15 Best Underrated TV Series to Binge-Watch
In our current golden age of television, blockbuster hits like Stranger Things and Game of Thrones often overshadow equally brilliant shows that deserve your attention. While everyone’s talking about the latest Netflix phenomenon, there are countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered across various streaming platforms.
These underrated series offer everything from mind-bending mysteries to heartwarming comedies, often with better storytelling and more original concepts than their mainstream counterparts. The beauty of exploring lesser-known television lies in the element of surprise and the satisfaction of discovering something truly special before it becomes the next big thing.
Here is a list of 15 underrated TV series that will completely transform your binge-watching experience.
The Day of the Jackal
Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne gives a killer performance as a top-notch assassin in this skillfully crafted thrill ride, which combines rivetingly tense action sequences worthy of the big screen with a surprising emotional depth. This Netflix series follows the world’s most elite assassin as he’s hunted by a tenacious British intelligence officer.
What sets this show apart is how it balances pulse-pounding action with genuine character development. Redmayne completely transforms himself into this cold, calculating killer while still maintaining enough humanity to keep viewers invested in his story.
Sugar
Colin Farrell delivers one of his best performances in this Apple TV+ series that starts as a straightforward detective story before taking an absolutely wild turn. Sugar is the type of show that leaves you puzzled as to where it’s going until the one jaw-dropping moment that you’ll never see coming.
The show follows a private investigator searching for a missing woman in Los Angeles, but describing more would spoil the incredible surprise that awaits viewers. Trust the process and let Farrell guide you through this unique mystery.
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Maxton Hall
This German teen drama on Prime Video proves that not all high school shows need to be set in America to be compelling. The German-language teen drama, about a scholarship student (played by Harriet Herbig-Matten) at a prestigious private school who learns of a rich classmate’s scandalous secret and then falls into a love-hate relationship with said classmate’s brother (Damian Hardung), isn’t breaking new ground.
But the series hits all the familiar tropes in an incredibly satisfying way, the lead pair have palpable chemistry, and there’s a surprising amount of emotional vulnerability from all the characters. It’s like Elite but with more heart and less unnecessary drama.
High Potential
ABC’s newest procedural might just be the best new crime show you’ve never heard of. Morgan is unlike the typical police consultant; she feels deeply, and Morgan uses her feelings and intuition to help solve cases.
The series follows a single mother with a brilliant mind who becomes an unlikely crime-solving partner to a by-the-book detective. What makes this show special is how it combines smart case-of-the-week storytelling with genuine emotional depth and character development that extends beyond the crime solving.
The OA
This Netflix original is arguably one of the most polarizing shows ever created, but those who connect with it find something truly transcendent. The OA is one of those things that you’ll either absolutely love or loathe. If you like sprawling supernatural shows (like Lost) with Biblical references (like Supernatural), then the OA should be right up your alley.
The series follows Prairie, a woman who returns after being missing for seven years with her sight mysteriously restored. It’s philosophical, challenging, and unlike anything else on television.
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Drops of God
Drops of God was just named “Best Drama Series” at the 2024 International Emmy Awards, so you know it’s one good TV show. This manga-based series is actually a multilingual drama that was filmed in French, Japanese, and English.
Available on Apple TV+, this sophisticated series combines wine expertise with family drama as characters compete for an inheritance through wine knowledge. The show offers stunning visuals and fascinating insights into wine culture while delivering compelling storytelling that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of wine.
Freaks and Geeks
Though it aired over two decades ago, this one-season wonder remains timelessly relevant. Freaks and Geeks provided a different perspective on high school life as the realistically awkward and insecure characters struggled to fit in and dealt with their sense of identity and bullying.
Set in 1980s Michigan, the show launched the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen, and many others. Its authentic portrayal of teenage life feels refreshingly honest compared to the glossy teen dramas that followed.
Barry
While Barry did win several Emmys, it still feels criminally underappreciated. The show co-created by/starring Bill Hader follows the titular Barry as he tries to leave his life as a hitman and inadvertently becomes an actor—only to realize that Hollywood is way worse.
This HBO dark comedy masterfully balances brutal violence with genuine laughs, creating something uniquely unsettling yet compelling. Hader’s performance is nothing short of brilliant.
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You Would Do It Too
This Spanish Apple TV+ thriller proves that limiting yourself to English-language programming means missing incredible stories. You Would Do It Too is an absolutely absorbing ride, with twists and turns that keep on coming, leaving you at the edge of your seat as you watch.
The series begins with a simple premise—a bus hijacking with three dead robbers—but evolves into something far more complex. Each episode is under 30 minutes, making it perfect for quick binging.
My So-Called Life
This 1990s teen drama starring Claire Danes deserves recognition as one of the most realistic portrayals of adolescence ever filmed. My So-Called Life stands out from other teen high school dramas in its depiction of teenage life as turbulent and confusing, rather than a hijinks-filled hilarious time.
Despite lasting only one season, the show tackled serious social issues with remarkable maturity and created characters that felt genuinely authentic rather than like typical TV teenagers.
Dead Like Me
This dark comedy fantasy series offers a unique take on the afterlife concept. The dark comedy fantasy series Dead Like Me follows George Lass (Ellen Muth) as she becomes a grim reaper after dying in a freak accident.
The show brilliantly combines macabre humor with genuine pathos, exploring themes of mortality, purpose, and human connection. It’s simultaneously funny and deeply moving, making death somehow both absurd and meaningful.
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The Knick
Set in early 20th century New York, this Cinemax series provides a fascinating look at the birth of modern medicine. The Knick is an acclaimed historical drama set in the early 20th century and provides audiences with an engaging sneak peek into the lives — both personal and professional — of the staff at New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital.
Starring Clive Owen, the show doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of early medical procedures while exploring themes of addiction, racism, and scientific progress.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
This CW musical comedy-drama deserves far more recognition for its honest portrayal of mental health and relationships. It’s a musical TV show, and the songs are strong, honest, and so catchy.
There really is something in it for everyone. It’s just so magical how this series is able to portray its stories through music while still feeling grounded in reality. The show follows Rebecca Bunch as she moves across the country to win back her ex-boyfriend, but it evolves into something much deeper and more meaningful about self-discovery and mental wellness.
Our Flag Means Death
This HBO Max comedy-adventure series brings fresh energy to the pirate genre. The series is loosely based on the life of Stede Bonnet, who is also known as the “Gentleman Pirate,” and his crew as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates.
Starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, the show combines swashbuckling adventure with heartfelt romance and clever humor. It’s essentially a workplace comedy set on a pirate ship, and it works brilliantly.
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The Great
This Hulu satirical period drama starring Elle Fanning offers a wildly entertaining take on Russian history. This bewitching period drama TV series centers around the rise of historical figure Catherine the Great, providing audiences with an intriguing satirical take on real-life events.
The show takes significant liberties with historical accuracy in favor of sharp wit and compelling character development. Nicholas Hoult delivers particularly memorable performances as Peter III, making this historical figure both despicable and somehow charming.
What We’ve Lost and What We’ve Gained
These fifteen shows represent just a fraction of the incredible television that exists beyond the mainstream spotlight. Each offers something unique—whether it’s innovative storytelling, exceptional performances, or fresh perspectives on familiar genres.
In our rush to keep up with the latest trending series, we often miss these carefully crafted gems that can provide equally rewarding viewing experiences. The next time you’re scrolling through endless streaming options, consider diving into one of these underrated treasures instead of rewatching the same popular series for the third time.
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