If you enjoyed our previous blog on sitcoms to watch instead of rewatching The Office or F.R.I.E.N.D.S., you are in for a treat! We are back with another edition of excellent shows that are criminally underrated. If sitcoms aren’t your jam, fret not, this edition spans across genres including crime, sci-fi, and rom-coms. So, we’ve got something for everyone!
1. Killing Eve (2018- 2022) - Amazon Prime Video
In the mood for a spy thriller packed with adventure, intrigue, and espionage (duh!)? Killing Eve is the show for you, a spy thriller with a twist - this show follows an MI5 agent on the hunt for the zany Villanelle, a highly skilled assassin. The classic cat-and-mouse chase format is elevated with top-notch writing, unpredictable plot twists, and exceptional dark humor.
2. Heartstopper (2022- present) - Netflix
If it’s a feel-good cutesy romance, you’d prefer - Heartstopper is the show for you! This coming-of-age romance is all things warm and fuzzy. Featuring a diverse cast, with lots of positive representation, this budding romance between two young boys will hit you right in the feels.
3. Doctor Who (1963 - present) - Amazon Prime Video / Disney+ Hotstar
While it is blasphemous to call Dr Who underrated, this author believes that it doesn’t get the attention or hype it deserves. A cultural icon, and a mainstay in the science fiction canon, Dr Who - (put reductively) - follows a time-traveling alien and his many human companions through time and space. With over 15 iterations of the Doctor, including the originals - Dr Who has enough wacky adventures through time and space to keep you hooked for a while.
4. Mindhunter (2017 - 2019) - Netflix
If you have a morbid obsession with true crime and know a lot more than socially acceptable about serial killers- then this is the show for you. This crime drama, which draws from real-life events, delves into the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the FBI. The follows investigators as they interview serial killers to better understand how they think, while simultaneously solving cases as they occur. Intense, gripping, and featuring excellent acting performances, this show is a must-watch for any true crime aficionados.
5. Person of Interest (2011- 2016) - Amazon Prime Video
Keeping up with the theme of crime dramas, Person of Interest is an exemplary show that manages to seamlessly blend crime drama with science fiction. Centering on a former CIA operative and a reclusive billionaire and their near-impossible pursuit to prevent crimes before they are committed, this show has it all. While being action-packed and suspenseful, it manages to raise impressive ethical questions on privacy, security, and the power of AI. Brilliant performances and nuanced writing make the show a must-watch. It’s a shame that this show is criminally underrated (pun unintended) because it is ahead of its time.
6. Derry Girls (2018 - 2022) - Netflix
If you prefer well-written coming-of-age comedy, then this delightful sitcom set in the 90’s is perfect for you. Set in Northern Ireland, during the 1990’s - a time of severe political unrest, the show explores these heavier themes while managing to be a rollicking ride of hilarity. With quirky jokes, adolescent characters, and heartfelt comedy, Derry Girls will capture your heart while it makes you laugh.
7. Inside Job (2021- 2022) - Netflix
Fans of animation (but for grown-ups) should have this show on their watch list. Inside Job introduces you to a world where every single conspiracy theory you would dream up, is true. From lizard people to intergalactic shadow overlords and robot presidents, this show has it all. Our main characters are part of a secret government agency that ensures that the world at large, is still kept in the dark about these conspiracies, and they get into multiple dangerous (yet hilarious) adventures while trying to do their job. Clever writing, eccentric characters, and thought-provoking takes make for an extremely entertaining watch. Fans of Rick and Morty will particularly enjoy Inside Job.
8. The Hunt for Veerappan (2023) - Netflix
Coming closer to home, The Hunt for Veerappan is an exceptionally well-made true crime docuseries, that follows the rise and fall of India’s most notorious outlaw- Veerappan. Chronicling his life, and the extensive effort taken by Indian law enforcement agencies to capture him, this show raises various nuanced questions on law enforcement, this justice system, and the complexities of what makes an outlaw. This docuseries is made with sensitivity and is immensely enjoyable while being eye-opening.
9. Love (2016 - 2018) - Netflix
Created by Judd Apatow, this show is a refreshing take on modern relationships. With flawed yet lovable main leads, the show explores the highs and lows of modern dating. With a mixture of heart, humor, and a fair share of awkward moments, Love is a 21st-century dating, with all its quirks - packed tightly into an entertaining show.
10. Decameron (2024- present) - Netflix
Decameron is a sharp satirical comedy set during the plague of the 1300s. Based on the works of Giovanni Boccaccio, the series offers a modern twist, using humor to explore human behavior, societal norms, and the absurdities of life. With its witty dialogue and clever commentary, Decameron is a historical comedy, both entertaining and intellectually stimulating while managing to be very funny.
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