Think to yourself: what’s the most underrated TV series you’ve ever watched? Not such an easy question to answer, in my opinion! If you asked me that question, I’d probably say something like “The Pentaverate” (why did everyone dislike it?) – but thankfully, TV fans came up with some better (or at least less controversial) responses.
So, if you’re looking for a new show to check out, I’ve gathered up 12 great but underrated TV series that are beloved by fans.
1. Raising Hope
Basically, an unofficial sequel to My Name is Earl, Raising Hope was well received when it came out but is often forgotten compared to other older sitcoms. It’s a real shame, too, because this underrated TV series still holds up.
2. The Righteous Gemstones
The person who suggested the Righteous Gemstones questioned why it doesn’t appear on more TV series must-watch lists, and I’m inclined to agree. I can honestly say that every episode of this show has been amazing so far.
3. Life After People
I get way too excited when I see shows I thought no one else watched on these lists. Life After People is a History Channel documentary highlighting just that: what would happen to the world after humanity died out? It’s fascinating!
4. Dark
Set in a small German town, Dark is a mystery drama that can easily be described as the most underrated TV series you’ve ever watched by quite a few people. While the show does have great reviews, most people didn’t hear about it because it’s a foreign language series that wasn’t well advertised on Netflix when it came out.
5. Pushing Daisies
Much like the people in Pushing Daisies, the show met an untimely demise (despite being well-received and popular at the time) thanks to issues with the 2007-8 TV writing strike. After that, it pretty much fell out of the public eye – a real shame, according to fans who still think it’s worth checking out.
6. The Prisoner
What an obscure answer, but I just had to include this fan suggestion because of their description of the show:
“There are people who think that the 1960s science fiction/spy drama The Prisoner was one of the most innovative and interesting shows in TV history, and then there are the people who have never seen it.”
If you haven’t seen it, it was a one-season British series that originally aired in Canada and the UK. There’s a huge cult following for The Prisoner – check it out and see why!
7. Hell on Wheels
It’s always frustrating when a great show misses out on the spotlight because it happens to air alongside an even bigger show. That’s what happened to Hell on Wheels, an impeccably researched period drama set in the wild west. It was popular enough to run for 5 seasons but just didn’t get the fan following it deserved compared to other primetime shows.
“Severely underrated Western that got overshadowed by the height of The Walking Dead’s popularity. 10/10 recommend,” someone explained.
8. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
This show was actually based on the manga called Midnight Diner, which follows the same main character and storylines. It gives a little window into the lives of the diverse customers who frequent the all-night diner.
One fan described this Netflix show as “exceedingly charming and doesn’t get the attention it deserves.”
Agreed!
9. Letterkenny
Look up Letterkenny, and you’re going to get quite a mix of reviews; this is definitely not a show for everyone. Set in rural Canada, it’s an exaggerated and silly depiction of the familiar tropes seen in small farming communities.
“The deadpan comedy is gold. The characters are incredibly written. The sarcasm is great, and the cold opens are some of the best I’ve seen,” a fan commented.
10. Severance
Have you heard of Severance? And more importantly, do you know anything about it? Directed by Ben Stiller and starring Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), you’d be shocked to know Severance is a dystopian sci-fi thriller, not a comedy.
“Severance is the best TV show I saw last year and one of the best seasons of TV I’ve ever seen but have only seen a couple of people talk about it,” said the original suggester. Thankfully, several others replied in agreement!
11. Catastrophe
British TV shows have a tendency to find themselves underrated in North America so it’s not surprising to see the romantic comedy Catastrophe listed as the “most underrated TV series you’ve ever watched” by fans.
12. Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace
This silly British show is often considered one of the most underrated TV series that you’ve ever watched – and a quick read of the plot makes it clear why. Running for just one season, it’s a parody of campy 80s horror TV dramas. While it wasn’t well received at the time (aired late-night with little advertising), Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace has drawn a cult following over the years.