Only three things in life are certain: Death, taxes and ‘This content is not available in your region’. We can’t do much about those first two, but with the best VPNs, you can make that message a thing of the past, unlocking British sci-fi shows and movies that would otherwise be out of your reach.
You absolutely need a VPN to stay safe online, but they have the added bonus of allowing you to fake your location. You might be in New York, but by switching to a London-based server, websites will see you as a UK resident. That, in turn, will allow you to access British streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX to watch content that you’d otherwise be locked out of.
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But why bother using a VPN to access British sci-fi shows and movies? The best streaming services for sci-fi fans let you access a wealth of sci-fi content, from Fallout to Pluribus and beyond? Because British sci-fi is amazing, that’s why.
From Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass through to Doctor Who, UK science fiction has a character all its own, combining small island sensibilities and anxieties with a dash of British wit. And, while budgets have improved over the years, there’s something weirdly charming about walls that wobble when characters breathe on them.
In short, the best VPNs can open the door to a whole new world of British-sci fi.
Which British sci-fi shows should you watch via VPN?
Shows can be UK-exclusive for all sorts of reasons. It can be down to rights issues, music licensing problems or a variety of other reasons. It may just be that networks outside the UK have shown little interest in a show or movie.
So, with your VPN set to the UK, here are the shows you should be watching.
The War Between The Land And The Sea (2025)
The final collaboration between the BBC and Disney, this Doctor Who spin-off revisits The Sea Devils (aka Homo Aqua), as Unit (minus the Doctor) struggles to avert a war. Kate Stewart and company are confounded by the fact that humanity’s chosen ambassador is a relative nobody and, despite Unit’s efforts, matters escalate.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Cold Lazarus (1996)
The first and only time Dennis Potter wrote sci-fi, Cold Lazarus, is a sequel to his more grounded Karaoke. Set in a deeply dystopian future, a group of scientists seeks to plunder the memories of writer Daniel Feeld’s frozen head. Still, it’s not as if Feeld knows what’s going on, right?
Where to watch: Channel 4
Class (2016)
This Doctor Who spin-off takes place in a Coal Hill Academy, a school that first cropped up in the first episode of Doctor Who. It follows the exploits of a group of teenagers as they fend off alien foes and safeguard a casket that contains the souls of a now-annihilated race. No pressure.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Once Upon a Time in Space (2025)
The only programme on this list that’s not sci-fi, Once Upon a Time in Space is a documentary, a brilliant four-part exploration of the human space program. Spanning the last 50 years, it gives as much attention to people as it does to the technology behind mankind’s endeavours, with a keen eye on the future.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
How do I use a VPN?
The first step in using a VPN is to pick the service to use. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best VPN options, which will take the work out of choosing a service.
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll want to install that VPN’s app or plugin for your device. VPNs work on phones, PC, tablets and more. The VPN should provide you with detailed instructions on how to do this.
Once you’ve done that, and logged in, it should just be a case of picking where you want to appear to be, in this case London, Manchester or some other UK location. Then, navigate to iPlayer or whatever site you want to use and go from there.
It is possible that the site you want to use may detect you’re using a VPN, because it recognises the server. But most VPN providers will have ways of getting around that, whether that’s by switching IPs or some other method. Another possibility is that some content on a service will be geo-locked, and not all, but you’ll only really find out when you start viewing.
Why else should I use a VPN
Aside from allowing you to view content you wouldn’t otherwise be able to view, the best VPNs have other benefits too. If you’re travelling overseas, and want to watch content available in the US, you can use a VPN to regain access to those programmes.
On top of that, there’s a risk involved in using public Wi-Fi, and a good VPN protects you on that front too. It can make you invisible to would-be hackers, shielding you from data thieves, malware, and other attempts to interfere with your PC and gadgets.
Tunneling, which is what you’re doing when you use a VPN, gives you an important extra layer of privacy and security and in this day and age that can be critical. Even when you’re not streaming, a VPN is your safety net.