Welcome to your May 2020 update to our picks of the best TV series currently on Netflix. Below, we’ll take you through our list of all the TV series you need to watch on Netflix. We’ve got comedies, superhero series, dramas, period dramas, horrors and more.

We’ll be taking you across a spectrum of different genres in this list covering action series, drama series, comedy series and others too. There are a few notable exceptions to this list too. For one, we’re only covering English speaking languages.

Sadly, 50 doesn’t really do the service justice present the full library of series but we had to try. Treat this list as a great starting point if you’re brand new to Netflix.

Don’t forget to check out our list of the best movies on Netflix as well as the best anime titles on the service too.

50. 13 Reasons Why

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Teen Drama

Show status: Ongoing

This series has split audiences straight down the middle. Some think it’s playing an important role in talking about mental health, and others think it glamorizes suicide. Like it or not, the TV series based on the novel of the same name has been a hot topic since it first landed in 2017.

The series is set in an American high school and the plot, for the first season at least, recounts the story of Hannah Wells who tragically took her own life.

49. Virgin River

Seasons Available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Drama

Show status: Ongoing

If you’re looking for a drama similar to the likes of Heartland or Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, we wholeheartedly recommend checking out Virgin River.

The fantastic debut drama based on the books from Robyn Carr has been an instant success for Netflix and thankfully, there are more books to be adapted for the future.

48. Altered Carbon

Seasons Available: 2

Network: Netflix

Genre: Sci-fi

Show status: Ongoing

Netflix hasn’t had a complete sci-fi adventure before, but Altered Carbon changed that when it landed in February 2018. The series awakens a prisoner 250 years after being put on ice with one mission: solve a murder for his freedom.

The series is a slow starter but has some of the most impressive visual effects ever to be seen in a TV show making it a visual delight.

47. Dexter

Seasons Available: 8

Network: Showtime

Genre: Crime drama

Show status: Ended



Endings aside, Dexter is an enthralling TV series and probably the best Showtime has ever produced. It’s a concept that doesn’t sound quite as appealing as it should, as Dexter is an anti-hero who murders people after drugging them and taking a blood sample.

After facing a difficult childhood, Dexter is trained and honed by his father to kill only individuals who deserve it. With his job in the Miami police department, he’s able to hunt down his prey much easier.

46. Once Upon A Time

Seasons Available: 7

Network: ABC

Genre: Fantasy

Show status: Ended

Once Upon A Time takes all of your favorite childhood Disney tales, bringing them to life in a much darker format. Although the show has had to reinvent itself in recent years to fatigue on the main storyline, the series remains a delight and must watch if you love Disney movies.

45. The Flash

Seasons available: 5

Network: The CW

Genre: Superhero series

Show status: Ongoing

With constant crossovers and great attention to detail, season 1 of The Flash flies onto our top 50 list this year, with the first season of the show added back in October. The Flash represents a growing DC Comics universe coming to life on The CW and it’s awesome for comic book fans. When a young boy’s mother dies in a freak accident, he gains supernatural powers allowing him to run. Really fast.

44. The Punisher

Seasons available: 2

Network: Netflix

Genre: Superhero

Show status: Ended

Although it sits just outside of the main Defenders story-arc, The Punisher was first introduced in Daredevil. Fans loved him so much that Netflix gave him his own solo series. The series is gritty, raw and fantastically shot as we see Marvel TV mature in a way that actually puts it ahead of the movies, in our opinion. Frank Castle can’t stay out of trouble as he’s constantly plagued by his past. Season 2 is on the way too so there’s never been a better time to spend time with Frank Castle.

43. How To Get Away With Murder

Seasons available: 5

Network: ABC

Genre: Detective drama

Show status: Ongoing

One of ABC’s newest series is How To Get Away With Murder. Viola Davis is a law professor teaching at a university to find her next employee to take with her into the profession. The show’s title comes from Viola’s class: essentially teaching the kids how to avoid getting caught in the eyes of the law. It’s a welcome break from most series in the same genre and will keep you absolutely gripped.

42. Daredevil Netflix Original

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Superhero drama

Show status: Canceled

Most of the Marvel shows that Netflix produced are on this list but none of them come close to the production levels and quality of Daredevil.

Daredevil was the first Defender to land on Netflix and he’s the one who had the most lasting impact. With its fantastic characters, impressive fight scenes and attention to the original character design, there’s few superhero series quite like this on television.

41. Arrow

Seasons available: 8

Network: The CW

Genre: Superhero series

Show status: Ongoing

This wasn’t CW’s first array into the superhero genre but it’s by far the best. Following rich playboy Oliver Queen, he turns to a life of heroism after his boat was lost to the sea. Similar to Batman, he vows to rid the city of criminals only armed with his bow and arrow.

40. Parks and Recreation

Seasons available: 7

Network: NBC

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ended

Note: Likely leaving Netflix in 2020

With every single season of Parks and Recreation now streaming on Netflix, it’s about damn time that you binge your way through the NBC comedy classic. The show stars Amy Poehler, best known from her days on SNL, who plays an upbeat Parks & Recreational officer who is all too happy to go up against the system as she tries to force through projects for her small town in Indiana.

Perfectly cast with stars such as Chriss Pratt and Aziz Ansari, this is one that warrants more than one watch through and like NBC’s other comedies, it’ll be as relevant 20 years into the future as it is now.

39. The 100

Seasons Available: 5

Network: The CW

Genre: Sci-fi

Show status: Ongoing

If you like most of the premises of Syfy content but think they’re poorly executed then, The 100 could be for you.

Produced by The CW, it’s about humanity’s last attempt to inhabit the earth after it was ravished by war. The space colony sends down 100 child criminals to see what exactly the earth is like and whether it can sustain life.

Thes how sets its ambitions high, and it continues to deliver.

38. House of Cards Netflix Original

Seasons available: 6

Network: Netflix

Genre: Political drama

Show status: Ended

House of Cards was one of the first Netflix Originals and is still among the best, despite being somewhat tainted. As you may know, the show’s lead has faced some pretty graphic allegations against him, putting the show in a somewhat different light.

With that said, House of Cards is a masterpiece of a series with the first couple of seasons being the best political television in history.

The series follows the Underwoods, a ruthless political couple who will do anything to gain power.

37. Orange is the New Black Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 7

Network: Netflix

Genre: Prison Drama/Comedy

Show status: Ended

The creator of Weeds took up the project of Orange is the New Black after reading Piper Kerman’s account of her time in prison. While most elements of OITNB are based on Piper’s experience in jail, the show has grown its own identity with an amazing and diverse cast, allowing the creators to tell some excellent stories in Litchfield.

As the seasons develop, we’re learning more about the staff there too with each and every one of the people inside of the prison appealing to all of us on some level. The show is probably the fan-favorite of the Netflix Originals.

36. Longmire Netflix Original

Seasons available: 7

Network: A&E / Netflix

Genre: Drama

Show status: Ended

This crime thriller was bought by Netflix after the series faced the ax on A&E. It’s such a good job they did, as it’s one of the best crime thrillers on Netflix. With its final season due in 2017, it’ll be good to see how they give a sendoff to this fantastic series. The series follows a sheriff who moves town after the death of his wife but sadly, he can’t quite shake his past.

35. Alias Grace Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Period drama

Show status: Ended

This cross-production between CBS in Canada and Netflix is absolutely exemplary. Creating a perfect aesthetic and casting fantastic actors and actresses, this limited order run series perfectly adapts the Margaret Atwood story without losing any of the key details of the true story based on Grace Marks case in 1843. This series set a new bar for limited order runs.

34. Maniac Netflix Original Miniseries

Seasons Available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Drama

Show Status: Miniseries

Jonah Hill and Emma Stone star in this indefinable sci-fi/drama which sees the pair enter multiple stories in dream states. It’s stylish, interpretive and perfect for a Netflix binge and the only other network that could’ve possibly greenlit this would be HBO.

33. Gotham

Seasons Available: 5

Network: FOX

Genre: Superhero series

Show status: Ending

Gotham is one of the last remaining Fox shows on Netflix, and we’re glad it’s one of the best. This series rewinds the clock on the Batman universe, and returns us to Bruce Wayne’s childhood.

The series’ main focus is on a young James Gordon who is discovering the notorious younger criminals you come to love in the Batman universe. The realization of the world is fantastic and it’s great to see an otherwise glossed-over perspective. It provides a lot more substance to the villains’ backstories.

32. Sherlock

Seasons Available: 4

Network: BBC

Genre: Detective drama

Show status: Unknown

Everyone has heard of Sherlock Holmes, right? Well, stick that well-known detective in the 21st century with Benedict Cumberbatch and the BBC/Netflix Original show Sherlock is what you get. An incredibly well-produced crime drama where Sherlock uses modern techniques as well as help from his trusted sidekick to find criminals in London.

31. Master of None Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 2

Network: Netflix

Genre: Comedy

Show status: On hiatus

Aziz Ansari stars in this Netflix Original comedy, which is loosely based on Ansari’s real-life experiences. Like Louie, it’s a collection of magnificent, semi-autobiographic, loosely connected vignettes. It’s a great show about people discovering who they want to be.

30. The West Wing

Seasons Available: 7

Network: NBC

Genre: Political Drama

Show status: Ended

Note: Likely leaving Netflix in December 2020

This Aaron Sorkin political drama is a masterpiece of television writing and considered to be one of the best series ever made. It follows the lives, both political and personal, of President Jed Barlet and his senior staff. Fantastic acting and some of the quickest banter you’ll ever hear make this a winner.

29. Shameless (US)

Seasons available: 9

Network: Showtime

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ongoing

Another US remake of a British show scores highly on our list of the best TV series on Netflix.

The series that adapts Shameless from the UK has taken us on many strange, and often harrowing trips with the Gallagher family in Chicago.

Not only does the series do a great job in bringing the comedy from its UK cousin, but it also brings plenty of tears: there’s no on-screen family you connect with quite as much as the Gallaghers.

28. F is for Family Netflix Original

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Animated Sitcom

Show status: Ongoing

F is for Family is the second-ever Netflix Original animated show, and is still one of the most unique. The series takes us back to the 1970s when times were simpler, but not for the Murphy family. We follow Frank who works at the airport while supporting his wife and three kids.

Bill Burr provides the headline voice performance and the show continues to gain steam with its fourth season due out in 2020.

27. Supernatural

Seasons available: 15

Network: The CW

Genre: Supernatural drama

Show status: Ongoing

This long-running show from The CW is about a pair of brothers who follow in their father’s footsteps in hunting down the supernatural whether they be zombies, werewolves or vampires. The show has now been running for over a decade and shows no sign of slowing down, remaining The CW’s jewel in the crown.

26. Lucifer

Seasons available: 4

Network: FOX / Netflix

Genre: Drama / Horror

Show status: Ongoing

The acquisition of Lucifer was one of the biggest revivals Netflix has ever accomplished. The series, which ran for three seasons on FOX, was wildly popular abroad where Netflix carried it. After its shock cancelation due to poor US viewership, Netflix took over the mantle.

The series is about the literal devil who moves to Los Angeles to open a club. and ends up forming a relationship with a homicide detective.

It’s a vibrant series featuring plenty of lore, baddies and great set pieces.

25. Arrested Development

Seasons available: 6

Network: FOX / Netflix

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ongoing

One of the smartest TV comedies (only second to Bojack Horseman) returned to Netflix in a less than spectacular manner, but still managed to win audiences back with the remixed season 5 and now released season 6.

The series focuses on the Bluths, a dysfunctional family that’s been put into financial ruin thanks to the head of the family. It’s down to the main character (played by Jason Bateman) to fix all the family’s problems.

24. Big Mouth

Seasons Available: 3 (+4)

Network: Netflix

Genre: Animated Comedy

Show status: Ongoing

On paper, this is a sick and twisted series that’s nothing more than profanity-laced crudeness. In practice, it’s exactly that… and it works.

Featuring big names such as Nick Kroll, John Mulaney and many more, the series’ star power alone should be enough to entice.

In the series, we follow teenage friends who are going through puberty, characterized by monsters who seem intent on ruining their lives.

The show was recently renewed for an additional three seasons.

23. Riverdale

Seasons Available: 4

Network: The CW

Genre: Drama

Show status: Ongoing

The CW is mostly known nowadays for producing the myriad of DC shows such as The Flash and Arrow, or its supernatural dramas such as The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural. Following a different direction, Riverdale is part of The CW’s new wave of shows looking to recapture its teen drama audience by adapting the famous Archie comic for a new audience.

It does so fantastically well with the series being amongst the best the network has to offer. Its engaging storyline and rich and diverse characters are perfectly adapted from the comic books.

22. Heartland

Seasons available: 11

Network: CBC

Genre: Drama

Show status: Ongoing – season 12 in 2020

Heartland is a fan-favorite like no other. Hundreds follow our site religiously just to track down when new seasons of Heartland are coming to Netflix, and it’s no surprise why.

The down-to-earth series features storylines which are sure to pull at anyone’s heartstrings, following a family struggling to keep their farm afloat after one of the owners passes away. It’s now up to her daughter to pick up the reigns and continue her mother’s legacy.

Netflix is always a couple of seasons behind when it comes to CBC’s Heartland.

21. The Umbrella Academy

Seasons available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Superhero action

Status: Ongoing

Netflix had big shoes to fill once The Defenders franchise from Marvel came to a close on Netflix. Thankfully, The Umbrella Academy does a fantastic job of doing so.

Telling the story of the adopted siblings years later after their heyday. It’s got some big stars involved including Ellen Page and Mary J. Blige but more importantly, it’s an engaging story from start to finish.

20. Grey’s Anatomy

Seasons Available: 15

Network: ABC

Genre: Medical drama

The long-running ABC drama shows no sign of slowing down as it still continues to captivate audiences with its engaging characters and impressive casting choices.

The series itself takes you to a Seattle hospital, giving you an insight into the daily life of the doctors and nurses there.

Grey’s Anatomy has scored a number of Emmy’s over the years, and continues to come to Netflix on an annual basis.

19. The Walking Dead

Seasons available: 9

Network: AMC

Genre: Zombie drama

Show status: Ongoing



Netflix pays through the nose for each season of the Walking Dead and there’s little question as to why. It’s just brilliant, albeit a bit slow in the middle of each season, which is why Netflix binging is by far the best way to experience the show. Based on the comic books of the same name, it follows Rick and a whole host of other characters as they attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse.

18. Russian Doll

Seasons Available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ongoing

Russian Doll has all the hallmarks of a great series, borrowing a tried and tested trope of reliving the same day over and over. Unsurprisingly, it delivered.

With Orange is the New Black alumni Natasha Lyonne starring as Nadia, she’s forced to relive the same party over and over, and attempts to break the loop.

It’s funny, smart and a breath of fresh air and absolutely should be on your watchlist.

17. The Office (U.S)

Seasons Available: 9

Network: NBC

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ended

Note: Leaving in 2021

UK to US remakes never really go to plan, and that looked to be the case in season 1 of The US Office where it faced almost certain cancellation. The show lived on and became one of the best TV comedies of all time in the US.

Thanks in part to the part of Michael Scott played by Steve Carrell, the show developed interesting characters in a ridiculously mundane environment and kept you coming back for more.

It’s one of the most bingeable shows on Netflix that I guarantee you’ll watch over and over again. With rumors that The Office will eventually be leaving Netflix, we implore you to take the opportunity to get sucked in now.

16. Narcos / Narcos: Mexico Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 5

Network: Netflix

Genre: Drama

Show status: Ongoing

This Netflix series has made millions of viewers comfortable reading subtitles, opening them up to a world of international film and TV. The series has morphed since it first came onto Netflix as the first two seasons of the show focussed only on the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

The third season and the upcoming fourth season will both focus on other drug lords and drug cartels. The series is well-produced and while it’s often dramatized possibly beyond the truth, it provides a fascinating insight into a world that most are alien too.

15. Love, Death & Robots Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Animated Drama

Show Status: Ongoing

If you love your anthology series, then Love, Death & Robots needs to be added to your list immediately. The sixteen-episode first season sees us bounce from one story to another with each having a different animation style.

Produced by David Fincher, the series has some fantastic stories that are easily digestible with each clocking in at roughly 10 minutes.

14. Better Call Saul

Seasons Available: 4

Network: AMC

Genre: Drama

Assuming Better Call Saul is just a spin-off from Breaking Bad is a major injustice. For many, Better Call Saul surpasses the original. The prequel provides additional context on the lead up to the main show with absolutely sublime performances from Bob Odenkirk but particularly Rhea Seehorn.

The show, just like its predecessor, has already racked up multiple awards and was nominated for two Golden Globes. It retains many of the key people behind Breaking Bad, so the series is on par with its sister show.

13. Bojack Horseman Netflix Original

Seasons Available: 6

Network: Netflix

Genre: Animated sitcom

Show status: Ongoing

Bojack Horseman has been around for several years now, and while it’s probably not the most popular show on Netflix, it’s certainly one of the smartest.

Diving into issues that an animated sitcom wouldn’t usually explore, the show is a true pioneer in its space. It deals with sensitive issues such as mental illness, abortions, and sexuality all in a way that’s comedic and excellently done.

The impressive cast starring Will Arnett, Alison Brie, and Aaron Paul makes this show a standout show. It’s not going to be for everyone but for those who like shows with depth, this is for you.

12. Peaky Blinders Netflix Original

Seasons available: 5

Network: BBC / Netflix

Genre: Historical Drama

Show status: Ongoing

Although marketed as a Netflix Original in the US, the series is created by the BBC in the UK. If there’s one thing that the BBC is good at, it is creating a great period drama.

Set in post World War 1 Birmingham, this gangster series sees Cillian Murphy play the role of Tommy Shelby, the leader of a notorious gang.

The series is a fantastic realization of the historical period and is some of the most gripping TV available. Best of all, new seasons come quickly to Netflix thanks to the aforementioned Netflix exclusivity.

11. The Crown Netflix Original

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Historical Drama

Show status: Ongoing

The Crown is a Netflix original that released in November 2016 and focuses on the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The first season starts when she is 25-years-old, recently married and soon to become the Monarch of the British Empire. The show has been praised for its amazing acting, script, and attention to detail.

It’s one of Netflix most expensive shows ever produced, with an estimated budget of $156,000,000.

10. Black Mirror Netflix Original

Seasons available: 5

Network: Channel 4 / Netflix

Genre: Anthology sci-fi drama

Show status: Ongoing

Netflix picked up the British series most likely because there’s simply quite nothing else out there like it. The anthology series picks up a new concept usually involving a form of twisted technology to influence the episode and the people in it. More often than not, the stories never result in a happy ending but will leave you with a lot of questions. The series is written by Charlie Brooker who is, in my mind, one of the smartest TV writers in the game at the moment and with Netflix’s money behind it, the series is constantly reaching new heights.

9. The Last Kingdom Netflix Original

Seasons available: 4

Network: BBC America / Netflix

Genre: Historical Dramas

Show status: Ongoing

Netflix is desperate to have something to top HBO’s Game of Thrones. While Netflix’s own Marco Polo failed, the cross-production between Netflix and BBC is definitely giving the HBO series a run for its money.

BBC America canceled its involvement with the show, with Netflix now fully taking up the mantle and the series goes from strength to strength in all areas.

Starring Alexander Dreymon and Emily Cox, this series takes us back to the Vikings era where Alfred the Great must defend his home from the invaders.

8. The Good Place

Seasons available: 3

Network: NBC

Genre: Comedy

Show status: Ended

NBC lost its throne of being the top comedy series producer but The Good Place is doing a good job of bringing back the crown to NBC.

The series is hard to describe properly due to its many twists and turns, but essentially it boils down to a group of humans dying and heading to The Good Place.

The show is smart, insanely funny and if you haven’t watched the first season in a single sitting, it’s probably not the show for you.

The Good Place is carried as a Netflix Original outside the United States but does eventually come to Netflix in the US too.

7. Community

Seasons available: 6

Network: NBC

Genre: Comedy, Sitcom

Show Status: Unknown

The history of Community is almost as fascinating as the show itself. It saw a lot of bumps in the road on its network but the facts are as follows. Community, at its best, is some of the best comedy on TV. Period.

Following a lawyer who is thrown out due to faking his degree, he settles into a small community college and forms a study group.

It’s smart, engaging and instantly bingeable and available on Netflix globally!

6. Wentworth

Seasons available: 7

Network: SoHo / Showcase

Genre: Prison drama

Show status: Ongoing

For the long-term observers of this post, they’ll know that Orange Is The New Black used to reside around the number 6 spot.

Sadly, with OITNB falling off the wagon and facing an identity crisis in recent years, it’s down to Wentworth to pick up the pieces and boy does it do a good job.

The gritty Australian drama features a women’s prison that’s one of the roughest and toughest prisons you could imagine. It’s a thrilling watch and far better than Netflix’s own women’s prison drama.

5. Mindhunter Netflix Original

Seasons available: 2

Network: Netflix

Genre: Crime Drama

Show status: On Hold

David Fincher is a master behind the camera and perhaps his finest work was done on Netflix’s Mindhunter. The series is really smart and fascinating to watch.

The show follows two FBI agents who set up a new department within the bureau to study some of the most prolific serial killers in history.

Perhaps the review I most agree with is Dani Di Placido’s on Forbes: he says that the show is so good that it “makes him feel physically sick”. It really is that powerful.

Sadly, the show appears to be in a permanent hiatus.

4. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Seasons available: 1

Network: Netflix

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Show status: Unknown

We didn’t quite know how this title was going to go down given it’s almost been four decades since The Dark Crystal first arrived in cinemas. Thankfully, age has been kind on this title and instantly shoots it up to one of the very best TV series on Netflix right now.

Thanks to a mix of stunning CGI and breathtaking puppetry, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is accessible and can be enjoyed by all ages and creeds (even if you haven’t seen the original). It takes many twists and turns and is one of the most unique productions that can be found on Netflix right now.

3. Ozark Netflix Original

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Crime drama

Show status: Unknown

Frequently compared to Breaking Bad, it is every bit as gritty, violent, and character-driven. Jason Bateman stars as a financial planner who gets pulled into a money-laundering fiasco, forcing him into debt to a drug lord. With his family in tow, he moves to the Ozarks to put a scheme into action that would repay his debt and save his family.

The writing and direction are fantastic. Another standout is the strong female presence in heavy roles. The result of all of this is the best TV series currently on Netflix.

2. Stranger Things Netflix Original

Seasons available: 3

Network: Netflix

Genre: Sci-fi Drama

Show status: Ongoing

When Stranger Things first premiered on Netflix, it instantly blew everyone away. The sci-fi series set back in the 80 sees a combination of a conspiracy plot mixed with a murder mystery, mixed with a superhero series, mixed with a monster series and it just works. It takes cues and ideas from movies and series and while you could argue it does nothing particularly new you can’t deny it perfects every element it borrows.

Season 2 saw the series reach new heights at times with the established characters facing a new threat much bigger than the first. It’s a rollercoaster series with fantastic characters and some of the strongest CGI you’ll see in a TV series.

Season 3, which released in July 2019 broke all of Netflix’s records and is regarded to be the best season of the three.

1. Breaking Bad

Seasons available: 5

Network: AMC

Genre: Crime drama

Show status: Finished

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul star in one of the most critically acclaimed series of all time only to be topped by a few HBO hits which sadly aren’t on Netflix.

AMC knocked it out of the park when it gave Vince Gilligan a chance to develop the series which follows a chemistry teacher facing the prospect of an early death unless he develops the funds to fund his cancer treatment.

Although the series is now over, the series legacy will carry on for decades given the stellar performances from the cast, excellent cinematography, and storylines that push the envelope of what a TV series can be.