30 Really Good Limited Series That Deserve Far More Recognition

A limited series is a television show with a complete story told in one season. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This means you can watch the whole story without waiting for new seasons. Many great limited series are made each year. They tell powerful stories with amazing actors.

However, some of these shows do not get the attention they should. With so many shows available, it is easy for some to get lost. This listicle will highlight 30 limited series that are very good but not as famous as they should be. These shows offer incredible stories and are worth your time to watch.

Sharp Objects (2018)

This series is based on the book by Gillian Flynn. It follows a reporter named Camille Preaker. She goes back to her small hometown to report on the murders of two young girls. As she investigates, she has to face her own troubled past and her difficult relationship with her mother.

The show is dark and has a lot of suspense. Amy Adams gives a powerful performance as Camille. The story is full of twists and secrets that will keep you guessing. It is a slow-burn thriller that stays with you long after it is over.

Unbelievable (2019)

This series tells a true story. It is about a young woman who reports being sexually assaulted, but the police do not believe her. They pressure her until she says she made it up. Two female detectives in another state start to investigate similar cases.

This show is very powerful and important. It shows how the justice system can fail victims. The acting by Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever is excellent. It is a tough watch, but it tells a very necessary story.

Maniac (2018)

Two strangers, Annie and Owen, join a mysterious pharmaceutical trial. Annie is dealing with a difficult family history. Owen is the son of a wealthy family and may have schizophrenia. The trial promises to fix all their problems with a series of pills.

The show is very creative and visually interesting. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill play the main characters. They go through many different dream-like worlds during the trial. It is a unique story about connection and pain.

Devs (2020)

A young software engineer named Lily Chan investigates the secretive development division of her employer, a quantum computing company. She believes this division is responsible for her boyfriend’s disappearance. What she uncovers is a technology that could change the world.

This series is a mind-bending science fiction story. It explores ideas like free will and determinism. The visuals are stunning and the story is very intelligent. It is a show that will make you think.

The Night Of (2016)

A young Pakistani-American college student named Naz Khan borrows his father’s taxi to go to a party. He ends up spending the night with a woman he just met. When he wakes up, he finds her stabbed to death and he has no memory of what happened.

The series follows Naz’s journey through the criminal justice system. John Turturro plays his lawyer in a standout performance. The show is a gripping crime drama that looks at the flaws in the system. It is a tense and detailed story.

Station Eleven (2021)

This series is based on a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. It shows the world twenty years after a deadly flu pandemic has collapsed civilization. The story follows a group of traveling actors and musicians who try to keep art and humanity alive.

The show is not just about survival. It is about memory, art, and what it means to be human. It has a hopeful tone even though it is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The storytelling is beautiful and connects different characters across time.

Mrs. America (2020)

This series tells the true story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 1970s. It focuses on the conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, who led the opposition. It also shows the feminists on the other side, like Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan.

Cate Blanchett is amazing as Phyllis Schlafly. The show has a huge cast of talented actors who play real-life figures. It is a fascinating look at a key moment in American political history. It shows the complexities of the fight for women’s rights.

Alias Grace (2017)

This series is based on a novel by Margaret Atwood. It is a true story about Grace Marks, a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Canada who was convicted of a double murder in 1843. A doctor is hired to interview her to decide if she is truly guilty or insane.

Sarah Gadon gives a brilliant performance as Grace. The story is full of mystery and psychological tension. You are never sure if Grace is telling the truth or manipulating the doctor. It is a compelling and thought-provoking historical drama.

The Little Drummer Girl (2018)

An English actress named Charlie is recruited by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. They want her to become a spy to help them catch a Palestinian bomb maker. She has to use all her acting skills to play her part in a dangerous real-life drama.

Florence Pugh is fantastic as Charlie. The series is a stylish and intelligent spy thriller. It is directed by Park Chan-wook, who is known for his beautiful visuals. The story is complex and full of suspense, taking place in various European locations.

Years and Years (2019)

This series follows the Lyons family from Manchester over a period of 15 years. It starts in 2019 and imagines what the future might hold. The story shows how political, economic, and technological changes affect their lives in very personal ways.

The show is both funny and frightening. It deals with many current anxieties about the state of the world. Emma Thompson plays a controversial politician whose rise to power has a big impact. It is a powerful and emotional story about family and the future.

The Good Lord Bird (2020)

This series is based on a novel by James McBride. It tells the story of the abolitionist John Brown through the eyes of a fictional young boy who joins his group of anti-slavery soldiers. They travel across the country fighting to end slavery before the Civil War.

Ethan Hawke gives an incredible, high-energy performance as John Brown. The show is funny, violent, and very entertaining. It takes a historical figure and makes his story feel fresh and alive. It is a unique and powerful look at an important part of American history.

I May Destroy You (2020)

A young writer named Arabella is sexually assaulted on a night out. The series follows her as she tries to piece together what happened and rebuild her life. It also explores the lives of her friends and their own experiences with consent and exploitation.

Michaela Coel created and stars in the show. It is a brave and honest look at a very difficult subject. The story is complex and sometimes funny, even as it deals with trauma. It is one of the most talked-about and important shows of recent years.

Watchmen (2019)

This series is a sequel to the famous graphic novel. It is set in an alternate version of the present day where police wear masks to protect their identities. The story follows a detective named Angela Abar, also known as Sister Night, as she investigates a white supremacist group.

The show is a smart and thrilling remix of the original story. It deals with heavy themes of racism and justice in America. Regina King is amazing in the lead role. It is a bold and ambitious series that is both entertaining and meaningful.

The Honourable Woman (2014)

Nessa Stein is a British-Israeli businesswoman who inherited her father’s arms company. She changes the company’s purpose to focus on communication and reconciliation projects in the Middle East. Her work puts her and her family in great danger.

Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a stunning performance as Nessa. The series is a complex political thriller. It is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The story explores the difficult politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with great intelligence.

Olive Kitteridge (2014)

This series is based on a collection of short stories by Elizabeth Strout. It tells the story of Olive Kitteridge, a stern and sometimes difficult middle-school math teacher in a small town in Maine. The story spans 25 years of her life and the lives of those around her.

Frances McDormand is perfect as Olive Kitteridge. She won an Emmy for her performance. The show is a quiet and powerful look at love, loss, and the messiness of human relationships. It is a deeply moving character study.

Show Me a Hero (2015)

This series is based on a true story. It is about Nick Wasicsko, the young mayor of Yonkers, New York, in the late 1980s. A federal court orders the city to build public housing in its white, middle-class neighborhoods, and the decision divides the city.

Oscar Isaac plays Mayor Wasicsko. The show is from David Simon, the creator of “The Wire.” It is a detailed and powerful look at race, politics, and community. It shows how difficult it can be to do the right thing.

London Spy (2015)

Danny is a young man who falls in love with the mysterious Alex. They have a perfect romance until Alex suddenly disappears. Danny discovers that Alex was a spy, and he is pulled into the dangerous world of international espionage as he tries to find out the truth.

Ben Whishaw is wonderful as the romantic and determined Danny. The show is a beautiful and sad spy story. It is more about love and grief than action. The mystery is gripping and the emotional story is very powerful.

Patrick Melrose (2018)

This series is based on the novels by Edward St Aubyn. It follows the life of Patrick Melrose, a man from a very wealthy but abusive English family. The story shows his struggles with drug addiction as an adult and the childhood trauma that caused it.

Benedict Cumberbatch gives one of his best performances as Patrick. The show is dark, funny, and deeply moving. It is an incredible story of survival and recovery. Each episode focuses on a different period of his life.

A Very English Scandal (2018)

This is the true story of Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the British Liberal Party in the 1970s. He has a secret affair with a younger man, Norman Scott. When Norman threatens to expose him, Jeremy decides he must be silenced for good.

Hugh Grant is brilliant as the charming but ruthless Jeremy Thorpe. Ben Whishaw is also excellent as Norman Scott. The show is a witty and entertaining black comedy. It tells a shocking story that was a huge scandal at the time.

When They See Us (2019)

This series tells the true story of the Central Park Five. In 1989, five Black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were wrongly accused of a brutal assault in Central Park. The show follows their story from their arrest to their eventual exoneration years later.

This is a powerful and heartbreaking series directed by Ava DuVernay. The young actors who play the teenagers are incredible. It is a difficult but essential story about racism and injustice in the legal system.

Giri/Haji (2019)

A detective from Tokyo travels to London in search of his younger brother. His brother was believed to be dead but is now wanted for a murder that could start a gang war in Tokyo. The detective gets caught up in the London underworld.

The title means “Duty/Shame” in Japanese. The show is a cool and stylish thriller that mixes crime drama with family story. It is filmed in both Japan and the UK. It is a unique and ambitious series with a lot of heart.

Fosse/Verdon (2019)

This series tells the story of the creative and romantic partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Fosse was a visionary filmmaker and one of theater’s greatest choreographers. Verdon was one of the best Broadway dancers of all time.

Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams are amazing as the famous couple. They show the love, ambition, and betrayal that defined their relationship. The musical numbers are fantastic. It is a dazzling look at the lives of two entertainment legends.

The Terror (2018)

The first season of this anthology series is based on a true story. In 1845, two British Royal Navy ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, set out to find the Northwest Passage. They become trapped in the ice and the crews must survive against the harsh conditions and a mysterious predator.

This show is a masterpiece of suspense and horror. The sense of isolation and dread is incredible. The cast, including Jared Harris and Tobias Menzies, is fantastic. It is a chilling and unforgettable survival story.

The Looming Tower (2018)

This series tells the story of the rising threat of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda in the late 1990s. It focuses on the rivalry between the FBI and the CIA and how their failure to cooperate may have led to the 9/11 attacks.

The show is a gripping and important political thriller. It is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The cast includes Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim, and Peter Sarsgaard. It is a fascinating look at the events that led to a world-changing tragedy.

American Crime (2015-2017)

This is an anthology series where each season tells a different story with many of the same actors in different roles. The seasons explore complex issues in American society, such as race, class, gender, and the justice system. The stories are often centered around a single crime.

The show is known for its incredible acting. Regina King, Felicity Huffman, and Timothy Hutton all won Emmys for their work on the series. It is a powerful and thought-provoking show that is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects.

Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

This series is based on the novel by Celeste Ng. It is set in the 1990s in a wealthy suburb of Ohio. The story follows the intertwined lives of the seemingly perfect Richardson family and a mysterious mother and daughter who move to town.

Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington star and produce the show. They are fantastic as two mothers from very different backgrounds whose lives clash. The story explores secrets, motherhood, and the idea of perfection. It is a compelling and emotional drama.

The Great (2020)

This series is a satirical and comedic drama about the rise of Catherine the Great, the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia’s history. The show follows a young Catherine as she arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the emperor and begins to plot to take his power.

Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult are hilarious as Catherine and Emperor Peter. The show is not a stuffy historical drama. It is funny, rude, and full of energy. While it plays fast and loose with history, it is incredibly entertaining.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

This series is a modern retelling of the classic horror novel by Shirley Jackson. It follows the Crain family, who grew up in what would become the most famous haunted house in the country. As adults, they are forced to confront the ghosts of their past.

The show is a brilliant mix of family drama and horror. It is genuinely scary but also deeply emotional. The story is told across two timelines, showing the family’s past in the house and their present-day struggles. It is a masterpiece of television horror.

Fleabag (2016-2019)

Though it has two seasons, the creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has stated she does not intend to make a third, making it a complete story. It follows a witty, angry, and grief-ridden woman known only as Fleabag as she navigates life and love in London.

The show is famous for breaking the fourth wall, with Fleabag often talking directly to the audience. It is hilariously funny and then suddenly heartbreaking. It is a unique and perfectly written show about grief, family, and faith.

Bodyguard (2018)

A war veteran is assigned to protect the ambitious and powerful Home Secretary, whose politics he despises. He finds himself torn between his duty and his beliefs. The series is a tense political thriller with lots of action.

Richard Madden stars as the bodyguard, David Budd. The show was a massive hit in the UK but is less known in other parts of the world. The first 20 minutes of the first episode is one of the most tense sequences on television. It is a thrilling and addictive watch.