Every sci-fi fan has that one show they'd resurrect if they could. For some, it's Netflix's unfairly canceled Lockwood & Co. Others hold out hope for more Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Even Firefly is trying to stage a comeback as an animated series. But there's one underrated gem that truly deserves a second chance: Killjoys.
Created by Michelle Lovretta, Killjoys is set in a small galaxy called the Quad, home to just four planets and moons. Despite its size, the Quad is a powder keg of conflict. Enter Yalena "Dutch" Yardeen (Hannah John-Kamen), John Jaqobis (Aaron Ashmore), and his brother D'avin (Luke Macfarlane)—a trio of bounty hunters known as Team Awesome Force. Their job: bring in targets. But when their pasts resurface, things get messy. The show's perfect mix of action, humor, and drama, anchored by three perfectly cast leads, makes it a must-watch for both longtime sci-fi fans and newcomers.
Why 'Killjoys' Stands Out
What sets Killjoys apart is its ability to balance seriousness with silliness. The trio's razor-sharp quips and self-deprecating humor keep things light, even as the show peels back layers of trauma. Dutch was trained from childhood to be a killer. John turned to thievery after failing as an engineer. D'avin struggles with survivor's guilt after being mind-controlled into killing his fellow soldiers. Slowly, these antiheroes win your heart.
The series also defied the odds by running for five seasons on Syfy—a network notorious for canceling shows in their prime. It earned a stellar 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and even broke the "Friday night curse," with fans tuning in live. That's something even Firefly couldn't manage.
Room for More Stories
Killjoys ended on a near-perfect note, with Team Awesome Force defeating the Lady in the finale "Last Dance." But the final scene—where the team goes on one last mission before parting ways—leaves the door wide open for future adventures. Lovretta has said she'd love to revisit the world, telling IGN: "There's a lot of story road left for this type of world and these type of characters... there's only so much you can do with 10 episodes, so there's a lot of expansion that could happen."
Whether as a limited series, a comic book, or a full reboot, Killjoys has plenty of untapped potential. In a landscape where major sci-fi franchises are in flux, the time for a comeback couldn't be more perfect. And if you're still holding out hope for Firefly's animated revival, maybe it's time to give Team Awesome Force a second look.
