Hidden gems on Netflix - any recommendations?

[IwantToRetire]

I've been given Netflix as part of a package deal, for 2 years.

Finding it hard to navigate as at best they just give a short sentence as to what a series is about.

So apart from the well known "hits", does anyone have any recommendations. Equally interested in films as series.

I have a bit of a humour bypass, so dont often "get" what others find funny. A bit sad I know.

But like SciFi whether Ann Droid or the Silo, but not if they are horror films masquerading as SciFi.

Often like historical whether Wolf Hall or the cheesy Gilded Age.

Have probably watched too many crime dramas to get really excited, but there must be, well might be, series as good as Happy Valley, Blue Lights. (Not too good on gore and guts.)

And spies and political intrigue can be good.

Also have found some true live stories really intriguing.

So far I have added The Diplomat to my watch list because I have seen others on MN recommend it.

Any others?

Thanks, for anyone who has the time to make suggestions.

Three Body Problem, brilliant sci fi, Maid girlie but good, Madame Diplomat, the Morning Show. Ludwig on BBC1 good too.

Can I give one big collective thank you at this point.

So looks like there is quite a range of programmes I now have access to.

Will be back to check on any further suggestions, and hope others will find this useful.

Person of Interest. Sci fi ish, about a man who creates an AI surveillance system that can detect when a person is about to commit a violent crime or be a victim of one, and how it develops over time. Feels very Black Mirror now but it was made 15 years ago! Very eerie how normal it feels through 2026 eyes.

Inventing Anna

Unorthodox, Wednesday, Inventing Anna, Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, and Dear Child (dark, but morbidly interesting, and the book even more so!) are all excellent.

Maid

Yes very good.

Fauda is good too

Where do I start!!! The rookie, firefly lane, parenthood, Ozark, breaking bad and better call Saul, the good doctor, voicemails to Isabelle and so much more!

If you want tv series then Everwood or The Resident are good. Both start Emily VanCamp.

The Life List
I Will Find You
The Life of Chuck (bonus that it stars Tom Hiddleston)

A couple of easy watching films
Champagne Problems (sort of like a Christmas movie in spirit but set in the wine industry)

My Oxford Year

Both of these are of a type so don't expect Citizen Cane but I enjoyed them both so would recommend if that style is your cup of tea.

these are series
Call my agent - french
breaking bad
Legends
Bonus family
Top Boy
Black Mirror
Adolescence
Toxic Town
Fisk
Ripley
Blood Line
Dept Q
The Queen's Gambit
Derry Girls
One Day
After Life
Sex Education

‘Dark’ is fantastic. It’s German with subtitles, but if you can get on board with that it’s great.

No spoilers but it starts as a mystery of a child going missing, time travel is involved so there’s different years and future stuff (done really well) and the casting for the younger/present day/future characters is insanely good.

Because of the subtitles and the complexity of the plot you need to watch it ‘properly’ but it well worth it.

Looks like my 2 years free want to long enough!

Really like the variety of having both films and series, and lightweight to just relax as cant spend every evening getting tense, and sometime upset.

Although I wouldn't say I have seen all, most of the shows that have been on terrestrial tv I have seen, so really good to find so many others.

And I will be adding the new East of Eden starting next week I think.

Although will be stepping back from Netflix on Tuesday to watch Blue Lights on BBC. Or stream if possible.

The west wing isn’t on Netflix.

It is in the US.

There are a lot of great Korean dramas on Netflix. Crash Landing On You and Reply 1988 are fantastic.

Afterlife is great.

I liked the Queens Gambit because nothing bad or too traumatic happened.

And maybe Netflix France or Netflix Azerbaijan or… The presumption unless rated otherwise is this is UK based forum. It’s not available on Netflix UK.

Shitts Creek

I know you said you may not be into another crime show but I think these are hidden gems:

The Sinner — it is an intelligent crime series that questions perspective. Stars Bill Pullman.

River - another worthwhile crime drama with Nicola Walker and Stellan Skarsgard.

Fauda. I didn’t think I would like it from the thumbprint but a friend highly recommended it and it’s compelling

The Queens Gambit, don't let the fact it's about chess put you off as it's superb. I watched it a 2 or 3 times.

Then watch something else.

Oh yes loved Legends and The Gentlemen was pretty good.