The Rise of Senior-Centric Science Fiction

Netflix is introducing a new science fiction series that aims to challenge established conventions of the genre. The production is described as a project that could rip up the genre’s rulebook, signaling a shift in how speculative narratives are approached on the platform.

The series is being associated with a focus on older adults, introducing a perspective often underrepresented in mainstream science fiction. This shift comes as the industry explores new demographics and thematic directions within speculative storytelling.

The Evolution of Science Fiction

Science fiction is defined as a form of fiction that primarily deals with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals. The term itself was popularized and potentially invented, during the 1920s by the American publisher Hugo Gernsback.

The origins of the genre are a subject of scholarly debate. One school of thought traces the roots of science fiction back to early fantastical works, such as the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh from approximately 2150–2000 BCE. An alternative perspective argues that the genre only became possible between the 17th and early 19th centuries, following the Scientific Revolution and significant discoveries in mathematics, physics, and astronomy.

The genre experienced a significant boom in the 20th century. This growth was driven by the deep integration of inventions and science into daily life, which increased public interest in literature exploring the relationship between the individual, society, and technology.

Genre Milestones and Frameworks

The development of science fiction includes several key eras and influential works that established the rulebook the new Netflix series seeks to challenge. Jules Verne’s 1870 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, is recognized as one of the earliest examples of modern science fiction.

A pivotal period known as the Golden Age of science fiction occurred between 1939 and 1950. This era was characterized by the influence of figures such as John W. Campbell and a focus on expanding the boundaries of speculative technology and space exploration.

Common themes that have historically defined the genre include:

• Space travel and alien encounters
• Time travel and parallel universes
• Utopias and dystopias
• High technologies and their societal impacts
• Alternative histories

Aging and Speculative Fiction

The focus on older protagonists in the new Netflix production aligns with theoretical discussions regarding the relationship between aging and the consumption of science fiction. Some analyses suggest that science fiction readers are drawn to the genre because they wish to exist in different locations in time and space.

While fantasy readers often seek exotic places that cannot exist, science fiction readers typically look for environments that could exist on the edge of probability. This desire for a degree of believability within a fantasy framework provides a specific psychological appeal to readers as they age and their perspectives on reality and possibility evolve.