10 Criminally Underrated TV Shows That Are Too Bingeable to Ignore
They didn’t get nearly enough hype.
With so many TV shows coming out every month, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have absolutely nothing to watch. If that's the case, you've probably just missed out on some great shows that haven't been promoted enough or have been overshadowed by others.
Here are 10 TV series you've probably never heard of, but should check out for your next binge.
Archive 81 (2022)
If you're looking for some solid horror with an intriguing mystery thrown in, Archive 81 is a perfect choice. Based on the podcast of the same name, which started in 2016, it follows the story of Dan Turner, who is hired to restore the footage of a student's project about the burned-down house. But the deeper he gets into the footage, the more horrors it unleashes.
Patriot (2015-2018)
For those who refuse to take the world around us seriously, this political black comedy will be a breath of fresh air. It tells the story of a troubled FBI officer, John Tavner, who goes undercover as a mid-level employee at a Milwaukee industrial piping company without official permission. Will he be able to stop Iran from going nuclear? Only time will tell.
Black Bird ( 2022)
Starring Taron Egerton as Jimmy Keene, a promising football player who ends up behind bars with no chance of parole, Black Bird explores the corrupt criminal justice system and the dangerous ways one can try to fight it. The show was critically acclaimed and praised for its writing, but still flew under the radar for many.
Black Sails (2014-2017)
Written as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island, Black Sails follows a group of early 18th-century pirates as they hunt for treasure and attempt to create a pirate republic. If you enjoy dynamic shows about endless adventures that can take you back to your childhood fantasies, this series is definitely the right pick.
Jury Duty (2023)
If you don't mind the show casually breaking the fourth wall, Jury Duty would be a fun 8-episode journey. When Ronald Gladden arrives at the Huntington Park Superior Court in Los Angeles to serve on a jury for a civil trial, he doesn't know that the entire case is being staged. Surrounded by actors, he must make a decision.
Midnight Mass (2021)
Another great horror film that doesn't get nearly as much recognition as it deserves is Mike Flanagan 's Midnight Mass. It has everything you want in a classic gothic horror, from a creepy enigmatic priest to resurrected corpses and supernatural entities. The show walks the perfect line between horror and thriller, leaving no one untouched.
Banshee (2013-2016)
If you like Antony Starr 's Homelander on Prime Video 's The Boys, you will probably love the actor's character even more in Banshee. The show is packed with action from start to finish and gives the actor the perfect opportunity to showcase his range as ex-con master Lucas Hood, who steals that identity to become the sheriff.
Kleo (2022-...)
Another fast-paced and highly comedic action thriller, Kleo takes viewers back to Germany in the late 1980s, where unofficial East German Stasi assassin Kleo Straub is falsely imprisoned by her own agency and spends two years behind bars until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Then she decides to find and get revenge on those who conspired against her.
American Vandal (2017-2018)
The mockumentary genre is certainly not for everyone, but this show, filmed as a parody of any true crime documentary, will quickly become your favorite once you watch it. It is funny, has a nice spin on heavier social commentary, and is very bingeable with only 16 episodes of about half an hour each.
The Sinner (2017-2021)
Developed by Derek Simonds for USA Network, The Sinner is one of those police procedural dramas that hasn't lived long enough to become extremely popular, but certainly deserves more attention from viewers. The story of a detective investigating crimes committed by unlikely perpetrators will captivate you from the very first episode.