The 50 Best TV Shows on Netflix, Ranked [January 2022]
Some of you will remember walking into a Blockbuster [or, for the hip, your local mom and pop video store] on a Friday or Saturday night and being overwhelmed with all of the choices. Drama? Comedy? Documentary? Where to begin? You could get lost forever wandering down those aisles and wondering, but is this the best choice?
The same can happen now when you scroll around Netflix; the options seem endless [and they nearly are, so much so that Netflixs own newly released series often get lost!] What you need is to be able to log on and know exactly what you want to start bingeing without wasting time scrolling around.
Enter Paste our TV writers are ready to assist in helping you find what you need. Below weve ranked 50 of the best TV shows on Netflix, but its just a start. Bookmark this page and come back as more series are added to Netflix [and some may be taken away] each month. And an important note: The list now starts with our #1 pick!
Looking for streaming series on other networks? You can also check out our lists of the Best TV Shows on Hulu, the Best TV Shows on Amazon, as well as our weekly Power Ranking for even more recommendations.
1. Breaking Bad
Created by: Vince Gilligan
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, RJ Mitte, Giancarlo Esposito
Original Network: AMC
Watch on Netflix
Some argue that The Wire is TVs best drama of all time; others stand up for Mad Men or The Sopranos, the latter of which has the benefit of being so important historically that it begins many textbooks modern TV eras. But Breaking Bad made its bones quickly, publicly, and with plenty of pizzazz. It entered the TV landscape with just a few episodes of tonally questionable wobblingthe balance-finding of an ambitious acrobat searching for the tightropes centerand stuck the landing on the remaining five seasons. Who cares if the first seasons DVD case called it a dramedy? America knew what it was immediately, even if we didnt know exactly where it was going. How has the tragic ballad of science teacher-turned-meth kingpin Walter White [Bryan Cranston] weathered its title over the years? If the current TV landscape is anything to judge by, its a proud grandfather, looking over its progeny with the same glee and gentle judgment of any overachieving patriarch. Breaking Bad may not have set the paradigm of unlikable anti-heroism in pop drama, but it certainly put the pop in the designation. [And dont forget to watch the shows probably unnecessary but nevertheless wonderful follow-up film El Camino]. Jacob Oller
2. The Great British Baking Show
Created by: Love Productions
Stars:Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Sandi Toksvig, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas
Original Network: BBC
Watch on Netflix
Known across the pond as The Great British Bake-Off, the appeal of the wildly popular reality TV seriesmost seasons of which are now available on Netflixis its refusal to go in for dramatic contrivances. Against Foxs Gordon Ramsay-hosted properties, Chopped, even Top Chef, with their constant backbiting and broken dreams, the contestants on GBBS are sunny, mutually supportive amateurs [albeit extraordinarily skilled ones]; in any given episode, the worst crisis is judge Paul Hollywood pressing a finger into a scone and pronouncing it underbaked [or literally pronouncing it overwerked and oonderbaked]. Even with new hosts and new judge as the series moved to ITV from the BBC, GBBS remains a wonderful, inspiring, refreshing, whimsical and altogether happy series.Matt Brennan and Allison Keene
3. The Good Place
Created by: Michael Schur
Stars: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, DArcy Carden, William Jackson Harper
Original Network: NBC
Watch on Netflix
Some of the best sitcoms in history are about bad people. M.A.S.H., Seinfeld, Arrested Development: Itd be hard to argue that the majority of their characters arent self-involved, intolerant or downright assholes. Its far, far too early to enter The Good Place into any such pantheon, but its relevant in pinning down why the latest comedy from Michael Schur [The Office, Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine] feels simultaneously so cozy and so adventurous. Fitting into a middle ground of sensibilities between occupational comedies like NewsRadio and the sly navel-gazing of Dead Like Me, The Good Place is the rare show thats completely upfront about its main characters flaws, creating a moral playground that tests Eleanors worst impulses at every turn. Played by Kristen Bell at her most unbridled, shes a vain, impish characterthe type of person wholl swipe someones coffee without a second thought, then wonder why the universe is plotting against her. Shes a perfect straight woman in an afterlife surrounded by only the purest of heart, but the show doesnt hold it against her. If anything, following in the grand tradition of sitcoms, the show knows that were all bad people at one time or another. Michael Snydel
4. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Developed by: Jeffrey Addis, Will Matthews
Stars: Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Simon Pegg, Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
There is a moment in Netflixs The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistancea prequel to Jim Hensons beloved Dark Crystal movie [which is great but you do not need to have seen it before this]where two ancient characters are recounting an important tale to our heroes. Its about the beautiful land of Thra, and an event many years past that caused an imbalance and blight within the crystal that stands at the center of their world. All of the answers they seek will be brought to life by that most ancient and sacred of arts theyre told, with a dramatic pause as the character looks right at the camera and breathes out: Puppetry!
Oh nooo! our heroes groan, and one immediately falls asleep.
That is the bias that Age of Resistance acknowledges its up againstbut folks, get over it. Allow this incredible production to sweep you away in an epic fantasy journey, one that is able to so much more deeply and fully explore the world Henson and Frank Oz imagined with the original film. You can liken it to Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones or any high fantasy series you like, but after ten magical hours it truly stands on its own as a gorgeous, innovative, emotional, joyous, and exceptional wonder. If that sounds hyperbolic, its only because thats exactly the kind of sincere enthusiasm the show engenders. Get past any hesitance over the puppets [which are actually outstanding, as CG is used only to smooth out backgrounds and action], turn subtitles on to help you remember all of the character names, and immerse yourself in this incredible world that we are so, so lucky to have.Allison Keene
5. Better Call Saul
Created by: Vince Gilligan
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn, and Jonathan Banks
Original Network: AMC
Watch on Netflix
When Bob Odenkirk showed up towards the end of the second season of Breaking Bad, playing sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman, it was a small shock to the system for anyone who has long appreciated his work as a writer and a comic actor on series like SNL and Mr. Show. Little did we know that this was only the beginning of a tragic and hilarious tale that would start to take on the scope of an epic Russian novel. This prequel to Vince Gilligans meth drama has accomplished the nearly impossible, by expanding upon the source material of Breaking Bad with dynamic and sometimes heartbreaking results. And give full credit to Odenkirk [and his co-stars Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn, and Jonathan Banks] for further bringing to life how shaky a persons morality can be, especially when theres great gobs of money involved. Robert Ham
6. Schitts Creek
Created by: Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy
Stars: Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Catherine OHara, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Noah Reid, Jenn Robertson, Chris Elliott
Original Network: Pop TV
Watch on Netflix
The narcissistic matriarch of her spoiled clan, stripped of their fortune and plopped down in the rural burg of Schitts Creek, former soap star Moira Roseas played by Catherine OHara, dressed by costume designer Debra Hanson, and written by Schitts Creek co-created by Dan Levy and his teamwas, for the series first two seasons, the main reason to tune in: Shes high camp catnip [What is your favorite season? Awards.] with a wig collection that qualifies as the best drama on television. And then something happened. Her husband, Johnny [Eugene Levy], once the owner of a successful chain of video stores, rediscovered his purpose running a motel. Moira won a seat on the town council. Their son, David [Dan Levy], opened a store and met the love of his life. Their daughter, Alexis [Annie Murphy], finally finished high school [its a long story] and decided to enroll in community college. In Seasons Three, Four, and Five, the Roses put down roots, and as they have, the people of Schitts Creekonce treated primarily as rubes, innocently getting in the way of the familys plans to flee back to their former liveshave learned to wrangle them, in some cases by developing sharper edges of their own. Though it hasnt lost its absurdist inflection, what began as a fish-out-of-water comedy about a bunch of snobs reduced to eating mozzarella sticks at the Café Tropical has become a gentler, warmer, more complicated tale of what happens when the fish sprout legs, and one of the best comedies on television: Call it the sweetening of Schitts Creek. Matt Brennan
7. Unbelievable
Created by: Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, Michael Chabon
Stars: Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Theres something quietly revolutionary about Unbelievable. It is difficult to watch at times, the kind of series likely to live with you long after its final moments come to a close; for a story centered on rape, that is hardly unusual. The work of its three remarkable lead actors is wonderful but also not unique; other television shows and movies have hired exceptional performers to tell these stories. Instead, Unbelievable distinguishes itself by the simple act of making one very big assumption: that everyone watching already knows that rape is a horrific violation. It assumes youve got that handled. It assumes that youve seen The Handmaids Tale or Boys Dont Cry, or most recently, The Nightingale, and have plenty of experience seeing rape depicted in media in visceral, nightmarish fashion. It is fully aware that of the people on the other side of the screen one in six women and one in 33 men will have personally experienced a rape or an attempted rape in their lives. It has absolutely no interest in immersing its audience in trauma and violation. Unbelievable knows that you know rape is bad. It does not act as a voyeur. Under the guidance of showrunner Susannah Grant, it is far more interested in the survivors perspectiveon what happened to her, yes, and how it lingers, but also on the violations that came after.
Based on a Pulitzer-winning piece of journalism by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong [of ProPublica and The Marshall Project, respectively], Unbelievable is a series of such quiet power that its full impact may not come crashing down until after its conclusion.Allison Shoemaker
8. Babylon Berlin
Created by: Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries, Henk Handloegten
Stars: Volker Bruch, Liv Lisa Fries
Watch on Netflix
The excellent 20s-set series Babylon Berlin is a labyrinthine but deeply human exploration of a key era of German history. Focusing primarily on a mysterious detective from Cologne [Volker Brunchs Gereon Rath], as well as a poor, ambitious flapper with a desire to work in Berlins homicide division [Liv Lisa Fries Charlotte Ritter], this neo-noir builds a case around the many forces at work in German society and politics during the Weimar Republic. With the rise of Stalin impacting Europe, and the Treaty of Versailles not sitting well with dangerous nationalist groups, Berlin is a hotbed of covert activities. And the payoff, after the shows marvelous first two seasons, culminates in one of televisions best episodes of all time [including an outrageous twist you will never see coming].
Despite the time period [in a surprise perhaps to American viewers], the first time we are shown a swastika is not until the Season 2 finale. But the slow turning of that tidethe fall of democracy, the rising blame against the Jewish communityis felt throughout, as violence spills out onto the streets, among a population still splintered from the horrors of the first World War. And yet, Babylon Berlin is never a dark series. It can be sad or heartbreaking, but it can also be luminous and joyous. Its cerebral and emotional. It takes time to spend an entire episode casually lounging by a lake, but also builds such an intricate interplay of narrative threads that, when they start to pay off, you will come away astonished. The shows distinct German Expressionist style, gorgeous costuming, and keen sense of character make it unmissable TV. Dont be scared of the subtitlesthough it is dubbed, it is best experienced in its native language. Allison Keene
9. Russian Doll
Created by: Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, Amy Poehler
Stars: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Netflixs Russian Doll was almost too good to be renewed. By all means, renew Natasha Lyonne. Renew Amy Poehler. Renew Leslye Headland. Renew Charlie Barnett. Renew Rebecca Henderson and Greta Lee as hot mess hipster art friends ready to make parties across the Netflix spectrum that much spikier and sparklier. Renew Elizabeth Ashley as every Netflix heroines no-bullshit therapist [but make it fashion] mom-figure. Renew sharp, funny women directing sharp, funny women written by sharp, funny women. Renew that hair. Renew every damn thing about Russian Doll that helped make it such a brambly triumph of black comedy, macabre ennui and existential optimism. [Everything, that is, except Dave Becky in a producers chairif Broad City can change precedent after four seasons, new series can avoid setting one altogether.] Renewing Russian Doll as a whole is trickier. It is, in the eight shaggy, smartly-constructed puzzlebox episodes of its debut season, nearly perfect. Alexis Gunderson
10. When They See Us
Created by: Ava DuVernay
Stars: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome, Marquis Rodriguez, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo, Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
You cannot look away from When They See Us or shelter yourself from the blinding truth. On April 19, 1989, 28-year-old Trisha Meli was jogging in Central Park when she was brutally raped and left for dead. In a coma for 12 days, Meli had no memory of what happened to her and was unable to identify her attacker or attackers. The series doesnt shy away from the horrors of what happened to Meli. A successful white woman left for dead in Americas most famous public space did not sit well with New York City. Everyonethe mayor, the district attorney, the police departmentwanted her attackers caught. But somewhere along the line, Manhattan District Attorney Linda Fairstein [Felicity Huffman, in her first post-scandal role] and NYPD detectives lost sight of wanting to find the actual criminal and decided to solve the crime by any means necessary. The story itself is overwhelmingly powerful. But there are several key decisions Ava DuVernay makes that turns When They See Us into one of the years, if not the decades best, programs. One is the casting of five relatively unknown actors to play the boys.
The Central Park Five were 14-16 years old in 1989 and Rodriguez, Herisse, Jerome, Blackk and Harris not only look young but portray the absolutely vulnerability and fear that their real-life counterparts must have felt. We also get to see their families, who fought so hard for their children. Niecy Nash as Koreys mom Delores. John Leguizamo as Raymonds father, who remarries while Raymond is away and struggles to balance his old family with his new one. Aunjanue Ellis as Sharon Salaam, the only parent who understood the system enough to make sure her son didnt sign a false confession. DuVernay doesnt make any of them saints. They all make horrible mistakes and painful decisions. But their love for their children is never in doubt. When They See Us is exceedingly difficult to watch. It cut me to my very core. When you see it, Im sure it will do the same to you. Amy Amatangelo
11. The Queens Gambit
Created by: Scott Frank, Allan Scott
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
You would be forgiven for thinking The Queens Gambit is based on a real chess player, perhaps introducing us to a forgotten but pivotal name in the game. Thankfully it is not, freeing it from the confines of what could be stodgy biopic traps. Instead, the seven-episode limited series, based off Walter Tevis 1983 novel of the same name, positively soars.
Gorgeously shot and lovingly crafted, The Queens Gambit takes place in the late 1950s and 60s, and focuses on a young chess prodigy, Beth Harmon [Anya Taylor-Joy]. Tragedy and fantasy engage in a complicated dance in Scott Franks scripts, as Beth is fed [and quickly develops an addiction to] tranquilizers as an eight-year-old child, something that opens her mind up but [obviously] plagues her throughout her young adult life.
And yet, The Queens Gambit is secretly a sports story. Chess has never been more kinetically riveting. Deftly edited and full of stylish montages, the moves that come so easily to Beth are not easily explained to viewers. There is a depth of knowledge that defies casual understanding, but it is also never a barrier. Beth is almost supernaturally gifted, brilliant at chess yet hindered by a mind that also finds solace in addictions of various kinds. Its a story usually told about a man, but part of whats so refreshing about The Queens Gambit is that, despite one or two quick comments, this is really not about Beth being a woman [or more accurately, a girl]. The show doesnt need to make a statement.
Because The Queens Gambit is a work of fiction [that title, by the way, is mentioned 33 minutes into the first episode and then dispatched with], it tells exactly the engrossing character story it wants to, and how. That might sound obvious, but its no small thing. With excellent pacing and a sure sense of itself out of the gate, The Queens Gambit is a work of artriveting, radiant, and simply spellbinding. Like Beth, it triumphs through its devotion to a love of the game. Allison Keene
12. Community
Created by: Dan Harmon
Stars: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong, Jim Rash
Original Network: NBC, Yahoo
Watch on Netflix
As a half-hour sitcom, Community didnt merely break the fourth wall; it broke it, openly commented on the fact that it broke it, only to then build a fifth wall for the express purpose of further demolition. Yet, if deconstructing the sitcom formula was all creator Dan Harmons magnum opus had to offer, it would have been a fun, if superficial lark. Instead, in telling the story of a ragtag group of community college students, the show used its vast pop culture vernacular as a vessel for telling surprisingly resonant stories about outcasts attempting to find acceptance, a sense of belonging and, yes, community. Whether the Greendale study group was participating in an epic game of paintball or being confined to their study room in search of a pen, Harmon and Co. perfected the art of taking gimmicky concepts and transforming them into strong, character-driven gems. The strange, winding saga of Community will forever stand as the stuff of TV sitcom legends. Mark Rozeman
13. Stranger Things
Created by: The Duffer Brothers
Stars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Say what you will about the finer points of its storytelling, Stranger Things continues to be an unabashed celebration of the 1980s, from its own filmic references regarding style and story to a cavalcade of literal references from the era. Its plucky set of kid and teen characters battle monsters [real or within themselves] and go to the mall. Its a nostalgic dream and a creepfest nightmare. But whether its set during Halloween or in the throes of a mid-80s summer, the shows carefully crafted aesthetics always serve to augment the joyful nature of the series non-monster moments. And that, really, is where Stranger Things shines. The creep factor is important [and occasionally actually scary or super gory], but it acts as an almost funny juxtaposition to the otherwise happy-go-lucky look at suburban life. Mainly, though, its the friendships and coming-of-age stories, the relationships and family bonding, that really make Stranger Things great. For better or worse, the Netflix horror series is as tasty, messy, and fleeting as an ice cream cone on a hot summers day. Ahoy!Allison Keene
14. Call My Agent!
Country: France
Category: Comedy/Drama
Watch on Netflix
A fast-paced French comedy-drama about a Parisian talent agency and the lovably infuriating folks who staff it. Created by Fanny Herrero, Call My Agent [also known as Dix Pour Cent ten percent] is excellent at balancing and integrating both its character work and Actor of the Week storylines, where real French celebrities [some of whom, in later seasons, are more well-known to American audiences] play heightened versions of themselves. A behind-the-scenes look at French movie making, Call My Agent is just as focused on the various personal dramas at ASKan agency at war first with a rival agency and then with itselfand its lopsided work is life mentality. With four short seasons [each running six episodes], the series is entertaining simply as a clever take on the industry, but what makes it truly great is how it grounds that storytelling in relatable characters and the neverending carousel of their triumphs and woes. In other words, oui, worth the subtitles. Allons-y! Allison Keene
15. Legends of Tomorrow
Created by: Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Phil Klemmer
Stars: Brandon Routh, Caity Lotz, Dominic Purcell, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Nick Zano, Tala Ashe
Original Network: The CW
Watch on Netflix
Joyful is an underused and underrated term when it comes to TV dramas. Too many series conflate prestige with sorrow, violence, and horror when it can [and should] also mean happiness and splendor. Legends of Tomorrow, though, is a drama that truly understands the meaning of joy. The serieswhich follows a rag-tag bunch of misfits through space and time trying to fix historical anomalies caused by villains and supernatural beingscan be flippant and glib, but it can also be devastatingly emotional. The bottom line is that its just good. For those who were turned off by its first episodes or even first season, dive in to Season Two [or even Season Three, if youre really strapped for time] and go from there. It gets much, much better. Legends is the rare series that learns from its mistakes, always ready to grow and innovate to bring us the most bonkers but wonderful television. And unlike most other series [especially those dealing with superheroes], it isnt afraid to change out its cast members when things arent working, which keeps each season feeling fresh while the stakes remain high.
Legends of Tomorrow is funny, strange, bizarre, beautiful, and silly. It incorporates puppets and unicorns and sentient lopped-off nipples, but also explores the the devastation of losing loved ones, of advocating for those who need a voice, and an ever-developing journey of self-discovery. Join us for the ride.Allison Keene
16. The Crown
Created by: Peter Morgan
Stars: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Jeremy Northam, Victoria Hamilton, Anton Lesser, Matthew Goode
Original Network: Netflix, 2016-present
Watch on Netflix
In its first two seasons, creator Peter Morgans lavish treatment of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II hinges on Claire Foys utterly captivating performance as the flinty monarch; the impeccable period detail; a sense of historical scope that outstrips its forebears, Morgans 2006 film The Queen and 2013 play The Audience. But to call The Crown simply lavish seems unfair. Rather, as time marches on from the early days of Elizabeths reign, we move in to the Suez Crisis of in 1956, and the Profumo affair of 1963. Through the series, its elaborates, thoughtful style and episodic structure fleshes out the supporting characters, including Elizabeths husband, Philip [Matt Smith], and sister, Margaret [the standout Vanessa Kirby], by turning the focus away from the queen herself. Its a surprisingly full-throated examination of Britains public life, and its public figures private ones.
The new chapter of Netflixs opulent celebration of the monarchy opens in 1964 and concludes with her Silver Jubilee in 1977. In an era of binge, Peter Morgans historical drama continues to distinguish itself as a series devoted to episodic storytelling, almost acting like an anthology within itself. To that end, Season 3 introduces us to a new cast to reflect the new timeframe: Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II, Tobias Menzies is now Prince Philip, Margaret transforms into Helena Bonham Carter, and we are introduced to Prince Charles [Josh OConnor], Princess Anne [Erin Doherty].
The weight of the crown itself is felt throughout, mainly in how unhappy it makes all of these very privileged people who constantly consider the life unlived. Each of these serve as a brief glimpse of possibilities that are never allowed to materialize because of the realities of position and duty, but that sacrifice in the face of something greater becomes increasingly harder to defend as the years go on. But in this moment, Elizabeth is at a point where all she knows is that she must simply carry on. And so, indeedas the series takes great pains to arguemust the crown. Matt Brennan and Allison Keene
17. BoJack Horseman
Created by: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Stars: Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris, Paul F. Tompkins
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
BoJack Horseman is one of the most underrated comedies ever made, and it almost pains me that it doesnt earn more praise. Right from the title sequence, which documents BoJacks sad decline from network sitcom star to drunken has-beenset to the beautiful theme song written by the Black Keys Patrick Carneythis is one of the most thoughtful comedies ever made. Which doesnt mean its not hilarious, of course. Will Arnett is the perfect voice for BoJack, and Paul F. Tompkins, who is in my mind the funniest man on planet Earth, could not be better suited to the child-like Mr. Peanut Butter. This is a show that isnt above a visual gag or vicious banter or a wonderfully cheap laugh, but it also looks some very hard realities of life straight in the eye. There are times when you will hate BoJackthis is not a straight redemption story, and the minute you think hes on the upswing, he will do something absolutely horrible to let you down. [Theres a special irony in the fact that a horse is one of the most human characters on TV, and the unblinking examination of his character makes Escape from L.A. one of the best episodes of TV this year.] So why isnt it loved beyond a strong cult following? Maybe its the anthropomorphism that keeps people away, or maybe its the animation, but I implore you: Look beyond those elements, settle into the story, and let yourself be amazed by a comedy that straddles the line between hilarious and sad like no other. Shane Ryan
18. Bridgerton
Created by: Chris Van Dusen
Stars: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Adjoa Andoh, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Polly Walker, Julie Andrews
Original Networks: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
All hail Bridgerton, Netflixs lush, swoony adaption of a set of romance novels that is the perfect way to close out 2020 [that is to say, thirsty]. The series focuses on a London family with eight children, all of whom were blessed with good genes and five [or six?] of whom are currently of marriageable age. And thus, in this Regency-era setting, the game is afoot with the quippy, mysterious gossip Lady Whistledown as our guide. There are balls and rakes and other things that had a completely different meaning in the 1800s, but one thing that has not changed is how electrifying the buttoning of a glove or the slight touch of hands can be in the right context. The show also gets pretty explicit at times, but does so with a nearly revolutionary female gaze for a period drama. As such, it is as pearl-clutching as one can get [and not a show to watch with ones family].
Although all of the Bridgerton siblings appear during the shows eight episodes, the first season focuses primarily on eldest daughter Daphne [Phoebe Dynevor] as she enters society and attempts to secure a marriage proposal. Initially the talk of the town, her standing falls with the arrival of a beautiful newcomer, so to escape a loveless marriage with an unsavory man chosen for her by her eldest brother, Daphne strikes a deal with the extremely handsome and newly titled Duke of Hastings [Regé-Jean Page], a committed bachelor with twice the bodice-ripping hero energy any one man should possess. In a classic fake-dating scenario, the Duke pretends to court Daphne in order to raise her value in the marriage market, while their agreement keeps women from throwing themselves at him. Its a win-win situation until the two develop real feelings for one another, of course. Bridgerton isnt perfect, but its a candy-colored, gloriously anachronistic romp that brings a new vivacity to bonnet dramas [leaving most of the bonnets aside, for one], and is great fun. Allison Keene and Kaitlin Thomas
19. Gilmore Girls
Created by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Stars: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy
Original Networks: The WB, The CW, Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Our fearless TV editor at the time, Matt Brennan, recently embarked on a journey. Having never seen Gilmore Girls before, he watched all 154 episodes of the original plus the four new installments of A Year in the Life. [You can read his hilarious stream-of-consciousness here]. And I have to admit I was jealous. For me, the original show is now a distant and beloved memory. Oh, the joy of discovering it for the first time! I envy all of you who will watch as Lorelai [Lauren Graham], her daughter Rory [Alexis Bledel] and family matriarch Emily [the incomparable Kelly Bishop] honestly portray three generations of strong women. Its the only show you can watch with your teenage daughter and your mother and be assured you will all be equally entertained. In addition to the deft storytelling, theres the never before or since matched rat-a-tat banter and pop-culture references that infuse all the dialogue. And the love stories! Lorelai and Luke [Scott Patterson] are one of TVs greatest love stories. And will you be #TeamJess, #TeamDean or #TeamLogan? Even if I didnt love the [very] flawed A Year in the Life and kind of despised the final four words, I still was so happy to see my friends in Stars Hollow again. The show became a part of my life. And it will become a part of yours, too. Amy Amatangelo
20. Master of None
Created by: Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang
Stars: Aziz Ansari, Noél Wells, Eric Wareheim, Lena Waithe, Kelvin Yu, Alessandra Mastronardi, Bobby Cannavale
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
The second season of Aziz Ansaris masterful Master of None begins with an homage to Bicycle Thieves and ends with a nod to The Graduate. In between are beautifully nuanced episodes as Ansaris Dev Shah tries to navigate his love life and his career. Even when the show goes the traditional sitcom routethe will-they-or-wont-they romance of Dev and the engaged Francesca [Alessandra Mastronardi]the dialogue and interactions are decidedly not traditional. They talk like real people not ones created in a writers room. New York, I Love You, which stepped away from the main characters to showcase the vibrant diversity of the city and Thanksgiving, which chronicled Devs childhood friend Denise [Lena Waithe] coming out to her family, are easily the seasons highlights. The show is fun to watch, emotionally satisfying and thought provoking. Eric Walters and Amy Amatangelo
21. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Created by: Gene Roddenberry
Stars: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Wil Wheaton
Original Network: CBS
Watch on Netflix
The original series was pioneering. Deep Space Nine and Voyager had their moments. But TNG was head-and-shoulders the greatest Star Trek franchise [And one of the best sci-fi series of all time]. Jean Luc Picard. Data. Worf. The holodeck. The Borg. Gene Roddenbury must not have had a cynical bone in his body, and watching his characters explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before, I didnt either. Josh Jackson
22. GLOW
Created by: Liz Flahive, Jenji Kohan and Carly Mensch
Stars: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Sydelle Noel, Britney Young, Sunita Mani and Marc Maron
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Netflixs bubbly celebration of a long-forgotten corner of the wrestling world takes a little time to come together, but once it does, its pure joy. Thats not to say that there isnt still a ton of drama among the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling [GLOW]the story does start out with an infidelity that affects two best friendsbut once the bright colors and bold energy of this 80s-set series ignite theres no slowing it down. Boasting a wonderfully sprawling and diverse cast [who do their own stunts], the series never shies away from deeper issues of race, gender, and the realities of a career on the stage. But what binds the show together are its friendships, especially among its core cast. [Plus, it brought Betty Gilpin to our national attention, for which we shall be eternally grateful].
GLOW will always be a show that understands femininity in a way few others do, and is often a pop-filled good time. Sometimes its messy, but thats what GLOW is all about. The women try, and fail, and try again. They weather the sadness and the chaos. Choices are made, mistakes happen. And they try again. And again.Allison Keene
23. Outlander
Created by: Ronald D. Moore
Stars: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan
Original Network: Starz
Watch on Netflix
Based on Diana Gabaldons immensely popular book series, Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall, a nurse in 1940s England who, while on a holiday to Scotland, gets transported back through mystical stones to the 1740s. There, as she fights for survival and a way home, she meets a tall, dark and handsome Highlander name James Fraser, and the rest is history. Except that Outlander actually does a really wonderful job of tracking the couples place throughout history, providing tense, riveting and yes romantic storytelling along the way. The series truly wonderful cast is augmented to the stratosphere by its leads, whose chemistry will make you believe in love at first sight. Full of battles, political intrigue and gorgeous on every level, the show is a wonderfully cozy [and sexy] adventure. From its hauntingly beautiful theme song by Bear McCreary onwards, Outlander will transport you to its dangerous, surprising world as quickly as those magical stones. Allison Keene
24. Orange Is the New Black
Created by: Jenji Kohan
Stars: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Michael J. Harney, Michelle Hurst, Kate Mulgrew, Jason Biggs
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Orange Is the New Black is perfectly suited for the Netflix delivery system, if only because it would be agonizing to wait a week for each new episode. But theres more; the construct feels cinematic and compared to your average show, and I couldnt help but feel that the all-at-once release plane freed the creators to make something less episodic and more free-flowingwhich has since become Netflixs signature. Taylor Schilling stars as Piper Chapman, a woman living a content modern life when her past rears up suddenly to tackle her from behind; a decade earlier, she was briefly a drug mule for her lover Alex Vause [the excellent Laura Prepon], and when Vause needed to plea her sentence down, she gave up Piper. The story is based on the real-life events of Piper Kerman, whose book of the same title was the inspiration, but the truth is that the screen version is miles better. Schilling is the engine that drives the plot, and her odd combination of natural serenity mixed with the increasing anger and desperation at the late turn her life has taken strikes the perfect tone for life inside the womens prison.
Over the first few episodes, prison is treated like an almost-quirky novelty shell have to experience for 15 months, and the wisest choice director Jenji Kohan made [and there are many] was to heighten the stakes so that what begins as an off-kilter adventure soon takes on the serious proportions prison life demands. And as great as Schilling and Prepon are together, the supporting cast is so universally excellent that it almost beggars belief. There are too many characters who make gold with their limited screen time to mention individually, but suffice it to say that theres enough comedy, pathos and tragedy here for a dozen shows. The fact that they fit so successfully into one makes OITNB a defining triumph for Netflix. Shane Ryan
25. Downton Abbey
Created by: Julian Fellowes
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt Original Network: ITV/PBS
Watch on Netflix
The lush, swirling period piece Downton Abbey is never short on drama or general strife. The ensemble series is extraordinarily well-acted [as evidenced by Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Jim Carter and Brendan Coyle all receiving Emmy nominations], and theres perhaps no easier way to describe some of the plot twists than fucking nuts, a term we strongly feel the saucy Dowager Countess would approve of. Amnesia? Yup. Temporary paralysis? Got it. Murder conviction? Oh, big-time. In less capable hands, these stories wouldve likely flown off the rails and veered into the completely ridiculous, but the talented cast of Downton Abbey manage to always handle it with aplomb. As the seasons progressed, many more tragedies would befall the Crawley family, making for some of most compelling television in recent memory, and all capped off with one of TVs most satisfying finales [and then, another hugely satisfying movie]. Bonnie Stiernberg
26. Shadow and Bone
Created by: Eric Heisserer
Stars: Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, Ben Barnes, Zoë Wanamaker
Watch on Netflix
Since Game of Thrones, all the cable and streaming networks have been looking for its successor. For many reasons, not many have ignited on a zeitgeist scale. Shadow and Bone feels like the first real contender. It lands across the board with its production value, tone, visual effects, and engaging characters, culminating in an exhilarating season finale which all points to a potential large-scale hit.
As a non-reader of Leigh Bardugos Grishaverse novels, but a great admirer of richly crafted, adapted fantasy on television and film, I went into Netflixs Shadow and Bone cold. All I expected was thatas with most intricate world-building that transitions from page to screentheres often a steep learning curve in the pilot, as the language, regions, factions, and magical terminology gradually makes sense. Costumes can be a big visual shorthand with that, and let me tell you, this series offers a level of visual embroidery porn I was not prepared for.
This fabric cheat sheet was deeply appreciated, because the drab military wear of orphans-to-First Army BFFs, cartographer Alina Starkov [Jessie Mei Li] and tracker Malyen Mal Oretsev [Archie Renaux] make it clear these two outsiders are nothing in the eyes of those they report to in their encampment on the edge of the Unsea, or the Shadow Fold, a black magic cloud of evil mojo created by a Grisha hundreds of years ago. It splits the country of Ravka in two, making access to needed foods, supplies, and resources dire. Impossible to cross without Grisha help [and even then, theres no guarantee because of the volcra monsters flying inside, ready to attack], its a sore point for the entire world. In particular, the leader of the Grisha, General Kirigan [Ben Barnes], a.k.a. the Darkling, is a Shadow Summoner obsessed with fixing the Fold. But can only do that with the powers of a Sun Summoner, someone who has never existed in their history until now.
Of particular success is how well Heisserer and his writers set up the required mythology in eight episodes without being exhausting, all the while deftly laying an emotional foundation. The show also weaves an ensemble of support characters into strong B and C stories that are interesting enough to exist on their own, yet masterfully bump in and out of leads journey throughout. Heres hoping Shadow and Bone takes off as our next great fantasy obsession. Tara Bennett
27. Jane the Virgin
Created by: Jennie Snyder Urman
Stars: Gina Rodriguez, Justin Baldoni, Yeal Grobglas, Jaime Camil, Andrea Navedo, Ivonne Coll, Anthony Mendez
Original Network: The CW
Watch on Netflix
A virgin perfectionist with a heart of gold shouldnt be this watchable. However, add a pinch of the ol impregnated-by-artificial-insemination storyline, mixed in with the possible threat of a grandmothers deportation, all while the protagonist is trying to rock both a writing career and motherhood, and youve got one of TVs most fascinating characters. Whats great about Jane is that she handles everything with an impressive sensibility, and you cant help but fall for her optimistic outlook on life. If theres a will, theres a way, and Jane takes the cards shes dealt in life while never forgetting or forsaking the deep goodness Abuela instilled within her. We watched as this character celebrated lifes big moments with everything from dance-offs to earnest weeping, without any embarrassment for her vulnerabilitybut dont get on her bad side. Iris A. Barreto
28. One Day at a Time
Created by: Gloria Calderon Kellett, Mike Royce
Stars: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
With an assist from legendary producer Norman Lear, Mike Royce and Gloria Calderon Kelletts warm-hearted, full-throated update of One Day at a Time, which follows a Cuban American family in Los Angeles, only grew more confident in its second and third seasons. In fact, with its combination of the topical and the timeless, the silly and the sincere, the Netflixs multi-cam sitcom has become the leading engine of the forms revival. Covering everything from LGBTQ rights and immigration to dating and depression, the series is anchored by the two extraordinary women at its center: Rita Moreno and Justina Machado, whose chemistry as mother and daughter find fullest expression in two wrenching late-season entries. If the inseparable pair arent treasured in the TV canon forever, there should be a stewards inquiry. Thank goodness PopTV picked up the series for a fourth season after Netflix unceremoniously let it go. Matt Brennan
29. Never Have I Ever
Created by: Mindy Kaling, Lang Fisher
Stars: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, John McEnroe
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Being 15 sucks. Youre not sure who you are or what youre doing or who you should be doing it with, but youre 100% certain that everyone around you is always laser-focused on every embarrassing mistake that you make. Mindy Kalings new coming-of-age sitcom taps into the painful awkwardness of figuring it all out with the same mix of earnestness, realism and humor as Freaks and Geeks and The Wonder Years, but filtered through a cultural lens not often seen on American TV. Devi Vishwakumar isnt just grappling with typical teenage drama, but is stuck between two cultures that she never quite feels like a full member of: the American life she was born and raised in, and the Indian heritage of her family. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan captures this anxiety and charm beautifully, that weird mix of constant shame and unearned confidence, in what is shockingly her first professional acting role. If youre looking for a teen comedy that reflects the ups and downs of real life and is actually funny, heres your chance. Garrett Martin
30. Narcos / Narcos: Mexico
Created by: Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, Doug Miro
Stars: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal / Michael Peña, Diego Luna, José María Yazpik
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
One popular line of criticism has it that Narcos romanticizes the violence and degradation associated with the Colombian drug warsand drug culture in generaland I would agree that the excellent Wagner Moura plays kingpin Pablo Escobar so engagingly that he becomes a sort of Walter White-esque antihero. And the rhythms of the documentary-style narration are fast-paced in a way thats reminiscent of Guy Ritchie, whipping us along at an almost breakneck speed. Nevertheless, this valid criticism misses the important point that we are watching a work of fiction based on historical figuresnot a realdocumentary. And when viewed that way, Narcos was one of the most successful shows on TV in how it managed to flesh out some very dark characters and tell a complicated story with such urgency and clarity. This is not the hyper-realist drug fiction of Traffic or even 2015s Sicario, but as conflict entertainment goes, it succeeds wonderfully
Similarly, the spinoff/companion series of sorts, Narcos: Mexico, investigates the rise of the powerful Guadalajara Cartel that began by selling cannabis and quickly escalated into cocaine and heroin. The cartel, and the story itself, is led by the conflicted figure of Félix Gallardo [Luna], who wants to make drug selling a business [shades of The Wires Stringer Bell are evident everywhere in this portrayal], but must ultimately embrace a ruthless nature to make it work. Gallardo is being hunted by DEA agent Kiki Camarena [Peña], whose fledgling organization doesnt understand how dangerous these cartels and their growing network are becoming. Anchored by outstanding performances, like the original series, Narcos: Mexico is a deeply compelling dramatization of the drug gangs that continue to plague Mexico [and to some extent, the United States] today, and concludes with a major reveal that sets up a whole new game for Season 2. Filled with emotional twists and turns, Narcos: Mexico perhaps even eclipses its predecessor with outstanding characterizations and a tense story told at a rapid, tantalizing pace. Shane Ryan and Allison Keene
31. The Umbrella Academy
Created by: Steve Blackman, Jeremy Slater
Stars: Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Mary J. Blige, Cameron Britton
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
As a fan of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bás comic book, I was a little skeptical of Netflixs adaptation of The Umbrella Academy. I assumed itd flatten out the comics esoteric edges in an attempt to make it more like other superhero shows. The first episode almost immediately calms those fears, though, revealing a series as weird and idiosyncratic as the comic. Imagine if Wes Anderson directed a Grant Morrison adaptation, complete with a mansion-spanning sad-superhero dance break to Tiffanys I Think Were Alone Now.. Garrett Martin
32. American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Created by: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Stars: Sterling K. Brown, Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, John Travolta / Darren Criss, Edgar Ramirez, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Martin
Original Network: FX
Watch People vs OJ Watch Gianni Versace/a>
In a year defined by a certain queasy nostalgia for the 1990s, from Fuller House to the presidential election, FXs dramatization of the decades signal spectacle came closest to capturing both zeitgeists at once: the one that made the trial of the century and the one that revived our obsession with it. Anchored by Courtney B. Vance and Sarah Paulson as Johnnie Cochran and Marcia Clark, American Crime Storys first season transforms the salaciousness of a tabloid-ready saga into a potent, surprisingly restrained treatment of identity politics in action, in which the seeds of our own fault linesof race, of gender, of classwere sown in the aftermath of Reagan, the Cold War, and the L.A. riots. Most impressive of all, perhaps, the series manages to wring suspense from a twenty-year-old case that already unfurled on live television, becoming that now-rare artifact of an earlier cultural moment: appointment viewing.
Underappreciated by critics, under-watched by audiences, and misunderstood by those expecting the focus to remain squarely on House Versace [ably handled by Edgar Ramirez as the late fashion designer and Penelope Cruz as his sister, Donatella], the second installment of Ryan Murphys anthology series is an even pricklier treatment of true crime than the first. Anchored by Darren Criss mesmerizing performance as spree killer Andrew Cunanan, the nine-episode season, penned by Tom Rob Smith, unspools backwards in time from the morning of the murder; its twinned narratives [Versaces rise, Cunanans long unraveling] split open the scars left by a homophobic culture, from the AIDS crisis to Dont Ask Dont Tell, and reveal both how much, and how little, has changed. Along the way, Murphy, Smith, and directors Gwyneth Horder-Payton and Daniel Minahan flesh out the biographies of Cunanans lesser-known victims, turning the lives of Jeff Trail [Finn Wittrock] and David Madson [Cody Fern] into profiles in courage, and thereby challenging their erasure in the popular imagination. What emerges, as I wrote at the start of the season, is an ambitious, unorthodox, potent, frankly astonishing reconsideration of what it means to be and be called a faggot, animated by one indelicate imperative: Queer lives matter, and not just their ends. Matt Brennan
33. Bodyguard
Created by: Jed Mercurio
Stars: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle
Original Network: ITV
Watch on Netflix
In Jed Mercurios exquisite actioner, there are no rooftop chases, no ticking clocks, no fisticuffs with the villains henchmen. Instead, the six-part series finds suspense in watchful camerawork and careful pacing, and its this thorough control that makes Bodyguard worthy of your next TV obsession: It refuses shortcuts, rejects ellipses, until it approaches the effect of real time. Rather than treat this as a gimmick though, star Richard Madden and directors Thomas Vincent and John Strickland use the technique to create potent echoes of protagonist David Budds torturous vigilance, and indeed the nations. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, David receives an assignment to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague [Keeley Hawes], a rising political star with her eye on 10 Downing Streetand a reputation as a national security hardliner. The result is an ingenious layering of form atop function, all within the context of a taut political thriller: The series is less 24 or House of Cards than Homeland at its most momentous, stripped of all but its heros ability to see what others miss. Matt Brennan
34. Derry Girls
Created by: Adam Lee
Stars: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee ODonnell, Dylan Llewellyn
Original Network: Channel 4
Watch on Netflix
The lovely, silly, funny and emotional Derry Girls has returned to Netflix for Season Two. The brief series [each season only runs six episodes] focuses on a group of schoolgirls in Northern Ireland in the 90s, during the last days of the Troubles. But in Lisa McGees series, that darkness is relegated to the background. Instead, the more traditional teen conflicts of school life and being boy crazy take center stage, along with lots of incredibly specific language and jokes about both that region and that time [you will definitely want to watch with subtitles on]. Derry Girls is a warm and funny time hop carried by a dreamy 90s playlist and the gigantic charisma of its wee leads. Allison Keene
35. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
Created by: Zach Kanin, Tim Robinson
Stars: Tim Robinson
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
The co-starring and co-created by Comedy Centrals dearly missed Detroiters, Saturday Night Live alum Tim Robinson is equally comfortable on either side of the camerahes a fantastic sketch comedy writer whos just as good of a performer, and who has carved out a unique and immediately recognizable niche in both. And he puts both skills to brilliant use in his new Netflix show, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.
Robinson is a master of embarrassment. His sketches tend to focus on two types of characters: People who tell small lies that grow larger and more obvious as they refuse to come clean, and people who are too irrational, confused, or stubborn to understand whats happeningor refuse to understand because that would require admitting their own ignorance. This might sound like typical cringe comedy turf, but Robinson keeps it fresh by extending ideas behind all bounds of logic, resulting in characters or situations so utterly absurd that you wont even think of comparing them to such cringe comedy forefathers as Larry David or Ricky Gervais. Garrett Martin
36. Call the Midwife
Created by: Heidi Thomas
Stars: Vanessa Redgrave, Bryony Hannah, Helen George, Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris, Laura Main, Judy Parfiti
Original Network: BBC
Watch on Netflix
Midwifery is the very stuff of life, proves this incredibly moving, often provocative series, based on the memoirs of British nurse Jennifer Worth. Set in 1950s Londonread: pre-choice, not pro-choiceCall the Midwife focuses on the nurses and nuns who work at a convent in the East End. Vanessa Redgrave narrates the experiences of Jenny Lee [Jessica Raine], a privileged young woman who must quickly adapt to life in an impoverished district, where medical resources are precious and newborns are plentiful. Wonderfully meticulous in period detail, the ensemble drama brims with joy and compassion while maintaining a bracingly unromantic grip on pregnancy and parenthood. Disease, labor complications and tragedies like miscarriage, stillbirth and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are commonalong with domestic violence, rape and unwanted pregnancyyet the show warms as many hearts as it breaks. Call it feminist, call it what you will, Call the Midwife is brave television. Amanda Schurr
37. Monty Pythons Flying Circus
Created by and Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Original Network: BBC
Watch on Netflix
And now for something completely different! The British sketch comedy, which ran from 1969 to 1973, is so beloved that its since become the subject of questions on the British citizenship exam. Provocative, irreverent, and profoundly weird, its send-up of the isles culture and institutionsparticularly the elite, educated class from which the troupes own members hailedtake merciless aim at authority in every conceivable form, all with a dash of surrealism and Terry Gilliams sublime animations. Its arrival on Netflix is nothing less than a godsend. Matt Brennan
38. The Magicians
Created by: Sera Gamble, John McNamara
Stars: Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta, Summer Bishil, Rick Worthy
Original Network: Syfy
Watch on Netflix
Based on Lev Grossmans fantasy trilogy, The Magicians tells the story of Quentin [Jason Ralph] getting into to Brakebills, a school for learning magic. While they learn intricate spells, Quentin and his friends and frenemies Eliot, Margo, Alice, Penny, Josh, Kady, and Julia discover other magical worlds and complicated magical problems that they never knew existedlike baby-stealing fairies. Within zany storylines and a fast-moving plot, The Magicians is also grounded in the mental health issues experienced differently by each of the main characters. Quentin has been depressive his whole life and has been hospitalized for depression in the past. In Season One, hes trapped in a hospital in his head, as if he were stuck in a dream. Quentin begins to question his reality and wonder if he made up Brakebills as part of his mental illness. A big theme on the show is that you cant magic depression away. [They tried it. In Season One, several characters literally bottle their emotions. When the emotions come back, its an almost unbearable flood.] By including mental illness in these characters stories, it not only adds emotional truth to the show, it provides drama and conflict. And hopefully it lets people know that mental illness is a regular part of lifeeven in other worlds, and even when theres magic. Rae Nudson
39. All American
Created by: April Blair
Stars: Daniel Ezra, Taye Diggs, Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, Samantha Logan, Michael, Evans Behling, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook, Monét Mazur, Jalyn Hall, Chelsea Tavares, DaVinchi
Original Network: The CW
Watch on Netflix
More or less the Platonic ideal of the American High School Drama, the CWs All American is a bright spot of explicitly diverse near*-realism [*Im looking at you, all you unreasonably fit twenty-something Adonises] in a still mostly white network sea of superheroes, the supernatural and the comically stylized.
Inspired by the life of professional American football player Spencer Paysinger, All American tells the story of Spencer James [Daniel Ezra], a star football player from South L.A. whos recruited by a coach [Taye Diggs], an expat of the same neighborhood to come play for him in Beverly Hillsa plan which necessitates Spencer moving in with the coach and his family in order to get around the schools hyper-strict zip code requirements. Much of the drama that follows, both in Beverly Hills and back in South L.A., is what youd expect: The rich kids have expensive pill addictions or are spiraling into depression after being left alone in their mansions for months on end by their oblivious jet-setting parents, while the kids in South L.A. are trapped in a school that is chronically underfunded and over-policed, and are at risk for falling into gang life.
But the compassion and grace with which All American handles all of these problems, matched with the grounded performances each of the young actors puts in, gives the show ample opportunity to transcend primetime melodrama. As the lead, Ezra is excellent, as compelling in tender moments of private vulnerability as he is in athletic feats on the field, but equally arresting are Bre-Z as Spencers fast-talking, bar-spouting queer best friend Coop, and Samantha Logan as the fragile-y sober Olivia Baker, Coachs daughter and the first friend and confidante Spencer makes in Beverly Hills. Throughout the real-time run of each of its first two seasons, All American hasnt made much of a splash, but given how immediately it rose to the Top 10 in Netflixs new internal ranking system once its latest season was added, and how long it held a spot there, even weeks after first being made available, its clear that teens streaming at home know exactly where the good shits atand now you do, too. Alexis Gunderson
40. Sweet Tooth
Created by: Jim Mickle
Stars: Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie, Adeel Akhtar, Will Forte
Watch on Netflix
In the wrong hands, a live-action Sweet Tooth is the definition of a nightmare waiting to happen. Happily, Netflixs adaptation retains the lyrical qualities, rich character exploration, and compelling world-building of Jeff Lemires comic series, while expanding and fleshing out narrative elements that only add to its depth and resonance.
There is a warm, folksy charm to Sweet Tooth, where the core plot is told from the perspective of 10-year-old Gus [Christian Convery], a hybrid boy who is clearly part deer, as noted via his ears and antlers. Raised in solitude for a decade by his father, Pubba [Will Forte], inside a deep forest because of the pandemic, Gus is socially immature [to say the least] but rich in compassion. Hes inquisitive and stubborn, but deeply attached to his dad and the idyllic little cabin bubble they live within. Unfortunately, hes incredibly unprepared for reality in the outside world.
Without every being annoying or cloying, theres a natural wit to Converys entire performance that adds subtle layers to the new friendships and alliances he makes with adults and kids once hes forced out of his bubble. In particular, his connection with Tommy Jepperd [Nonso Anozie], a loner/survivor who grudgingly saves Gus life and gets stuck shepherding the kid to Colorado, is a masterful evolution from mutual irritation to an earned bond that becomes one of the most important emotional arcs of the whole series.
Ultimately, theres not a clunker amongst the eight episodes of the first season, which all manage to build up three concurrent storylines that coalesce into a deeply affecting season finale that earns its gasps and tears. Tara Bennett
41. The Witcher
Created by: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Stars: Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Eamon Farren, Anya Chalotra, Joey Batey
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Henry Cavills Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher, roams far and wide killing monsters for bounties. Its all hes good for; its all he was made to do. The mutant Aragorn is all gruff speech, dadly stubble, and exciting swordplay. Its a tough job playing a character known for his emotionlessness, made tougher when hes also appointed the shepherd to a storied fantasy universe. But Cavill and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrichs adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowskis Witcher novels [which themselves were turned into a beloved series of videogames] is up to snuff due to its willingness to play by its sources rules, bringing high fantasy fun to Netflix for anyone willing to vault a few hurdles.
Shows get exponentially easier to watch when the lead is having this much fun. Cavill delights in every grimace as his grimy, sour Geralt traverses locales familiar to any Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Candle-strewn taverns, pornographic wizard illusions, and foolish noblesno matter the job, Geralt perseveres in true Lawful Neutral form [to keep things in D&D terms]. A bemused yet not unkind cynicism comes across in Cavills slow baritone and rare, slight smile. Its the best hes been aside from The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and everyone either hates him or is horny for him. Often, its both. And yes, those looking for Outlander levels of long-haired, musclebound shirtlessness will find what they seek.
If you have a background with fantasy, a knack for rolling with crazy shit, or a general love for Witchery thingsand buy into the toneThe Witcher has lots to love. It can be campy, with life-or-death conversations taking place at a magically-induced Eyes Wide Shut orgy. It can be badass, with a powerful mage blending gender politics, fantasy lore, and deep characterization when telling Geralt to fuck off in the middle of a magical battle. These two can mix like werewolves and silver, but when they work together, The Witcher is a wildly entertaining treat for newcomers and long-time fans alike.Jacob Oller
42. Alias Grace
Created by: Sarah Polley, Mary Harron
Stars: Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft, Rebecca Liddiard, Zachary Levi, Kerr Logan, David Cronenberg, Paul Gross, Anna Paquin
Networks: CBC/Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Adapted by Sarah Polley from Margaret Atwoods historical novel, and directed by Mary Harron with forthright shudders of psychological horror, this sterling Canadian limited series is a tightly constructed marvel. In Canada in 1859, celebrated murderess Grace Marks [the brilliant Sarah Gadon] submits to an interview with Dr. Simon Jordan [Edward Holcroft], and their ongoing conversation unearths a pattern of violence and trauma, which Alias Grace spins into a scintillating mystery, an intricate biographical portrait, a lushly appointed period drama, and a ferocious treatment of the distance between what the world at large deigns to call harm and the countless ways men cause it. Matt Brennan
43. Top Boy
Created by: Ronan Bennett
Stars: Ashley Walters, Kane Robinson, Micheal Ward, Shone Romulus, Malcolm Kamulete, David Omoregie
Original Network: Channel 4
Watch on Netflix
What do you get when an alleged former IRA bomber from the Falls Road in Belfast [who spent time in the infamous Long Kesh prison on charges of murder] becomes a respected novelist and, in his fifties, creates a TV show based on gang culture in East London? This singular biography, belonging to Ronan Bennett, yields up Top Boy, the UKs slightly less ambitious answer to The Wire. The first two seasons debuted in 2011 and 2013, making the shows return one of the most unlikely TV events of the year. This is more than welcomeamidst the stifling realism and cruelty of the fictional Summerhouse estates, there is poetry [like The Wire, the patois is a delight] and vulnerable humanity, subject always to the grinding machinery of systemic violence. Sharon Duncan-Brewster is excellent as Lisa, the resilient mother of RaNell, who was the star until the creators realized what they had in Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson, two real-life rappers who are spectacular as Dushane and Sullyfriends and enemies fighting for oxygen and power in a world that is loath to give up either for very long.Shane Ryan
44. Black Lightning
Created by: Salim Akil
Stars: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin Krondon Jones III, Damon Gupton, James Remar
Original Network: The CW
Watch on Netflix
Greg Berlantis Arrowverse [just recently valorized by a $400 million cash contract made to keep the universe-runner around until 2024] has been an undeniable success for The CWand for the DC universe on screen. But it has not, historically, had a great deal to say about the deeply rooted prejudices of the real world that have conspired to create the violence and terror that shape places like the Glades in Green Arrows Star City, or that are mirrored in the bigotry metahumans face by normal society. Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akils addition to the fold, Black Lightning, takes that challenge head on, positioning endemic racism and systemic inequity as the central evils a real superhero would find himself [or, in the case of Nafessa Williams Thunder, herself] up against. It then uses those injustices, and the tensions they cause within not just communities but individual families [Black Lightning, as played by Cress Williams, is father to two superpowered daughters], to tell a compelling, heady story about what it means to do what is right in a world that resembles our own more than any superhero story to date. [Although Freeforms Cloak & Dagger may give the show a run for its money]. Plus, its soundtrack? Double platinum. Alexis Gunderson
45. Sex Education
Created by: Laurie Nunn
Stars: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Youre an insecure, bright, sensitive teenage boy [Asa Butterfield] with a wildly uninhibited sex-guru mother [Gillian Anderson], an absentee dad [the epically hilarious James Purefoy], a chronically foot-in-mouth bully-magnet best friend, a limited social life and a clinically interesting fear of your own penis. You have a stealth crush on your schools official Way Too Precocious girl, whos hard up for money. So, naturally, you open a sex clinic for high-school students in an out-of-service school lavatory, right?
Of course you do.
Netflixs Sex Education is a decidedly raunchy and thoroughly adorable coming-of-age dramedy. While its not exactly afraid of well-worn tropes, it also doesnt rely on them to a detrimental degree and it has Gillian Anderson as a sex therapist, which would be enough for a lot of us even if nothing else about the show worked. Luckily, that isnt the case: A testament to the power of character development, the series is riveting. None of its superbly crafted characters waste a single frame. Amy Glynn
46. Anne with an E
Created by: Moira Walley-Beckett
Stars: Amybeth McNulty, Geraldine James, R. H. Thomson, Lucas Jade Zumann, Dalila Bela, Corrine Koslo
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Anne with an E follows the well-trod story of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, but is at its best once it leaves its potent source material. With a darker tone and a more woke aesthetic, Anne with an E grows up immensely with its second season. But the late 19th-century tale is beautifully cinematic throughout as it captures the daily dramas of its young cast, led by McNulty as an orphan adopted by a middle-aged brother and sister who originally wanted a boy to help them work their farm. Despite her foibles, Annes charms won them over enough to allow her to stay, and the same charm ultimately works on viewers as well. Her wild imagination, always positive spirit, and desire to make life better for everyone around her in the wake of her own heartache makes the series a worthy and upbeat watch. Allison Keene
47. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Created by: Rachel Bloom, Aline Brosh McKenna
Stars: Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Santino Fontana, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell, Gabrielle Ruiz
Original Network: The CW
Watch on Netflix
Dont let the name keep you from tuning into this onecreator / star Rachel Bloom [who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work on the show] addresses it before the theme songs even over, responding to choruses of shes the crazy ex-girlfriend with lines like thats a sexist term and the situations more nuanced than that. And it is: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a clever musical-comedy [think Flight of the Conchords, if they leaned more heavily on musical theater] about Rebecca Bunch, a lawyer who turns down a partnership at her New York firm to follow her ex-boyfriend Josh to West Covina, California and try to win him back. But its more complicated than that: along the way Rebecca learns to address some of the neuroses shes been carrying around since childhood and gets sidetracked [depending on how you look at it] by a sort of Sam and Diane will they/wont they thing with Joshs friend Greg. Her crazy is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always presented smartly and sensitivelynever what you might expect from a show called Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Bonnie Stiernberg
48. Lupin
Created by: George Kay, François Uzan
Stars: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme, Vincent Londez, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Lupin is a show about a boy named Assane who becomes a thief, and may have some identity crisis issues in that he seems to believe he isand I mean is in a literal sensea gentleman thief named Arsene Lupin [Omar Sy] from a series of stories by the writer Maurice Leblanc. There are some family issues at play; he and his father were Senegalese immigrants, and the old man was accused of stealing a valuable necklace when Assane was a child, which provided the seed for how his entire life unfolded. From that tragic backstory, a sort of comic book hero emerges, and his superpower is legerdemain: the artistry of the thief.
In style, Lupin bears some similarity to the BBCs Sherlock, at least in the frenetic worship of cleverness that makes an hour-long show feel like 10 jam-packed minutes. Sherlock is the smarter show, Lupin the more outlandish, even though Benedict Cumberbatchs detective is a wilder character by far. In both shows, though, the viewer is taken into the labyrinth of the mind, where the resolution of a thorny puzzle functions as the pounding impulse behind every plot device. With all its bells and whistles, Sherlock is still the more grounded show, and as mentioned above Lupin is never afraid to veer off the rails, but the pleasures of the unraveling mystery are the same, even if the protagonists operate on opposite sides of the law.
While Lupin strains and then shatters credulity at the best of times, its also a pretty great way to spend an hour, especially in a year when you take what you can get. Make of that conclusion what you will, but I think as long as we keep our wits about us, theres nothing wrong with a little fun. Shane Ryan
49. Mindhunter
Created by: Joe Penhall
Stars: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Hannah Gross, Anna Torv, Cotter Smith and Cameron Britton
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
The name and the description may have you assuming that this is a typical network procedural: FBI agents interview psychopaths in order to catch murderers. But Mindhunter is as much Mad Men as it is Law & Order. Produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron, the story follows two real-life agents, Holden Ford [Jonathan Groff, the original King George III in Hamilton on Broadway] and Bill Tench [Holt McCallany], along with consulting psychologist Dr. Wendy Carr [Anna Torv] in the FBIs nascent Behavioral Science Unit. Joe Penhalls series is based on a similarly titled true crime book. Interviewing and cataloguing convicted serial killers [a phrase the trio invents] leads to them helping on active cases, but it also affects each of their personal lives in different ways. Cameron Britton is particularly unforgettable as notorious murderer and necrophiliac Edmund Kemper. The second season focuses on the Atlanta child murders, and doesnt let viewers off easy. Josh Jackson
50. Dear White People
Created by: Justin Simien
Stars: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, Antoinette Robertson, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Giancarlo Esposito
Original Network: Netflix
Watch on Netflix
Based on creator Justin Simiens 2014 indie, Netflixs original seriesnarrated by Breaking Bad and Better Call Sauls Giancarlo Espositoreplicates the pungent humor of the film without ever seeming stale or static: Its knives are sharp, and theyre pointed in every direction. Though its primary target is white privilege, in forms both egregious [blackface parties] and mundane [calls to end divisive politics], Dear White People, set on the campus of a fictional Ivy League university, is even funnier when it turns to the details of the black students personal and ideological choices, transforming the notion of the problematic fave, from the McRib to The Cosby Show into the engine of its entertaining, incisive comedy. Matt Brennan
For all the latest TV news, reviews, lists and features, follow @Paste_TV.