The Sexiest Dads of Sci-Fi TV: From "Terra Nova" to "Caprica" to "Heroes"

On the big screen, a science fiction story can get by just wowing us with the effects, but on TV the budgets are smaller and we need the characters and their relationships to give us reason to come back week after week. A reliable source of drama is the strong, steadfast dad who has to protect his family from a dangerous world, all while trying to make sure their children grow up well.

Naturally, these dads often bring a bit of sex appeal to the show, too. Here are some of our favorites.

Jim Shannon, Terra Nova

As part of the Tenth Pilgrimage, Jim (Jason O'Mara) has to deal with a world that includes dinosaurs, renegade settlers, beleiving in unconvincing CGI and horny delinquent teenage sons.

Technically, you could say Jason O'Mara played another sci-fi dad in the short-lived Life on Mars, considering the way that show ended. At the least, it's great to see O'Mara on our DVRs again. Now if we could just get him to take his shirt off more! (Doesn't it look hot in prehistoric times? We think it looks too hot for a shirt.)

Tom Mason, Falling Skies

Former history professor Tom (Noah Wyle) had to deal with a very changed world after aliens invaded and occupied the earth. No electric trimmers any more, hence his unruly beardage! In addition to the dangers of an alien attack (thankfully, there seems to be a truce that allows large crowds to stand around in open spaces without any danger) and strained resources, one of Tom's three sons was kidnapped by the invaders with mind-control devices implanted in them. That's right, they had to stage a raid on a Scientology Celebrtiy Center to recover the kid.

Joseph Adama, Caprica

As a Tauron immigrant to Caprica, Joseph (Esai Morales) was pulled by his desire to assimilate into Caprican society and his more traditional family. Unfortunately, tragedy surrounded Joseph. First, we saw him lose his wife and daughter. Then, as his brother became more involved in the Ha'La'Tha's business it lead to the death of his son, Willie. To cap off the torment, the character was forced to wear a fedora a lot. And Esai Morales could not pull off a fedora!

Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood

As an immortal, Captain Jack (John Barrowman) is a little too used to people dying around him to be a good dad. In fact, we usually don't find out about people from Jack's past until we meet the threat that's probably going to kill them. We all should have known things would go horribly wrong when Jack's daughter and grandson show up in Children of Earth — one of them was bound to suffer a fate like that ex-lover who met the killer fairies. I guess Jack wasn't interested in anyone calling him Grandpa.