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Finnis Springer
A compelling, artful retelling of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Crown touches on many themes beyond just the monarchy, including politics, family and the tumult of royal marriages -- namely that of Charles and Diana. Beyond the spectacular casting across all six seasons, the show is supported by strong writing and gripping storylines that stir up emotion in viewers, regardless of how they actually feel about the British monarchy.
Lauded as one of the best television shows of all time, Breaking Bad has all the merits of a standout series: a suspenseful storyline, dynamic characters and shocking plot twists -- many of which are not for the faint of heart. It follows high school chemistry teacher Walter White, who turns to cooking meth when he's diagnosed with cancer and worries about providing for his family. But his knack for producing the illegal substance leads him down roads he never imagined.
Peaky Blinders tells the story of an English gang run by Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his family after World War I. The gang controls the city of Birmingham, but Shelby begins to set his sights beyond the streets as he aims to move up in the world. What sells this show is not only its compelling storyline, but also its stellar casting. For fans of period dramas -- and crime shows -- Peaky Blinders is a must-watch. A word of caution, though: This gritty series is not for the squeamish.
Black Mirror is a dark, dystopian imagining of a world overrun by technology and modern "advancements." A series of standalone episodes each depict their own compelling -- and often unsettling -- imagining of the impact of our increasingly digital lives. (The anthology format itself can be a refreshing way to consume television in the age of binge-watching.) It will haunt and entertain you in all the best ways.
This show is not only hilarious and witty, but it'll force you to reexamine deeper questions about life and what's inherently "good" or "bad." In the show, Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) finds herself in the afterlife and, surprisingly, in the Good Place. But, as it turns out, she learns she's actually there by mistake. This inspires Eleanor to embark on a mission to shed her old ways. The plot twists will throw you for a loop, and the amusing, one-of-a-kind characters will keep you coming back for more.
This comedy-drama follows Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a college dropout with no legal experience who manages to land a job at the law firm of one of New York's top attorneys, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). They become a powerful team, but have to keep Mike's lack of legal credentials under wraps. A testament to Suits' brilliance is that it became the most-watched acquired series when it hit Netflix in 2023. (The star power of now-Duchess Meghan Markle, who plays paralegal Rachel Zane in the show, was likely also a factor.) But heads up: You'll only find the first eight seasons on Netflix. For the ninth and final season, you'll need to head to Peacock.
If you're on TikTok, you've probably seen this one all over your feed. One Day is a heart-wrenching adaptation of David Nicholls' novel, in which we see Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) reunite on the same day across two decades. It's a unique storytelling device that'll make you reflect on time and relationships, and pull at your heartstrings all the while.
This thriller was all anyone talked about when it debuted, and for good reason. Hundreds of people in desperate need of cash compete in a series of games that become a fight for survival. If you can handle the grotesque and gory themes throughout this show, it's an enthralling watch. Then you can eagerly await season 2.
You'll want to keep a box of tissues close for this one. This Is Us follows the Pearson family, which includes Jack (Milo Ventimiglia), Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and their three children (Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley). In exploring the impact of their upbringing on each Pearson child, This Is Us masters the art of the flashback and flashforward, and effectively explores issues surrounding race, adoption, alcoholism, family illness and other potent topics. Each episode will leave you feeling either touched, devastated or desperate to know what happens next.
A road rage incident between Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong) turns into a drawn-out feud, setting the stage for an enthralling comedic drama made all the better by stellar casting. Beef stole the show at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, nabbing eight wins, and won all three categories it was nominated for at the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
Monk does an excellent job combining crime, drama and comedy. It follows Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder who works with the San Francisco Police Department to solve unconventional cases. It's impossible to watch this show without forming an affinity for the main character, and there's smart writing throughout. Monk is perhaps best characterized as a comfort show, and sometimes that's exactly what you need.
Some of the most impactful shows are the ones rooted in reality. Such is the case for Maid, which is based on a memoir of the same name by Stephanie Land (some character names were changed). It tells the story of Alex Russell (Margaret Qualley), who gets a job cleaning houses after leaving an abusive relationship. In her struggle to make ends meet for her and her young daughter, the show paints a stark picture of poverty in America, and explores the deep chasm between the haves and have-nots.
Stranger Things is an enthralling medley of horror, drama and nostalgia. Set in the 1980s in fictional small-town Indiana, residents begin experiencing a series of odd events, including the disappearance of a young boy, and begin to search for answers.
This miniseries feels so much like it was based on a true story, thanks to genuine writing and lifelike characters. An orphaned girl in the 1960s named Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) discovers a knack for playing chess, which takes her all the way to big competitions and the world stage. But fame begins to take its toll as she's forced to reevaluate what she really wants in life.
In this riveting Spanish crime drama, a mastermind called "The Professor" assembles a group of eight people to carry out an ambitious robbery of the Royal Mint of Spain. The show uses compelling flashbacks and time jumps to keep you on your toes.
If you need a fun, lighthearted show that'll make you laugh, Never Have I Ever could be your answer. Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) is a first-generation Indian-American teenager who struggles to reconcile her dual identities, all while dealing with the typical challenges of high school and climbing the social ladder. There are relatable themes no matter your age -- or you might just find yourself having flashbacks to the traumas of adolescence. But in a funny way.
One of the most aesthetically pleasing shows on this list. Bridgerton is set in Regency-era England as the Bridgerton siblings search for love while navigating high society -- and being the subject of anonymously penned gossip pamphlets. There's plenty of drama, beautiful costumes and lavish tea parties to keep you coming back for more. The first installment of season 3 arrives on May 16, so catch up now.
One of the funniest and most original shows on Netflix, Grace and Frankie follows two long-time rivals who end up leaning on each other after learning their husbands have fallen in love with each other. Come for the all-star cast -- including Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston -- and stay for the refreshingly unique plot.
Part of the joy has been watching its young stars grow, but the adults evolve marvelously too, particularly Winona Ryder and David Harbour, who bring gravitas to the proceedings. Season 4 is currently in production after last season expanded the scope beyond the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. It can't arrive fast enough.
Aziz Ansari's wry, ruminative, artistic tale of an Indian-American actor dating, eating and accessorising his way through New York City was a sensation upon its release in 2015, then it disappeared for five years following its Italian neorealism-inspired second season.
This year, it returned, with Ansari behind the camera instead of in front and focused on Lena Waithe's supporting character, Denise, as she hunkered down with her wife in the countryside. The narrative shift was jarring, but also a beautiful character study, proving that Ansari's gift for storytelling extends well beyond the semi-autobiographical.
Kimmy Schmidt will help fill that 30 Rock-sized hole in your DVR and leave you wishing you had Tina Fey as your therapist. Crafted by Fey and brought to life by the perfectly-cast Ellie Kemper, chipper Kimmy comments on modern society with the innocence of a child and the experiences of an adult (an adult locked in a bunker for most of her life, that is) to make you wonder just how we let some things in the world get so weird.
This Ava DuVernay miniseries about the 1989 Central Park jogger case was much anticipated and very well received, earning Jharrel Jerome, one of the many cast members, an Emmy for his work. The series tells the true story of the five suspects falsely accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The show was accompanied by a special, Oprah Winfrey Presents When They See Us Now, that also drew a lot of attention.
Based on the eponymous 2014 film, the series centers on several African-American college students at Ivy League school Winchester. Each 30-minute episode zooms into a single character's story, poignantly touching upon race relations and issues. The fourth and final season of the show is set to premiere some time this year.
This British dramedy is gearing up for its third season, and has likely been Netflix's most surprising win. Focusing on a socially awkward teenager and his sex therapist mother (a stellar Gillian Anderson), the series has been praised for its subtle sense of humor and extreme sex positivity both commercially and critically. Not often does British humor so effortlessly translate to American laughs, but Sex Education has managed to cross-over thanks to its warm heart, John Hughes-inspired high-school antics and anything-goes approach to the awkwardness of teen sexuality.
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