What a year it’s been for sci-fi and fantasy television: old shows have rallied and proved they’re forces to be reckoned with, while new series have dropped our jaws with their originality, bravery and charm. Jayne Nelson counts down the 10 best cult telly programmes of 2016…

10 Supergirl

After a slightly uneven first season that thankfully found its feet towards the end, Supergirl came back absolutely blazing with its second year.

The production’s move to Vancouver resulted in the sad loss of Calista Flockhart’s glorious Cat Grant, but her biting witticisms were gratefully redistributed around the rest of the cast, Tyler Hoechlin popped up as a frankly adorable Superman and the addition of a coming-out arc involving Kara’s sister, Alex, was so beautifully handled it has quickly become the poster-child for lesbians everywhere.

And on top of all of this you have Melissa Benoist’s sunshine-filled portrayal of Supergirl – you could strip everything out of this show and just watch her for 45 minutes. A genuine delight.

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