5 Actually Awesome Shows From the Past Decade you’ve never heard of
An old tv on a rustic stand.
Of course, you know the great big-name shows, the Stranger Things and the Game of Thrones, but Hollywood is always staying busy. And while there are a lot of misses you’re better off not watching, there are some lesser-known gems that should be on everyone’s watchlist.
Whether you’re one for thrillers, dramas, or comedies, there’s something on this list for you. No matter what your usual jam is, if you enjoy great writing and acting, you’ll be sure to love these lesser-known treasures.
Without further ado, here are five actually awesome shows from the past decade you’ve never heard of.
1. Kleo
One of the most recent on the list, Kleo is an absolute banger. At the time of writing this, there are currently two seasons. This Netflix spy thriller follows ex-Stasi agent (Communist East German Secret Police) Kleo as she gets out of jail and tries to put together the pieces of how she got there.
I think the main reason this triumph of a show isn’t as widely known as it should be is because it’s in German. But, please — don’t let the subtitles scare you away. This masterpiece is filled with all of the suspense, action, and comedy you need to be sucked in and entertained throughout the whole thing.
While I think everyone who appreciates good television should give this show a shot, it’s an absolute must for fans of espionage thrillers and Cold War history buffs.
2. Future Man
Produced by Seth Rogen, this Hulu gem of a series went for three seasons without being a household name. Starring Josh Hutcherson as the protagonist (of Hunger Games fame), Future Man follows the winding, compelling, and hilarious journey of a young man who plays a video game only to have the characters emerge into real life.
We’re talking time travel, apocalyptic futures, and all-around fun. If you’re looking for a stellar comedy series with a compelling storyline keeping you on the edge of your seat, this really should be on your radar. Not to mention a ridiculously comical ragtag collection of characters that will leave you wondering how actor Derek Wilson hasn’t won awards for his comedic range.
As for why this series isn’t super well known, I really couldn’t say. All I know is that for any fans of comedy, this is an absolute treat that will leave you wishing it had more than just three seasons.
3. Monsieur Spade
This AMC limited series features Clive Owen at his finest as a blunt American in the French countryside reckoning with his past and tying up loose ends in the present. I guess this limited series would probably qualify as a drama, but I’d definitely say it also delves into the categories of thriller and mystery.
For those in the US, this homerun of a series is available on Netflix at the time of writing. But be warned, given that the show is only one season, you’ll surely be wanting more after you binge the entire thing in one to two days.
In terms of why it didn’t blow up, I’m tempted to say that it came at a time when cable was on the decline and it wasn’t available on streaming services until a little later. But, hey, with offerings like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, I feel like AMC should be trusted to produce a rock-solid mini-series.
4. Sunny
For those who love themselves a quirky comedic mystery show — ie those looking for something in between seasons of Only Murders In the Building — Apple’s Sunny is a great way to fill the void. The show follows Suzie (played by absolute rockstar Rashida Jones), an American living in Japan grappling with the loss of her husband and son, along with the newfound appearance of a hyper-intelligent robot helper.
Part futuristic mystery, part dark comedy, this series shows Jones’ range as an actor and keeps viewers wondering what’s next the whole time. And, for those of you who love Japan, this futuristic take on Japanese culture is nothing less than top-notch.
Given the recency of this show, more people might have seen something about it than some of the others on this list. Despite this, it’s still one of those shows that feels like everyone you talk to hasn’t seen yet. However, this series is a great time and should definitely be on your watchlist for the next time you need a new show.
5. Legion
If you like weird and you like thrillers, boy are you going to like Legion. This way-too-slept-on gem from FX is really a ride that twists, turns, and keeps you guessing what’s next. Though it doesn’t at all feel like a Marvel show, the story and protagonist are based on a Marvel comic book character.
Featuring great performances and a really odd (in a good way) otherworldliness, this drama is not talked about nearly as much as it should be. It’s kind of crazy to think that there’s a compelling, mind-bending Marvel comic-based show out there (that even has some Aubrey Plaza cameos!) that literally no one has ever heard of.
With three seasons, this is perfect for when you’re looking for an intriguing show to binge over a long weekend or vacation. Not to mention, it really is a pretty awesome show.
