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Bend it like Bender and you get stories that are straight out of “Black Mirror” — sci-fi that’s immediately relevant — yet unlike that bleak series, Bender’s work always includes timeless empathy for characters, especially those struggling with invisibility.

"Florence combines relatability with talent and star power, and she appeals to a wide variety of audiences thanks to balancing superhero movies and sci-fi with thoughtful dramas," Ms Smith said.

You may feel that we all have enough to worry about, and thus have no need for the spectre of zombie-like reanimated bacteria or viruses in thawing permafrost that set off a story straight out of a sci-fi flick.

The long-running BBC sci-fi show returned last week with Ncuti Gatwa reprising his role as the Doctor alongside newcomer Varada Sethu as the latest companion, marking first time the Tardis team has been comprised of non-white actors.

The springtime complement to Halloween Horror Nights, Fan Fest Nights focuses on theme park theatrics and sci-fi, gaming and anime rather than horror.