While both Marvel and DC are taking over TV right now (Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, Supergirl, Agents of SHIELD, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, etc., etc.), there is one set of superheroes noticeably absent from the small screen. The X-Men have yet to make an appearance, suggesting that Fox is concentrating on the film side of the franchise for the time being.

However, with so many amazing X-Men characters available, it wouldn’t be surprising if we started to see some TV series to expand the X-Men universe further. In fact, a few have already been announced. While it’s unlikely that Fox would have the budget (or desire) to use the same actors and characters as they do in the films, there are still plenty of other characters who could carry their own shows, or appear in a series of connected shows (a la Netflix’s Defenders series).

10. Forge

With his combination of a mutant ability to understand and create any mechanical device, and the magic arts he learned from his Cheyenne tribe, Forge is an incredible blend of the mystical and the practical. A series could focus on either ability, with more of a mystic, Constantine bent, or more of a down to earth approach.

Forge’s relationship with Storm would be difficult to exclude, so a series would probably have to take place outside the X-Men movie-verse, but that would also allow us to see another version of Storm, which would be fantastic. Another character with the potential to bring a little more diversity to the small screen, Forge could be an excellent choice for a stand-alone series.

 

After a brief appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past, the purple-skinned teleporting mutant Blink may not be gracing our screens again any time soon, but would be an incredible candidate for a series. Her backstory’s connection to Apocalypse’s evil plans could easily make this a spinoff from X-Men: Apocalypse, and her age would suit a teen-focused show for a younger audience.

Her struggles to cope with her powers (and that first, horrifying use of them that ended in blood) would make her a relatable and powerful center for a show about self-acceptance, and although the Portal-esque display of her powers in DoFP might not be cost-effective for the small screen, it would still be possible to show her powers in a slightly less flashy way.

8. Emma Frost

A huge fan-favorite, we have seen Emma Frost on the big screen, but only as a second-in-command to Magneto. It would be fantastic to see the diamond-bodied telepath step out of his shadow for a series as either the White Queen of the Hellfire club, or as the caring teacher at Xavier’s school that she is now. The Hellfire Club would also be a fantastic option for an X-Men ensemble series, with Emma Frost at the helm. An ensemble series about anti-heroes and villains would definitely be an interesting addition to the comic book tv mix. Frost herself would presumably have to be re-cast, making the series separate from the film universe, but there remains plenty of scope for a fantastic series centered on her.

Note: The Hellfire Club is actually one of the property’s set to be turned into a series by FOX.

7. X-Man

One of the issues with a potential X-Men TV series is that it’s difficult to separate individual characters when most of the mutants interact with each other constantly. One way around this would be an alternate universe on the small screen, for example, the Age of Apocalypse timeline, where X-Man was created.

Getting glimpses of this alternate universe would also create the opportunity for some of the bigger characters to appear in brief cameos, or be re-cast completely. Nate’s first arrival in our world would also make for a great standalone story, and his near-omnipotent telekinetic powers would be amazing to see develop on-screen.

6. Scarlet Witch

Although Scarlet Witch isn’t technically a member of the X-Men, she’s such a prominent X-Men character that she warrants inclusion. While her brother Quicksilver is kicking ass on the big screen (he stole the show during X-Men: Days of Future Past), it would be great to see her reality-warping powers on the small screen.

As a franchise spinoff that could see a cameo appearance by Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch could be a great way to explore mutant powers outside the confines of Xavier’s team. Given her time with the Brotherhood of Evil, a Scarlet Witch TV series would also be a great way to take a look at some of the villainous mutants who aren’t powerful enough to become a big bad for a film.

5. Bishop

The time-travelling mutant from the 22nd century, Bishop did appear in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but that doesn’t meant that he’ll be re-appearing any time soon. His time-travelling makes him an ideal candidate for a sci-fi series to rival DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.  It also means that a series based on Bishop would be able to take place anywhere, anytime, which is a fantastic way to explain why some of the big names from the big screen don’t show up in his universe.

We could even see a Bishop origin-story, set in the apocalyptic future. On top of the almost limitless scope of this character for a long-running series, Bishop would add a little diversity to the ranks of on-screen superheroes, which is badly needed.

4. Rogue

Although Rogue has appeared in the early X-Men films, many fans were disappointed with the Anna Paquin incarnation that just didn’t have the same personality as the power-draining southern belle from the comics. It seems that Rogue won’t be making an appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse, so she may be off the big screen for a while.

With her incredible (and complex) backstory, it would be amazing to see a small-screen version build up the character ahead of her re-appearance in the movies. Obviously there are some elements that would still be out of the question (her battle with Ms. Marvel would require a rights-sharing deal), but it would be fantastic to see justice done to this fan-favorite.

3. Colossus

Colossus appeared alongside his protégé Negasonic Teenage Warhead in Deadpool, so he’s absolutely part of the X-Men universe right now. That said, he seems to be part of a different timeline than the majority of the X-Men (as is Deadpool himself), with X-Men: Apocalypse taking place years before the events of Deadpool.

While we wait for the two film universes to catch up, it would be amazing to see more Colossus in a spinoff series for the small screen. Another fan-favorite with the ability to turn his body into steel, he could feature alongside some lesser known characters (like Negasonic Teenage Warhead), and of course, his sister Illyana.

2. Domino

Now that we know that Cable will be appearing in Deadpool 2, and that an X-Force movie is potentially in the works, it would be fantastic to see some of the mutant mercenaries who might be joining forces on the big screen. In the same way that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D has paved the way for Marvel’s upcoming Inhumans movies, a Domino-centric series could start laying the groundwork for an X-Force franchise.

Domino has plenty of stand-alone storylines that would translate, and her powers are fortunately low-budget, as manipulating probability to create incredible luck isn’t something that needs CGI. A Domino series has the potential to be the kind of fun, adult show that would balance out some of the more colorful comic book series perfectly.

1. X-23

Wolverine has long been the central character for the X-Men franchise (with good reason), but now that Hugh Jackman is about to bow out of the movies, we need something else for that adamantium-clawed goodness. X-23 is the perfect choice to fill the gap. Cloned from Wolverine’s own DNA, X-23 has most of the same powers: healing factor, heightened senses and strength, and adamantium claws (although she only has two claws per hand, and has additional foot-claws).

As well as being an awesome way to cope with Wolverine-withdrawl, X-23 has some incredible storylines that could be adapted to the small screen. She’s been on multiple teams and on both good and bad sides at times, and has so much potential as the star of a series. It would also be nice to see some more female-fronted superhero shows, and X-23 is the perfect badass to carry one off in a Jessica Jones style.

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What other X-Men should get their own outings on the small screen? Let us know in the comments below!