Like The Office or Game of Thrones, some series seem destined for the limelight, rapturously viewed and quoted the world over. But for every global success, there are numerous lesser-known shows huddled in its genre-specific shadow. While some may be run-of-the-mill or uninspired copycat series, a select few deserve more than to have their storylines eclipsed in this way.
Call them underrated, or diamonds in the—well, if not the rough, then certainly not the main thoroughfare. What follows is an attempt to shine a spotlight on a few worthy contenders: legal and crime dramas, sitcoms, and supernatural series alike, most of which ran only 1–2 seasons. Suffice it to say, whatever popularity they did achieve was not enough for this viewer’s liking.
Because what you really need in this surfeit of new series, this golden era of TV, is to be told you started missing out ten years ago. You’re welcome.*
Nathan For You (2013–2017)
Painfully awkward doesn't begin to describe this Comedy Central series. Or rather, it does begin to describe it, but it is just one aspect of this genre- (and gut-) busting show. Painfully awkward hilarity is closer, but painfully awkward, morally dicey, sadness-tinged hilarity is even better. Nathan For You is a quasi-prank show led by a self-proclaimed socially awkward host, who ideates increasingly elaborate, occasionally accidentally brilliant business schemes for small businesses. He may create all-but-impossible-to-redeem rebates or misleading-but-not-illegal promos, he may manipulate the business owner into declarations of clinical insanity or marriage, he may even threaten or half-heartedly attempt murder on those who take advantage of his dealings. Publicity aside, you may find yourself considering how much better off the businesses would be if Nathan just straight up gave them money instead of spending it on unsustainable nonsense—be it Craigslist actors and artists, legal (loophole) counsel, alligator or peacock rental, or the production of TV show itself. And yet, when you witness the befuddled faces, endure the cringe-inducing silences, listen to Nathan’s reassuring-if-totally-out-of-touch narration, and watch a drunk guy in a sumo costume try to squeeze through the narrow aisles of a china shop, you will find yourself wishing there was no end to the antics of this impractical broker. Nathan doesn’t do this for himself. He doesn’t even do it for the business owners, who alternately berate or tolerate his entrepreneurial visions. He is Nathan for You. And you just sort of have to see it for yourself.
Nathan For You can currently be streamed on HBO Max and Hulu.
The InBetween (2019)
The InBetween is a great reminder of the advantages inherent to an adult (vs teenage) supernatural series. When we join the story, the protagonist has already gone through her power onset, the years of training or exploring the extent of said powers, and the accompanying angst that must always magnify the stressors of teenage life. Thirty-something Cassie may not have totally embraced her netherworldly abilities, but she can calmly deal with the ghosts she sees and the mental attacks she endures; she also has an understanding and supportive outlet onto which she can unload her visions. Given the high octane, continuous life-or-death stakes in any number of other superhero series, there’s something immensely satisfying about each time Cassie holds her fear in check to outsmart a ghost, to confront a murderer, or to witness a tragic death. Her powers take their toll, for sure, but it's nice to have a mature adult deep-breathing through such stressful situations, having accepted that she can't make them stop—and that she can instead use them to do some good. Yes, Cassie falls in line more so with the reluctant superheroes (e.g., Jessica Jones) than the enthusiastic ones (e.g., Supergirl), but she doesn't have that cynical edge that so often hardens around adult heroes. Instead, she has an intrinsically kind heart and a confident manner, allowing her to 1) explain her visions to outsiders with no pretense and 2) investigate the cases that demand her intervention. It’s essentially all the supernaturalism of Ghost Whisperer with none of its interpersonal drama.
Bonus: Even if this series is not for you, a good teen/adult middle ground is Tru Calling (2003-2005), starring the ever-sarcastic Eliza Dushku. Plot-wise, it’s Ghost Whisperer meets iZombie, though it pre-dates both shows, and Tru actually gets the chance to start the day over and save lives. Oh, and then you’ll probably want to go watch Ghost Whisperer and iZombie so you can appreciate how clever that mash-up was.
The InBetween is currently only available to buy on Amazon Prime. Tru Calling isn’t available on any streaming services… but doesn’t that make you want to watch it even more?
Better Off Ted (2009–2010)
You’ve probably heard of Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet, but perhaps not one of creator Victor Fresco’s earlier works—Better Off Ted. This ABC sitcom poked fun at soulless corporations while focusing on a small team in the R&D department of the fictional megacorporation Veridian Dynamics (“teamwork—it keeps our employees gruntled”). You might even say Santa Clarita Diet is just a new version of Better Off Ted, if you traded the latter’s stolen creamers and all-too-real bureaucracy for nosy neighbors and disembodied heads—both are built on “teamwork gone wrong, then ultimately right” episodes. Certainly, the two series share the same sense of humor—the same wordplay-laden banter and sarcasm, the same “characters arguing over minutiae in the face of imminent danger,” even the same joke about whether it’s okay to treat a wheelchair-bound person as (you would in any other person in that situation) an enemy. As good guy Ted is swarmed by goofball geniuses Phil and Lem, no-nonsense boss Veronica, and self-righteous product tester Linda, Better Off Ted manufactures wacky, feel-good situations that nevertheless touch on real-world issues in the workplace, be it racial or age-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or abuses of the boss/employee relationship. (Not to mention the less-encountered issues of accidentally dosing an employee with an experimental drug, creating a mathematical formula for insults, and cryogenically freezing an employee.) Plus, this series was LARPing before Hawkeye made it cool. Come for the witty workplace banter and stay for the hilariously blunt and biased in-show commercials.
Better Off Ted can currently be streamed on Hulu.
Fairly Legal (2011–2012)
Debuting during USA network’s brief comeback, alongside Burn Notice and Royal Pains, Fairly Legal never really got the attention or praise it deserved. This series was founded on the House-esque character trope of “kind of a mess personally, but ultimately great at her job,” but manages to make something worth watching by situating its personal-conflict-averse protagonist as a lawyer-turned-mediator, AKA a professional conflict resolver. Chronically late mediator Kate spends most of her time drinking coffee, rushing to meetings, and avoiding her step-mother/boss and ex-husband/DA. As she tries to stay afloat amidst so much interpersonal conflict (a pun you’d appreciate if you knew she lives on a boat), the question becomes whether she can take the advice she gives her clients, and be emotionally honest with those closest to her. Really, Fairly Legal is a fun watch because it doesn’t get bogged down with the solemnity of other legal dramas. Kate, played by Sarah Shahi, is fun. And smart. And a smart-ass. She’s basically My Cousin Vinny, but actually good at her job. Who doesn’t want to watch that?
Fairly Legal can currently be streamed on NBC.com and the Roku Channel.
The Rain (2018–2020)
If you’re not yet sated by the surplus of post-apocalyptic series, this Danish iteration of orphaned teens trudging around a forest may just be the one you’ve been waiting for. Centered on siblings Simone and Rasmus, who hunker in a bunker for the first six years after the eponymous killer rain starts falling, unaware both of how the outside world has changed and of their intimate connection to the cause of the apocalypse.
As they and their band of teen survivors trek across Denmark, they seek safety and answers, and often discover many unsettling truths about themselves (and what they’ll do to survive) along the way. In many ways, this somber yet often thrilling series is reminiscent of The 100, just told in a much more concise format. The Rain is easily the most watched of all series listed here, but its foreign-language tag likely prevents it from being as popular as it deserves. It is also the only drama series on this list to fully control its own ending (after three seasons); regardless of how you think you want the show to end, you can’t deny the bond you feel with Simone and Rasmus, and the sobering lessons of loyalty and betrayal you’ve learned along the way. Post-apocalypse, science fiction, or foreign language may not be your usual draw, but The Rain tells a compelling story. Period.
Plus Simone’s constant shouts of “Rasmus!” totally gives TWD’s “Carl!” a run for its money.
The Rain can currently be streamed on Netflix.
Stalker (2014–2015)
Come for the chills up your spine, stay for the soundtrack full of eerie covers. You don’t often see
network TV shows that are—legitimately—creepy, but Stalker still managed to eek out one magnificent season of thrills on NBC. Yes, it’s essentially a cop drama that centers on a stalking unit in L.A. Yes, the main character is herself a victim of stalking. But there’s still something unique about this series, a remarkable horror element that most other primetime crime dramas have long glossed over in their desensitizing and predictable cold opens. Led by the cool, confident Maggie Q—sorry, the cool, confident Lt. Beth, played by Maggie Q—Stalker investigates a lesser-known but truly traumatizing genre of crime, stirred in with the more standard drama surrounding a suspicious new transfer to her department. If nothing else, it offers a little something new for fans of crime procedurals, a well that sure seems to be drying up. But more likely, you’ll find Stalker is well worth the pursuit.
Stalker is not currently available on any streaming platform. But you could probably track it down with some intense, obsessive cyber searching… while wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt.
*No series listed here end on egregious cliffhangers. I wouldn’t do you like that.