With Netflix originals like Sex Education and Squid Game rising in popularity, I wanted to showcase some of the lesser-known (but no lesser quality) shows available on the streaming service. These shows range from reality to comedy to historical drama and are both short and long so hopefully, this will inspire you to dig deeper to see what Netflix has to offer.
1. The Circle
This competition TV show first aired in January of 2020 and quickly became a favorite of mine. Players are kept in isolated apartments within the same building with no outside communication and can only speak to other players through the specially designed social media app, The Circle. The goal is to be ranked at the top among other players, which forces people to make alliances and naturally stirs the pot. In the end, the player ranked the highest wins $100,000. It’s the perfect stay-at-home show that offers as much drama as most competition shows do, but with more character. The players get the chance to act more like themselves than they would in a traditional competition show because of their isolation. Three seasons are now available to stream, so if you’re looking for a new reality show, I highly recommend The Circle.
2. The End of the F***ing World
If you like Sex Education but you want something with an edge, this show might be up your alley. It follows the quiet, self-described psychopath, James, and Alyssa, a bold, blunt and in-your-face student as together they run away from their lives. While their motivations for leaving may be questionable, they slowly form a friendship, and we watch as they run into various problems along the way. The characters themselves develop and evolve throughout the series so that by the time you reach the series finale, you forgot how the show started. It’s perfect for a quick weekend binge with only 16 20-minute episodes.
3. Derry Girls
Another quick weekend binge, although much lighter; Derry Girls follows five catholic high schoolers in Derry, Ireland during the 1990s as they work to navigate their world both inside and outside of school. During this time, Ireland is faced with high political tensions known as the Troubles and rather than making it a backdrop for the characters, becomes a character of its own. Each person has a fun personality that only gets funnier when colliding with another character. Every episode somehow ends chaotically with small (seemingly unimportant) details at the beginning ultimately coming back to haunt the group later. This is one of the best-written shows I have come across on Netflix and it’s clear why. The writers took care not to do anything for the sake of it, rather because the plot naturally moves in that direction. If you’d like some good comedy and 90s nostalgia, give this a watch.
4. The crown
This show is a bit different than the ones previously mentioned. The Crown is a historical drama set around the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It follows major historical events through the eyes of the monarch and the effects of said events. This show does something somewhat unique with its casting: it changes every two seasons to ensure the characters age properly. The first two seasons star Claire Foy as the Queen and the most recent two starred Olivia Coleman in the same role. The show also does an incredible job of bringing lesser-known stories about the monarchy to the front of the plot and using it to develop the characters. The audience learns so much about the society and structure of the monarchy through an outsider’s lens and does a fantastic job at offering different perspectives on the issues. If you want a show that offers depth and drama, The Crown might be for you.
5. bojack horseman
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this show. I also realize that this show has gained a lot of praise that may leave people wondering how good the show actually is, or thinking that it might be over-hyped. To that I say, give it a chance. This show has some of the best writing I’ve seen in a television show. At the start, it seems like just another animated comedy, but the show later evolves into something completely different. The plot itself follows a former 90s sitcom star, Bojack Horseman, as he and the people around him struggle with mental health and substance abuse. The writers spare nothing, giving the audience nuanced and detailed perspectives on almost every topic presented. Don’t forget, this show is a comedy and is written as such. The show also offers plenty of social commentaries that are incredibly hilarious. I cannot recommend it enough, however, I want to offer a clear warning to those who may be struggling with similar issues to proceed with caution and know your limits. Some events depicted may be triggering.
I hold each of the shows in high regard and hopefully, this list inspires you to find something new and to give more Netflix originals a chance! Sometimes your new favorite TV show is hiding in plain sight.
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