Top 10 Underrated TV Shows of the Last Decade
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best live action shows from 2014 to 2024 that haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. Which show from the past decade do you think deserves more love? Let us know in the comments!
#10: “Narcos” (2015-17)
Following the end of “Breaking Bad,” audiences were probably itching for another prestige TV drama about the illegal drug trade. Many likely found it in “Ozark,” but an equally worthy successor was “Narcos,” which fell into relative obscurity. Based on the real world exploits of Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel, “Narcos” is a series that may lack many sympathetic characters, but is nonetheless richly entertaining. While some criticized the show for its uneven accents and portrayal of modern Colombian history, others applauded its portrayal of the drug trade as more nuanced compared to similar shows. Wagner Moura’s killer performance as Escobar drew praise for the series, along with the strong performance of a pre-Mandalorian Pedro Pascal.
#9: “How To with John Wilson” (2020-23)
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How to make a great comedic docuseries? First you’ve gotta hire John Wilson. This Nathan Fielder-produced HBO show has been called unlike anything else on television. Often filmed on the streets of New York City, it covers topics ranging from cooking risotto to cleaning out your ears. Wilson, an unconventionally awkward narrator, takes to the streets to ask everyday people about a singular subject. This approach occasionally leads him down strange paths, such as a trip to a Mandela effect conference in an episode about memory. But whatever the subject, it’s sure to be covered in a way that is both uniquely funny and oddly empathetic to our shared human experiences.
#8: “Pachinko” (2022-)
Several of the original shows and films on Apple TV+ have broken into the mainstream, namely Best Picture winner “CODA” and beloved sports comedy “Ted Lasso.” But many more seem to receive a disheartening lack of promotion. “Pachinko” is one of its lesser known offerings — although we’re of the opinion that it should be an international sensation. The story centers around the same family across four generations. It often feels universal in its portrayal in spite of its specific focus on the experience of Korean immigrants in Japan. Its decades-spanning story brings history to life in a way that is as well-paced as it is emotionally moving.
#7: “Legion” (2017-19)
Legion Season 2 Episode 11 BREAKDOWN - WatchClub
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe built up its third phase with films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Avengers: Endgame,” this creative X-Men series fell by the wayside. Although it included Marvel characters, the FX series was separate from the MCU as well as the timeline of Fox X-Men films. “Legion” was largely overlooked by general audiences in spite of its critical acclaim. It’s a show that isn’t afraid to take risks with its narrative or visuals — a fact which becomes immediately clear during its pilot episode’s dance number and slow motion sequence. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but, for those who understand its magic, it’s a show worth getting lost in.
#6: “Reservation Dogs” (2021-23)
This show made history when it burst onto the scene in 2021, becoming the first American series to feature an entirely Indigenous writers room. The unprecedented representation amongst the cast and crew led to “Reservation Dogs” being one of TV’s most accurate and groundbreaking portrayals of contemporary life on “the rez.” After decades of the same stereotypical representations in mainstream media, “Reservation Dogs” regularly subverts expectations with clever writing, compelling performances, and an astonishing amount of heart. Its three seasons received critical acclaim, but we can’t help but think it deserved a little more shine.
#5: “Hacks” (2021-)
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The show may be called “Hacks,” but its writers are anything but. The dramedy series stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder as two comedians thrust into an unexpected working relationship in spite of their generational differences. Although the pair initially butt heads, they slowly come to realize that they have a lot to learn from each other, and their comedy can reach new heights when they work together. Yes, the show has received several Emmy nominations — and a few wins — but it has somehow missed the boat on receiving the appropriate fanfare. At once a hilarious comedy, moving drama, and high point in LGBTQ+ representation on television, don’t miss out on “Hacks.”
#4: “Insecure” (2016-21)
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Based in part on Issa Rae’s award-winning web series “Awkward Black Girl,” “Insecure” is a frank and funny look at life as a Black woman. While Rae’s expert sense of humor is what draws most people in, the series is also notable for its complex characters. The fictionalized version of Issa makes mistakes just as any normal person would and has her share of flaws. These ups and downs are given real dramatic weight alongside the laughter. The journey of her relationship with Yvonne Orjii’s Molly Carter also stands out as a high point throughout the series.
#3: “Search Party” (2016-22)
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Do you love a good mystery? Are you captivated by courtroom comedies? Is unexpected horror your favorite kind of plot twist? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time you checked out “Search Party.” This millennial dark comedy was a victim of circumstance, beginning life on TBS and then suffering an almost three year pause before relocating to HBO Max. It’s a show unafraid to take big swings, frequently switching up its tone and genre with surprising ease. Alia Shawkat gives a powerhouse performance in the leading role, portraying an often intensely dramatic character alongside a cast of hilarious co-stars. Plus, the show’s talented crop of guest stars aren’t half bad either.
#2: “For All Mankind” (2019-)
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What if the Soviet Union landed on the moon first, and the space race never ended? This is the question at the heart of “For All Mankind,” which explores an alternate reality with an original cast of characters based loosely on real astronauts and engineers. It’s a strange experience to watch real world situations — and even presidential speeches — be turned on their head to fit the reality of this new world. But that subversion is also the very thing that makes “For All Mankind” so interesting. The audience can only guess where it’s headed next, and its unpredictability is as exciting as it is thought-provoking.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“The Affair” (2014-19)
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A Harrowing Relationship Drama with an Ever-Shifting Point of View
“The Get Down” (2016-17)
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Baz Luhrmann’s Disco & Hip-Hop Musical Was Taken from Us Far Too Soon
“Dead to Me” (2019-22)
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Sometimes Tragedy Is the Start of a Beautiful Friendship
“High Maintenance” (2016-20)
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Who Knew a Show about a Weed Dealer Could Be So Poignant?
“The Afterparty” (2022-23)
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A Hilarious Whodunit with Serious Style from Creator Christopher Miller
#1: “Killing Eve” (2018-22)
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We should consider ourselves lucky to live in a world with a homoerotic spy thriller written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and starring Sandra Oh. So why is it that “Killing Eve” never really got the acclaim it deserved? Sure, Jodie Comer won an Emmy in 2019, but every other Emmy the series nominated for was lost — even during its acclaimed first season. Maybe it was its network, or perhaps its unabashed commitment to its uniquely complicated female leads. No matter the reason, the show is definitely one worth watching for any fan of the genre. And, yes, we know the ending didn’t go over well with the show’s dedicated fanbase. But ultimately with “Killing Eve” it’s about the journey more than the destination.
