While global hits like Stranger Things and Bridgerton dominate the conversation, Netflix's enormous library of over 300 million subscribers is filled with brilliant series that have slipped under the radar. We asked UK viewers to share their favourite overlooked treasures, revealing a list of thrilling, funny, and thought-provoking shows that deserve your attention.
Viewers' Picks: The Shows That Deserve More Love
Metro readers were quick to champion a host of under-appreciated series. Stephen Davis singled out the Netflix original 1899 as the 'most underrated', mystified by its cancellation after just one season in 2022. This period drama with a supernatural twist follows immigrants on a steamship to America, created by the team behind the hit Dark.
Sci-fi fans were also vocal. Liam Green recommended Altered Carbon, the cyberpunk series set 300 years in the future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies. First released in 2018 and starring Joel Kinnaman, it was axed after two seasons despite a strong 75% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Meanwhile, the mockumentary American Vandal was hailed as 'hilarious' by user tunacow, who called it 'one of the best things Netflix has produced'. This satire of true crime documentaries boasts a near-perfect 98% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critically Acclaimed But Overlooked
Several shows that originally aired on traditional TV before landing on Netflix also garnered praise. The detective thriller The Sinner, starring Bill Pullman, proved a popular choice. One fan described it as 'incredible', praising its dark, twisted narratives and top-notch acting across its four anthology seasons.
Historical drama The Last Kingdom, which began on BBC Two in 2015 before moving to Netflix, was highlighted by Fuzzy_Painting_1427 for not being talked about enough 'despite its greatness'. The series, following Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the Viking invasions, holds an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
From Australia, user bks1979 praised the supernatural drama Glitch, starring Patrick Brammall. The show, which ran for three seasons until 2019, revolves around seven people who return from the dead in a small town with no memory of their past lives.
The Heartbreak of Premature Cancellation
A common thread among the recommendations is the frustration fans feel when high-quality shows are cancelled too soon. The axing of 1899 left many storylines unresolved, prompting outcry on social media. One viewer on X lamented, 'Netflix really cancelled a sci-fi masterpiece', while another stated they were 'devastated' by the decision.
This sentiment extends to other picks like Altered Carbon and American Vandal, both of which were concluded after two seasons despite critical acclaim and dedicated fanbases. It serves as a reminder that in the streaming era, even well-crafted shows must fight to survive amidst fierce competition for viewers' attention.
For those tired of scrolling through the same recommended titles, these viewer-approved hidden gems offer a curated path to discovering the depth and quality lurking within Netflix's vast, 300-million-subscriber strong catalogue. The next binge-worthy masterpiece might just be waiting, unnoticed, for you to press play.
