Brand New Cherry Flavor
If you're looking for a weird, wild and definite acquired taste on Netflix right now, no one can argue that new miniseries Brand New Cherry is not that. This '90s-set show is about Lisa Nova (Rosa Salazar), an aspiring filmmaker who comes to LA with the intention of making a movie, and pitches to a producer – but it doesn't pan out the way she wants it to.
We'll leave it there for plot specifics, but you will not guess what happens next. This horror-infused thriller show is clearly just meant to be experienced – stylistically, there's a lot to appreciate, and it might remind you of the works of David Lynch or Nicolas Winding Refn (The Neon Demon, in particular). Like we say, this is definitely not for everyone, but by episode 2 you'll know if its... whole deal is for you. Catherine Keener and Manny Jacinto are among those in the supporting cast.
Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 45 minutes per episode
Lupin
In this fantastic new take on the adventures of gentleman-thief Arsène Lupin by French author Maurice Leblanc, Omar Sy (The Intouchables, X-Men Days of Future Past) plays Assane Diop, a man whose father is framed for the theft of a priceless diamond necklace by a wealthy business man.
Soon after, Assane's father hangs himself in his cell, which sets him off on a quest for revenge inspired by the Arsène Lupin novel his father gave him as a child. Already the most popular French Netflix series of all-time, Lupin is a wonderful show that's surprisingly family-friendly given its subject matter.
Now back for its second season, Netflix's Lupin has proven itself a loving and inspired take on the beloved Arsène Lupin stories.
Details: 2 season, 5 episodes per season, 42-52 minutes per episode
You
For the most part, people tend to meet each other purely by accident. But what if that perfect guy you've just met has actually been fixated on you from afar for quite some time? Worse still, what if the aforementioned guy is actually a psychopath who inserts himself into the lives of those he becomes obsessed with? That's the premise of the Netflix Original series You, which is delightfully wicked. From Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural) comes a disturbing thriller series that sinks its hooks into you and doesn't let go until you've binge-watched the whole thing! Now back for its third season, You is bound to be your next guilty pleasure.
Details: 3 season, 10 episodes per season, 44-50 minutes per episode
Money Heist
Don't let the strangely goofy name put you off. Money Heist, or La Casa del Papel as it's known in Spanish-speaking countries, is a thrilling heist drama about a group of criminals brought together by an enigmatic figure called The Professor to rob the Royal Mint of Spain. With dense characterization, big twists and career-making performances, this is an unusual and clever heist show that'll grip you right away.
While it's been a huge hit with a Spanish-speaking audience for the longest time, Money Heist has now found a big audience in the English-speaking world, too. A new set of episodes just dropped on Netflix, meaning you've got 31 episodes to watch if you've never seen it before, divided over two separate overarching stories about the same set of characters.
Whatever you do, make sure you switch the default dub off and listen to the original Spanish audio with subtitles. While the first half of the final season arrived earlier this year, the final part is available now, and we expect it to be somewhat emotional.
Details: 6 parts, 5-13 episodes per part, 45 minutes per episode
Squid Game
It was inevitable, wasn’t it? Not only is Squid Game one of the newest shows on Netflix, but it’s also on track to become its most successful ever. This South Korean drama comes from the mind of director Hwang Dong-hyuk, and follows a group of indebted citizens invited to risk their lives in a mysterious survival game.
Given the excited furore that has erupted around the show, though, you probably knew that already. Like Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite before it, Squid Game plays on the concept of class division as a catalyst for violence, satirizing reality television by having 456 contestants duke it out in a series of child-friendly games with deadly twists. It definitely leans on tropes first established by Battle Royale (which itself inspired The Hunger Games series), but this show is nonetheless an original and exhilarating way to while away your evenings.
Details: 1 season, 9 episodes per season, 50 minutes per episode
Bridgerton
Take Pride and Prejudice and add 50 Shades of Grey and you probably have a good idea of what to expect from Bridgerton, an alt-history period drama that's about as sexed up as the come.
Based on the best-selling book series by Julia Quinn, this TV adaptation follows the powerful Bridgerton family as it explores power, wealth and lust in an aristocratic society. Best described as a guilty pleasure, Bridgerton is disarmingly compelling.
Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 57-72 minutes per episode
The Chair
On paper, a show about the new chair of an English department at a fancy college sounds a little stuffy – but this comedy has a bunch of reasons to recommend it. First, Sandra Oh is the lead in an absolutely stacked cast of veteran actors. Secondly, it's genuinely funny. Thirdly, each episode is only 30 minutes long!
If you're bored of overly long prestige dramas on Netflix, The Chair is the show you've been waiting for. You'll burn through the whole thing in a weekend no problem, and have a really enjoyable time doing it.
Details: 1 season, 6 episodes per season, 30 minutes per episode
Halston
Ewan McGregor stars in the latest big show from Netflix mega-producer Ryan Murphy. This biographical miniseries focuses on women's fashion designer Halston, documenting his various ups and downs over the years – starting with his breakthrough in designing hats worn by Jackie Kennedy in the '60s, to his '70s explosion in popularity as a fashion pioneer, to his later troubles to stay in business.
McGregor has a lot of fun as the titular figure, giving us a great cross-section of his life as an artist and businessman, of his personal issues and professional triumphs. Even though it's otherwise pretty familiar-feeling as biographical projects go, it's very well-produced, and is something you'll likely enjoy if you're a fan of expensive period shows like Mad Men – and it lands on the classier side of Murphy's recent work.
Details: 1 season, 5 episodes per season, 44-53 minutes per episode
Clickbait
Nick Brewer (Adrien Grenier) seems to be the perfect husband and father. But all of that comes under intense scrutiny when he is abducted in a crime with a sinister online twist – at five million views, he dies. Now the race is on to uncover who is behind this sick game and what Nick has supposedly done to deserve it.
With numerous twists and turns throughout this 8-episode mini series, Clickbait will keep you guessing until the very last episode.
Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 45 minutes per episode
The Queen's Gambit
This seven-episode miniseries is the latest great Netflix show – and while the subject of chess might not sound exciting, The Queen's Gambit manages to weave it together with a tale of self-actualization, romance and drug abuse.
Anya Taylor-Joy (The VVitch, Split) stars as Beth Harmon, an orphan trained to play chess by a talented janitor, before she challenges the very male-dominated chess scene with her skills.
Essentially, her talents land her a slightly better life, but not without a price. Exciting even if you don't know chess from checkers, The Queen's Gambit is an instant Netflix classic.
Details: 1 season, 7 episodes per season, 46-67 minutes per episode
Spinning Out
Mixing classic sports drama with teen melodrama, Spinning Out delves into the world of competitive figure skating, exploring the extreme pressure that's placed on the skaters themselves. The once-promising solo skater Kat (Kaya Scodelario) finds herself at a crossroads following an accident on the ice that left her terrified to attempt complex aerial manoeuvres. With her singles career pretty much over, Kat must decide whether she will continue as a doubles partner for Justin (Evan Roderick), a rich ladies man who sleeps with every girl in sight, or quit the sport entirely. To make matters worse, Kat's relationship with her mother (January Jones) is downright toxic – an issue that isn't helped by both parties suffering from bipolar disorder. Seriously addictive viewing.
Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 45-56 minutes per episode
Unbelievable
Inspired by real events and based on a Pulitzer prize-winning article, Unbelievable tells the harrowing and mysterious story of a teen girl (Kaitlyn Dever) who reports a rape to the police, only to eventually recant said report. States away from the incident, two female detectives (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) hear about it and become determinded to investigate the matter and reveal the truth behind the claim. While the show deals in difficult subject matter, it is tastefully handed and immaculately acted and directed. One of Netflix's best new shows of the year.
Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 43-58 minutes per episode
Mindhunter
From David Fincher, director of such serial killer classics as Se7en and Zodiac, comes Mindhunter – a Netflix Original series that details how the FBI's profiling practices came into fruition. Academic and detail-oriented, the series sees its agents stare deep into the heart of darkness in order to better understand this new breed of demented killer that they've been tasked with chasing. Based on autobiographical accounts by FBI Agent John Douglas, who inspired the fictional character of Jack Crawford in Thomas Harris' seminal Hannibal books, Mindhunter is a gripping series that applies an analytical approach to a well-worn subject. Now back for season 2, the team will face the likes of Charles Manson and David 'Son of Sam' Berkowitz.
Details: 2 seasons, 9-10 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode
Dirty John
Based on the hit podcast series of the same name, Dirty John tells the unnerving true story of a man who infiltrates the life of lonely single mother Debra (Connie Britton), despite extreme disapproval from her daughters. While John (Eric Bana) initially convinces Debra that he's a dreamboat doctor who'll make her life wonderful, things soon turn dark, with his lies and psychological manipulation eventually leading to some truly devastating consequences for the family. While the show may have a slight 'Hallmark Channel' vibe, Bana and Connie are exceptional in their roles. Fans of the podcast and disturbing true crime stories are sure to enjoy Dirty John.
Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 45 minutes per episode
Bodyguard
War veteran David Budd (Richard Madden, aka Robb Stark from Game of Thrones) works for the London’s Metropolitan Police. While travelling on a train with his kids, Budd is forced to lead police negotiations with a suicide bomber. He then gets assigned as the principal protection officer to UK’s Home Secretary (Keeley Hawes) and the twists and turns in this six-part series begin to unfurl. Each minute keeps you at the edge of your seat – every time you think you’ve figured something out, you’re proven wrong. Not only is the show gripping, it portrays today’s tense times extremely well. The Brits do police procedurals better than most, and this drama is no exception – in fact we think it’s the best BBC production in a while. The script shines through in the cast's perfectly restraint acting, and the plot is full of intrigue and suspense that will probably make your brain hurt – a must-watch in our books.
Details: 1 season, 6 episodes per season, 60-75 minutes per episode
Orange is the New Black
Back for its sixth season, Orange is the New Black is showing no signs of slowing down, with the women of Litchfield now experiencing some new problems after having been moved into a maximum security prison following last season's riot. It may have never reached the heady heights of House Of Cards, but Orange Is The New Black is another show that proves Netflix is now up there with HBO when it comes to offering decent programming. As per its prison setting, Orange doesn't shirk the big issues of violence and rape but manages to mix these with a heady dose of black humour and some occasional romance. If you haven't gotten onboard the OITNB train, now's the time to start your binge! For those who are up to date, check out the trailer for season 6 below.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
The Alienist
Set at the turn of the 20th century, The Alienist finds New York City gripped by the heinous serial murders of young male prostitutes. With the city in a panic, police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) appoints a team to track and apprehend the killer. This includes the unorthodox criminal psychologist, Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), New York Times illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) and aspiring detective Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning). A harrowing mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, The Alienist is a grisly crime thriller in the vein of Mindhunter and From Hell.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Manhunt: Unabomber
With true crime stories being all the rage these days, the creative people in TV land have turned their attentions to story of the US domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, better known to most as the Unabomber. This dramatic retelling of the real-life events stars Paul Bettany as the Unabomber and Australia's own Sam Worthington as the FBI profiler who helped track him down. A gripping and sometimes harrowing series, Manhunt: Unabomber is consistent in its high level of quality throughout its entire run.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Godless
Need a badass western series to tide you over until Westworld returns next year? Well, saddle up pardner, because Netflix's new limited series Godless should keep your spurs from jingling and jangling. From Scott Frank, director of The Lookout and A Walk Among the Tombstones, comes Godless, a show that sees an outlaw chase his ex-partner into a New Mexico town populated entirely by women. Starring Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery and Scott McNairy, Godless is a gripping western that will shock and surprise you.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
The Sinner
What causes a seemingly normal woman to violently murder a random person while out at the beach with her husband and newborn child? That is the premise behind The Sinner, a show which sees Jessica Biel take on a darker character than she ever has before. Bull Pullman also stars as an investigator who becomes obsessed with finding out where these violent fits of rage come from. Is there something hidden deep in her past that even she doesn't know about? Thrillingly told and terrifically acted, The Sinner is compelling viewing.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
Narcos
With its latest season, Netflix's hit series Narcos has left Colombia behind and spun off into a different story exploring the Mexican drug trade. While it occasionally crosses over into the world of Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel, Narcos: Mexico is its own story, following the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel, led by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna). Meanwhile, American DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena (Michael Peña) relocates his family to the city in order to track the cartel, expecting to investigate a bunch of disorganised traffickers. Unfortunately, he gets more than he bargained for with Gallardo, whose ambition sees him build an unrivalled Mexican drug empire. Once again based on a true story, Narco: Mexico is just as riveting as the show's previous seasons, only with an entirely different Mexican flavour. Also, you don't need to have seen the previous seasons to enjoy this one. Check out the trailer below.
Details: 4 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode
Suits
You've never seen a lawyer show like this before. Suits mostly avoids the 'courtroom drama' angle that law shows usually take, and instead focuses on the dealings behind the scenes. Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is a brilliant man with a photographic memory who is wasting his life away as a petty drug dealer, until lawyer-extraordinaire Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) hires him to work at the most prestigious law firm in New York. Let's hope no one finds out about his lack of a law degree. Absolutely addictive.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
House of Cards
Funded completely by Netflix, House of Cards is an addictive series that sees a terrible man and his equally duplicitous wife manipulate their way into the Oval Office. It also boasts a visual style crafted by director David Fincher and immense acting by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. With allegations about Spacey coming to light recently, Netflix has dropped the actor from the show entirely, opting instead to put Wright front and centre for the show's final season. With five seasons currently available, Netflix's Card trick is still impressive and shows just how far Netflix has come, bringing the service worldwide critical acclaim and awards attention. With the world as focused on US politics as it is now, House of Cards is downright therapeutic entertainment. We can't wait to see how show fares without its former star.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
The Get Down
Reportedly Netflix's most expensive show ever, The Get Down is an absolutely dazzling look into the birth of hip hop music in the South Bronx during the late 1970s. The show effortlessly blends real life footage from the period with scenes from the show, mixing them together like a good DJ. Created by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!), The Get Down is bursting with style, drama, colourful characters and fantastic music. If you have even the slightest interest in hip hop music, consider The Get Down required viewing. Unfortunately, the show was too big for Netflix to handle, which is why we only have a single two-part season to enjoy. Though we wish we could've followed these characters further, we're glad we got to spend time with them regardless.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
