There are a handful of shows that seem like basically everybody — and we mean everybody —watches or has seen at least once, and lots of those shows which include the likes of This is Us and Game of Thrones, are totally deserving of their massive followings, most of us only have enough free time to watch a select few. Inevitably, that means that many of us may be missing some quality TV series that have been flying under the radar. There are dozens and dozens of shows on the air at any given time, and as busy parents, it's obviously impossible to catch them all.
Some of these shows are so good they are worth staying up late for, and with so many our our favorite television shows currently being delayed — or even canceled — now is the perfect time to check out some of the series that haven't been getting the attention they deserve.
From shows that once caught a bit of traction that has since died down, to newer shows that have mediocre ratings, despite being excellent, there are lots of shows on TV right now that just aren't getting the attention they deserve. Some are currently airing new episodes, while others viewers will have to binge on a streaming service. Either way, they're definitely worthy of a watch.
Keep reading to see 20 of the best TV series that everyone should be watching, but for some reason aren't.
'Peaky Blinders'
Peaky Blinders garnered some attention in the US when it first debuted in 2013, but interest has tapered off a bit since then. The highly rated Irish crime drama, starring Cillian Murphy, only releases a handful of new episodes per year, so it's an easy one to catch up on.
'Vikings'
Spoiler Alert: Vikings is a fantastic production with a gripping story line about a family of Viking explorers. The show initially did really well, but after the main character was killed off a few seasons in, interest waned. However, with its graphic depictions of brutal raids and stellar cast, the show deserves to be revisited.
'The Last Kingdom'
The Last Kingdom, a series about a king trying to defend his land against Norse invaders, has been crowded out by other shows with similar concepts — like Outlander and Game of Thrones — but it's incredibly well-done, and definitely deserves a watch.
'Dead to Me'
While it's still somewhat under-the-radar among viewers, Dead to Me — starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini — has been a quiet hit with critics. The comedy about a grieving widow who becomes unlikely friends with a hippy with a dark secret, has garnered a bunch of major award nominations, despite the fact that not that many people have actually watched it. While it was picked up for a third season, it's already been announced that it will be the show's last, so now's the time to get watching.
'Taboo'
Never heard of Taboo? A lot of people haven't. While this hour-long mystery picked up some Emmy nominations for its first season in 2017, it hasn't had the best ratings. It stars Tom Hardy as an early 19th-century adventurer who returns home to London to continue his father's legacy, despite enemies who want to claim it as their own.
'Killing Eve'
Most avid TV watchers have probably at least heard of Killing Eve, starring Sandra Oh, but it just seems like not that many people actually watch it. The critically acclaimed series is about a security operative, and an assassin with unexpected ties.
'Luther'
The Golden Globe-winning series Luther, starring Idris Elba, is a show that has just never taken off with American audiences, but it's the kind of detective show that gets viewers hooked into the story line and just doesn't let go.
'The Expanse'
Though it's already been on the air for several years and garnered a number of genre-specific awards, The Expanse — which is a science-fiction drama about a conspiracy that poses a threat to one of Earth's colonies — doesn't have a massive following. In fact, it was dropped from SyFy and picked up by Amazon Prime a few years ago and has been working to gain the attention of audiences ever since.
'Atypical'
Atypical is a unique little Netflix comedy that not many people are talking about. It's about an autistic teen who's ready for his first girlfriend, and highlights the challenges and triumphs people on the spectrum deal with in love and life.
'The Rookie'
The Rookie is a really charming story about a man who decides to become a cop with the Los Angeles Police Department later in life. Pushing midlife, John Nolan is by far the department's oldest rookie, which presents him with some interesting challenges in this action-packed show that brings both the laughs and the drama.
'Good Girls'
Good Girls, starring Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman has been slowly building its following since it debuted in 2018, but it deserves way more viewers than it actually has. It's about three moms who find themselves embroiled with a gang when desperate to keep their families afloat they commit a robbery. The show's story line is completely original and unlike anything else on TV. It's a must-watch for every mom willing to sacrifice anything for her kids.
'Bosch'
Bosch is one of those shows we've all seen promoted on our Amazon Prime home screens, but don't know anyone who actually watches it. It's based on the Michael Connelly novels and is about a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department who finds himself under investigation.
'Glow'
At first glance, Glow seems kind of trashy, but it's actually a really interesting peek into the world of 1980s wrestling. It follows a group of women who are hired as entertainers for a Los Angeles-based wrestling organization and chronicles how they navigate their often drama-riddled personal and professional lives.
'Billions'
Billions on Showtime features an all-star cast that includes Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, and Maggie Siff. It's a high-drama, dynamic show about the niche world of New York finance. The show's stellar production and excellent acting, make a somewhat dull-sounding topic totally interesting.
'Yellowstone'
The thing that makes Yellowstone so interesting is probably the same thing that has kept it from getting as much as attention as it should. Starring none other than Kevin Costner, the show's about a family that owns the largest ranch in the US, and its struggle to hold onto the land as it's sought out for various purposes. It's a surprisingly violent and dark tale with roots in real events.
'Euphoria'
Starring Zendaya, Eric Dane, and Jacob Elordi from The Kissing Booth films, alongside a string of other talented female actors, Euphoria has gained some critical acclaim, but still has a rather small following. It's about a group of high school students navigating their relationships and traumatic experiences in a world full of drugs, sex, and the pressures of social media.
'Better Things'
Better Things might be one of the best shows most of us have never heard of. It's the raw but often comical story of an actress and single mom raising three daughters while caring for her elderly mother, as she tries to build her career and life in Los Angeles.
'3%'
3% is a truly unique post-apocalyptic series that takes place in Brazil. In it, society is split into two factions — one of progress and one of destruction — and a handful of people compete to earn spots in the privileged society.
… but not everyone who makes it succeeds.
'Get Shorty'
Based on the novel by Elmore Leonard as well — as the acclaimed film starring John Travolta — Get Shorty chronicles the fictional tale of a mobster turned Hollywood film producer, and his endlessly entertaining and hilarious adventures as he tries to make it in his new career.
'Outer Banks'
Outer Banks is one of the Netflix's latest teen dramas, and while only one season has been released, it got surprisingly little attention. The series centers around a group of teenagers all hailing from the wrong side of town who discover a treasure map that leads them to uncovering a long-held secret. But that's not all. The show has many layers dealing with a slew of coming-of-age themes, and the cast delivers tons of on-screen chemistry.
