People often mean different eras when they talk about “TV’s golden age,” but what the ambiguous phrase almost always has in common is that it rarely references the hidden gems produced during the years in question. In the 21st century in particular, the boom in TV shows being made — especially since the advent of streaming — has resulted in many projects going under the radar when they deserved to be much bigger hits and leave more of an enduring legacy.
So, those TV shows must be given the chance they need to shine. Aiming the spotlight on them can pull them out of the dense industry landscape and allow them to be enjoyed for the underrated works of art that they are. Just because they’re not mentioned as much as many of their contemporaries doesn’t mean they’re not also amazing. For every Stranger Things and Game of Thrones, there are countless other shows that don’t come recommended anywhere near enough. Everything on this list deserves a shot, regardless of genre preferences.
8
‘Foundation’ (2021-)
Streaming on: Apple TV
Apple TV’s most famous shows, like Ted Lasso, steal most of the focus from other projects hosted on the platform. Foundation is one of the biggest snubs when it comes to its public profile. An incredibly ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic literary space opera, Foundation comes with glorious visuals, a compellingly vast timeline, and a stellar cast that brings the story to life in a way that feels tangibly vivid. Considering Foundation Season 4 is on the way in the next couple of years, it’s surprising it hasn’t found an audience beyond its cult following of hardcore sci-fi fans.
7
‘The Diplomat’ (2023-)
Streaming on: Netflix
Primarily filmed in the UK, The Diplomat is a US political thriller that’s a standout in its genre. While it can be easy sometimes to dismiss shows like this for their pre-conceived similarities to their peers, The Diplomat deserves the chance to prove why it has something very special. The high-stakes storylines are often approached with slick nonchalance — right up until it’s actually time to enter crisis mode. Netflix has never been hesitant to renew the show to date, and Season 4 is on the way. Led by The Americans star Keri Russell, The Diplomat‘s cast adds an impressive air of authenticity to proceedings that’s accessible to those who aren’t that politically minded.
6
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010-2015)
Streaming on: HBO Max
All five seasons of Boardwalk Empire were kick-started when movie legend Martin Scorsese directed the 2010 pilot episode. The iconic director set a high-budget tone for the gangster show that went on to define the dramatic crime saga. Despite Boardwalk Empire‘s connection to one of the biggest names in cinematic history, the show quickly fell from the public eye after its 2015 finale. The semi-biographical account of prohibition-era America is a heck of a ride, begging the question of why those who’ve seen it don’t seem all that eager to recommend it to anyone who’ll listen.
5
‘Yellowjackets’ (2021-)
Streaming on: Paramount+
Yellowjackets‘ innovative approach to storytelling makes it seem especially unfair that it isn’t more widely enjoyed. The show focuses on a girls’ soccer team crashing in the wilderness, and those who survive venture from the plane’s wreckage and try desperately to survive in the middle of nowhere. However, its two biggest selling points are getting to see how the main characters were each impacted by the events in the present day, with the wilderness scenes also slowly revealing the dark goings-on via flashback. There’s also an underlying possibility of supernatural elements. Different viewers have various theories regarding that, but it’s part of the experience to wonder. Season 4 has been greenlit and will conclude the story.
4
‘Moon Knight’ (2022)
Streaming on: Disney+
It’s often understandable why MCU fans won’t recommend a show set within the beloved cinematic universe. For starters, fans will often rush to watch them, so there’s no real need to suggest it as an option. However, there’s also a general understanding that MCU shows can require extensive homework going in. Because they commonly add to the story taking place in the movies, those who haven’t otherwise explored the MCU probably wouldn’t be able to follow the shows. Moon Knight is different, though. There aren’t any notable references to any other MCU project. The mythological superhero epic can be watched in isolation from everything else and fully enjoyed. At just one season long, it’s also an easy binge-watch.
3
A Man on the Inside (2024-)
Streaming on: Netflix
Michael Schur has a great track record with sitcoms. Shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine all have Schur to thank for their creation and success. The showrunner pretty much only makes hits, which is why A Man on the Inside not shooting immediately to prominence is a little confusing. It’s just as good as the showrunner’s previous efforts. In some ways, it’s even better. Ted Danson shines as Charles, leading A Man on the Inside‘s star-studded cast through spy-esque adventures with as much comedy as they have heart. Sadly, the show is just kind of existing, as it massively deserves more attention.
2
‘Resident Alien’ (2021-2025)
Streaming on: Peacock, Netflix
Resident Alien had to fight for renewal between each of its four seasons. However, that shouldn’t be taken as a sign of its quality. Despite Alan Tudyk leading the show as Harry Vanderspeigle and a supporting cast rich with chemistry, Resident Alien always struggled to become more than a cult hit. Its shift from Syfy after Season 3 saved it from ending on a cliffhanger, and USA Network allowed it to make one more batch of episodes to give the show a satisfying ending. Its irreverent humor lulls audiences into a sense of lighthearted fun before dousing events in tear-jerking emotion. It’s definitely worth checking out.
1
‘Gotham’ (2014-2019)
Streaming on: N/A (For Now)
Gotham recently left HBO Max and has yet to find a new streaming platform to call home. Currently, the only real option is to own the DVD boxsets, but it could also return to streaming at some point in the future. However, the wait will be worth it. The show serves as a prequel to no Batman project in particular. It hasn’t ever been continued into the “main” Batman era, so it serves as its own self-contained storyline set within its own version of Gotham. It’s basically an origin story for villains like the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), the Riddler (Corey Michael Smith), and an obvious legal workaround of the Joker (Cameron Monaghan).
Gotham features a young Bruce Wayne after the death of his parents, but the show’s primary focus is on insisting it’s a gritty buddy cop show in the years before Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) became commissioner. The show certainly has its critics, but they’re largely existing Batman fans who like their Dark Knight stories told in a very specific way. When treated as its own entity, Gotham is a fantastic five-season project that offers a unique take on one of the comic book genre’s most iconic settings.
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