I'm a TV writer and these are Netflix's biggest hidden gems that deserve more attention
Every week, dozens of new films and series from around the globe are added, creating a fresh buzz. Consequently, some titles may not receive as much attention as they deserve, even though they might eventually become hidden gems.
As a TV writer, my job essentially involves watching television. Therefore, I need to stay on top of current trends, monitor what's climbing the Netflix charts, and understand what audiences are focusing on.
However, there are a few titles that
I believe warrant more attention.
Here are my top three recommendations for overlooked Netflix hidden gems.
Mindhunter is one of the best Netflix original series
(Image: Netflix)
Mindhunter
You've likely heard quite a few people discuss this one. This crime thriller ranks 16th on IMDB's top 100 list of Netflix originals.
The show was created by writer Joe Penhall, with renowned filmmaker David Fincher serving as the showrunner and director of several episodes.
The series narrates the story of FBI Agents who are investigating and profiling serial killers for the first time, drawing inspiration from real-life events. With an almost perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, it is undoubtedly one of the best Netflix originals ever produced.
Regrettably, since the release of its second season in 2019, the future of the show appears uncertain. Initially, Netflix indicated that a third season was doubtful as Fincher was engaged with other projects, which turned out to be Netflix films Mank and The Killer. By 2023, the company essentially confirmed the show would not be returning.
However, cast members like Holt McCallany have expressed their hopes for a potential revival of the series. Therefore, it merits inclusion on this list because the more Netflix fans discuss and rediscover the series, the greater the likelihood it receives the finale it deserves.
Mindhunter is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
I Think You Should Leave needs to be seen to know what it's really all about
(Image: Netflix)
I Think You Should Lea
ve with Tim Robinson
This is an easy recommendation for anyone seeking something fresh to watch on Netflix, particularly if they're weary of true crime documentaries and thriller series. Even if someone has only sampled it, seen a clip, or tried part of the first episode and wasn't quite sure... give it another shot.
This is likely my most frequently revisited Netflix series ever. The fact that episodes are relatively short, around 15 minutes each, certainly helps. The challenge lies in preparing viewers for what awaits them.
In simple terms, it's a sketch show from comedian Tim Robinson, a former writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, and produced by The Lonely Island. When I Think You Should Leave debuted on Netflix, it felt as though Robinson had almost singlehandedly revived the sketch series format.
Netflix describes the show as a humorous take on life's most peculiar and everyday situations. Robinson, along with some of his celebrity pals, tackle awkward office politics, stage an intervention in a Garfield-themed house, and even talk their way out of a fabricated hit-and-run by a babysitter - and that's just one season.
The show has since produced three seasons, and while Robinson is slated to star in a comedy film alongside Paul Rudd, fans are hopeful he'll return for more episodes. If you're currently enjoying Tom Segura's Bad Thoughts, I Think You Should Leave is definitely worth a watch. It can be equally dark, but it's smarter and relies less on pure innuendo for its punchlines.
I won't claim that the humor in the show will appeal to everyone - it won't. But it's surprising that more people aren't adopting phrases like 'shirt brother', complaining about not being able to skip lunch, or admitting they're just there for the zipline (if you know, you know).
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is available for streaming on Netflix.
Lilyhammer is like The Sopranos meets a Nordic drama
(Image: Netflix)
Lilyhammer
There's been some debate over whether Lilyhammer was actually Netflix's first original series. A quick Google search might suggest House of Cards holds that title, but this crime-comedy-drama actually predates the political thriller.
Its release close to House of Cards means that most people probably only heard chatter about the latter and not Lilyhammer. The latter premiered in 2012 and was touted as the first time Netflix offered exclusive content.
Lilyhammer is a unique blend of The Sopranos and Nordic crime drama. Steven Van Zandt, known for his role as Silvio Dante in the HBO sensation, stars as Frank Tagliano, a former New York mobster attempting to start afresh in a secluded Norwegian town after ratting out his mafia boss back home.
Despite many fans likening the show to a mashup of Goodfellas and Norsemen, it's surprising that it isn't more frequently hailed as a Netflix classic. Those who have watched it often express a higher regard for the series than its 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes might imply.
Lilyhammer is streaming on Netflix.
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