987 rolled around, Star Trek was already well enshrined on the map, but there’s an argument to be made that The Next Generation is the best that the franchise has ever been—at least on the small screen. Thanks to its hugely talented team of writers and consistently engaging line-up of characters, it’s definitely the most popular sci-fi show of the 1980s.
It’s characters like Brent Spiner‘s Data that make The Next Generation one of the best TV shows set in space. An android who dreams of fully understanding humanity, he’s by far one of the franchise’s most deeply nuanced characters. Patrick Stewart‘s Jean-Luc Picard is hugely iconic in his own right, but it’s more than fair to say that if you show someone who has never seen a second of Star Trek a photo of The Next Generation‘s cast, Data is the first one that they’ll point at.
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The Doctor
‘Doctor Who’ (1963–)
It went through a brief hiatus and has been revived twice, but Doctor Who nevertheless remains the longest-running science fiction show in history. There’s a gimmick at the center of the show that has been there since its fourth season, which is the secret weapon that has allowed it to remain fresh and relevant for so many years: When they die, the titular protagonist is able to regenerate into a new body.
Whether they’ve seen this quintessential BBC series or not, sci-fi fans are guaranteed to be familiar with at least one of the many Doctors that have populated the show’s long trajectory. It might be the playfulness and compassion of One, or the whimsical eccentricity of Four, or the endless energy of Ten and Eleven; everyone has their Doctor, even if they’ve never watched Doctor Who.
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Grogu
‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–)
Although it only took George Lucas‘ Star Wars months to start growing into the gargantuan transmedia franchise that it’s known as today, it’s somewhat surprising that it was a whopping 42 years after the release of the first film that the first live-action TV show set in the galaxy far, far away came out. Thankfully, The Mandalorian lived up to expectations.
There’s a mischievous, green little guy that’s the source of some of The Mandalorian‘s best episodes: Grogu, a.k.a. Baby Yoda (voiced by David Acord), a young Force-sensitive child whose playful charm and irresistible cuteness contributed to the series becoming as iconic as it became. Many people who had never consumed any kind of Star Wars media before got into The Mandalorian purely to check out what all the fuzz was about with this character.
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He-Man
‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ (1983–1985)
One of the best cartoons of the 1980s, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a delightful blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and basically everything but the kitchen sink as far as genres and styles are concerned. Based on Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toy line, it was a series that transcended its source material and became one of the most beloved shows of its kind.
Even those who didn’t grow up with or have never consumed retro cartoons, however, are familiar with this campy hero (voiced by John Erwin). There are those who would argue in favor of Skeletor being even more iconic, but He-Man’s awesome design and iconic personality all make him one of the coolest cartoon heroes of the era. Then, there’s also the homoerotic subtext that has turned the character into an icon of the LGBTQ+ community, contributing further to cementing him as an instantly recognizable figure.
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Mulder and Scully
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
As one of the most popular and influential shows of the ’90s—let alone sci-fi shows—, The X-Files needs no introduction. It’s one of the decade’s most nostalgic series, a groundbreaking anti-institution IP that became one of the biggest paragons of the pop culture of the era. Just as iconic as the TV show itself, of course, are its two leads.
Imagining Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) getting romantically involved was arguably the ship that made shipping a huge part of contemporary fandom culture, but that’s not all that this duo has going for it. Scully, fulfilling the archetype of the skeptic, the other side of the coin of Mulder’s belief in the paranormal, these two characters’ dynamic is so legendary that even those who have never seen an episode of The X-Files are familiar with it.
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Son Goku
‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996)
Son Goku, also known simply as Goku, is the main character of what’s easily one of the most iconic and most widely known anime shows in history: Dragon Ball Z. Hugely popular all across the world (surprisingly, in Latin America more than any other part of the globe), the series played a key part in making anime a mainstream art form in the West.
It’s one of the most timeless anime series ever, and as such, it’s hardly shocking that everyone and their grandmother are familiar with, at the very least, Goku’s iconic design. And that’s only the people who aren’t anime fans, because those who love the medium, even if they’ve somehow never watched this classic, know more than a thing or two about this character and his arc.
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Harley Quinn
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)
With her being one of the most iconic and popular parts of the whole Batman mythology nowadays, it’s easy to forget that Harley Quinn didn’t originate in the comics. Instead, she was created as an original character for Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. The villain’s creators never expected her to become so popular, but that’s just something that happens when you craft such a fun character.
With Harley now being a de facto movie star, it’s safe to say that she’s nowadays as well-known across the world as characters like The Joker and Catwoman. Batman: The Animated Series is one of the most perfect superhero shows ever, with no shortage of memorable elements to offer; but it’s still a pleasant surprise that its most transcendent original creation was this character.
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Spock
‘Star Trek’ Franchise
Star Trek is one of the most groundbreaking and influential sci-fi franchises in history, and it all started with the equally groundbreaking and influential Star Trek: The Original Series. Never before had television seen such a diverse ensemble of characters played by such a diverse cast, but there’s one character in particular that’s far and away the franchise’s most instantly recognizable: Spock.
A half-human-half-Vulcan man, stuck between two worlds but always determined to do right by his beloved captain and crew, Spock is the heart and soul of the whole Star Trek universe. He gives off more main character energy than one could ever hope to contain, and his complex arc throughout the series and movies is absolutely fascinating. No matter who they are or what kinds of shows they like, anyone slightly familiar with sci-fi television is quite likely to know Spock.
