Foreign Series You Are Sleeping On (But Shouldn’t)

There is a huge world of television outside English speaking markets, and a lot of it is easy to watch with subtitles or dubbing on major platforms. These series cover crime sagas, sweeping historical epics, mind bending sci fi, and character driven dramas from every corner of the globe, and many were breakout hits at home before finding global audiences.

You will see shows from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with quick details to help you decide what to start next. To keep things practical, each entry notes defining story elements, key cast or creators, and a quiet nod to the original home network or platform where it first aired.

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

This German mystery drama follows four families in a small town as disappearances expose a time loop that spans multiple generations. The story uses a closed trilogy structure across three seasons, with meticulous callbacks that link characters across timelines and a score that underlines the show’s eerie mood.

It premiered as a Netflix original in Germany and rolled out globally through the same platform. The production filmed in and around Berlin and Brandenburg, and the creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese built a comprehensive show bible to track character relationships and chronology.

‘Money Heist’ (2017–2021)

This Spanish heist thriller tracks a team of thieves led by the Professor as they execute long game robberies with strict rules and rotating narrators. The plot uses non linear reveals, frequent flashbacks, and city code names, which let the writers reframe earlier episodes as the gang adjusts plans.

The show began on Antena 3 in Spain, then continued with new seasons on Netflix, where it reached a worldwide audience. Costuming turned the red jumpsuit and Salvador Dalí mask into recognizable symbols, and production split shoots between Madrid locations and controlled sets for vault and mint interiors.

‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)

This South Korean period thriller blends political intrigue with a fast moving plague that turns victims into ravenous attackers during specific hours. Set in the Joseon era, it follows a crown prince who uncovers a conspiracy tied to a miracle herb and a hunger that spreads faster than rumors in the court.

It launched as a Netflix original from South Korea, with additional content through a feature length special. The production showcases extensive costume design and large scale outdoor sequences, with locations across Gyeonggi Province and a focus on practical effects for close quarters fights.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

This Italian crime saga explores rival Neapolitan clans as shifting alliances redraw the map of power from the streets to international routes. The series adapts Roberto Saviano’s nonfiction source and moves through multi season arcs that trace how money and loyalty erode under constant pressure.

It aired on Sky Atlantic in Italy, with international exposure through Sky and partner platforms. Filming took place in Naples and northern Europe for later seasons, and the production emphasized local dialects and casting that reflected the region’s neighborhoods and criminal economies.

‘Babylon Berlin’ (2017–2022)

This German noir follows a vice squad inspector and a resourceful typist as they navigate crime, politics, and cabaret culture in late Weimar Berlin. The story folds real events into a pulpy detective framework, moving from blackmail cases to plots that foreshadow the oncoming social collapse.

It was a joint production of Sky Deutschland and ARD, which gave it an unusual dual release at home. The show mounted large set pieces on reconstructed streets and soundstages at Studio Babelsberg, with extensive extras, period choreography, and live recorded music sequences.

‘Fauda’ (2015–2023)

This Israeli thriller centers on an undercover unit tracking a militant leader while managing the personal aftermath of long operations. The narrative alternates perspectives between the unit and targets, which allows quieter episodes to map networks of informants, family ties, and local politics.

It premiered on Yes Oh in Israel and reached global viewers through Netflix shortly after each local season. The production shot in multiple West Bank and Israeli cities, using mixed language scenes with Hebrew and Arabic to anchor the story’s realism and regional specificity.

‘Borgen’ (2010–2022)

This Danish political drama follows a moderate party leader as she navigates coalition government, policy tradeoffs, and the toll on her family. The writing focuses on process, with episodes showing how cabinet posts are negotiated, how media cycles move, and how policy briefs become law.

It was produced by DR and first aired on DR1 in Denmark, then continued with a later revival released internationally on Netflix. Key interiors were constructed at DR’s facilities, while exteriors used Copenhagen’s government district to ground storylines in recognizable locations.

‘Call My Agent!’ (2015–2020)

This French workplace comedy drama tracks a Paris talent agency that juggles celebrity clients, contract disputes, and last minute crises. Episodes feature guest stars playing versions of themselves, while the regular ensemble manages casting changes, mergers, and the agency’s survival.

It aired on France 2 in its home market and was later made available worldwide on Netflix. The show filmed across central Paris and used real theaters and studios for cameos, which helped secure industry participation and led to international remakes in multiple countries.

‘Giri/Haji’ (2019)

This UK Japan crime series follows a Tokyo detective searching London for his missing brother, with the case connecting Yakuza politics to British gangs. The bilingual format moves fluidly between Tokyo and London, using animated interludes and quiet character beats to bridge cultures.

It debuted on BBC Two in the UK and appeared globally on Netflix after its broadcast run. Location work split between Tokyo wards and London boroughs, and the production coordinated cross border crews to align police procedure details and underworld hierarchies in both cities.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

This Scandinavian crime drama opens with a body on the Øresund Bridge, forcing Danish and Swedish detectives to share jurisdiction. Each season introduces a new case that riffs on social issues, while the lead partnership evolves through precise character work and slow revealed backstories.

It was co produced by SVT in Sweden and DR in Denmark, with broadcasts on both public networks. Filming used the Øresund region extensively and doubled industrial zones for case related locations, and the format inspired remakes in several countries due to its cross border premise.

‘Trapped’ (2015–2021)

This Icelandic mystery begins when a corpse surfaces near a remote town as a blizzard seals roads and cuts off the harbor. The limited access setup turns the police station into a hub for suspects, while the weather adds real time stakes to search operations and evidence handling.

It aired on RÚV in Iceland and later reached other territories through partner broadcasters and streaming platforms. Production shot in Siglufjörður and Reykjavík, with units prepared for sudden weather changes that shaped the look and sound of outdoor scenes.

‘Line of Duty’ (2012–2021)

This British police procedural follows AC 12, an anti corruption unit that investigates officers suspected of serious misconduct. Each series revolves around a single case file, with long interviews, shifting testimonies, and acronyms that reward careful attention to detail.

It started on BBC Two and later moved to BBC One as the audience grew, keeping a consistent creative team across seasons. Filming shifted from Birmingham to Belfast for later runs, which provided a flexible urban backdrop for safe house work and street level set pieces.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Set in West Yorkshire, this British crime drama follows a sergeant whose personal history intersects with a case that spans years. The writing tracks the consequences of early crimes through later seasons, with careful continuity that connects offenders, victims, and families.

It aired on BBC One in the UK and was distributed internationally through partner services. The production returned to the Calder Valley and Halifax for continuity, and used regional casting that grounded the show’s accents, slang, and community details.

‘Signal’ (2016)

This South Korean thriller links a present day profiler with a detective from the past through a mysterious walkie talkie. Cases are based on real incidents, and the show details how new forensics and old fashioned legwork sometimes collide or complement each other.

It aired on tvN in South Korea with strong cable ratings and later found a global audience via streaming. The production balanced bottle episodes with larger arcs, and location teams recreated key crime scenes with an emphasis on procedural accuracy.

‘My Brilliant Friend’ (2018–2022)

Adapted from Elena Ferrante’s novels, this Italian series traces two friends from a Naples neighborhood as their lives diverge through schooling, work, and marriage. The show charts social change through apartments, factories, and classrooms, with time jumps marked by new eras of dress and transport.

It aired on Rai 1 in Italy in partnership with HBO for international distribution. Producers constructed a full scale neighborhood backlot near Naples, which allowed multi year continuity of storefronts, signage, and courtyards across successive chapters.

‘Paatal Lok’ (2020)

This Indian crime drama follows a Delhi police officer assigned to a high profile case that uncovers political handlers and media pressure. The story threads together regional backstories for suspects and witnesses, which gives the investigation a layered, pan Indian scope.

It premiered on Amazon Prime Video in India and was available in multiple languages at launch. Production used Delhi and Haryana locations, and the writers consulted legal and journalistic sources to align interrogation scenes with current procedure.

‘Sacred Games’ (2018–2019)

This Mumbai set thriller interweaves a cop’s present day hunt with a gangster’s rise, using dual timelines to reveal how past choices destabilize the city. The show adapts Vikram Chandra’s novel, keeping the literary structure while reformatting chapters into tightly paced episodes.

It was commissioned by Netflix in India with a creative team split across two directors for parallel timelines. Shoots took place across South Mumbai, film studios, and controlled sets for crowded interiors, with multilingual dialogue that reflects the city’s code switching.

‘Deutschland 83’ (2015)

This German Cold War series follows a young East German border guard sent to the West as an undercover operative. The story tracks training, tradecraft, and cultural shocks in equal measure, and uses historical events as anchor points for the spy plot.

It aired on RTL in Germany and reached the United States through a cable partner before moving to streaming. Locations across Berlin and Cologne stood in for 1980s offices, flats, and checkpoints, with period vehicles sourced from collections in both German states.

‘The Bureau’ (2015–2020)

This French espionage drama details the daily routines of case officers and legends, including long term cover identities in hostile environments. Episodes emphasize management structures, inter agency rivalry, and the slow burn of agent handling over multiple countries.

It ran on Canal+ in France and gained a devoted international following through subtitled releases. Production coordinated shoots in Morocco and Eastern Europe to simulate field posts, and consulted former intelligence personnel to shape office culture and procedures.

‘Tehran’ (2020–2023)

This Israeli thriller centers on a Mossad hacker who infiltrates a power company to disable air defenses, then adapts as the mission spirals. The show balances cyber operations with on the ground tradecraft, and keeps side characters in play to show cascading consequences.

It first aired on Kan 11 in Israel, then launched globally on Apple TV+. Filming combined Athens stand ins for restricted locations with studio builds for sensitive interiors, while language mixes of Hebrew, Persian, and English reflect the operation’s scope.

‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020)

This South Korean romance follows a business heiress who accidentally paraglides into the North and meets an army officer who decides to help her. The series uses fish out of water comedy early, then expands into family succession and state security threads as the leads navigate escape routes.

It aired on tvN in South Korea and became widely available on Netflix soon after broadcast. The production filmed in South Korea and used Swiss locations for flashbacks and epilogue scenes, coordinating cross border permits and alpine safety teams.

‘El Reino’ (2021–2023)

This Argentine political thriller examines a televangelist who enters a presidential race after his running mate is assassinated. The plot traces campaign machinery, backroom funding, and the role of media consultants as investigations close in.

It premiered on Netflix from Argentina, with new seasons continuing the conspiracy thread. Production shot across Buenos Aires in ministries, studios, and churches, and used legal advisers to frame courtroom and congressional procedures accurately.

‘The Rain’ (2018–2020)

This Danish post apocalyptic series follows siblings who emerge from a bunker to find a virus has devastated Scandinavia. The group they meet pushes through safe zones and quarantine lines, with journals and clues left behind to explain how society collapsed.

It launched as a Netflix original from Denmark, and filmed across Copenhagen and Swedish forests for border sequences. The crew designed rain rigs and protective gear that evolve with the characters, showing how survival tactics change over time.

‘ZeroZeroZero’ (2019–2020)

This Italian led international series maps a single cocaine shipment from producers to brokers to buyers, showing each link’s financial and logistical pressures. The story jumps between Mexico, the United States, Africa, and Italy, following families and soldiers tied to the trade.

It was produced for Sky Atlantic in Italy with Amazon Prime Video as a key distributor abroad. The production mounted a global shoot with units in multiple countries, aligning customs details, port operations, and maritime procedures with local authorities.

‘Les Revenants’ (2012–2015)

This French supernatural drama begins when people who died in a small town return home without memories of their deaths. The narrative explores how families and institutions respond, while the town’s reservoir and power grid hint at a wider mystery unfolding.

It aired on Canal+ in France and reached other markets through festival buzz and later streaming availability. Filming took place in southeastern France, using mountain roads and a dam as recurring visual anchors, and the score added a distinctive atmospheric layer.

Share the one you are starting next in the comments and tell us which networks or platforms made it easiest to discover.