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Time travel has consistently been a fertile ground for fiction, especially in recent years with the Golden Era of television. This subgenre provides a compelling avenue to delve into characters and their actions, injecting high stakes into their narratives.
Diverse approaches characterize time-traveling TV series. Some adhere to the Back to the Future concept of navigating the past without altering events. Others adopt the Groundhog Day motif, employing time loops to scrutinize their characters. While some integrate scientific principles into their storytelling, others embrace a more whimsical perspective, viewing time travel as “a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.” With this multitude of possibilities, here are the top 10 time-traveling TV shows, ranked.
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The 10 Best Time Travel TV Shows of All Time
12 Monkeys (2015 – 2018)
Based on the 1995 film starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, the TV series “12 Monkeys” follows James Cole, Dr. Cassandra Railly, and the eccentric Jennifer Goines as they travel through time to thwart the Army of the 12 Monkeys, an organization responsible for a deadly virus. The show delves into intricate time paradoxes, unexpected plot twists, and introduces new characters, evolving from a simple time-travel mystery. The central appeal lies in the lead characters and their chemistry as they strive to maintain a connection across time and space, acknowledging the uncertainty of ever reuniting.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (2016 – 2022)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow initially began as a solemn time-traveling series featuring overlooked heroes from the Arrowverse. While it commenced with a serious narrative centered around destiny and averting time aberrations, the show underwent a notable transformation. As of the second season, Legends of Tomorrow evolved into a much more enjoyable and humorous production. It distinguished itself by embracing a lighthearted tone and avoiding taking itself too seriously. The series became a standout within the Arrowverse for its increased diversity, fun elements, exploration of queerness, meta-commentaries, and a recurring comedic theme involving a peculiar toy named Beebo. Despite their penchant for breaking the timeline, the Legends are portrayed as the ones who ultimately rectify it.
Lost (2004 – 2010)
Lost is a unique TV series that stands out for its multifaceted nature. The pilot episode introduces Oceanic Flight 815’s emergency landing on a mysterious island, setting the stage for a story filled with polar bears and enigmatic phenomena, including a mysterious monster. The show’s innovation lies in its use of flashbacks in every episode, delving into the survivors’ lives before the island. Lost seamlessly blends various genres, including drama, action, sci-fi, and even time travel.
The series boasts an outstanding cast that continues to leave its mark in the industry. As the show progresses, it ventures into genres like drama and time-travel, with standout episodes like “The Constant,” which explores the impact of time travel on Desmond (Henry Ian Cusack) and his poignant love story with Penny (Sonya Walger). This episode is celebrated as one of the show’s best, showcasing Lost’s ability to captivate audiences with its intricate storytelling and genre-blending elements.
Outlander (2014 – Present)
Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s novel series, Outlander narrates the tale of Claire (Caitriona Balfe), a World War II nurse unexpectedly transported to 18th-century Scotland. In this historical setting, she encounters Jamie (Sam Heughan), and they embark on a romantic journey.
The inclusion of Outlander on this list is not solely due to its unique time-traveling romance plot. What sets this TV series apart is the captivating chemistry between the lead actors, making their connection truly enchanting. As Claire returns to her original time, the narrative becomes more intricate for both characters, ultimately enhancing their love story into a timeless and compelling saga.
Timeless (2016 – 2018)
“Timeless” narrates the tale of a team striving to prevent the misuse of a time-traveling device by a former NSA agent, played by Goran Visnjic, who aims to alter history negatively. The team comprises essential roles for time-traveling escapades: a history professor (Abigail Spencer), an engineer involved in creating the time machine (Malcolm Barrett), and a soldier (Matt Lanter) to handle unforeseen challenges.
What sets “Timeless” apart is the excellent chemistry among the three protagonists, making viewers eager to join them on their time-traveling exploits. Additionally, the show’s intriguing plots transport the characters to well-known historical events, such as the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the Hindenburg disaster, or the demise of Bonnie and Clyde. These historical backdrops create compelling narratives that directly or indirectly impact the main characters.
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Russian Doll (2019 – Present)
Russian Doll revolves around the concept of a time loop, where the protagonist, Nadia, played and created by Natasha Lyonne, relives her 36th birthday party repeatedly. The uniqueness of the show lies in its ability to continually reinvent and enhance the time loop premise with each episode. Lyonne’s distinct voice, marked by sarcasm and sardonic humor, is a key element that adds a blend of comedy and drama to the series. The introduction of Alan, a character unrelated to Nadia, experiencing the same time loop adds an intriguing twist. Russian Doll manages to keep the audience engaged with surprises, making it a show that goes beyond the conventional time loop narrative. The second season takes the weirdness and unpredictability to new heights, leaving fans eager for a potential third season.
Quantum Leap (1989 – 1993)
Quantum Leap, an early TV series centered on time travel, remains compelling due to its innovative premise and versatile storytelling. Following Sam Beckett’s time jumps aided by hologram companion Al, the show’s procedural format allowed for diverse episodes, blending genres like rom-com, thriller, and social commentary. Despite its dated appearance, the show’s forward-thinking concept led to a recent revival, featuring Raymond Lee as the time-traveling scientist in 2023, supported by friends and a fiancée in his quest to better history.
The Lazarus Project (2022 – Present)
The Lazarus Project kicks off when George, played by Paapa Essiedu, realizes he’s stuck in a repetitive day and stumbles upon The Lazarus Project, an organization capable of resetting time to prevent global catastrophes. George, now an agent for the organization, can witness these resets and grapples with the ethical dilemmas tied to altering timelines. While the first episode provides necessary exposition, the show truly shines in its character-driven focus. The narrative delves into how the knowledge of resetting time influences the characters’ actions, especially when it comes to protecting their loved ones. The show skillfully balances character development with thrilling elements like car chases, shootouts, and entertaining spy antics to avert potential world-ending events.
Doctor Who (1963 – Present)
Doctor Who, a long-running sci-fi series that originated in 1963, features the iconic character known as the Doctor, portrayed by various actors over the years. The central theme involves the Doctor’s exploration of time and space using the TARDIS, accompanied by a human companion, leading to a myriad of unique adventures.
The show’s enduring appeal lies in its imaginative storytelling, spanning numerous time periods and showcasing societal and technological changes across its extensive catalog of over 800 episodes. The post-2005 revival has added a layer of complexity to the narrative, presenting the Doctor with unprecedented dilemmas. The upcoming return of the series introduces Ncuti Gatwa (known for roles in “Sex Education” and “Barbie”) as the new Doctor, sparking anticipation for the distinctive personality he will bring to the character and the exciting time-traveling escapades that await.
Dark (2017 – 2020)
Dark commences with the abduction of a child in the serene German town of Winden, setting off a complex narrative involving time travel that profoundly impacts the entire community. The storyline unfolds across multiple timelines, necessitating careful attention from viewers and encouraging repeated watching. What distinguishes Dark as the premier time travel series is its use of time travel not merely as a plot device but as a tool to delve into themes of family, love, and the transformative power of interpersonal connections. The show consistently defies expectations, with its intricate storytelling, exceptional acting, well-crafted script, and striking visuals spanning three seasons. Ultimately, Dark concludes with a flawless ending, rendering it an ideal choice for an immersive time-travel binge-watching experience.
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