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When the pickings are slim onNetflix, subscribers can take advantage of that programming lull to catch up on shows that they may have missed the first time. These hidden gems can be found across genres on Netflix, because no matter how much the streamer pays for original shows, something always falls through the cracks,
This list of the best hidden gems on Netflix right now is meant to give these series a spotlight they might otherwise never receive. For July, our latest selections are Loudermilk, iZombie, and Master of the House. But you can find all of our previous choices below.
Want to watch something with more buzz? Check out the best movies on Netflixand the best shows on Netflix right now. For a much-needed laugh, peruse the best stand-up comedy on Netflix right now.
Loudermilk (2017) [New]
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic
Created by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Mort
For a series that never had a very big audience in the first place, Loudermilk does have a passionate following. That may be due its masterful blend of comedy and drama, as well as the performance of Ron Livingston as Sam Loudermilk. Before the series begins, Sam was a music critic and an alcoholic. Now, he’s a mostly recovered alcoholic in the present who has a new purpose in life as a substance abuse support group counselor.
Sam’s problem is that he can’t turn off his acerbic wit, and he does have a tendency to alienate people around him. Two of the few people who can stand Sam are his sponsor, Ben Burns (Will Sasso), and Claire Wilkes (Anja Savcic), the young woman Sam is sponsoring. Their dynamic makes the show.
iZombie (2015) [New]
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 5
Genre: Drama, Crime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast: Rose McIver, David Anders, Robert Buckley
Created by: Rob Thomas, Diane Ruggiero
There is an iZombie comic book series that very loosely inspired the TV series of the same name. In this case, the changes added some longevity to the show by giving Olivia “Liv” Moore (Ghosts’ Rose McIver) procedural stories and an ongoing story arc. Liv had the bad fortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and she was turned into a zombie. However, Liv can pass herself off as human as long as she has a steady supply of brains.
This is where Liv’s new career in the morgue comes in. By eating the brains of the recently deceased, Liv gets visions that can help her and Seattle PD Detective Clive Babineaux (Malcolm Goodwin) solve murders together. Meanwhile, Liv is also trying to piece together how she became a zombie and why so many other zombies are starting to appear in her city.
Master of the House (2024) [New]
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Cast: Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Teerapong Liaorakwong, Chartayodom Hiranyatithi
Master of the House is like Succession mixed with a little bit of Knives Out. This show originates from Thailand, and revolves around the death of a wealthy diamond tycoon, Roongroj Thevasaitipaisarn (Teerapong Leowrakwong). With their father out of the way, his sons, Phupat (Chartayodom Hiranyasthiti) and Mavin (Thanavate Siriwattanagul), are at each other’s throats over his empire.
But as the series soon reveals, Roongroj had a wife, Kaimook (Narilya Gulmongkolpech), who was once the family maid. Neither of his sons or the rest of the family recognize Kaimook’s marriage as legitimate, but she’s going to fight for what’s hers even if it means becoming a servant again.
Archive 81 (2022)
Metacritic: 73%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Evan Jonigkeit
Created by: Rebecca Sonnenshine
Archive 81 is based on a horror podcast of the same name and stars Mamoudou Athie as Dan Turner, a man who is hired by Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan) to restore videotapes of a project run by Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) years before. It could have been just a standard job, but weird things keep happening. Dan even discovers that his late father, Steve Turner (Charlie Hudson III), appears on Melody’s tapes.
Dan’s friend, Mark Higgins (Matt McGorry), convinces him to stay with the project to discover how his father is connected. But as Dan learns more about the cult connections to Melody’s work, he may not be able to escape with his newfound knowledge.
The End of the F***ing World (2017)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Crime
Cast: Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Naomi Ackie
Created by: Jonathan Entwistle
Despite the title, The End of the F***ing World is not about an apocalypse. Instead, it’s a black comedy that follows James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a pair of teenagers who go on the run together out of a desire to escape their lives.
Unbeknownst to Alyssa, James shows some psychopathic tendencies and he only runs away with her to get a better opportunity to murder her. And yet even James starts to feel something real for Alyssa as they get into a lot of trouble on the road. Once they go down this path, James and Alyssa may never be able to go home again.
Break Point (2023)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary
Created by: Martin Webb
Netflix’s Break Point may be geared more toward tennis novices than people who have watched the sport for years. But it explains the rules and spends a lot of time with some of the current generation of stars, as well as a few controversial figures in the game. Tennis coverage doesn’t always let these players show off their personalities off the court. This series helps fill that void, even though its tennis footage doesn’t always capture the excitement of the game itself.
Maestro in Blue (2022)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Drama, Crime
Cast: Christopher Papakaliatis, Klelia Andriolatou, Orestis Chalkias
Created by: Christopher Papakaliatis
If Maestro in Blue were simply a steamy romance series, that might have been enough for this Greek show to break out on Netflix. Series creator and star, Christoforos Papakaliatis, sets up the show to be like that when he steps into the leading role as Orestis, a musician who is hired to organize a music festival on a small island in Greece. Soon after his arrival, Orestis catches the eye of Klelia (Klelia Andriolatou), an aspiring musician who is 19 years old.
The age gap between Orestis and Klelia does come up a few times as they try to deny their growing attraction. Orestis also builds larger bonds with the small town. But once someone winds up getting murdered, Maestro in Blue becomes an entirely different show. And the unfolding mystery may be more compelling than the love story.
Wildfire (2005)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 4
Genre: Drama, Family
Cast: Genevieve Padalecki, Micah Alberti, Ryan Sypek
Created by: Michael Piller
Wildfire was an original series on ABC Family in 2005 before the channel was renamed Freeform. The story follows Kristine “Kris” Furillo-Davis (Genevieve Cortese), a teenager who is just getting out of juvenile detention when she gets a chance to rebuild her life by working at a ranch.
Kris’ passion for animals leads her to prevent a horse named Wildfire from being slaughtered. Their mutual bond also allows Kris to pursue a new destiny as a race jockey with Wildfire as her steed. But even Kris’ newfound celebrity may not be enough to keep the ranch open.
School Spirits (2023)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Cast: Peyton List, Kristian Ventura, Milo Manheim
Created by: Nate Trinrud, Megan Trinrud
There’s nothing like solving a murder, especially when it’s your own murder. That’s an afterlife that Maddie Nears (Peyton List) never asked for in School Spirits. But one day, Maddie simply woke up and discovered that she was dead and haunting her high school alongside other students who had met untimely ends years earlier.
As Maddie attempts to discover what happened to her, she runs up against the limits of what she can do as a ghost. This show is on loan from Paramount+, which is where School Spirits season 2 will eventually premiere.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime, Mystery
Cast: Gil Carrillo, Frank Salerno, Pearl Carrillo
For over a year, Richard Ramirez terrorized the Los Angeles area as the Night Stalker. And then the people of Los Angeles fought back. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a four-part true crime series that rolls back the clock to the mid ’80s, as the public and the police realized that there was a serial killer in the City of Angels.
The show focuses on the detectives who pursued Ramirez’s true identity, the media frenzy, and what happened once Ramirez was exposed and hunted and pursued by ordinary citizens.
Goodbye Earth (2024)
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Ahn Eun-jin, Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Seong-woo
What would you do if you knew for certain that the world was going to end in 200 days? Hopefully, we’ll never have to answer that question. The same can’t be said of the people in Goodbye Earth, a Korean drama that deals with the impending destruction of the planet due to an asteroid hurtling toward the planet. And there’s no chance of anyone going up in space to blow it up, as they did in Michael Bay’s Armageddon.
Jin Se-kyung (Ahn Eun-jin) has come up with an answer for herself. For whatever time Se-kyung has left, she intends to dedicate it to protecting the schoolchildren in her care. But as society falls apart around her, this may be a promise that Se-kyung can’t keep.
Our Living World (2024)
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Cate Blanchett
Netflix has a number of wonderful nature programs in its lineup, but Our Living Planet takes a different tack than most. As narrated by Cate Blanchett, this four-part miniseries stresses the interconnectedness of the human and animal worlds in some surprising ways.
But the core message of the show is clear: We need the animals, and they need us to help protect the ecosystem while we still can. There aren’t any easy answers to be found here, but it’s far from just doom and gloom about the future of the world. Where there’s life, there’s hope.
The Good Cop (2018)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Josh Groban, Tony Danza, Monica Barbaro
Created by: Andy Breckman
The Good Cop feels a lot like Netflix’s take on Castle, with a little bit of Monk thrown in. Tony Danza stars as Anthony “Tony” Caruso Sr., a former cop who did seven years behind bars for corruption. Tony’s son, Anthony “TJ” Caruso Jr. (Josh Groban), is so by the book that he’s the polar opposite of his ex-con father.
Because Tony Sr. wants to prove that he’s changed and reformed, he risks violating his parole to help his son solve murders. Some of TJ’s cases even revolve around his father in unexpected ways.
HAPPY! (2017)
Metacritic: 6%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Action & Adventure
Cast: Christopher Meloni, Ritchie Coster, Lili Mirojnick
Created by: Grant Morrison, Darick Robertson
Law & Order: Organized Crime star Christopher Meloni headlined the Syfy original series Happy!, based on the comic of the same name by Grant Morrison and The Boysco-creator Darick Robertson. Meloni plays Nick Sax, an alcoholic ex-cop who has fallen so far that he now works as a hitman.
Sax’s life is changed when he meets Happy (Patton Oswalt), an imaginary friend of a young girl named Hailey Louise Hansen (Bryce Lorenzo). Hailey has been kidnapped, and she sent Happy to bring help. What Sax doesn’t initially realize is that Happy is not only real, but he can see Happy because Hailey is his daughter. And it will take a leap of faith for Sax to follow Happy back to the man holding Hailey captive.
Fisk (2021)
IMDb: 7.9/10
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Kitty Flanagan, Julia Zemiro, Marty Sheargold
Created by: Vincent Sheehan, Kitty Flanagan
You’ll have to excuse the title character of Fisk for being a bit of a misanthrope. In short order, Helen Tudor-Fisk (Kitty Flanagan) has had her husband run off with another woman and watched while her legal career has gone down the drain. Can you blame her for souring on people after that?
To avoid dealing with clients, Helen takes a job at Gruber & Gruber, an Australian law firm that specializes in probate cases. But much to Helen’s disappointment, working on behalf of recently deceased clients is even more taxing than she anticipated.
The Guardians of Justice (2022)
IMDb: 5.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Page Falkinburg Jr., Sharni Vinson, Denise Richards
Created by: Adi Shankar
You may find the characters in The Guardians of Justice to be very familiar, especially since this show is a dark parody of DC and Marvel’ superheroes. Marvelous Man (Will Yun Lee) has kept the world at peace for decades with his Superman-like powers. But when Marvelous Man commits suicide during his annual address, the world slips into chaos.
Knight Hawk (as played by former wrestler Diamond Dallas Page) believes that Marvelous Man was murdered, and he is helped in his investigation by The Speed (Shami Vinson). However, Knight Hawk won’t like the answers he finds, and The Speed may come to question whether the Guardians are actually heroes at all.
The Vince Staples Show (2024)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Cast: Vince Staples, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Andrea Ellsworth
Created by: Ian Edelman, Vince Staples, Maurice Williams
The tagline for The Vince Staples Show notes that its main character is “kind of famous and sort of rich” thanks to his career as a rapper, which may draw comparisons to FX’s Dave. But this particular series is closer in tone to Donald Glover’s Atlanta or even The Chris Isaak Show from two decades ago. You may not have heard of him, but Vince Staples is a real rapper who is playing himself in slightly exaggerated and comedic situations.
For the most part, Staples’ fame is just large enough to create some awkward interactions with his family, friends, and strangers. He’s also stuck somewhere between having a normal life and having people paying too much attention to him.
One Day (2024)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Essie Davis
Created by: Nicole Taylor
You may recall that there was a film adaptation of David Nicholls’ One Day in 2011 with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in the leading roles. That movie is more of an abridged version of the novel, while the updated version of One Dayextends to a whopping 14 episodes, which is a lot more than Netflix shows tend to get.
The series follows Dexter (Leo Woodall) and Emma (Ambika Mod), two strangers who meet and almost hook up on their last day in college. Although they don’t immediately become lovers, their bond with each other is powerful enough to keep them in each other’s orbits for the next two decades. From the highs to the lows, Dexter and Emma keep crossing paths as they try to determine what they want, and if they’re meant to be together.
The Tourist (2022)
Metacritic: 81%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Cast: Jamie Dornan, Danielle Macdonald, Olwen Fouéré
Created by: Harry Williams, Jack Williams
The title character of The Touristis a man played by Jamie Dornan who has no idea who he is or why he’s in Australia. The audience only initially gets to see the incident that landed the man in the hospital, but without any context as to why someone tried to kill him.
Without many leads to go on, the man visits a café where he encounters Luci Miller (Shalom Brune-Franklin), a waitress who knows a lot more about the man than she lets on. But she may be one of the only allies that he has. Eventually, the man is going to get his answers, assuming that he doesn’t get himself killed in the process.
Detective Forst (2024)
IMDb: 5.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Borys Szyc, Zuzanna Saporznikow, Kamilla Baar
Created by: Leszek Dawid
Fans of detective dramas will recognize a lot in Detective Forst, especially the lead character Wiktor Forst (Borys Szyc). He’s just got no time for the rules as laid down by his boss, Chief Inspector Edmund Osica (Andrzej Bienias), and Forst takes being thrown off of his latest case as more of a suggestion than an order. As long as there’s a serial killer running around, Forst isn’t backing down.
What separates this show from the pack is the Polish setting and culture, as well as a mystery that isn’t immediately obvious. The killer is sending a message, but even Forst needs some help making sense out of the clues that were left behind.
Boy Swallows Universe (2024)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Crime
Cast: Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin
Despite the name, the Australian drama Boy Swallows Universe is not about some eldritch horror that’s gobbling up galaxies. It’s about a boy, Eli Bell (Felix Cameron), whose world is coming apart at the seams. Eli’s mother, Frankie (Phoebe Tonkin), is hopelessly addicted to drugs and in jail, leaving Eli and his older brother, Gus (Lee Tiger Halley), who struggles with selective mutism, to live with their stepfather, Lyle Orlik (Travis Fimmel).
Lyle’s no saint himself, as he’s dealing drugs out of the misguided idea that it’s the only way he can provide for his family. Eli wants a way out for both Lyle and his mother, which leads him to a local crime boss, Bich (HaiHa Le), who brings Eli into her employ. But the deeper he goes in the criminal underworld, the harder it will be for Eli to get out.
Killer Soup (2024)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Manoj Bajpayee, Nassar
Created by: Abhishek Chaubey, Anant Tripathy, Unaiza Merchant, Harshad Nalawade
Swathi Shetty (Konkona Sen Sharma) has ambitions of owning her own restaurant in the Indian dark comedy, Killer Soup. And Swathi isn’t going to let little things like a lack of culinary talent or her recently deceased husband, Prabhu Shetty (Manoj Bajpayee), get in her way. As it happens, Swathi’s lover, Umesh (Bajpayee), looks so much like her late husband that she’s able to pass him off as the real thing.
However, the shortcuts and crimes that Swathi commits along the way always seem to come back to haunt her, and Umesh can only keep up the deception for so long. Eventually, this house of cards is going to fold.
The Deep State (2023)
IMDb: 6.5/10
Seasons: 1
Genre: Crime
Cast: Khalid Almuthafar, Bashar Al-Shatti, Rawan Bin Hussain
Created by: Said El Marouk
The Deep State is a true rarity, even on Netflix. This is a Kuwaiti political thriller that seems destined for an American remake down the line. Bashar Al-Shatti and Khalid Al Muthafar co-star as intelligence officers Bashar and Khaled, neither of whom is sure that they can trust each other. The one thing that Bashar and Khaled have in common is their shared belief that National Security Minister Adnan (Faisal Al-Ameri) is innocent of criminal culpability in a plane crash that claimed the life of a pilot.
Proving Adnan’s innocence turns out to be dangerous for both Bashar and Khaled. Once they leave the country to get answers, they may find coming home to be much more difficult.
The 100 (2014)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 7
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Action & Adventure
Cast: Eliza Taylor, Tasya Teles, Marie Avgeropoulos
Created by: Jason Rothenberg
During its seven-season run on The CW, The 100 inspired a passionate fanbase, but the series hasn’t fully crossed over into the mainstream. The show has a digital afterlife on Netflix, and it’s worthy of another chance to bring people into the story. The series is set in the future after Earth has been rendered nearly uninhabitable. With the remnants of humanity now living in orbit on the Ark, the future of the human race is in peril.
One hundred teenagers, including Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor), Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley), and Octavia Blake (Marie Avgeropoulos) are expelled from the Ark and forced to determine if it’s possible to reclaim the Earth. The group soon discovers that there are other factions of survivors on their homeworld, and there may not be a safe haven for anyone when the Ark itself is threatened with destruction.
Friends from College (2017)
Metacritic: 44%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, Annie Parisse
Created by: Nicholas Stoller, Francesca Delbanco
There are few sitcoms that can boast a star-studded cast like the ensemble that Friends from College put together. Two decades after their time in Harvard, Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key) and Lisa Turner (Secret Invasion‘s Cobie Smulders) move to New York City and reconnect with their friends and classmates Samantha “Sam” Delmonico (Annie Parisse), Nick Ames (Nat Faxon), Max Adler (Fred Savage), and Marianne (Jae Suh Park).
However, those bonds of friendship are tested by time and emotional distance as they navigate their own lives and ambitions. Ethan and Lisa’s marriage may also be stressed by his recurring affair with Sam, which could have major consequences for all three.
Cunk on... (2018)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Diane Morgan
Created by: Charlie Brooker
If you remember Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G and Borat, then you may have a better idea of what to expect from Cunk on Earth. This is a mockumentary produced by The Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker that features Diane Morgan reprising her role as Philomena Cunk, a blithering idiot who interviews real experts on the show.
This series has a really dry sense of humor, and much of the comedy comes from Morgan’s ability to keep herself from breaking character in the face of some of her incredulous interview subjects. This is a parody of nearly every documentary you’ve ever seen, which makes it so much fun to watch.
Last Chance U: Basketball (2021)
Metacritic: 90%
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary
Cast: John Mosley, Kenneth Hunter, Rob Robinson
Last Chance U: Basketball is a spinoff from the original documentary series that focuses on the men’s basketball team at East Los Angeles College. Under the leadership of Coach John Mosley, these athletes are getting their shot to play college basketball and potentially more at this small school. Not everyone can make it to the bigger universities or even find their way to the NBA. But the team’s collective and individual efforts are inspiring, and this is one of the rare shows that truly feels uplifting.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 9.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama
Cast: Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka
Created by: Michael Green, Amber Noizumi
Blue Eye Samurai is an unusual anime that appears to be picking up traction with fans who aren’t typically into animation. That’s because this is a series that fully embraces drama, as Mizu (Maya Erskine), a young woman passing herself off as a man, cuts a bloody path of vengeance in 17th century Japan when half-Caucasian and half-Japanese people like Mizu were considered abominations.
Mizu is accompanied on her quest by Ringo (Masi Oka), a handless man who proves to be a loyal friend. Mizu also finds an unexpected ally in Taigen (Darren Barnet), a swordsman who comes to respect her despite wanting to duel her to the death to restore his honor for a defeat at Mizu’s hands. This is an intricately plotted and executed series, which is just as compelling and interesting as any live-action series.
The Pacific (2010)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, War & Politics
Cast: James Badge Dale, Jon Seda, Joseph Mazzello
Created by: Bruce C. McKenna
The Pacific is currently streaming on Netflix on a temporary basis, so don’t get too used to seeing it here. This was originally an HBO production produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg nearly a decade after their acclaimed World War II miniseries, Band of Brothers. The Pacific returns to the same timeframe while exploring the battles in the Pacific from the point of view of PFC Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Cpl. Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello), GySgt. John Basilone (Jon Seda), and others.
This miniseries is based on the real accounts of the men who fought in the war, and it’s an unflinching look at combat during wartime and the high cost it demands from everyone involved.
Medici: The Magnificent (2018)
IMDb: 7.9/10
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama
Thanks to Netflix, international series like Medici: The Magnificent, which is a rare drama that is set during the events of the Italian renaissance. The Magnificent is a two-season continuation set two decades after the initial season of Medici.
Daniel Sharman stars as Lorenzo Medici, the heir to the family’s wealth and their powerful bank. Unfortunately, Lorenzo has to step up and prematurely assume control over both the family and the bank in order to prevent Florence from being invaded. But there are still plenty of enemies that Lorenzo has to deal with, both inside and outside of the city.
Good Girls (2018)
Metacritic: 60%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 4
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Crime
Cast: Christina Hendricks, Retta, Mae Whitman
Created by: Jenna Bans
Chances are good that you missed Good Girls during its four seasons on NBC, but the series has a second chance to find an audience on Netflix. The titular good girls are anything but, yet not without reason. Elizabeth “Beth” Boland (Christina Hendricks), her sister, Annie Marks (Mae Whitman), and their friend, Ruby Hill (Retta), are all facing serious financial issues when they band together to rob a grocery store.
Pulling off the heist wasn’t the problem. The real issue of the series is that Beth’s small gang has unintentionally come in the crosshairs of Rio (Manny Montana), a criminal who was previously using the grocery store as his money laundering front. Now, Rio wants the three women to work for him, and they don’t have the leverage to say no.
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Cast: Guillermo del Toro
Created by: Guillermo del Toro
If you’re looking for some scary short stories this Halloween, then director Guillermo del Toro has a treat for you. Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiositiesis a horror anthology series that features eight episodes of standalone stories, including one written by del Toro himself.
Although del Toro didn’t direct any of the episodes himself, he recruited horror directors Jennifer Kent, Ana Lily Amirpour, Panos Cosmatos, Catherine Hardwicke, Guillermo Navarro, David Prior, Vincenzo Natali, and Keith Thomas to each bring to life their own visions of terror.
Everything Now (2023)
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Lauryn Ajufo, Harry Cadby
Created by: Ripley Parker
Talk to Me‘s Sophie Wilde stars in Everything Now as Mia Polanco, a 16-year-old girl who has just been released from treatment for serious eating disorders. Mia not only feels like she’s under the microscope from her family and peers, but she also thinks that she missed far too much time from what should be the best years of her life.
In her eagerness to fix that, Mia recruits her friends Becca (Lauryn Ajufo), Will (Noah Thomas), and Cam (Harry Cadby), as well as acquaintances Alison (Niamh McCormack) and Carli (Jessie Mae Alonzo) ,to help her get through a bucket list of things that she missed. Mia wants to make up for lost time, even if she should probably slow down. But where’s the fun in that?
Top Boy (2019)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Kane Robinson, Ashley Walters, Micheal Ward
Created by: Ronan Bennett
The underrated British crime drama Top Boy has come to an end, and Netflix is the streaming home for both the original show and the three-season run of the revival series. But both incarnations of the show revolve around Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson), a pair of drug dealers in London whose friendship is sorely tested by their desires to rise in the criminal underworld.
While Dushane and Sully are initially on the same page, their goals diverge and they ultimately come into conflict with each other. Sometimes they’re even at each other’s throats, but they keep reluctantly joining forces. Yet in the end, there can only be one “Top Boy.’
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015)
Metacritic: 80%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 4
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Rachel Bloom, Donna Lynne Champlin, Vincent Rodriguez III
Created by: Aline Brosh McKenna, Rachel Bloom
Don’t be too put off by the title of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. While the name of the show is not an inaccurate description of Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), she’s not the type to go full Fatal Attraction. Instead, Rebecca is more of an unfulfilled dreamer who is prone to musical fantasies and occasional hallucinations. This show is a musical comedy, after all.
After reuniting with her ex-boyfriend, Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III), Rebecca has an existential breakdown, follows Josh cross-country, and attempts to reinvent her life on the West Coast. But Rebecca is not done with Josh, as she romantically pursues Josh’s best friend, Greg (Santino Fontana), as a way to stay close to him. Naturally, this does not sit well with Josh’s actual girlfriend, Valencia Perez (Gabrielle Ruiz).
Inventing Anna (2022)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Anna Chlumsky, Julia Garner, Arian Moayed
Created by: Shonda Rhimes
Inventing Anna is loosely based on the true story of Anna “Delvey” Sorokin (Julia Garner), a Russian con artist who was successfully able to worm her way into New York’s high society by convincing them that she was a rich German heiress. Because her newfound friends and contacts believed that Anna was rich, they were willing to give her access to their money as well.
The miniseries also focuses on Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky), a reporter who is obsessed with chasing down Anna’s story as she awaits trial. While some of Anna’s victims are willing to talk, Vivian finds it difficult to get the full story.
Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga (2022)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Taylor Lorenz, Andrew Left, Abbe Minor
Thanks to the film Dumb Money, the 2021 GameStop short squeeze is once again a popular topic. Netflix’s documentary, Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga, is a three-part look back at the tumultuous turn of events when amateur investors outmaneuvered the professional stock traders by driving up GameStop’s stock so high that the short sellers couldn’t buy back the stock without losing millions.
This documentary doesn’t quite cover all of the bases, but it’s still an intriguing look back at a Wall Street revolt that didn’t quite end the way most of the investors wanted it to.
Echoes (2022)
Metacritic: 46%
IMDb: 5.9/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Matt Bomer, Daniel Sunjata
Created by: Vanessa Gazy
Starring Michelle Monaghan and Matt Bomer, Echoes hasn’t gotten the same attention or positive reviews as other recent Netflix releases, but it’s an intriguing watch, as Monaghan plays a dual role: identical twin sisters Leni and Gina. Ever since they were young, the sisters have been swapping lives and fooling everyone around them. As adults, they have done this every year on their birthdays, with their husbands seemingly none the wiser as one sister firmly plants herself into the role of the other. They have pulled the plan off flawlessly for years — until one of them mysteriously goes missing. Secrets are revealed, and fans are left wondering: What truly happened to Gina?
The Midnight Club (2022)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Cast: Iman Benson, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd
Created by: Mike Flanagan, Leah Fong
Being in hospice care is no picnic, but eight teenage patients find a way to entertain themselves and bring a bit of joy to what’s left of their lives. They meet every night to share ghost stories. Eerily, however, they make a pact with one another that the first of them to perish must promise to return and communicate with the others from beyond the grave. The group gets more than they bargained for as they uncover secrets about one another, their pasts, and the doctor who runs the hospital. With the first episode of The Midnight Clubbreaking Guinness World Records for the most scripted jump scares in a single episode, be prepared for some serious horror.
The Watcher (2022)
Metacritic: 54%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Cast: Bobby Cannavale, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Coolidge
Created by: Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan
Reviews have been mixed for The Watcher, but it’s worth a watch if you’re into creepy, mystery thrillers, and/or you’re a fan of Ryan Murphy and his work. It’s based on a true story, although many liberties are taken with the depiction of actual events. Nora and Dean Brannock (Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale) put everything on the line to afford their dream home in Westfield, New Jersey. But the gorgeous, sprawling mansion might not be all it’s cracked up to be.
The couple and their kids notice strange behavior from the intrusive neighbors and begin receiving ominous letters from someone who calls themselves The Watcher. Should the Brannocks sell, lose money, and move back to the city or stand their ground and stay, despite the cost of their sanity and safety? With lots of twists and turns, The Watcher will keep you guessing right through to the end.
Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Documentary, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Various
Unsolved Mysteries will satisfy your desire for both true crime and docuseries about the unknown and paranormal activity. Each episode is a compartmentalized story, which means you can scan the summary and pick and choose what you’re in the mood to watch. Whether it’s the story of a successful businessman who mysteriously vanishes, UFO sightings, or a cold case murder rife with theories, rest assured every episode will leave you with tons of questions, opinions, and a desire to get to the bottom of what truly happened.
Netflix’s version is a revival of the original series that first aired in the late 1980s, and it has been resurrected multiple times through the decades. Now in its third season, the new Unsolved Mysteries presents an eclectic mix of captivating stories to keep you wanting more.
Love & Anarchy (2020)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Ida Engvoll, Bjorn Mosten, Johannes Bah Kuhnke, Bjorn Kjellman
Created by: Lisa Langseth
Sofie lives a seemingly ordinary life as a wife, mother, and business consultant. But when she gets a new job helping an old publishing house restructure and meets young IT expert Max, they begin a dangerous game. It starts with nothing more than innocent flirtations but quickly becomes a situation where they feed off one another, going against established norms, taking risks, and trying to outdo one another in how much trouble they can create. The plot builds as Sofie and Max’s games start to become an obsession. The Swedish series is dubbed a romantic comedy, so expect plenty of laughs along the way.
One Day at a Time (2017)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 4
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Isabella Gomez
Created by: Whitney Blake, Allan Manings
A reimagining of the classic ‘70s and ‘80s sitcom, One Day at a Time centers around a young Cuban mother and nurse and her two children who live together in a small apartment with her elderly mother while interacting frequently with their goofy, young landlord. While the basics stay true to the original, the underrated sitcom delves into serious topics like PTSD, alcohol abuse, gender identity, mental illness, and racism. There was fan outcry when Netflix canceled the series after three seasons, but it was eventually revived by Pop for a fourth and final one. The first three seasons are still available to watch on Netflix. With a talented and likable cast that includes the incomparable Rita Moreno, it’s a show that deserved to run for far longer than it did.
El Marginal (2016)
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 5
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Martina Gusman, Claudio Rissi, Nicolás Furtado
Created by: Sebastián Ortega, Adrián Caetano
Receiving rave reviews, this Argentine series concluded with its fifth and final season. With edge-of-your-seat tension all the way through, Miguel is a former police officer who takes an assignment to be sent to jail under a fake name and contrived case. The reason? He wants to infiltrate a criminal gang and find out details about the daughter of a judge who was kidnapped. The seasons flip back and forth between the present day and previous years, making for an interesting and compelling watch that will keep you invested all the way through.
Secret City (2016)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 2
Genre: Drama, War & Politics
Cast: Anna Torv, Andrew McFarlane, Robert Rabiah
Created by: Based on The Marmalade Files, The Mandarin Code by Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis
Harriett Dunkley (Anna Torv) uncovers various conspiracies involving tensions between China and the U.S. while working at Canberra press gallery. As she gets closer and closer to the truth, Dunkley’s job, and the freedoms of Australian residents, are at risk. Dubbed a political thriller, the show is based on Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis’ series of novels, including The Marmalade Files, The Mandarin Code, and The Shadow Game. There are two seasons, the second dubbed Secret City: Under the Eagle, which divertsfromthe stories in the novels,though both Uhlmann and Lewis signed on to consult. The Guardian calls the show “gripping,” noting that the political world setting feels “all too real and believable.” Each season is just six episodes, making a dozen in total to watch.
Kim's Convenience (2016)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 5
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Andrea Bang
Created by: Ins Choi, Kevin White
Hailing from Canada, Kim’s Convenience attained widespread recognition once it began streaming on Netflix. The sitcom stars Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (who also plays Captain Carson Teva in The Mandalorian) as a Korean Canadian man running a convenience store with his wife (Jean Yoon) and dealing with the everyday struggles of being parents and business owners. Ending after five seasons due to the co-creators departing the project, a spinoff called Strays debuted in late 2021. Kim’s Convenience has been praised for its clever storylines, sharp dialogue, and “screwball comedy.” If you’re looking for some good laughs, it’s worth a watch.
Derry Girls (2018)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan
Created by: Lisa McGee
This British teen sitcom quietly launched on Channel 4 in 2018 and exploded to become the network’s most successful comedy since Father Ted. Set in the ‘90s, it follows a group of teenage girls dealing with typical coming-of-age struggles in Ireland while also navigating the end of the period known as The Troubles, a 30-year power struggle relating to political and nationalistic interests. Based on creator Lisa McGee’s own high school experiences, it’s raw and honest, featuring actual events that took place during that time, like the 1994 IRA ceasefire and Bill Clinton’s visit to Northern Ireland in 1995. Aside from the engaging storylines, dark humor, and charm, the show features a solid musical track that’s indicative of the period, with everyone from Ace of Bass to Cypress Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, and The Cranberries. There are 19 episodes and three seasons.
On My Block (2018)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 4
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Jessica Marie Garcia
Created by: Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft
There are four seasons of this Netflix original, a teen drama set in inner-city Los Angeles where four teens find that high school puts their longtime friendship to the test. Praised for its diverse cast that includes Monse (Sierra Capri), an Afro-Latina tomboy, Ruben (Jason Genao), a Mexican math whiz, Jamal (Brett Gray), a Black nerd, and Cesar (Diego Tinoco), a smart Latino teen who gets involved in gang life, the show beautifully reflects the challenges of growing up and being pulled in multiple directions as kids try to figure out who they are and who they want to be. On My Block isn’t a typical teen drama: The show has been praised for being authentic and for weaving storylines involving topics like violence into its core rather than keeping them for that “one special episode,” notes Vulture’s Matt Zeitz.
Is It Cake? (2022)
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Reality
Cast: Mikey Day
This isn’t your typical baking show, but this reality cooking competition has been quietly making waves on Netflix. Hosted by SNL‘s Mikey Day, contestants are presented with an object of some kind and must bake a cake that replicates the look of it. So much so, in fact, that they must be able to fool the judges into thinking their cake is the actual object in a lineup and not completely edible (and delicious). The object of the game is to bake something that’s indistinguishable from the real thing. The big reveal happens when the item is sliced to audible gasps of “oohs” and “ahhs.” If more than one cake makes the cut, the judges give them a taste to decide who’s the deserving winner. It’s delicious, addictive, bingeable fun you can watch with the whole family.
The End of the F***ing World (2017)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Crime
Cast: Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Naomi Ackie
Created by: Jonathan Entwistle
There are just two seasons of this hidden gem British dark comedy-drama that takes a unique look at the concept of a serial killer. Seventeen-year-old James believes that he is a psychopath and he’s bored of targeting animals, desiring to move on to humans. He decides he is going to murder his mouthy classmate Alyssa, but when they embark on a runaway trip together to abandon their troubled lives, James finds himself growing closer to the young woman and having second thoughts. Based on the Charles Forsman mini-comics of the same name, which were turned into a book in 2013, the show was well-received by critics and audiences alike, lauded for its perfect blend of “misanthropy and humor.”
Murderville (2022)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Cast: Will Arnett, Haneefah Wood, Lilan Bowden
Created by: Krister Johnson
You might have heard about Murdervilleor seen it pop up in the queue but were reluctant to check it out. It’s actually the perfect interlude show between starting up a new thrilling drama or waiting for your favorite show to return with a new season. Will Arnett is joined by a different celebrity guest in each episode as they play detective and rookie detective heading out to solve a murder. The best part about the show, however, is that all the dialogue is improvised, so you’re watching the actors and personalities in all their improvisational and comedic glory. Guest stars include Conan O’Brien, Marshawn Lynch, Kumail Nanjiani, Annie Murphy, Sharon Stone, and Ken Jeong, with every episode delivering its own unique brand of humor. With just six short episodes, it’s the perfect show to put you in a good mood.
Catching Killers (2021)
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Dana Gouge, Tim Relph, Clark Schwartzkopf
Created by: Simon Dekker
Everyone is in the mood for a good true crime show every now and then, and catching killers is one with a unique twist: Rather than focus primarily on the killers, their families, victims, and families of the victims, the show centers around the police officers, detective, and prosecutors who investigated the cases. Learn every harrowing detail as they went from discovery to the hunt to track down the identity of some of the most prolific killers in history, from BTK to Aileen Wuornos. It’s easy to forget about the sleepless nights and emotional turmoil the men and women on the front lines endured during and after working on such disturbing and violent cases. With just four episodes per season, it’s easy to pick and choose which episodes you want to watch whenever there’s a gap in your TV schedule.
After Life (2019)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Kerry Godliman
Created by: Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais shines in this British dark comedy about a man who, after his wife dies from cancer, decides to do whatever he pleases, not giving a care about anyone or anything. While Tony (Gervais) initially contemplates suicide, he realizes it would be far more satisfying to punish the world, and everyone in it, for what it has done to him. Except, the opposite happens. Instead of pushing people away, Tony’s actions bring them closer to him as they try to make him a better person. The show is heartwarming, sweet, and funny, and the under-30-minute episodes, six per season, make it a quick binge.
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Metacritic: 78%
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama, War & Politics
Cast: Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, Ian Hart
Created by: Stephen Butchard
Originally airing on BBC America and BBC Two, The Last Kingdom is the perfect watch for those who are into historical fiction. Set in the year 886 through to 912 for the first four seasons, the relationship between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons is about to be defined as a result of the Great Heathen Army. Aside from the gripping storyline, the show has been lauded for its cinematography and “magnificent action sequences.” If you have been missing shows like Game of Thrones and love series like Vikings, this one might be right up your alley.
Dark (2017)
IMDb: 8.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Mystery, Crime
Cast: Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn
Created by: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
Looking for something, well, dark and ominous? This German sci-fi thriller follows the events following a child’s disappearance as the residents of the town of Winden embark on a journey to find out what happened to him. With elements of time travel, the exploration of the existential implications of time, a connection between four families, and a conspiracy that dates back generations, it’s like Stranger Things meets The Outsider meets Twin Peaks. There were three seasons of the show that critics call “tense, terrifying, and creepy.”
In From the Cold (2022)
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Cast: Margarita Levieva, Cillian O'Sullivan, Lydia Fleming
Created by: Adam Glass
Jenny (Margarita Levieva) is a single mother who, in a past life, worked as Russian spy Anya Petrova, aka The Whisper. While she thought she left her dangerous and complicated former life behind her, the CIA discovers Jenny’s identity, thrusting her back into the dark and violent world of crime. Hailing from Adam Glass, known for series like Supernatural and Criminal Minds and comic books like Deadpool and Luke Cage, the show has been described as a “fine diversion” and praised for its “brisk pace.” Be prepared for plenty of twists and turns as the story progresses, too.
Gentefied (2020)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Joseph Julian Soria, Carlos Santos, Joaquín Cosío
Created by: Marvin Lemus, Linda Yvette Chavez
Despite the fantastic reviews, Gentefield never quite got the attention it deserved and was surprisingly canceled after two seasons. But the story of three Mexican American cousins and their quest to achieve the American Dream is worth watching. They are young and trying to navigate life while struggling with their loyalties to both their families, including a family-owned taco shop, and their desires to move forward with the times. The comedy-drama has been called “strikingly personal” and “hilariously relatable” about how gentrification affects those who make up the fabric of a neighborhood.
Maid (2021)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose
Created by: Molly Smith Metzler
Tackling the difficult topic of domestic abuse, Alex is a young mother who works up the courage to take her daughter and leave her abusive boyfriend. She moves into a shelter and snags a job cleaning houses in order to earn an income for her and her child. Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) shines in the lead role as a character based on Stephanie Land, who wrote the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive that inspired the series. While critics say the show isn’t always the easiest to watch due to the sensitive subject matter, it’s powerful and meaningful amidst a sea of shows designed solely for entertainment value. Review aggregator website Metacritic labels Maid a “must-watch” show.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (2020)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Carole Baskin, Bhagavan Antle, Howard Baskin
If you weren’t one of the millions of people who immersed themselves in the unusual saga of Joe Exotic, his G.W. Zoo in Oklahoma, and his passionate rivalry with rival Carole Baskin of the Big Cat Rescue in Florida, now is the time to dive in. With Exotic, real name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, still fighting to get out of prison and a second season out now as well chronicling the aftermath of his incarceration, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the unbelievable story (or re-watch it for a second time). There are so many twists and turns you’ll never see coming, making the first season an easy binge. Once done, don’t forget to check out the special aftershow hosted by Joel McHale that contains revealing interviews with people involved in the ongoing drama.
Inside Job (2021)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Comedy, Animation
Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, Clark Duke
Created by: Shion Takeuchi
With potential to become the next big adult animated series, Inside Job is dubbed a workplace comedy and paranoid fiction. Set in a fictional organization called Cognito, Inc. within a shadow government, Reagan Ridley (Lizzy Caplan) and her team are tasked with preventing the spread of conspiracy theories. The problem is, every single one of them is actually true. As Reagan navigates everyday work life that includes reptilian shapeshifters and psychic mushrooms, she’s laser focused on keeping the truth about, well, everything citizens suspect a secret.
Bodyguard (2018)
Metacritic: 79%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: War & Politics, Crime, Drama
Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Sophie Rundle
Created by: Jed Mercurio
Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Eternals) stars in this British political thriller about David Budd, a British Army war veteran suffering from PTSD. After serving, he finds himself tasked with working as personal protection for Home Secretary Julia Montague, a job he’s none too happy about considering that he does not agree with her stance on politics. As they face conspiracies, controversies surrounding government surveillance, and danger at every turn, David finds his entire world crashing down around him. It’s a thrilling six-episode binge to complete the season.
Dirty Money (2018)
Metacritic: 80%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 2
Genre: Crime, Documentary
With two seasons under its belt, each episode looks at topics like corporate corruption, securities fraud, and creative accounting within companies that had questionable rises to the top or dealt with controversy. Season 1 covers stories like the Volkswagen emissions scandal and HSBC money laundering for the Sinaloa Cartel, while season 2 delves into everything from the Wells Fargo account fraud scandal to Jared Kushner. It’s the type of show you can watch an episode or two of here and there when you’re not in the right mindset to get invested in a multi-episode new show just yet.
Queen of the South (2016)
Metacritic: 59%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 5
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Alice Braga, Hemky Madera
Created by: Joshua John Miller, M.A. Fortin
If you love Narcos,this crime drama will be right up your alley. An adaptation of the Telemundo telenovelaLa Reina del Sur,which itself was adapted from the Arturo Perez-Reverte novel of the same name, the series is about Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga), a poor woman from Sinaloa who gets caught up in the drug trade. In the most unwholesome rags-to-riches story you can imagine, she becomes the kingpin, er, queen. Every episode will have you at the edge of your seat as you watch her rise to power and Walter White-like evolution to someone more ruthless than her enemies. All five seasons are available to stream, so you can watch the story from beginning to bitter end.
Imposters (2017)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 2
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Cast: Inbar Lavi, Marianne Rendón, Parker Young
Created by: Adam Brooks, Paul Adelstein
Inbar Lavi (Prison Break, Lucifer) captivates as Maddie, a con woman whose M.O. is to get wealthy and powerful men to fall in love with her, propose, and get married. She then cleans their bank accounts dry, leaving a video goodbye message before she disappears into the sunset. It usually works flawlessly to play, except her latest victim, a shy and sweet man named Ezra, feels so slighted and hurt by her betrayal (more so than the money she took) that he decides to track her down and confront her. In the process, however, he runs into more jilted exes, and they team up for a cat-and-mouse game that’s equal parts drama and comedy as they cluelessly try to beat Maddie at her own game. Despite decent reviews, the series concluded after two seasons. But it’s still a fun and entertaining watch that gets you invested in each of the characters.
Travelers (2016)
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast: Eric McCormack, MacKenzie Porter, Nesta Cooper
Created by: Brad Wright
This science fiction series starsWill & Grace‘s Eric McCormack as Grant MacLaren, the leader of the travelers, operatives of the past who have had their consciousnesses transferred to “host” bodies of people in the current day. Their mission? To try and save people who are about to die. The post-apocalyptic series was a co-production between Netflix and Canadian specialty channel Showcase for seasons 1 and 2, but Netflix took over for season 3. It’s now canceled despite viewers seeming to love it, but you can still immerse yourself in all three season if you’re looking for a dose of sci-fi.
What/If (2019)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Drama
Cast: Renée Zellweger, Jane Levy, Blake Jenner
Created by: Mike Kelley
You’d think this series would have gotten more attention given that it features Academy Award-winning actor Renee Zellweger. A neo-noir thriller anthology series, it examines the “ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things.” Season 1 chronicled a couple desperate to fund a tech start-up who make a deal with a mysterious investor. The show did not get great reviews, though Zellweger received almost universal praise for her portrayal of venture capitalist Anne Montgomery. Nonetheless, there hasn’t yet been a second season, but for fans of the actor, and those who are intrigued by the concept of morality and how every decision can change one’s entire life path, season 1 might be a worthwhile watch, regardless.
Seven Seconds (2018)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Clare-Hope Ash*tey, Michael Mosley, Beau Knapp
Created by: Veena Sud
This drama limited series is based on the Russian filmThe Majorby Yuri Bykov, about the investigation into the death of a young Black teenager who is accidentally hit by the car of a white police officer. Assuming the young boy is dead, the officer calls in backup to try and cover it up. Full of racial tension and emotion, the 10-episode limited series stars multi-award winner Regina King. Though it’s predictable, if you’re looking for something socially topical, this is a good option.
White Gold (2017)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Joe Thomas, Linzey co*cker, Ed Westwick
Created by: Damon Beesley
Deliciously irreverent, this British sitcom is a great watch if you loved shows like EntourageandHouse of Lies. Vincent is an arrogant, self-centered windows salesman who wants more for his life and feels he deserves it. Disrespectful of his wife, friends, and customers, he cons people out of their money while living a lavish lifestyle on their dime. Ed Westwick plays Vincent beautifully, while his castmates, formerInbetweenerscast members Joe Thomas and James Buckley, provide additional comic relief. You’ll be laughing and rolling your eyes at how ridiculously conceited Vincent is and what he gets away with. Plow through the 12 episodes of two seasons, and they will leave you wanting more.
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