Most Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch on Netflix Right Now

There is a deep bench of series on Netflix that flew under the radar for many viewers, and each one offers a distinct world to sink into without needing a huge time commitment or endless seasons. From meticulously researched true crime to inventive sci fi and sharp limited series, these titles cover a lot of ground across genres and countries. Many are Netflix originals, while a few arrived through partnerships that quietly placed them on the platform for a global audience. Here are fifteen to queue up when you want something fresh that still delivers the goods.

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

This German mystery follows four families as time travel complicates disappearances in a small town. It was produced as a Netflix original series with creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese supervising an intricate three cycle arc. The cast includes Louis Hofmann, Oliver Masucci, and Lisa Vicari across multiple timelines. It spans three seasons with tightly scripted episodes that connect clues across generations.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Based on the book by John E Douglas and Mark Olshaker, this drama tracks the early days of FBI profiling. It launched as a Netflix original with executive producer David Fincher guiding direction and tone. Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv lead interviews that reference real cases and established behavioral science methods. Two seasons explore how the Behavioral Science Unit developed terminology and techniques still referenced today.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

This genre bending series centers on a young woman who returns home with new abilities and a hidden mission. Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, it was produced for Netflix and filmed in multiple locations in the United States and abroad. The ensemble includes Marling, Jason Isaacs, and Kingsley Ben Adir with chapters structured around movements and near death experiences. Two parts were completed with detailed mythology that spans dimensions and storytelling forms.

‘Giri/Haji’ (2019)

This Tokyo and London crime drama follows a detective searching for his brother amid yakuza tensions. It was produced by BBC Two and made available on Netflix worldwide through a co distribution arrangement. The cast features Takehiro Hira, Kelly Macdonald, and Will Sharpe with bilingual dialogue across locations. The single season tells a complete story that weaves family duty and cross border police work.

‘The Get Down’ (2016–2017)

Set in the Bronx, this musical drama traces the early days of hip hop and disco through a group of teens. Netflix produced the series with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin shaping the period design and music curation. Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, and Herizen Guardiola appear alongside archival influences and original tracks. Two parts cover club culture, block parties, and the rise of DJs and MCs who defined a new sound.

‘Godless’ (2017)

This limited western follows an outlaw who hides in a town largely run by women after a mining disaster. It arrived as a Netflix original created by Scott Frank with executive producer Steven Soderbergh. Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, and Jack O’Connell lead a cast working across New Mexico locations. Seven episodes deliver a complete narrative featuring range wars, railroads, and frontier law.

‘Russian Doll’ (2019–2022)

A New York software engineer relives the same night while trying to understand a loop that keeps resetting. Co created by Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland, it was produced as a Netflix original with location shooting in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The cast includes Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, and Greta Lee with design elements that reflect changing states of mind. Two seasons explore cause and effect through character history and recurring events.

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

Adapted from a Pulitzer Prize winning article and a book, this limited series examines a sexual assault investigation handled in two jurisdictions. Netflix produced the series with showrunners Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon. Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever portray detectives and a survivor across multiple case files. Eight episodes reconstruct procedures, interviews, and evidence tracking that led to linked crimes.

‘Maniac’ (2018)

Two strangers enter a pharmaceutical trial that explores memory and emotion through simulated experiences. This limited series was produced by Netflix with Cary Joji Fukunaga directing all episodes and Patrick Somerville as creator. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill star alongside Sonoya Mizuno, Justin Theroux, and Sally Field. The story uses research lab settings and retro futuristic tech to explore treatment design and clinical oversight.

‘Hilda’ (2018–2023)

This animated adventure follows a curious girl who moves from wilderness to city and meets trolls, elves, and spirits. It was produced as a Netflix original with animation led by Mercury Filmworks and Silvergate Media. The voice cast includes Bella Ramsey, Ameerah Falzon Ojo, and Oliver Nelson with music by Grimes and other collaborators. Multiple seasons and a feature length special adapt Luke Pearson’s graphic novels with careful worldbuilding.

‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)

Based on Bernard Cornwell’s novels, this historical drama follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the formation of England. The series began with the BBC in partnership with Carnival Films, then Netflix became the primary home for later seasons and the concluding film. Alexander Dreymon leads an ensemble that films across Hungary and the United Kingdom. Battles, alliances, and shifting borders are staged with attention to period armor and tactics.

‘Bloodline’ (2015–2017)

A Florida Keys family faces long buried secrets when a troubled brother returns home. Netflix produced the series with creators Todd A Kessler, Glenn Kessler, and Daniel Zelman. Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, and Linda Cardellini headline a cast working across coastal locations. Three seasons map legal pressures, financial strain, and investigations that complicate the Rayburn legacy.

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

Residents of a small island community experience unexplained events after a charismatic cleric arrives. This limited series was produced by Netflix with Mike Flanagan writing and directing all episodes. Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, and Hamish Linklater lead a cast that performs extended dialogue scenes and community rituals. Seven episodes focus on faith, addiction, and cause and effect within an isolated setting.

‘Narcos: Mexico’ (2018–2021)

This companion to the original series charts the rise of modern cartels and the development of federal investigations in Mexico. It was produced as a Netflix original with Eric Newman as showrunner and Gaumont International Television as a key partner. Diego Luna and Michael Peña anchor the early season with Scoot McNairy joining as a lead investigator. Three seasons cover operations, alliances, and enforcement actions across multiple regions.

‘Collateral’ (2018)

A London detective investigates a shooting that exposes immigration and military ties over four consecutive days. Produced by BBC Two with Netflix handling international distribution, it was created and written by David Hare. Carey Mulligan leads a cast that includes John Simm, Nicola Walker, and Billie Piper. Four episodes tell a complete story with interlinked interviews and surveillance work across the city.

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

Set in nineteenth century Canada, this adaptation follows a domestic servant convicted of murder as a doctor evaluates her memory. Commissioned by CBC with Netflix as the international partner, it adapts Margaret Atwood’s novel through writer Sarah Polley. Sarah Gadon stars alongside Edward Holcroft, Anna Paquin, and Paul Gross. Six episodes use period records and testimony to reconstruct a contested case.

‘Caliphate’ (2020)

Swedish security services track a terror plot while a teenager’s family is drawn into recruitment networks. It originated on SVT with Netflix distributing globally and was created by Wilhelm Behrman and Niklas Rockström. Gizem Erdogan, Aliette Opheim, and Amed Bozan lead the ensemble across Stockholm and Raqqa settings. Eight episodes juxtapose informant work, encrypted messaging, and cross border coordination.

‘Delhi Crime’ (2019–2024)

This anthology style procedural dramatizes major cases handled by Delhi Police with a focus on investigative steps and coordination. Produced as a Netflix original from India, it was created by Richie Mehta with subsequent seasons led by different showrunners. Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang, and Rasika Dugal anchor the task force through interrogations, forensics, and field operations. Multiple seasons cover case intake, jurisdictional challenges, and legal follow through.

‘Katla’ (2021)

After a subglacial eruption, an Icelandic town experiences strange arrivals that mirror people from the past. Produced as a Netflix original from Iceland, it was created by Baltasar Kormákur and Sigurjón Kjartansson. Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð and Íris Tanja fly through scenes set around Vík and the volcano. Eight episodes connect geological activity with personal histories and recovery work.

‘The Rain’ (2018–2020)

Siblings emerge from a bunker to find Scandinavia reshaped by a virus carried by rainfall. Commissioned as a Netflix original from Denmark, it was created by Jannik Tai Mosholt, Esben Toft Jacobsen, and Christian Potalivo. Alba August, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard lead a traveling group through safe zones and labs. Three seasons follow supply runs, community rules, and experimental treatments.

‘The Society’ (2019)

Teenagers return from a canceled trip to find their town isolated and the adults gone as they attempt self governance. Produced by Netflix in the United States, it was created by Christopher Keyser. Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, and Jacques Colimon head a large ensemble navigating food, power, and law. Ten episodes track charters, elections, and resource planning inside a closed environment.

‘Ragnarok’ (2020–2023)

In a Norwegian town, a teenager discovers ties to ancient myth while an industrial family dominates the local economy. Produced as a Netflix original from Norway, it was created by Adam Price. David Stakston, Herman Tømmeraas, and Theresa Frostad Eggesbø appear across school, factory, and mountain locations. Three seasons combine environmental disputes with folklore and regional histories.

‘The Innocents’ (2018)

Runaway teens discover a rare shapeshifting condition while pursued by a doctor who studies their cases. Produced by Netflix in the United Kingdom and Norway, it was created by Hania Elkington and Simon Duric. Sorcha Groundsell, Percelle Ascott, and Guy Pearce lead the cast through lab facilities and coastal hideouts. Eight episodes examine genetic traits, patient files, and treatment protocols.

‘Marcella’ (2016–2021)

A former detective returns to active duty while dealing with severe memory blackouts that complicate her work. The series originated on ITV with Netflix carrying it internationally and became a Netflix original for later seasons in some regions. Anna Friel stars with Ray Panthaki, Jack Doolan, and Jamie Bamber across trafficking and organized crime cases. Three seasons use witness interviews, phone data, and undercover operations to build evidence.

‘Feel Good’ (2020–2021)

A stand up comic navigates recovery and a new relationship while balancing family history and career plans. It was co produced by Channel 4 and Netflix with Mae Martin and Joe Hampson as creators. Mae Martin and Charlotte Ritchie star alongside Lisa Kudrow and Philip Burgers in London and Toronto settings. Two seasons examine therapy, tour schedules, and industry meetings.

‘Black Earth Rising’ (2018)

A legal investigator who survived the Rwandan genocide becomes involved in cases that reach international courts. The series originated on BBC Two with Netflix distributing globally and was created by Hugo Blick. Michaela Coel and John Goodman lead a cast that moves between London, Kigali, and The Hague. Eight episodes detail extraditions, witness protection, and jurisdictional authority.

‘Derry Girls’ (2018–2022)

A group of teens in Northern Ireland comes of age during the final years of the Troubles with school trips and family events. It was produced for Channel 4 with Netflix handling worldwide streaming and created by Lisa McGee. Saoirse Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland, Jamie Lee O’Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn headline the ensemble. Three seasons track exams, broadcasts, and community milestones that align with historical timelines.

‘Safe’ (2018)

A widowed surgeon searches for his missing daughter inside a gated community where neighbors conceal overlapping secrets. Produced as a Netflix original created by Harlan Coben, it was filmed in the United Kingdom with French co production support. Michael C Hall leads the cast with Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, and Emmett J Scanlan. Eight episodes map phone records, party footage, and property access logs.

‘Perfume’ (2018)

Investigators in Germany pursue a series of murders linked to a group of friends who studied scent in school. The series originated on ZDFneo with Netflix providing international release and was inspired by Patrick Süskind’s novel. Friederike Becht, Wotan Wilke Möhring, and August Diehl appear across forensic labs and Rhine settings. Six episodes examine scent extraction methods, witness statements, and historical case parallels.

‘Lovesick’ (2014–2018)

A man contacts former partners after a medical diagnosis and each episode reveals a past relationship that shaped his life. It began on Channel 4 before moving to Netflix, which helped the show reach a wider audience. The ensemble follows a tight friend group in Glasgow with stories that jump between present day and earlier misadventures. Three seasons map connections, missed chances, and the quiet ways friendships evolve.

‘Travelers’ (2016–2018)

Operatives from the future send their consciousness into people moments before their deaths to prevent disasters. The first two seasons ran on Showcase in Canada with Netflix joining to continue the story for a global audience. Mission protocols, cover identities, and team dynamics drive the plot as small choices change timelines. Three seasons explore ethics, unintended consequences, and the limits of control.

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

A Wyoming sheriff balances local cases with tribal jurisdiction issues and federal involvement. The series started on A&E and later moved to Netflix, which produced additional seasons to finish the story. It uses wide open settings and steady police procedure to follow leads across counties and reservations. Six seasons track investigations, elections, and family matters tied to the job.

‘Undercover’ (2019–2022)

An agent infiltrates a drug network while maintaining a cover that strains his personal life. The show was commissioned by Eén in Belgium and reached viewers worldwide through Netflix. Operations move between campsites, warehouses, and border crossings where surveillance and informants shape each step. Multiple seasons follow stings that build cases across jurisdictions.

‘Quicksand’ (2019)

A court case unfolds after a school tragedy as prosecutors, defense attorneys, and investigators piece together events. It originated on SVT in Sweden with Netflix carrying the series to international audiences. Interrogations, text messages, and social media posts provide the evidence trail. The limited run presents a complete arc from arrest to verdict.

‘Pine Gap’ (2018)

Intelligence analysts at a joint facility handle signals collection and political fallout from their findings. The series was produced for ABC in Australia with Netflix distributing it more widely. Office protocols, compartmentalized access, and diplomatic pressure shape daily decisions. The limited season shows how data flows turn into reports that influence policy.

‘The Valhalla Murders’ (2019–2020)

Detectives in Reykjavík connect a string of killings to a decades old abuse case. It was produced by RÚV in Iceland with Netflix providing global streaming. Forensics, archival records, and witness protection details guide the investigation. The series resolves its central case while leaving space for character aftermath.

‘Barbarians’ (2020–2022)

Tribal alliances and Roman campaigns collide on the frontier as leaders choose sides. Netflix produced the series in Germany with a focus on language use that mirrors the setting. Field tactics, supply lines, and shifting loyalties frame each campaign. Two seasons cover preparations, betrayals, and the outcomes of decisive battles.

‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021)

A homicide unit tracks a killer who leaves small figures at crime scenes tied to a missing person case. The series was created in Denmark for DR and reached a wider audience through Netflix. Evidence boards, forensic comparisons, and custody records drive the search. The limited run brings the threads together with a clear timeline of events.

‘Criminal: UK’ (2019–2020)

Each episode takes place in an interrogation suite where officers test stories against the facts. Netflix produced the series with a closed room format that highlights procedure and strategy. Interview technique, legal counsel, and forensics reports are used to confirm or challenge claims. Two seasons present separate cases that rely on precision and pressure.

‘The Spy’ (2019)

A young recruit builds a life inside a hostile government and sends intelligence across a dangerous network. Netflix produced the limited series with Gideon Raff adapting material from historical accounts. Clandestine meetings, radio traffic, and cover businesses support the operation. The story follows tradecraft details from initiation to extraction attempts.

‘Seven Seconds’ (2018)

A prosecutor and a detective navigate a case involving a hit and run with ties to a police unit. Netflix produced the series based on a Russian film concept with Veena Sud as showrunner. Grand jury testimony, plea talks, and media pressure shape the legal strategy. The limited season follows the case through investigation and courtroom steps.

‘Girl from Nowhere’ (2018–2021)

A mysterious student transfers between schools and exposes hypocrisy through staged lessons. The show began on GMM 25 in Thailand with Netflix carrying later episodes to a global audience. Each story uses classroom policies, security footage, and rumor networks to unearth wrongdoing. Two seasons present anthology style episodes with a recurring lead.

‘Glitch’ (2015–2019)

Residents of a small town return from the dead in perfect health with no memory of their lives. The series was produced by ABC in Australia and later continued with Netflix’s support for broader release. Police files, medical tests, and family histories form the base of the mystery. Three seasons examine connections among the returned and the forces that brought them back.

‘Call My Agent!’ (2015–2020)

A Paris talent agency manages crises for actors while juggling contracts and personal stakes. The series originated on France 2 and gained international reach through Netflix. Negotiations, festival schedules, and last minute rewrites show how deals come together. Four seasons follow agency restructures, mergers, and the daily scramble to keep clients working.

Share your own overlooked Netflix gems and tell us which ones we should add in the comments.