Netflix, and other forms of TV streaming (HBOGo, Hulu, etc.), are incredibly popular and are not looking to disappear anytime soon. Here are some of the great shows (in no particular order) that you probably have, and most likely haven’t, heard about on Netflix:
House of Cards
How could I not start with this one? House of Cards is incredibly well written, Kevin Spacey is amazing in it, and it is a must see. I will admit that Season 3 is a little dry and not thrilling, but Season 4 is on par with the first season, which is a rare gem in TV.
Season 5 is speculated to be released next March.
Peaky Blinders
Set in 1919 England, the Shelby family and their organized crime syndicate, the Peaky Blinders, are in control of Birmingham when a new Irish “copper” comes to town. Cillian Murphy plays Thomas Shelby and is absolutely incredible, while Tom Hardy comes along as a reoccurring character in season 2 and is here to say. The British and Irish accents are also a plus. I consider this a must watch series, and many websites are calling in the British Boardwalk Empire, but better.
Season 3 is going to be on BBC One this or next month and on Netflix in October.
Narcos
All I could say after I watched this series was “WOW.” It was incredibly well done with a mix of Spanish (with subtitles) and English along with a great portrayal of Pablo Escobar. The storyline, which followed the rise of Escobar, was pretty true to life and the acting was great. This series takes a little effort to watch because the subtitles must be read, but the Spanish really makes it feel more real. One downfall is that the first season spanned 15 years of real-time, and season 2 only has 18 months of Escobar’s life to work with, but it has been said that his death will not be the end of the show, and maybe not even the season.
Season 2 has no official release date announced, but hopefully it will be in the coming months.
How I Met Your Mother
One of the greatest sitcoms of all time, HIMYM has nine seasons, all of which are on Netflix. Watching the ever popular show from beginning to end gives it a different feeling from catching an episode every now and then. It’s a huge time commitment, but it is more than worth it and makes the show so much better than it already is.
All nine seasons are on Netflix.
The Blacklist
This is the one of the Netflix shows on the list which I watched as it was serially released (this one was on on NBC). James Spader is wonderful and the plotlines are great. It has a sort of Law and Order: SVU(also a great show on Netflix that did not make the list) feel with a new “case” in the form of a member of Raymond Reddington (Spader)’s list, while also carrying multiple reoccurring themes. Not as intense as most shows, but well written and of a very high caliber overall. Oh, and by the way, when Season 2 was bought by Netflix the price was a then (and maybe still) record two million dollars per episode.
Season 4 is being released September 29th, so Season 3 will be added to Netflix around then.
Fuller House
You knew it was coming. No, it will never be better than the original, but it is a very good revival of an iconic American TV show. If you were a Full House fan in any capacity, please go watch it and if you didn’t like Full House… well then I feel sorry for you.
The first season is on Netflix and the second should be coming soon.
Friends
Watching Friends in chronological order doesn’t do too much better than random episodes, but this is the best show to watch an episode here or there.
All ten seasons are on Netflix.
Flaked
When I started watching this show, I was skeptical and for a while I thought that it wasn’t much more than a “fast food” show, but boy did I misjudge it. The plot of the show is great and the acting by Will Arnett is amazing and the episodes are short. I’d highly recommend it.
Season 1 is on Netflix and the second season is rumored for next March.
A Few Other Mini-Lists
Other shows on Netflix that are worth the watch:
Person of Interest
Master of None
Love
The only shows that I tell people to never watch:
Marco Polo
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes
Shows that I have heard nothing but good things about:
Orange is the New Black
Daredevil
Sons of Anarchy
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The three must watch HBOGo shows:
Silicon Valley
The Newsroom
How to Make it in America
Shows sitting on “My List”
Bloodline
West Wing