15 most underrated TV Shows that you must not miss

Not every great TV show makes headlines or dominates awards season, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth watching. Some of the best stories on television fly under the radar, either because they lack big marketing campaigns or are overshadowed by more popular titles.

These underrated shows often deliver sharp writing, strong performances, and fresh ideas, yet they miss the spotlight. It’s easy to overlook them in the flood of new releases, but that’s exactly why they deserve a second look. Whether it’s a tense thriller, a clever comedy, or a drama that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll, these hidden gems bring something special to the table.

1) Patriot (2015–2018, Prime Video)

John Tavner is an intelligence officer tasked with stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. To keep his cover, he takes a job at a boring industrial piping company, but his plans constantly unravel due to bad luck and awkward situations. The show mixes espionage with workplace drama, blending absurd comedy and tragedy. Its dry humor and slow-burn plot didn’t appeal to everyone, and it lacked the promotion needed to stand out. Those who stuck with it, though, appreciated its weird charm and emotional depth. It’s a spy story that feels more human than most, making it worth watching.

2) Rectify (2013–2016, SundanceTV)

Daniel Holden is released from death row after 19 years when DNA evidence casts doubt on his conviction. The show focuses on his attempts to adjust to life outside prison while dealing with public suspicion and his own trauma. It’s more about feelings than plot, with quiet moments that hit hard. Its pace turned off viewers expecting courtroom drama or twists, but that’s not what Rectify is about. It’s about guilt, forgiveness, and starting over. Despite strong reviews, it stayed under the radar, but those who found it often called it one of the most emotional shows they’d seen.

3) Counterpart (2017–2019, Starz)

Howard Silk lives a dull life as a UN employee until he learns his job is connected to a secret portal between two parallel worlds. He meets his tougher, more dangerous double and gets pulled into espionage and conspiracies. The show is about identity and how small choices can shape lives. J.K. Simmons plays both versions of Howard perfectly, but its complex plot requires full attention, which makes it tough for casual viewers. It also didn’t have the big-budget promotion that many sci-fi shows get. Fans who stuck with it praised its sharp writing and Simmons’ incredible acting.

4) Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017, AMC)

This drama follows a group of tech pioneers in the 1980s as they try to build new computers and shape the internet. It’s less about technology and more about ambition, relationships, and failure. The characters drive the story, especially Joe MacMillan, a manipulative visionary, and Cameron Howe, a rebellious programmer. It started slow, and the tech-heavy subject turned people away, but as the characters grew, so did its following. It never had big ratings, likely overshadowed by shows like Mad Men. Over time, it became a cult favorite for its realistic portrayal of risk-taking and reinvention.

5) The Leftovers (2014–2017, HBO)

Two percent of the world’s population vanishes without explanation, leaving those left behind to pick up the pieces. The show focuses on grief and survival rather than solving the mystery. Kevin Garvey, a small-town cop, and Nora Durst, who lost her family, lead the story as they search for meaning after the event. It’s emotional and unsettling, but its abstract storytelling and heavy themes scare off viewers expecting answers. Those who gave it a chance called it one of the most moving shows ever made. Its small but passionate fanbase sees it as one of HBO’s most underrated dramas.

6) Dark (2017–2020, Netflix)

Dark is about a boy’s disappearance in the town of Winden, but it turns into a story about time travel and family secrets. It follows four families across multiple generations, revealing how their lives are connected through a time loop caused by a wormhole. The show jumps between timelines, showing characters at different ages as they try to break the cycle. The best part is how it sticks to its time-travel rules without getting messy. It didn’t get wider recognition because it’s complicated, subtitled, and requires full attention. Fans who gave it time called it one of Netflix’s smartest shows.

7) Manhunt: Unabomber (2017, Discovery)

This series meticulously chronicles the pursuit of Ted Kaczynski, infamously dubbed the Unabomber, and centers on FBI profiler Jim Fitzgerald. Employing forensic linguistics, Fitzgerald deciphers Kaczynski’s manifesto—an uncompromising critique of technological advancement—as the key to unmasking him. Its most compelling aspect lies in its dissection of obsession, both from the profiler and the subject, underlining the intellectual chess match between them. Its limited recognition stemmed from airing on Discovery, a network traditionally aligned with documentaries, leaving this cerebral drama underappreciated despite its intensity.

8) Utopia (2013–2014, Channel 4)

Utopia follows a group of strangers who discover a graphic novel that predicts real-world events. They’re hunted by a secret organization called The Network, which wants to use a virus to control the population. The show is violent and unpredictable, with shocking deaths and plot twists. The best part is how it balances conspiracy theories with real fears about pandemics and government control. It struggled to find an audience because of its disturbing scenes and niche appeal. After only two seasons, it was canceled, but fans still call it one of the most daring and original thrillers ever made.

9) Perpetual Grace, LTD (2019, Epix)

James, a drifter, teams up with others to con a preacher and his wife out of their money. The preacher, played by Ben Kingsley, turns out to be far more dangerous than expected, pulling everyone into a web of lies and schemes. The show mixes crime and dark humor, focusing on characters who are all a little broken. The best part is how unpredictable it feels—every plan seems to fall apart. It didn’t get noticed because it aired on Epix, which has a small audience, and its odd tone wasn’t for everyone. Still, it’s a clever crime story worth watching.

10) The Expanse (2015–2022, Netflix)

The Expanse is set in a future where humans live across the solar system. It follows the crew of the Rocinante as they uncover a conspiracy involving an alien substance that threatens humanity. Earth, Mars, and the Belt are on the edge of war, and the show mixes politics with space battles. Its best part is how realistic it feels, from zero gravity to how space travel actually works. It didn’t get huge ratings at first, probably because sci-fi often struggles on TV, but it built a loyal fanbase after Amazon picked it up. Many fans call it one of the best modern sci-fi series.

11) Baskets (2016–2019, FX)

Baskets is about Chip Baskets, a failed clown who ends up working at a rodeo in Bakersfield, California. He’s bitter, broke, and constantly gets in his own way. Zach Galifianakis plays both Chip and his twin brother, adding layers to the story. The real standout, though, is Louie Anderson as their mother, Christine. Her performance is funny, sad, and surprisingly heartfelt. The best part of the show is how it finds humor in failure without mocking it. It didn’t get much recognition because its humor is dry and awkward, which isn’t for everyone. But those who liked it saw it as something more honest than most comedies.

12) Better Off Ted (2009–2010, ABC)

This show is about Ted, a corporate executive trying to survive in a workplace full of insane rules and questionable ethics. He works for a company that sells absurd products like weaponized pumpkins and chairs that detect sadness. The funniest moments come from the company’s ridiculous policies and experiments, which feel even more relevant now than when it aired. It didn’t last because it never found a big audience and probably felt too weird for network TV at the time. Today, it feels ahead of its time, especially with how it mocks corporate nonsense and office culture.

13) Enlightened (2011–2013, HBO)

Enlightened follows Amy Jellicoe, a corporate worker who has a meltdown and comes back from rehab determined to change her life. She wants to be better but keeps making everything worse. Laura Dern plays Amy as someone who’s both inspiring and hard to like, which is what makes the show so interesting. It’s not afraid to make Amy uncomfortable or messy, and that’s what feels real about it. The show didn’t get much attention because it’s slow and focuses more on personal struggles than big dramatic twists. But people who connected with Amy’s story saw it as something deeply relatable.

14) Party Down (2009–2012010, 2023, Starz)

Party Down is about a group of struggling actors and writers who work for a catering company while trying to make it in Hollywood. Each episode takes place at a different event and feels like a workplace comedy where no one wants to be. The funniest part is watching how every event forces the characters to face their insecurities and frustrations when they see other people succeeding. It did not get much attention because it aired on Starz and had a smaller audience. The show ended too soon but its 2023 revival shows that fans never forgot it.

15) Pushing Daisies (2007–2009, ABC)

Pushing Daisies is about Ned, a pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life with a touch but kills them permanently if he touches them again. He uses this ability to solve murders, but things get complicated when he revives his childhood sweetheart and cannot touch her without risking her life. The best part is its fairy-tale style with bright colors and unusual sets. It also mixes humor and sadness in a way that feels natural. It did not last long because its quirky tone and visual style felt too strange for network TV. Fans still see it as one of the most creative shows ever.