Hundreds of new TV shows come out in any given year. Some resonate with audiences and are instant favorites, while others fall short and don’t live up to the hype. However, there are sometimes shows that are good but, for one reason or another, they never got the attention they deserved.
Nothing is more frustrating than investing in a good show and eagerly awaiting its next season, only to hear that the show was canceled. Then, you’re left with all your unanswered questions about the show and an unsatisfying ending. Thankfully, some reboots have tried to capitalize on the cult fame of many of these shows, with everything from Arrested Development to Longmire getting their own revivals through streaming services after their untimely demise on network television.
Sadly, many good shows remain underrated and still haven’t gotten the fame they deserved, resulting in unsatisfying endings from sudden cancelations and no reboots on the horizon. Regardless, they are still worth the watch even if they never got their grand finale.
Updated Dec. 21, 2023: This article has been updated with even more information about the most underrated TV shows of all time.
10 Utopia (2013 – 2014)
Originating from the British Isles, Utopia is a distinctive masterpiece penned by esteemed writer Dennis Kelly. The series originally debuted in 2013 on Channel 4, lasting for a total of two seasons across 12 episodes. The story presents an enthralling narrative revolving around a group of individuals who get their hands on a supposedly-prophetic graphic novel, The Utopia Experiments. They soon realize that the intrigue surrounding the novel is absolutely warranted, as it reliably predicts global catastrophes. Unfortunately, this discovery draws the attention of “The Network,” a secret organization who will stop at nothing to retrieve the novel.
Utopia Was More Than Just Unique
The unique cinematography of Utopia sets it apart — striking colors juxtaposed with bleak, austere backdrops, crafting an eerie yet visually striking ambiance. Paired with a compelling plot revolving around state conspiracies and biological warfare, the series maintained the viewers’ attention from commencement to conclusion. Utopia received praise from critics for its audacious storytelling and visual aesthetics.
Unfortunately, Utopia may have been a victim of circumstance. Though reception was positive overall, Utopia‘s depictions of violence were a common source of critique, especially as it started to implement real-life events into its narrative. An American version of the series premiered more than seven years after the British original on Prime Video only a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, only to be swiftly canceled thereafter. It was a real shame. Utopia truly had a lot to offer in terms of storytelling and unique cinematography. It’s an underrated British masterpiece you should watch whenever you can. Stream Utopia on Prime Video.
9 Party Down (2009 – Present)
An American gem, Party Down is a disregarded treasure developed by the ingenious quartet of John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, and Paul Rudd. The comedic series showcased a peculiar ensemble of Hollywood aspirants employed by a Los Angeles-based catering service, delivering humor and satirical reflections on the entertainment industry. It felt like The Office for hospitality workers, in a way.
Recognized for its incisive humor and memorable characters, Party Down was brought to life by a remarkable cast that featured the likes of Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, and Lizzy Caplan. The unique comedic perspective on the Hollywood dream was acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. At least, it was acclaimed by the audiences and critics that actually watched Party Down.
Party Down Wasn’t Widely Popular
Frankly, it’s a miracle that the series got a third season revival in 2023, more than a decade after it originally concluded on Starz. Adam Scott and Jane Lynch were famously attached to Parks and Recreation and Glee during the show’s initial production, and knowing how poorly the series was doing in terms of ratings, you could understand why they opted to originally move on from it. Despite possessing a loyal fanbase, the series failed to capture widespread attention, thereby reinforcing its status as an undervalued classic. However, its standing as an unappreciated titan in television comedy remains unchallenged. Stream Party Down on Starz.
8 Fringe (2008 – 2013)
Fringe
- Release Date
- September 9, 2008
- Seasons
- 5
Fringe, an ingenious science fiction series, was the product of acclaimed creators J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. Debuting in 2008, the series ventured into the strange and inexplicable through the perspective of an unusual FBI team. This team investigates a range of “Fringe” incidents, events, and phenomena, questioning the boundaries of reality and belief. Anna Torv, John Noble, and Joshua Jackson made up a portion of the main cast, with additional performances provided by Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Jasika Nicole, and Seth Gabel.
With its pioneering plot devices, Fringe shattered conventional storytelling norms. The show’s unwavering fanbase lauded its audacious narrative, originally starting as an episodic series before gradually shifting into a serialized story. The inclusion of surreal elements, such as parallel universes and time travel, frequently propelled the series beyond the realms of creativity.
Fringe Didn’t Make the Ratings
Despite its merits, Fringe faced challenges penetrating mainstream popularity. You could chalk it up to the time slot the series was placed in, its comparatively weak first season, or its competition against shows like Supernatural. Nonetheless, owing to a passionate fanbase, it remains a riveting and undervalued sci-fi spectacle, earning a pair of Emmy nominations for Outstanding Special Visual Effects and Outstanding Sound Editing in a Series. Stream Fringe on Max.
7 Hannibal (2013 – 2015)
Hannibal
- Release Date
- April 4, 2013
- Seasons
- 3
Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal, an adaptation of Thomas Harris’s infamous novels, originally aired from 2013 to 2015. It illustrated the bone-chilling rapport between FBI special investigator Will Graham and his mentor, the deceptively sophisticated and cannibalistic psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen played the roles of Will and Hannibal, respectively, with additional performances provided by Laurence Fishburne, Scott Thompson, and Hettienne Park.
Although the series featured a suspenseful narrative that kept viewers glued to their screens, it didn’t gain substantial traction. Its graphic content was certainly shocking for the time, especially on NBC, and its overall ratings would gradually dip with each successive season. That being said, general reviews actually trended upward as the series went on.
Hannibal Deserves Another Chance
Hannibal was praised among horror enthusiasts for its eerily beautiful visuals, comprehensive character development, and its atmospheric storytelling. The characters were complex and thoroughly explored, with the series’ aesthetics alternating between captivating allure and stark horror. The show merged refined sophistication with absolute terror. Collectively, these elements elevate the series to the status of an overlooked television show worth exploring. There are more than enough reasons Hannibal should return, even if its just for one more season.
If you want an idea of what to expect from Hannibal, you can check out this brief from the series below. Stream Hannibal on AMC+ and Tubi.
6 Galavant (2015 – 2016)
Galavant
- Release Date
- January 4, 2015
- Seasons
- 2
Galavant features Joshua Sasse in the title role, as he embarks on an epic musical quest to save his one true love, Madalena (Mallory Jansen), from the clutches of the sinister King Richard (Timothy Omundson). However, when Galavant has his heart broken by Madalena, he rediscovers love when he is least expecting it. Vinnie Jones, Karen David, and Luke Youngblood are also attached to the main cast, with additional roles played by Sophie McShera and Stanley Townsend.
Galavant Filled a Musical Niche
Galavant was an odd combination of fantasy, action, melodrama, and musicals that was not readily embraced by audiences at the time. It was an acquired taste, so it’s easy to see why this show wasn’t a huge success. That’s not to say that it wasn’t worth watching, however. This medieval musical comedy is filled with catchy songs by award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, with the songs and the series itself being both cheesy and delightfully wonderful. It’s a series with a feel-good finale, which we’ve come to expect from similar shows in Galavant‘s niche. Stream Galavant on Hulu.
5 The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015 – 2017)
As you probably have guessed, The Frankenstein Chronicles is based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In this adaptation, Sean Bean plays investigator John Marlott, who makes a gruesome discovery. He finds the deceased body of a small child. Upon closer examination, he discovers that the “body” is composed of multiple different body parts in a morbid jigsaw puzzle. After beginning an investigation to discover the truth, Marlott may find himself in over his head as his own life is thrown into question. Along with Sean Bean, Tom Ward, Richie Campbell, Ed Stoppard, Vanessa Kirby, and Anna Maxwell Martin filled out the main cast.
The Frankenstein Chronicles Is Forgotten
As always, Sean Bean’s performance is top-notch in this period crime drama. The show is fast-paced and exciting, and its set and costume design submerges its viewers into the world of the 1800s. However, despite The Frankenstein Chronicles’ positive qualities, it only got two seasons. Though it drew some moderate attention when it originally aired, the series has since fallen by the wayside, with little if any recognition in the wider discussions of crime dramas. At the very least, it’ll have the distinction of being of the few television shows and films where Sean Bean doesn’t die. Stream The Frankenstein Chronicles on BritBox.
15 Underrated Crime Series You Can Watch on Netflix
They may not be the giants of crime shows on Netflix, but they are equally entertaining and deserving of more praise.
4 The Young Riders (1989 – 1992)
The Young Riders tells the story of six orphaned Pony Express riders as they navigate life in the Old West and brave the difficulties of life. The series originally debuted in 1989 before wrapping up in 1992, with a total of 68 episodes. Anthony Zerbe, Ty Miller, Stephen Baldwin, and Josh Brolin were notably attached to the cast, with the latter two portraying the iconic Western characters Buffalo Bill and “Wild Bill” Hickok, respectively. However, despite great acting and engaging episode plots, the series only lasted three seasons.
The Young Riders Rode Off Into the Sunset
Though The Young Riders initially debuted to low ratings, seasons two and three would up the ante in terms of viewership and critical reception, with its pristine cinematography being a notable highlight. Unfortunately, Westerns weren’t exactly the talk of the town in the early 1990s. Despite forging a modest following, The Young Riders ultimately failed to compete against the other offerings on television at the time. Stream The Young Riders on Freevee and The Roku Channel.
3 Dark (2017 – 2020)
Dark was Netflix’s first German original series. It follows several interconnecting families as they try to discover the truth behind a recent child’s disappearance in their hometown of Winden. If only things were so simple. Before long, the implementation of otherworldly phenomena and different time periods turns this missing persons case into a city-wide conspiracy, forcing its numerous residents to leave no stone unturned. It’s an incredible series that uses death and determinism to tell a great story.
While the show is German, it was incredibly popular with non-German viewers. The show was met with critical acclaim, scoring high across a plethora of review aggregates in addition to stirring up plenty of discussions online. The duo who created the series, Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, would later go on to create the short-lived Netflix series 1899, which was canceled only two months after its first season.
Dark Was an Incredible German Series
Despite all this, the show never really received the mainstream popularity it deserved and ended after just three seasons. Being an international series may have already put some viewers off, but the intricate plot connections and the extreme attention to detail laid out in its storytelling may have ultimately proven to be too much to handle for most. That being said, the show is still a masterpiece worth watching. Stream Dark on Netflix.
2 Cold Case (2003 – 2010)
Cold Case
- Release Date
- September 28, 2003
- Seasons
- 7
Cold Case is the longest-running show on this list, running for seven seasons from 2003 to 2010. While there is no shortage of crime and police procedural shows, Cold Case’s plot structure was different, as the team solved cold cases which had lain dormant for years. The show would open with a flashback of the past, showing the chain of events that would lead to a crime. It would then flash forward to the present day, when an inciting event would make the Cold Case Unit of Philadelphia reopen the case.
Throughout the show, viewers would see glances of flashbacks of suspects in their younger days, thus showing two timelines at once. The show was exciting, suspenseful, and featured wonderful chemistry between its two leads, Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino.
Cold Case Was Unfinished
Cold Case was canceled unexpectedly after seven seasons, and the show never got the proper ending it deserved. What’s even sadder is that its availability was originally far more limited, due to the series’ reliance on licensed music. Fortunately, the series lives on with its music intact on streaming. Stream Cold Case on Max.
1 Frontier (2016 – 2018)
Frontier
- Release Date
- 2017-00-00
- Seasons
- 3
Frontier comes in first on this list, as it’s probably the most underrated show on Netflix. As the name suggests, the series takes place in rural territory, but instead of the Wild West, we focus on the ongoing fur trade in colonial Canada. On paper, the show should have been a major success, as it featured Jason Momoa as its lead with a fast, action-filled plot filling its runtime.
The show follows the feud between Momoa’s character, Declan Harp, and Lord Archibald Benton (Alun Armstrong) of the Hudson’s Bay Company. While the first two seasons of the show were terrific, season three did lose some steam from the absence of one of the major characters, Captain Chesterfield, who was played by Evan Jonigkeit.
Frontier Deserved More
It’s a shame that Frontier only made it to three seasons with a total of 18 episodes, as it is utterly thrilling. Its setting was relatively unique for the time, its extended cast was certainly impressive, and its utilization of the Cree language introduced a wider audience to one of Canada’s largest First Nations. It was fun seeing Jason Momoa lead this terrific series, and we can only hope that it’ll either return in some capacity in the future, or that another series will attempt something similar. Stream Frontier on Netflix.
