Best Netflix TV shows: 25 great Netflix TV series
Netflix's transition from a DVD rental service to a streaming behemoth has been impressive to watch. The company has sunk so much money and effort into making itself into the number one destination for on-demand content that it isn't just a place to watch things, it also creates them. So much so that the big TV and movie studios are quite rightly running scared.
While Netflix slowly makes a land grab for movies, it is perhaps its television output that is the reason most people have an account. There's a ton of TV content to feast upon - too much to ever consider watching in one lifetime.
This is why we have created the TechRadar guide to the greatest TV shows on UK Netflix right now. We will keep this best TV show list constantly updated with the latest television shows that you should be watching and also tell you why.
- Check out our in-depth Netflix review
- Want to test out the rival? Here's our Best Amazon Prime Instant Video TV Shows
1. American Horror Story
The idea that Ryan Murphy, creator of saccharine sing-a-thon Glee, had turned his hand to horror was enough to have most people running scared, but American Horror Story is simply brilliant television. Changing the characters and plot focus each season, but retaining most of the cast, is an ingenious idea that makes this horror anthology tick. It has also meant we have so far seen the wondrous Jessica Lange as a housewife, witch, nun and freakshow owner. And the fact that Murphy has revealed that each season is actually related in some way adds to the mystique of a show that finally manages to do horror on TV well.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
2. Arrested Development
If it wasn't for Netflix, Arrested Development would have stayed as a three-season wonder. The streaming giant decided to take a gamble and fund a fourth season of Mitchell Hurwitz's brilliant family comedy and we are glad it did. While splitting the family up for most of the season meant some of the spark had disappeared - this was done to fit in with the actors' busy schedules - the fourth season proved that there was still a lot to like about the dysfunctional Bluth family. Filled with season-long in-jokes, perfect site gags and spot-on wordplay, Arrested Development is a comedy that needs to be watched on repeat - and even then you will find something new to laugh at.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
3. Battlestar Galactica
Before the world was awash with gritty superhero reboots, Battlestar Galactica proved you could take some slightly campy source material and make it into something special. Given it is set in space, Galactica never quite gets the plaudits it should but believe us: it's not just one of the best sci-fi series ever made, it's one of the best series full stop. It has the perfect blend of politics and space dogfights, human drama and extraterrestrial exploration. From the perfectly realised mini first season to the last, there's enough themes in Galactica to fill a university course. Unmissable stuff.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
4. Better Call Saul
Vince Gilligan made no secret of the fact he wanted to re-visit the world of Breaking Bad and, while many were apprehensive that it was 'too soon', we shouldn't have been worried. Yes, there was always a fear that Better Call Saul would turn out to be what Joey was to Friends but it has thankfully more Frasier to Cheers. This all thanks to Bob Odenkirk's portrayal of Saul Goodman, the corrupt lawyer who - despite the world he is in - has his heart is in the right place, even if he is consistently in the wrong place. Only time will tell if Saul's warped world will be as successful as Breaking Bad but from what we have seen so far, it's all good, man.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
5. Black Mirror
There's no better person to portray not-so-distant future dystopias than Charlie Brooker. He's been holding a warped mirror up to the ridiculous nature of the world's media for years, mixing cutting comments with comedy, but Black Mirror sees him entering darker territory. Each series is just three episodes long but they are all standalone treats, twisting reality in their own unique way while commenting on things we seem to hold dear today - namely technology and television.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
6. Bloodline
Any series that has Coach from Friday Night Lights in it will be watched by TechRadar - thankfully Bloodline has enough intrigue and plot development to make us keep watching, even when Kyle Chandler isn't on the screen. Yes it meanders but if you can forgive the slow pace this dark tale of a Florida family really delivers in its final episodes.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
7. Breaking Bad
More addictive than the meth pushed by Walt and Jessie, Breaking Bad is brilliant binge-watching television. The initial plot is simple: a straight-laced teacher is told he has cancer and to make sure he leaves his family with the best possible life, he turns to drug making and dealing. There's method to his madness as he ends up being pretty good at it. Creator Vince Gilligan has created such a good group of characters, he is currently mining the same world again with Better Call Saul. But that has some way to go reach the highest highs that Breaking Bad offers.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
If you only know Andy Samberg thanks to his comedy songwriting in Lonely Island, then you are in for a treat. Brooklyn Nine-Nine sees Samberg as a New York cop and follows the exploits of him and his team. Give it three episodes and you will be hooked and it's all because the characters are hilarious and the dialogue first class - especially when it comes out of the mouth of stuffy captain Ray Holt.
Series on Netflix: 1
9. Community
Community is the series that just won't die. And many have tried to kill it. Now heading into is sixth season, it was looking rocky for the comedy when Season 4 was announced, without show runner Dan Harmon, but it survived with its dignity almost intact and was back to its best for Season 5. Set in a community college, Community follows a rag-tag group of adult learners and is so packed through with in-jokes, parodies and surreal humour that it's hard to believe each episode is just 20-odd minutes long.
Series on Netflix: 5
10. Daredevil
When it comes to superhero movies, Marvel are bossing DC thanks to the rich tapestry it has weaved with its cinematic universe. Its TV shows, as fun as Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and Agent Carter are, haven't had the same success as DC's The Arrow or The Flash. Thankfully Daredevil has come along to change all this. Released in one binge-watching dose, Daredevil is superb television, regardless if you are a superhero fan or not. Matt Murdoch's (Boardwalk Empire's Charlie Cox) rise from blind lawyer to vigilante is brutal and steeped in realism. The reason it works so well is that it doesn't shy away from being violent - each crack and crunch washes is a world away from Ben Affleck's terrible movie version. And special mention has to go to Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, his best role since the tortured Private Pile.
Series on Netflix: 1
11. Fargo
There was a collective groan by Coen Brothers fans the world over when Fargo the television show was announced. But what could have been darn tootin' awful ended up being fantastic, thanks to the casting of Billy Bob Thornton who is both funny and psychotic - well, his character is anyway. The series thankfully didn't retread the movie but added to it, acting as a strange but sublime companion piece. It's so good, the Coens initially refused to have their name on the show - until they saw it and loved it.
Seasons on Netlflix: 1
12. Friday Night Lights
"Clear eyes, full heart." This phrase used by Coach - *cough*, sorry there must be something in my throat - perfectly encapsulates Friday Night Lights the television show. Borne out of a near-forgotten movie, the television adaptation has everything. It's steeped in teenage angst, has perfectly realised characters and a sports motif that's used surprisingly sparingly. Apart from the road bump that is the second season - due to a writers' strike - the show is consistently brilliant television and up there with the best programmes around, even if the only thing you know about American Football is that it's a poor person's rugby.
Series on Netflix: 5
13. Fringe
Not since X-Files has a show managed to balance 'monster of the week' storylines with an overarching story that goes beyond this universe and into many more. Fringe was always a shows that never quite gained superstar status but, thanks to stellar casting (which included the late Leonard Nimoy and Pacey from Dawson's Creek) and mind-bending themes, it was consistently one of the brainiest and craziest things on television. It was thanks to its cult support that Fringe actually had an ending too - and a decent one that managed to wrap all that went before it with a poignant conclusion, even though we were a little sad to let go of Walter Bishop and co.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
14. House of Cards
If there ever was a poster boy for Netflix, House of Cards would be it. Funded completely by the streaming service, Cards' first season boasted direction by David Fincher and acting by Kevin Spacey and was addictive television. The reason: Netflix positively wanted you to binge watch, putting all episodes up at once. Now in its third season, Netflix's Card trick is still impressive and shows just how far Netflix has come, given it's shot in both 4K and HDR.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
15. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Initially made on a shoe-string budget, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia first season had a cult following, but low viewing figures meant it was destined to be a one-series wonder. Thankfully, everything changed when Season 2 was eventually green-lit, thanks to some big-time star power. Danny De Vito joined for a 10-episode run that was extended because he loved it so much. He's still in the show that's now in its 10th season, bringing with him huge viewing figures. The antics of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney, the show's creator), Charlie (Charlie Kelly) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won't be for everyone - at its darkest the show's 'comedy' themes range from nazism to drug abuse - but stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you.
Seasons available on Netflix: 9
16. Firefly
After he had produced the perfect female lead in Buffy and before he was Hulk smashing with The Avengers, Joss Whedon created a short-run sci-fi series that has spawned not only a massive cult following but, quite astonishingly, a movie. The reason it was such an underground success was because Firefly takes the Star Wars framework of making space messy, where everything is a little rough around the edges - including the crew. It even has its own Han Solo in the form of Nathan Fillion's Malcolm Reynolds. Whedon's witty words permeate the whole of Firefly, which is not so much a space opera but a space rock opera.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
17. Orange is the New Black
It may have never reached the heady heights of House Of Cards, but Orange Is The New Black is another show that proves Netflix is now up there with HBO when it comes to offering decent programming. Set in a woman's prison, Orange doesn't shirk the big issues of violence and rape but manages to mix these with a heady dose of black humour. Oh, and its first series was actually more popular than Cards which is a surprise as Netflix's advertising has always been very Spacey heavy.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
18. Peaky Blinders
Coming at a time when Boardwalk Empire was showing the world how to do a peried gangster drama Stateside, Peaky Blinders was a breath of fresh air on UK TV. A stellar cast, lead by Cillian Murphy, brought to life warring factions in Birmingham - complete with Brum accents. While the promise of violence is always there - the title of the show refers to the razer blades stitched into the caps of the gang - Peaky Blinders turned out to be a little more nuanced. Which was fine by us as it meant you could lose yourself that little bit more in the fantastic sets.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
19. Person of Interest
From the mind of Jonathan Nolan - Inception writer and brother to Christopher - this twist-ridden series is as high concept as it gets. A computer algorithm offers up 'people of interest' to a crack crime-fighting team which consists of former Jesus Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson, last seen chewing the scenery as Lost's big bad Benjamin Linus. While the first season is a little by the numbers, this show has blossomed into something of a must watch.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
20. Sherlock
It shouldn't work but it really really does. This modern retelling of the Sherlock Holmes stories is as good as it gets. Benedict Cumberbatch is everything you want in a Holmes - someone that wallows in wit, weirdness and warmth. While Martin Freeman plays Dr Watson as he plays all his characters - he's the everyman that has to learn how to deal with his extraordinary colleague. Episodes are scarce but each one is feature length, which gives them time to breath. Let's just hope these two superstars can find time in their busy schedules to keep doing the show.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
21. The Shield
From the shocking first episode, you know The Shield means business. Unlike most cop dramas, the lines between good and bad are very much blurred so you never know who to root for. It's a show full of flawed heroes and misguided villains and even though it's nearly 15 years old, it hasn't aged one bit. Mike Chiklis leads a cast that also includes, eventually, Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker. You may not agree with some of the policing that takes place in The Shield but you will have great fun watching events unfold.
Seasons on Netflix: 7
22. Sons of Anarchy
There's very good reason Sons of Anarchy is the highest rated show on FX ever - its Shakespeare-esque plot (think Hamlet on bikes), following the tumultuous lives of a motorcycle gang, has everyone who watches it gripped. The show ended in 2014 after seven glorious seasons - although later seasons could never quite reach the glory days of one to three - and is perfect fodder for those looking for another Breaking Bad-style fix.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
23. The Thick Of It
The Thick Of It is perfect satire. It is the closest we will ever get to the machinations of politics, until they decide to let cameras roll 24/7 at Number 10. From the ever-sweary Malcolm Tucker to the string of forever-wrong MPs he has to protect with his profanities, The Thick Of It manages to show the world what an omnishambles a government in charge can be, with hilarious consequences.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
24. The Trip
The Trip is the perfect gig for Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and one that must have been too good to pass on. Based on the flimsy premise that hyper realised versions of the two comedians drive around rural England eating in the best restaurants as food critics, the show shouldn't work but it really really does. Completely unscripted, each episode is strewn with movie star impressions and passive-aggressive jokes, where the two try to one-up each other. Director Michael Winterbottom manages to hold the show together with clever editing and cinematography and manages to add subtle plot through phone conversations with Steve and Rob and their respective families. Briliant stuff.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
25. Utopia
Where is Jessica Hyde? That was the question of everyone's lips when Utopia sizzled on screens for two brilliant seasons. It was a show that outgrew its original conceit of a graphic novel that predicted the future, developing into a storyline that had world-changing consequences - or it would have if it wasn't criminally axed. Utopia is the sort of high-concept television that you usually see come from the US - interestingly it is set to be remade by David Fincher - but it only really works because of the contrast of shadowy government goings on set to the backdrop of boring UK suburbia. That and the brilliant soundtrack, primary colour scheme and, well, pretty much everything. Watch it now. Seriously. Now.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
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