The Aliens

Premiering on E4 in 2016, The Aliens offered a gritty, satirical lens on British society through the guise of science fiction. Set forty years after extraterrestrials landed in the Irish Sea, the series follows Lewis, a border guard who discovers his own mixed heritage. The show excelled by treating its subjects not as ethereal beings, but as a marginalized underclass confined to the walled community of Troy. By blending dark humor with social commentary, creator Fintan Ryan explored themes of segregation and identity. Despite its brief six-episode run, the program remains a sharp example of the "low-fi" sci-fi aesthetic, utilizing urban decay to ground its high-concept premise. It stands as a daring exploration of prejudice, remembered for its unique world-building and the chemistry between Michael Socha and Jim Howick.