This is a question I get asked a
lot: What TV shows should I watch on Netflix? With a constantly changing
catalog and many diverse shows from different genres and eras, it is hard to
answer this question but I will try.
I headed over to Netflix and
reviewed the TV catalog; I decided to classify my top TVpicks in several
lists: old shows, Netflix Originals, British shows, teen/children shows,
sci-fi, drama, comedy, etc. But first I decided to make a list with my ABSOLUTE
favorite shows currently on Netflix (US).
Here is a top 10 list of what, in
my opinion, are the best shows available on Netflix (not including Netflix
originals). We have cable shows, network shows, British Shows and more. Some of
the shows are no longer on the air, so you can watch the entire series. Others
are still airing new episodes on TV so it is the perfect opportunity to catch
up.
10. Firefly
(2002-2003)
Premise: "Five Hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them" (IMDB)
Genre: Science Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Why should I watch it?:
Firefly is the definition of a ‘cult-hit’. This show will be passed
on from one generation to the next as a sci-fi classic for years. It is
definitely a one of a kind show with a unique premise and many interesting
storylines: Space cowboys, renegade priests, legal and even revered
intergalactic prostitutes… and the list goes on. Firefly is extremely bizarre and quirky and it has Whedon’s
signature dark and out of place humor. To top all that, it had an amazing cast:
Nathan Fillion (Castle), Gina Torres
(Suits,Alias), Morena Baccarin (Homeland, V), Adam Baldwin (Chuck), Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory) and the list goes on. This ‘Western in Space’ is 14
hours of crazy, bizarre outrageous fun. It is too weird (in a good way) to
miss.
Note: After you watch all
14 episodes, don’t forget to also check out the follow up movie Serenity.
Who should watch it? Whedon
fans and Sci-Fi lovers
9. Fringe (2008-2013)
Premise: An FBI agent, a
mad scientist and his estranged son team up to investigate unexplained
phenomena, uncovering deeper conspiracies and the existence of parallel
universes.
Genre: Science Fiction at
its best
Why should I watch it?:
Fringe is one of the best science fictions shows ever produced. The
‘science’ element of the show is captivating and intriguing. Throughout five
years the ‘Fringe’ team investigated cases dealing with parallel universes,
teleportation, reanimation, time travel and more. All the cases are based on
real scientific research so there is always the feel that they are in the realm
of possibility. However, this show has another very important element to it:
the ‘human’ element. Behind all the paranormal activity and intergalactic wars,
this is story about a man trying to atone for the mistakes he made out of love
for his son. The show deals with crazy and fantastic situations, but the
relationships between characters are real. Oftentimes, the simplest scenes are
the most compelling and there is no shortage of great performances, especially
at the hands of veteran actor John Noble (You can see some of his best scenes
here). In summary, Fringe will blow
your mind, open your eyes and make you cry.
Who should watch it?
Definitely sci-fi lovers. The
show has a heavy component of science fiction, but it is also a family drama,
so even if you are not exactly into sci-fi shows, you may still enjoy it.
8. The Black Donnellys
(2007)
Premise: "Four young Irish brothers are caught up in the New York's underworld of organized crime" (IMDB
Genre: Drama
Why should I watch it?:
This show was produced by Paul
Haggis, famous for the movies he has written (and won Oscars for): Million Dollar Baby, Crash, Quantum of
Solace and others. And that is exactly what this show felt like: an
incredible movie. The Black Donnellys was
brilliantly made and brilliantly written. Paul Haggis did what he does best:
deal with human emotions and the unity of family in an underworld setting. The
show was raw and gritty without being overly violent and it was dark without
becoming depressive, it actually had quite a bit of humor. It was an incredible
take on the anti-hero story that is so popular these days… well at least on
cable, where this show belonged and would have lasted for many seasons! It also
featured a superb cast of then unknown young actors including: Olivia Wilde (House) and Kirk Acevedo (Fringe). It was a sad sad thing for TV
to lose this show after only one masterful season. Sometimes I feel there is no
point in watching shows that were cancelled after only one season but this one
is definitely worth it! Think of it as an incredible 13 hour Paul Haggis movie.
Who should watch it?
Fans of Paul Haggis’s movies and Anybody
that has a taste for gritty well written dramas and who enjoys cable dramas
like Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad or
Mad Men.
7. Twin Peaks (1990 –
1991)
Genre: Not really sure, it is a genre of its own… I can’t put
it in a box.
Why should I watch it?:
If you were born in the late 80s
or after, you probably didn't get the chance to watch this show when it aired;
however, you most likely have heard about it. Up until this day, the show is a
critics’ darling. It is used as an example of great TV by writers and producers,
not to mention the constant references and homages on other TV shows and
movies. In synthesis, Twin Peaks is a
classic cult-hit. A show about an FBI agent investigating the murder of a young
girl is something that has been done many times before and after Twin Peaks… but NOTHING is like Twin Peaks. Whatever you imagine this
show is like, you are probably wrong. The show had the most unique tone and it
took quirky/campy to an entire new level. It was full of surreal sequences and
it was simply bizarre and extraordinaire. It’s hard to even explain, one of
those “you have to watch it to understand it” things, and you certainly HAVE to
watch it.
Who should watch it?
I have to admit this show is not
for everyone. I can see a lot of people not understanding it or being
overwhelmed by its quirkiness. However, if you are a TV lover you must watch
it, if you love bizarre shows you must watch it, if you are open minded to
unique storytelling you must watch it. I think everyone must watch it, because
it is a once in a lifetime TV product.
6. Sherlock (BBC)
(2010 - )
Premise: Sherlock Holmes
in the 21st Century (yes this show came before Elementary, in case you didn’t know)
Genre: Police procedural
Why should I watch it?:
Each 90 min episode, which feels
more like a mini movie, focus on one of the Sherlock Holmes books. The show may
be set on the modern age, but it is probably one of the most fateful
adaptations. It has all the mystery of the books, the beauty of the city of
London and it incorporates modern technology into the story in the most
creative ways: Watson has a blog where he writes about their cases, cell phone
texts and internet searches are often featured as part of the clues and there
is an episode that hilariously plays around with ridiculous ringtones. There is
never a dull moment on this show, the stories move a million miles per hour and
so does the witty dialogue. In addition, BBC’s Sherlock has my favorite Sherlock/Watson duo. And don’t get me
wrong, I adore some of the people playing Sherlock and Watson these days:
Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu… but Benedict
Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are just perfect for the roles. When the show
began, they had their share of recognition in England, but now they are quickly
becoming international movie stars with Benedict starring on the new Star Trek and Martin playing the title
character on The Hobbit. British Sherlock is one of the most amazing
things on TV right now and my favorite Sherlock adaptation ever. You can start
by watching any episode really, so pick your favorite story and Netflix it away!
Who should watch it?
I think this show can be enjoyed
by pretty much anyone; it is intriguing, smart and tons of fun to watch.
5. Mad Men (2007 - )
Premise: Don Draper is a
successful advertisement agent in the 1960s New York, with a secret past and
countless inner conflicts.
Genre: Period Drama
Why should I watch it?:
This is period drama done right.
Everything about it is incredible: The clothes, the hair, the sets, the props,
the speech… if you didn’t know any better, you could absolutely believe you
were watching a show filmed in the 60s. In addition to it being visually
stunning, they make good use of the historical context. It is not a show about the
60s, but the socio-political issues of the time inform their characters and
storylines. This is a show about the characters, their inner struggles and
about the timeless flawed nature of human kind. Mad Men is a wonderful classy show. It is a subtle and it does not
rely on gimmicks, overacting or obvious dialogue. It is a smart show for a smart
audience where not everything is spelled out; in fact nothing is spelled out at
all… so it provides the audience with a unique experience where reflection is
part of the viewing process.
Who should watch it?
Anybody who likes good
television. However if you are expecting a show with constant plot twists, pre-marital
pregnancy, office romance, drug use, people losing limbs… oh yeah of all that actually
happens…but in a classy way.
4. Alias (2001 –
2006)
Premise: A female spy
discovers that she has been working for the enemy she thought she was fighting
and becomes a double agent for the CIA in hopes to destroy the organization
that wronged her.
Genre: Action/Adventure
with a hint of Sci-fi
Why should I watch it?:
There are spy shows and there is Alias. Ever since this show I have not
encountered a spy drama that satisfies me (coming close with The Americans). Alias was the perfect
spy show in every way. It was made in the old-school-spy movie vein with spies
traveling across the world, wearing disguises and fighting menaces from Russia.
It had all the elements required for an action show: amazing fight scenes, car
chases, explosions and jaw dropping plot twists. But there were a couple of
things that made Alias unique. One,
it had JJ Abrams’s signature sci-fi twist in disguise and two it was superior
to other action shows in the relationship department. In a way, it was all
about the main character, Sydney, and her relationships with the people around
her: her father, another CIA spy, her friends who were unaware of her secret
life and her handler with whom she had a romantic relationship. The ludicrous
action sequences were tons of fun to watch, but in the end it was a story about
Sydney. The show was elevated even further by the cast which included veteran
actors Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin and pre fame Jennifer Garner and Bradley
Cooper. Alias is one of my favorite
shows of all times and if you didn’t watch it when it was on the air, don’t
waste another second and start TODAY. Alias
has probably one of the best pilots ever produced and it is one of the
first TV shows developed by JJ Abrams (who apparently produces 80% of TV shows
these days).
Who should watch it?
I think this show can appeal to
many types of viewers: old, young, women, men… Only requisite is to like action
and good storytelling.
3. Breaking Bad (2008
- )
Premise: I high school chemistry teacher is diagnosed with
terminal cancer. In his desperation to provide for his family before he is gone
he teams up with his former student and starts a crystal meth manufacturing
business that will eventually turn into an empire.
Genre: Drama
Why should I watch it?:
Breaking Bad is
arguably the best TV show of the last decade. It is one of those shows that
simply blows your mind away in every way you can imagine. Starting with the
very original premise and continuing with the constant twists and turns of the
plot. Breaking Bad has it all, it has
an interesting story, it has gritty scenes, it has action, it has a bit of
humor and it has a lot of human emotion and statements about human nature. It
is also a show that achieves the impossible, to narrate the journey of a man
that simply ‘breaks bad’, in the vein of evil is not born, it is made. Simply
fascinating.
Who should watch it?
Everyone! Even if it is not your type of show you should
give a try and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop. It is absolutely
brilliant!
2. Sons of Anarchy
(2008 - )
Premise: A young man struggles between his life as an
outlaw and trying to honor his father’s memory by turning his motorcycle club
into a legit organization.
Genre: Drama
Why should I watch it?:
A show about a biker’s gang
sounds like something all guys would adore and no women would want to watch.
However I truly believe this show can be enjoyed by men and women alike. It has
everything men enjoy: adrenaline, motorcycles, guns, girls, fist fights, car
chases, etc. But at its core it is a show about a family and human
relationships. Yes, it has a very violent and action packed backdrop, but the amount
of relationship drama SOA has makes Grey’s Anatomy seem like the least
angsty show [Just to be clear, I am NOT comparing SOA to Grey’s! SOA is a much much better show].
Sons of
Anarchy narrates the journey of a young man trying to escape the world he
was born into and striving to avoid making the same mistakes as his parents.
His relationships with his mother and substitute father (who may or may have
not murdered his father) are explored, as well as the camaraderie between
members of the club and there is even a romance story in the mix. This show is
absolutely brilliant. The plot twists are surprising and intriguing and the
relationships between characters are compelling and constantly evolving. The
character development has no match, I care about each and every one of this
cheating, women hitting, murderous bikers… I truly do, and I am all in to
follow them on this ride. Need yet another reason? The cast. This is probably
the best role of Katey Sagal’s (Married
with Children, Lost) career and also features outstanding performances from
Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman (80s
Beauty and the Beast, Hell Boy).
Who Should watch it?
Men would absolutely love it, no
question about it. But women can love it too for sure! Just be warned, it can
get very violent at times.
1. Lost (2004 – 2010)
Premise: A plane crashes
on a deserted island and the castaways struggle to survive as they discover
that the island may hold many more secrets than they originally thought.
Genre: Science Fiction
Why should I watch it?:
Even if you didn’t watch it, you
are probably at least aware of the existence of this show. You are probably
also aware that this was one of the biggest cult-hits of all times. You
probably don’t really get what could be so intriguing about a show of people
stranded on a deserted island. It doesn’t sound as the most original premise…
but, the show sure was. The show revolved around the plane crash survivors and
it explored their back stories through flashbacks (well during the first couple
of seasons, then everything changes). What was great about this structure was
that each episode was a completely unique story; from an orphan boy, to a
couple in Korea to a runaway criminal. The flashbacks informed the characters
and explained why they acted the way they did. It was an exploratory study of
human nature. And then there was the island… The island itself was a character,
where were they? What was the monster? Could the island really heal people? Why
were polar bears in there? And the questions never ended. Lost was one of the most intriguing and complex shows of all times.
It was a masterpiece of television, it will go on to history as one of the most
original, influential and significant TV shows of all times. If you weren’t
able to catch it on time you should, it may even be better to watch it online
since you can watch as many episodes as you like! And believe me; you won’t be
able to stop after just one.
Who should watch it?
Anyone, this show has so many
facets that every single person can find something appealing about it as long
as they are willing to follow the very complex plot.
And that was it, my top 10 picks
for shows currently available on Netflix. Any of them would be a great choice
for summer viewing. I just want to mention a couple of other shows that were
not include on the list. Downton Abbey which
is one of my favorite shows, but only Season 1 is available on Netflix. If you
want to watch this show, and I absolutely recommend it, head over to Amazon. Battlestar Galactica is another one of
my favorites, but since Firefly was
already on the list, I wanted to diversify a little. However Battlestar is definitely worth watching
as well.
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