15 Hidden Gem Shows of the Last 5 Years That Are Secretly Masterpieces

In the last few years, TV has given us some shows that are like buried treasure, not because they're hard to find, but because not enough people are talking about them; these series, spanning genres from sci-fi mysteries to heartwarming dramas, are the kinds of shows that once you start watching, you can't stop thinking about.

1. Warrior (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

In late 1870s San Francisco, Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy from China, lands in the middle of the Tong wars in Chinatown, climbing the ranks to become a hatchet man for one of the most powerful tongs, while navigating the treacherous world of organized crime, politics, and his own personal vendettas.

2. Counterpart (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

Howard Silk, a lowly cog in a bureaucratic UN agency, discovers the agency is guarding a crossing to a parallel Earth; he meets his near-identical counterpart from this alternate world, leading to a dangerous blend of espionage, divergent lives, and a conspiracy that threatens both worlds' existence.

3. The Great (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

A satirical, comedic take on the rise of Catherine the Great from outsider to the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia's history; it's a story filled with palace coups, assassination attempts, and the unlikely romance between Catherine and Emperor Peter III, depicting her quest to reform and modernize Russia.

4. The Other Two (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

Adult siblings Cary and Brooke Dubek struggle with their own lives and careers in the shadow of their 13-year-old brother Chase's sudden rise to internet fame, leading them through a comedic journey of self-discovery, familial awkwardness, and attempting to benefit from Chase's fame.

5. For All Mankind (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

In an alternate history where the global space race never ended, NASA astronauts, engineers, and their families find themselves in the center of extraordinary events and advancements, as the US and the Soviet Union push to expand their reach into space, the moon, and beyond, affecting their lives in profound ways.

6. This Fool (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

Julio Lopez, a 30-year-old living in South Los Angeles, dedicates his life to helping others in his community, especially through his work at a gang rehabilitation nonprofit, while dealing with his dysfunctional family, including his ex-convict cousin, leading to humorous and heartwarming misadventures.

7. Somebody Somewhere (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

Sam, a woman in her 40s living in Kansas, struggles with loss and a sense of belonging until she finds connection and acceptance in a community choir, reigniting her passion for singing and leading her on a path to self-acceptance and finding her voice, both literally and metaphorically.

8. Reservation Dogs (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%

Four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma commit various crimes to fund their dream of escaping to the exotic, mysterious land of California, but their loyalty and friendship are tested as they face challenges from rival gangs, the community, and their own moral choices.

9. Doom Patrol (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

A team of disfigured and disillusioned superheroes – Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman, Crazy Jane, and Cyborg – led by the enigmatic Dr. Niles Caulder, confront bizarre threats and explore personal traumas, finding strength in their shared brokenness as they tackle missions too strange for the mainstream superheroes.

10. ZeroZeroZero (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

Following a single shipment of cocaine from Mexico to Italy as it passes through the hands of cartels, brokers, and corrupt businessmen, this series unveils the complexities of the global drug trade, revealing the violent power struggles and the impact on the individuals involved in every step of the process.

11. Bad Sisters (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

The Garvey sisters, bound together by the premature death of their parents, find themselves plotting to kill one of their abusive husbands, leading to a darkly comedic exploration of their complicated lives, relationships, and the lengths to which they'll go to protect one another.

12. Prodigal Son (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

Malcolm Bright, a brilliant profiler whose father is the infamous serial killer "The Surgeon," uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with his manipulative father, his own inner demons, and the secrets that unravel about his childhood.

13. Slow Horses (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

A group of British intelligence agents, relegated to MI5's demotion wing for their career-ending mistakes, led by the irascible Jackson Lamb, find themselves unexpectedly caught up in a dangerous web of espionage, conspiracy, and redemption as they uncover a threat that challenges their incompetence and integrity.

14. The Righteous Gemstones (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

The Gemstone family, televangelist tycoons, bask in their wealth and fame from their religious empire, but beneath their righteous façade lies a litany of sins, greed, and family secrets, as they battle external threats and each other to maintain their status.

15. Mythic Quest (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

The eccentric staff of a popular video game studio navigate the challenges of running a cutting-edge and successful MMORPG, balancing their quirky personalities, creative differences, and