TV Series That are Highly Underrated According to The Fade Out
Since March of this year I’ve been working from home, which has been great because it means I have more time at home and not dealing with traffic and a rough commute every weekday. More time means getting time to work on my hobbies as well as find some underrated or under-appreciated movies and series. When I say underrated or under-appreciated I mean shows you can bring up in a normal conversation and very few people have actually seen them. So, maybe it’s more that they are hidden gems rather than underrated but nonetheless we can’t forget these great shows when we compare them to the more widely known series from Game of Thrones to Mad Men to Peaky Blinders.
As I worked through this list and did a little research I came to the conclusion that this list, well majority of this list, focuses on shows from back in the day and from what I can remember of those days not many people were watching the shows I was watching. With streaming becoming more popular in the 2010s I can see why some of the series might have been overlooked but fear not – they can be found and watched today! Here are the Top 10 picks I’ve come up with and also added a few honorable mentions that are still very bingeworthy.
10. Shameless (2011 – )
First up on the list is a series that I think is/was somewhat popular and received generally decent reviews but I still feel it is highly under-appreciated/underrated. Shameless is an adaptation of Paul Abbott’s British series of the same name and in my opinion a much better adaptation. The story depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy), a neglectful single father of 6. He spends his days drunk or in search of misadventures, and his children learn to take care of themselves or more importantly have Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum), the eldest of the Gallagher kids, navigate the troubles of taking care of 5 kids in the South Side of Chicago. I will say that I did stop watching once Fiona left the show after Season 9 back in March 2019. For me she was the star lead the series needed and I was pretty bummed when I found out her character wasn’t returning for Season 10. But the 9 seasons I did watch were entertaining and I did enjoy the storylines of all the characters but Emmy was a big pull into watching the series for me.
All 10 Seasons are streaming now on Netflix & Showtime
9. The Deuce (2017-2019)
I can’t remember how I stumbled across the HBO series The Deuce and it is definitely a series that is underrated but it isn’t for everyone. The story takes place in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s and centers around the Golden Age of Porn, the legalization and rise of the porn industry in NYC that began in the 1970s. Most of the series focuses on twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino (James Franco), who own a series of businesses that become fronts for the Mafia while operating out of Times Square, and Eileen “Candy” Merrell (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who is a street-level prostitute who exits the dangers of the street by entering the now-legal emerging porn industry as an actress and director. I really enjoyed the balancing of a character-driven narrative with a wide-angle view of the social/economic, political, cultural, sexual, and gendered dynamics of the era. With an amazing performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal this is a must watch (for some)!
All 3 Seasons are streaming now on HBO Max
8. Party Down (2009-2010)
Before he was on Parks and Recreation, Adam Scott starred in the Starz series called Party Down. Having only 2 seasons and supposedly losing Adam Scott to Parks and Recreation, Party Down follows a group of caterers in Los Angeles as they hope to make it in Hollywood. Each episode finds the team working a new event, and inevitably getting tangled up with the colorful, affluent guests and their absurd lives while giving a witty and sarcastic look at life in LA. For those obsessed with Veronica Mars, the Rob Thomas-Paul Rudd hybrid Party Down almost acts like a cousin, featuring several of the same cast members. It is an easy and funny watch to add to the list!
Both Seasons are streaming now on Starz
7. Broadchurch (2013-2017)
Broadchurch is a British serial crime drama TV series that is set in Broadchurch, a fictional English town in Dorset, and focuses on police detectives DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman). I feel if I lived in the UK I would have heard of this series earlier but thankfully it was added to Netflix for us outside the UK to enjoy the greatness of Broadchurch. Each of the 3 series (or seasons) work so well together and I truly enjoyed the show’s writing, cinematography and character development, not to mention great performances by Tennant and Colman. It should definitely be added to the list if you like crime dramas.
All 3 Seasons are streaming now on Netflix
6. Derry Girls (2018 – )
After visiting Ireland for a second time late last year, I realized how much I loved the people and the culture more and more so I went on a journey to find shows that take place in Ireland and that is when I found Derry Girls. It is a dark comedy British sitcom that focuses on Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland), their friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan) and Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), and Michelle’s English cousin James (Dylan Llewellyn) as they navigate their teen years during the end of the Troubles in Derry (Northern Ireland), where they all attend a Catholic girls’ secondary school. I found the humor similar to that of the Netflix series Sex Education but not as well…sexual. Derry Girls is cast brilliant and an extremely witty and charming series that is a must watch.
Both Seasons are streaming now on Netflix
5. Hannibal (2013-2015)
This is one I’ve started watching on-and-off recently. Hannibal is a psychological horror-thriller TV series based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris’ novels Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising with focus on the relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham’s most cunning enemy and, at the same time, the only person who can truly understand him. While the series was canceled by NBC after 3 seasons due to low viewership, the series is still something worth watching. From the great performances to the incredible visual style Hannibal should be added to the list especially if you like the psychological/horror genre.
All 3 Seasons are streaming now on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
4. Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009)
While I absolutely loved Flight of the Conchords I will say it isn’t for everyone. It is a sitcom series that follows the adventures of Flight of the Conchords, a two-man band from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The series stars the real-life duo of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, who play fictionalized versions of themselves. I mean that in itself shows how funny this series is and I am surprised more people haven’t watched it. While I wish they would have continued on to make another season, the 2 that were made are pure gold. I’d highly recommend stopping what you’re doing and added this to your watchlist.
Both Seasons are streaming now on HBO Max
3. Pushing Daises (2007-2009)
Yet another great one from the late 2000s! There are so many underrated/under-appreciated series from this decade and Pushing Daises is one of them. Surprisingly enough this is the second on the list created by Bryan Fuller (who also created Hannibal). Pushing Daises is a fantasy mystery comedy-drama series that centers around Ned (Lee Pace), a pie-maker with the ability to bring dead things back to life with his touch, an ability that comes with stipulations. Together with his formerly deceased childhood crush Chuck (Anna Friel), private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) and co-worker Olive (Kristin Chenoweth), Ned uses his abilities to solve murder cases. This is a series that was canceled too soon and definitely deserves a watch if you haven’t seen it yet. The visuals, quirky characters, and grotesque situations give you all the greats of an amazing TV series.
Both Seasons are only available for renting/purchase (sadly)
2. Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)
Cowboy Bebop takes second place on this list. It is a Japanese science-fiction anime series that follows the lives of a bounty hunter crew traveling in their spaceship called the Bebop. It originally aired in 1998 but it wasn’t until 2001 when it came to the US and it was the first anime title to premiere on Adult Swim. While it covered a wide range of genres throughout its run, Cowboy Bebop draws most heavily from the sci-fi genre, western and noir films, and its most recurring thematic focal points include boredom, loneliness and the difficulties of trying to escape one’s past. While it might not be under-appreciated in the anime/cinephile community I do believe it is highly under-noticed when it comes to the general public.
All 26 Volumes/Episodes are streaming now on Hulu
1. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
I can’t believe more people haven’t seen/heard of this show! Honestly. Freaks and Geeks might be the best forgotten show of the late 90s / early 2000s. I say forgotten mostly because it is next to impossible to find anywhere online to stream the series’ one season for free. The series follows gifted high schooler Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), who befriends a gang of slacker “freaks”, and her younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley), as he and his geek friends navigate high school. It had an incredible cast and launched a number of careers it also had numerous guest stars/cameo appearances including Bill Stiller and Jason Schwartzman. This is a series you need to watch immediately and even if you’ve seen it…watch it again.
Only available for purchase online (sadly)
Honorable Mentions
These are a few series that just didn’t quite make the cut but are still highly recommended according to The Fade Out.
The Affair (2014-2019)
The first few seasons of the Showtime series The Affair were excellent! I really enjoyed how the episodes were often separated into two parts, with each half being told from the point-of-view of a specific character. While some of the differences recalling a certain situation were so drastic, I think it really captures how different people’s perspectives might be (within reason). The Affair explores the emotional effects of an extramarital relationship between Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson) after they casually meet at the diner where Alison works while Noah is on vacation with his family. For me, the last season was a bit far-reaching with some of the narrative choices but I truly enjoyed the drama of all 5 seasons.
All 5 Seasons are streaming now on Showtime
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012-2013)
I might stand alone on this but I really did enjoy watching Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23. The series focuses on June (Dreama Walker) as she moves from Indiana to New York City to pursue her dream job—until she finds out that it no longer exists. She moves in with Chloe (Krysten Ritter), an irresponsible party girl who searches for roommates by asking for rent up front and then behaving outrageously until they leave. June however, proves to be harder to drive away, and they end up forming an unlikely friendship. I think the witty dialogue and great performance by Krysten Ritter makes this a series a must watch.
Both Seasons are streaming now on Hulu
Taboo (2017 – )
If you enjoy Tom Hardy at all as an actor you’ll like this hidden gem. Taboo is currently (second season has been confirmed) an eight-episode series, set in 1814, beginning with James Delaney (Tom Hardy) returning to England after 12 years in Africa with 14 stolen diamonds, following the death of his father and as the war with the US is nearing its end. The series explores the dark and gritty side of London in 19th century, along with political and business corruption, gangs, the misery of the working class and the increase in wealth of the rich. Definitely one you should add to the list!
All 8 episodes are streaming now on FX on Hulu
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