20 Sci-Fi TV Narratives That Reimagined Gender Identity

Science fiction TV shows often explore what it means to be human by imagining futures where identity isn’t fixed. They use ideas like time travel, body switching, and genetic engineering to question our usual ideas about gender. Writers use these stories to reflect the real-life challenges people face when understanding themselves and changing who they are. The shows below all have storylines where characters go through major changes in how they express their gender or in their physical bodies.

‘Doctor Who’ (2005–Present)

A popular British show made history when its main character, the Doctor, transformed into a woman for the very first time. Jodie Whittaker took on the role, changing the character forever. This change showed that Time Lords don’t have fixed genders like humans do, and their bodies can change in surprising ways. The show then explored how the universe treated the Doctor differently now that she appeared as a woman.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

The superhero show creatively wove actor Elliot Page’s real-life transition into his character’s story. In the third season, Viktor Hargreeves comes to terms with his identity, reflecting Page’s own journey. His family readily accepts his new name and identity as they continue working to save the world. This storyline is notable for its realistic and positive portrayal of a transgender man, even within the show’s fantastical sci-fi world.

‘Gen V’ (2023–Present)

Jordan Li is an exceptional student at Godolkin University with a unique ability: they can instantly change between male and female bodies. This reflects Jordan’s fluid gender identity, and each form grants different strengths in battle – the male form is incredibly durable, while the female form is fast and can project energy. The story explores how Jordan’s powers and identity create pressure from their family and the university’s financial backers.

‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)

The ‘Striking Vipers’ episode delves into how our understanding of sexuality and gender can be challenged within virtual reality. It follows two male friends who play a fighting game, choosing avatars that represent both men and women. Their interactions within the game lead to a sexual relationship, prompting them to re-examine who they are and what attracts them in real life. The story asks if experiences in the digital world can truly change how we see ourselves and others.

‘The Orville’ (2017–Present)

The Moclans are a species with only one gender, and all their babies are biologically altered to develop male characteristics. A key storyline follows Topa, who was born female but had surgery as an infant to change her sex. As she grows up, Topa understands her true self and bravely chooses to reverse the surgery, despite opposition from the Moclan authorities. This story is a strong representation of the importance of controlling one’s own body and the rights of transgender young people.

‘Loki’ (2021–2023)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced the idea of ‘Variants’ – essentially, different versions of the same person existing in alternate realities. The main character encounters a female version of himself named Sylvie, revealing that this character can change gender across different universes. Their relationship examines ideas about self-acceptance and self-obsession, both on a personal level and in a more philosophical way.

‘Altered Carbon’ (2018–2020)

In this futuristic world, people can back up their minds and transfer them into new, artificial bodies called ‘sleeves’. The main character, Takeshi Kovacs, experiences life in many different bodies, even changing races and genders. Because of this technology, gender becomes fluid and changeable – it’s just the mind that truly matters, no matter the body. The story often focuses on how characters separate who they are on the inside from how they look on the outside.

‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ (1993–1999)

The Trill are a unique species known for joining with humanoids in a long-lasting partnership. This means a Trill like Jadzia Dax carries the memories and experiences of all her previous host bodies, including a particularly grumpy individual named Curzon. Because of Curzon’s past friendships, especially with Klingon warriors, they see Jadzia as a close ally and equal. Jadzia Dax is a groundbreaking character, representing one of the first times on television we’ve seen a person with an identity built from many different genders and lifetimes.

‘Quantum Leap’ (1989–1993)

Dr. Sam Beckett has a unique ability: he travels through time by temporarily inhabiting the bodies of other people. His mission is to fix past errors, and he often finds himself as a woman, experiencing the difficulties women faced in different time periods. This forces him to see the world from a different perspective, without the advantages he normally has as a man. The show uses these experiences to help viewers understand and connect with people of all genders.

‘Orphan Black’ (2013–2017)

The show centers around a group of women who find out they were created as part of a secret, unlawful science project. Things get even more complicated when Tony Sawicki appears – he’s a transgender man who is also a clone, and doesn’t know where he came from. Tony’s existence proves that even with identical genes, people aren’t limited to one way of expressing their gender. He offers a fascinating look at the age-old question of whether we are shaped more by our genes or our environment, which is a key theme of the series.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

The park’s robotic hosts aren’t just machines; they have programmed personalities that can be changed or copied. A key reveal shows that Dolores Abernathy’s mind has been transferred into a new robotic body resembling Charlotte Hale. Now in a different form, she must operate within the corporate world while keeping her true self hidden. This storyline highlights the show’s central idea: that a person’s consciousness is separate from their physical body.

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)

This anime features a unique time travel mechanic: characters can text messages to the past to change the present. One character, Luka, asks the main character to send a message to his mother while she’s pregnant, hoping to be born as a girl. The timeline changes, and Luka is reborn aligned with her true gender identity. The story handles this desire with respect and examines the ripple effects of changing the past for personal fulfillment.

‘Misfits’ (2009–2013)

A group of troubled teens develops superpowers after a strange electrical storm. One of them, Curtis Donovan, initially gains the ability to rewind time, but later trades it for the power to change his gender. He starts competing in women’s sports as a female athlete, which leads to unexpected and often funny complications, especially when he discovers he’s pregnant. The story focuses on the wild and humorous results of this supernatural gender transformation.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

In the X-Files episode “Gender Bender,” Mulder and Scully investigate a mysterious religious group and uncover that its members are aliens with the ability to change their gender and appearance. The episode’s killer uses this ability to seduce victims, shifting between male and female forms to gain their trust and put them in danger. This early episode taps into anxieties about the unfamiliar and challenges traditional ideas of identity.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Gren is a compelling and tragic character who was a soldier in the Titan War before being used as a test subject for experimental drugs. These drugs caused a hormonal imbalance, leading to the development of female physical traits. He now exists outside traditional gender norms, accepting this ambiguity as he pursues revenge against those who wronged him. Many viewers see Gren as a nuanced portrayal of intersex or non-binary identity in anime.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–1991)

DEA agent Denise Bryson comes to town to help Agent Cooper with his case. Denise is a transgender woman who successfully works in law enforcement despite facing prejudice at the time. Agent Cooper immediately accepts and respects her, treating her as a valued professional. Her character was groundbreaking for the 1990s, portraying a capable and heroic figure instead of relying on stereotypes.

‘Dollhouse’ (2009–2010)

Actives are people whose memories and personalities have been erased, allowing them to be reprogrammed with new ones for clients. The character Victor often receives female personalities, depending on what the client requests. One episode shows his confusion as he faintly remembers these past identities. The show explores how technology can impact a person’s sense of self and control over their own body.

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ (2017–2024)

This show made history by introducing the first non-binary and transgender characters in the series. Adira Tal is a non-binary character who joins with a Trill symbiont – a being that carries the memories of others – which holds the memories of their transgender boyfriend, Gray. Using the show’s science fiction elements, Gray is eventually able to appear in a new, artificial body. Their love story and personal growth are key to the show’s themes of connection and acceptance as the series progresses.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

The story follows a character who travels between different dimensions, where people can live completely different lives. In the second season, we learn that a character named Buck Vu in one dimension is actually Michelle Vu in another. The main character helps them combine their experiences from all these realities. The show cleverly connects this character’s journey of self-discovery with the way they move between dimensions.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

Eight people from different countries find out they’re connected – not just mentally, but emotionally, as if they’re one being. Nomi Marks, a trans woman and skilled hacker, is crucial to their survival. Because of this connection, the men in the group can experience life as Nomi, feeling what she feels physically and emotionally. This creates a powerful sense of understanding that breaks down barriers of gender and individuality.

Share your favorite sci-fi transformations and character arcs in the comments.

2025-12-25 21:16