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- With so many different TV shows easily accessible to viewers, it can be difficult to choose where to start. Naturally, most people tend to check the most popular and talked-about series first, which leaves us wondering if this is always the best option. On Reddit, users share their favorite hidden gem underrated TV shows that they believe viewers are missing out on, including Slow Horses, which is set to return on December 1 with two new episodes followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through December 29.
We're living in the Golden Age of television, where not only do we have countless options between traditional networks and newer streaming services, but the shows being produced are high quality, with compelling plots and great writing. And with social media allowing fans to share their favorites, some shows generate lots of buzz and end up becoming huge hits.
But the downside of so much variety and even hype is some fantastic shows fall through the cracks. Every so often, Reddit users start discussing the shows they feel are underrated and never hear anyone else talk about – even shows that have received critical praise – resulting in recommendations spanning years and genres, with some titles being recommended time and time again, from laugh-out-loud comedies to compelling sci-fi.
Updated on September 30, 2023, by Daniela Gama:
With so many different TV shows easily accessible to viewers, it can be difficult to choose where to start. Naturally, most people tend to check the most popular and talked-about series first, which leaves us wondering if this is always the best option. On Reddit, users share their favorite hidden gem underrated TV shows that they believe viewers are missing out on, including Slow Horses, which is set to return on December 1 with two new episodes followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through December 29.
15 'Russian Doll' (2019 - )
Considered one of the best Netflix originals, Russian Doll follows a woman named Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) who gets stuck in a time loop during her 36th birthday party in New York City. She keeps dying and waking up at the same moment at the party, trying to understand why this is happening to her.
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The 'Russian Doll' actress has quite the filmography...According to some users on the platform, the bingeable series surely deserves all the praise. "Doesn't put a foot wrong and no shot is wasted. It's perfectly made and a very satisfying watch," McCQ said when a user mentioned the show.
14 'Reaper' (2007 - 2009)
Created by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, the fun Reaper follows Sam, a young adult who learns on his 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born and that from this point on, he must work as a bounty hunter for the devil.
On Reddit, there is nothing but praise for the underrated series, with viewers highlighting how good and memorable the performances and roles were. "It was such a good show! And Ray Wise was fantastic," NieTyINieJa wrote with many people agreeing. "Bret Harrison and Tyler Labine really deserved a more successful career than they got," stebuu noted in a different comment.
13 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' (2015 - 2019)
In the quirky but charming Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Rachel Bloom steps into the shoes of Rebecca Bunch, a young woman who leaves her life behind in New York to settle in West Covina, California.
"I started because it was dump and I needed to relax, suddenly I was dealing with a lot of phycologist information represented in a simple way. At the end it help me deal with my problems," banana23087 admitted under a Reddit thread, with many others agreeing. "I have been scrolling like mad, going "Why has no one said Crazy Ex-Girlfriend yet!? This show is a goddamn masterpiece, and at least a third of the [songs from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend] are suitable to send to your own therapist," added Kay_Tee_ enthusiastically.
12 'The Great' (2020 - 2023)
Starring the talented Elle Fanning, this bewitching period drama TV series centers around the rise of historical figure Catherine the Great, providing audiences with an intriguing satirical take on real-life events.
When the OP asked which is the "most underrated TV series that barely anyone knows," sroop1 could not resist mentioning The Great and explaining its narrative to other users. "Nicholas Hoult is hysterical," they added. Even though the fourth season was canceled, it still makes for a great viewing experience.
11 'The Knick' (2014 - 2015)
Created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, The Knick is an acclaimed historical drama set in the early 20th century and provides audiences with an engaging sneak peek into the lives — both personal and professional — of the staff at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital.
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A lot of greatness can come from mixing film with TV.Although there are barely any bad reviews for The Knick, some Redditors believe that it deserves even more love. "Was hoping someone would say it. Dr John Thackery was probably the most exhilarating character I've ever watched in a show. I was pretty indifferent to Clive Owen before this, but good lord what a talent," commented Owlbertowlbert.
10 'Black Books' (2000 - 2004)
While it isn't much discussed among younger audiences, Black Books is arguably one of the best comedies of the 2000s. As the title suggests, the premise revolves around the eccentric owner of a bookshop (Dylan Moran) and his easy-going assistant, Manny (Bill Bailey).
According to Raktakak and others who agreed, the 2000 series is one of the best underrated TV shows; the user even describes it as "comedy gold." With a highly quotable script and memorable characters, the comedy series is certainly worth checking, making for a good pick for those who are looking to watch something lighthearted with a good dose of hilarious episodes.
9 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' (2004)
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is a British horror parody that ran for a single season in 2004. A show within a show, it centers around fictional horror writer Garth Marenghi as he stars in a TV show set at Darkplace hospital.
With plenty of people agreeing, Serve_Apart named "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" one of his favorite series and truly believes it is among the most underrated TV shows. The ensuing thread is packed with quotes and references from the show. Another Reddit user praises the show, saying it is "incredible" and that they "tried to get so many people" to watch it.
8 'Better Things' (2016 - 2022)
One of the best TV dramedies of the 2010s, Better Things ran from 2016 until 2022 on FX, with a plot following an actor in Los Angeles as she juggles caring for her aging mother and being a single mom. Co-creator Pamela Adlon called the show “an exaggerated version” of her life.
Reddit user thekillercook praised the series, describing it as "witty and fun" and calling the presence of food in the show the best in a non-cooking show." Better Things did win multiple awards, but it didn’t get the same hype or ratings as other FX comedy dramas.
7 'Mr. Inbetween' (2018 - 2021)
Airing on FX from 2018 until 2021, Australian dark comedy Mr. Inbetween was inspired by the movie The Magician and is about criminal-for-hire Ray who’s juggling his profession with other more typical responsibilities, like his relationships with his daughter and mother.
Reddit users loved the show, with one pointing out that it won multiple awards and received plenty of praise — it has a solid 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, though, Mr. Inbetween didn’t get the wider attention and viewership users felt it deserved. "Maybe it was popular in the UK, but not much in the US," terror_jr commented.
6 'Detroiters' (2017 - 2018)
Inspired by real-life commercials, Detroiters aired on Comedy Central for two seasons starting in 2017 and followed two ad men making low-budget commercials in Detroit. The show had some pretty noteworthy names in comedy behind it — its executive producers were Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels and former cast member Jason Sudeikis.
Reddit doesn’t have much to say about the underrated TV series show overall — instead, users are largely focused on their favorite jokes and quotes. One Reddit user feels the show is lighthearted but "has good storylines." However, Reddit isn’t the only site praising the show; it has a rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
5 'Detectorists' (2014 - 2022)
Simplistically beautiful, the comedy Detectorists began in 2014 and aired for three seasons. The plot follows friends who are passionate about their hobby of metal detecting and hope to gain notoriety in the field by making a huge priceless discovery.
One Reddit user praises Detectorists as “a genuine work of genius,” while another Redditor calls it “a total hidden gem.” Multiple users also say they find the show to be heartwarming and rank it among their all-time favorite shows.
4 'Patriot' (2015 - 2018)
Patriot was an Amazon Prime original comedy-drama series that started in 2015 and ran for two seasons. The plot follows an American intelligence officer who is tasked with preventing Iran from going nuclear and is forced to abandon his safety nets and take on a non-official cover.
Fans on Reddit love the show’s comedy, with many saying few shows have made them laugh out loud at all, let alone as much as Patriot does. One Reddit user calls it a “darkly funny” and “‘realistic’ Jason Bourne.” On a different comment, aane375 admits they have "rarely laughed so hard at a show."
3 'Slow Horses' (2022 - )
Based on the book series Slough House by Mick Herron, starring Gary Oldman and airing on Apple TV+, Slow Horses is about a team of MI5 misfits who aren’t great at their jobs but aren’t terrible enough to be fired. Two seasons have aired so far, with another two on the way.
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Dive into the dangerous world of espionage.Reddit users who have watched it love it, but many people have never heard of it. "Gary Oldman's still got it," DEEEPFREEZE complimented the actor's performance. "Great show." Like other shows users recommend, Slow Horses is critically acclaimed, with a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the second season is praised as being even better than the first.
2 'Travelers' (2016 - 2018)
Canadian show Travelers, starring Eric McCormack, first aired in 2016 and ran for three seasons, first aired by a Canadian specialty channel showcase and then distributed by Netflix for its final season. Set hundreds of years in the future, humans are able to send consciousness back in time and return to the 21st century in an attempt to save humanity from a terrible fate.
On the platform, a Reddit user called it “fantastic from start to end,” and others praise the premise and its handling of a plot revolving around time travel. Like many shows that only ran for a few seasons, plenty of users also feel it was one of those underrated sci-fi shows canceled too soon.
1 'Counterpart' (2017 - 2019)
The sci-fi thriller Counterpart began in 2017 and ran for two seasons on Starz. J.K. Simmons stars as a UN employee who discovers the agency he’s working for has a gateway to a parallel universe in a Cold War with ours, where his other self is their top spy.
Reddit users, including Marzipanny, praise Simmons’ performance in the show saying he was "fantastic in it." Certainly, they are not the only ones who love it, as the series has gathered many critical accolades. Counterpart has an impressive 100% score on the Tomatometer, with both seasons receiving equal praise. Starz opted not to renew it for a third season due to a change in programming strategy.