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Over the years, the United Kingdom has produced some of the best, most iconic, and most memorable sci-fi TV shows ever made. The country shows no signs of letting up on its creative output in this regard, either, with Netflix's superhero show Supacell proving to be very popular. There's a specific charm associated with British-made sci-fi shows; they are invariably camp, quirky, and funny, while often challenging viewers to ponder some of life's bigger questions.

Another great aspect of these properties is frequently pushing the boundaries of previously accepted notions of the genre. Whether they're larger-scale productions, or lower-budget series, they all have one thing in common: leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world. There's a distinct difference in budget between American-made productions and some of the best sci-fi shows from the UK. The X-Files, for example, has a more polished production design than some British series,...

Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988) started off with a foundation of Roald Dahl-based stories, but over time, this classic television anthology sought out other inspirations. One such source was Elizabeth Taylor, an esteemed English author whose short piece of fiction, “The Flypaper,” was adapted in 1980.

Fans of the show will often cite this episode as one of the best, not to mention the scariest. In the troubling episode, a schoolgirl is hounded by a stranger, only to then realize her peril is greater than first imagined. Now, Tales of the Unexpected did not always live up to its title; some stories were more foreseeable than others. “The Flypaper,” however, caught everyone off guard, including the young and unfortunate protagonist who, despite her efforts, could not escape harm.

“She stared up at a flypaper hanging in the window — the only disconcerting thing in the room. Some of the flies were still half alive,...