We are halfway through the2020s(crazy, I know), and there have been plenty of shows that have moved us, made us laugh, orleft a permanent mark on us. Withstreamerscreating more content than ever, there are manymediocre shows, but there are a handful of the greatest shows. However, with such a large output, there are excellent series that get lost in the shuffle.
Being unnoticed, though, doesn’t detract from their quality; they become underrated hidden gems that most people have never heard of.A lucky few attractcult followings, but many more are largely overlooked. Thankfully, if we all band together and share our hidden gems, we can help shine a spotlight on them.
7‘Extraordinary’ (2023 – 2024)
Premiering onHuluandDisney’s Star+internationally,the British comedyis an excellent choice for lovers and haters of superhero shows. InExtraordinary’sworld, every person gains superpowers at the age of 18. Unfortunately, Jen is in her mid-20s and still hasn’t developed her abilities. The ensemble cast, including a character named Jizzlord, is as bizarre as they are lovable.Derry Girls’Siobhán McSweeneyplays Jen’s hilarious mother.
While a series about superheroes could feel intangible,Extraordinarydoes the extraordinary and keeps the show grounded.And while thesuperheromarket is extremely oversaturated, this series can stand out with fresh storylines and strongcomedy writing.However, despite its positive critical reception, the show was short-lived and was canceled after only two seasons.
6‘Outrageous’ (2025)
Have you ever heard ofthe Mitford sisters? There are six sisters part of this British aristocratic family. They were famous, or in some cases, infamous in Britain. Over the years, they have appeared in pop culture, and most recently, a new drama series has been released on the British streaming platform,Britbox. The cast is splendid and includesBessie Carter, who is most well-known for her role inBridgerton, but is also the daughter ofImelda StauntonandJim Carter.
Outrageousfollows the Mitford family in the chaotic1930s. The six episodes are filled with scandal, nazism, communism, betrayal, romance, and you may’t finish the series unfazed.However, despite covering heavy topics,Outrageousmanages to have you smiling and laughing as you watch the chemistry between the sisters and the ensemble cast. And before you know it, the series shifts to truly horrifying retellings of what some of these sisters were infamous for.
5‘Big Boys’ (2022 – 2025)
Comedian and writerJack Rookefound his life entertaining enough to create a series inspired by it,Big Boys. Airing in the UK on Channel 4, it aired for three six-episode seasons. StarringDerry Girls’Dylan Llewellynas Jack, the eighteen episodes pack a punch with loads of laughs and plenty of tears. The sitcom has a relatively simple premise – Jack’s father just passed away, he’s in the closet, and he’s off to his first year of university.
The series unpacks the grief, shame, and exploration in a hilarious, awkward, and brutal way.When you’re not cringing from Jack’s latest attempt at flirting, you are falling in love with the strong ensemble cast of family and chosen family.Beyond this, the series also portrays a beautiful bromance between Dylan’s character andJon Pointing, who plays the 25-year-old student and roommate, Danny.
4‘Trying’ (2020 – Present)
Apple TV+does not output as many series as other streamers, but many of the few they do release are standout successes. British comedyTryingis as hilarious as it is heartwarming. Following the sweetest and most wholesome couple,Nikki and Jason, we watch as they struggle with having a child and their adoption process.Over four seasons and 32 episodes, it’s hard not to grow attached to their journey, their wins, and their losses.
With the help of a time jump,Tryingallows the audience to see how their lives unfold, and the romantic and comedic chemistry between the two leads,Esther SmithandRafe Spall, is undeniable.It’s not surprising that they became a couple in real life and welcomed their own child in 2024.Despite having a heavy topic, the series is mostly hilarious and has a brilliant supporting cast.
3‘This Is Going to Hurt’ (2022)
This Is Going to Hurtis based on the memoir byAdam Kay. The Britishmedical dramedywas aminiserieswritten by the author himself. In a similar vein toThe Pitt,Kay wanted to depict the stressful careers of working in medicine. StarringEmmy-winningBen Whishawas Adam,the series has the protagonist break the fourth wall and speak to the camera throughout the medical miniseries.
Before reaching fame thanks toOne Day,Ambika Modstarred in this series alongside Whishaw in her first major television role. Just likeThe Pitt, if you’re looking for a calm and relaxing show, this isn’t it. However, whileThe Pittis primarily amedical drama,This Is Going to Hurtis a (extremely) dark comedy mixed with drama. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth all the highs and lows.
2‘Pantheon’ (2022 – 2023)
Pantheonis a dream for science fiction fans. It’s anadult-animatedsci-fi seriessurrounding the future of technology, AI, and the hypothetical point of singularity. Based on short stories byKen Liu,Pantheonreceived a two-season order fromAMC+.However, after just one season of the hour-long animated series,AMC dropped the seriesand Amazon Prime released the second season instead.The voice cast is stacked and includes stars likePaul Dano,Aaron Eckhart,Daniel Dae Kim, andTaylor Schilling.
The series follows Maddie Kim, a young teenager who has lost her father, moved to a new town, and is being bullied. However, she soon receives a message from a mysterious online persona. The entire series surrounds the concept ofuploaded intelligence– the idea of scanning and transferring a person’s brain to the “cloud.” The series is anything but predictable.
1‘Boy Swallows Universe’ (2024)
Based onTrent Dalton’ssemi-autobiographical book of the same name,Boy Swallows Universeis a masterpiece of a series. The show received rave reviews from critics and audiences, and earned itself a record 10 Logie Award nominations, the Australian equivalent of the Emmys. TheAustralian dramahas an incredible ensemble cast, featuring superb work byPhoebe Tonkinand a powerful and complex performance by child actorFelix Cameron.If you want to watch a series that has standout acting, a great story, and will leave you speechless,Boy Swallows Universewon’t disappoint.
At the heart of the story is Eli and his family, which is complicated – he has a mute brother, a mother struggling with addiction, a drug-dealer stepfather, and an absent father. These boys have experienced trauma beyond belief, but throughout the series, there’s a maintained feeling of childish optimism and naivety, which is hard to capture.
