Don’t let these under-the-radar TV shows go unnoticed any longer. From the haunting drama of Rectify, to the hilarious and heartfelt Better Things, these shows offer something for everyone. Halt and Catch Fire delves into the rise of technology innovation in Silicon Valley, while The Leftovers explores the aftermath of a mysterious event that leaves 2% of the world’s population missing. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a fun musical comedy that tackles serious themes, while Search Party is a dark and witty satire of millennial culture. Lady Dynamite and Baskets offer surreal takes on mental health and the pursuit of dreams. And last but not least, The Americans is a gripping Cold War thriller with profound explorations of identity and loyalty.
10 Under-the-Radar TV Shows You Need to Watch
In this era of peak TV, it’s easy to miss out on some hidden gems that fly under the radar. Here are ten TV shows that might not have grabbed your attention yet, but are definitely worth a watch.
1. Rectify
This haunting, slow-burning drama follows Daniel Holden, who is released from Death Row after DNA evidence exonerates him, but casts doubt on his guilt. Over the course of four seasons, the show delves into the aftermath of Holden’s return to his small Georgia hometown, exploring the emotional toll his imprisonment and release have taken on him and his family. Rectify is a nuanced, beautifully acted series that tackles weighty themes like justice, forgiveness, and trauma.
2. Halt and Catch Fire
Set in the Silicon Valley tech boom of the 1980s, Halt and Catch Fire charts the rise of a group of Dallas computer engineers who attempt to create a revolutionary, portable computer. The show is a slow-burner that’s really worth sticking with, as it evolves over four seasons into a powerful meditation on the nature of innovation, capitalism, and creativity.
3. The Leftovers
Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, The Leftovers is a post-apocalyptic series that’s far more interested in the human toll of the Rapture-like event that leaves 2% of the world’s population missing than in the sci-fi trappings of the premise. The show is often surreal and abstract, but never less than fascinating – and the performances, particularly from stars Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon, are extraordinary.
4. You’re the Worst
Don’t be put off by the title – You’re the Worst is a bittersweet love story that laughs in the face of convention. The show follows Jimmy and Gretchen, two self-destructive people who fall deeply in love with each other despite (or because of) their flaws. You’re the Worst is a funny, heartfelt exploration of what it means to be in a relationship in the twenty-first century.
5. Lady Dynamite
This bizarre, surreal comedy stars comedian Maria Bamford as a version of herself, struggling to rebuild her career and her life after a mental breakdown. Lady Dynamite is a wild, trippy ride that makes great use of Bamford’s talent for offbeat humor, but it’s also unexpectedly moving and heartfelt.
6. Baskets
Zach Galifianakis stars in this surreal comedy-drama about Chip Baskets, a down-on-his-luck clown who dreams of making it in the big top. Baskets is a beautifully understated show that manages to be both hilarious and melancholy, charting a journey of self-discovery that’s as touching as it is absurd.
7. Better Things
Pamela Adlon stars in this semi-autobiographical comedy-drama, which she created with comedian Louis C.K. Better Things is a wonderfully honest look at the life of a single mother and actress, juggling her career, her kids, and her own desires. Adlon is a revelation in the lead role, and the show is full of smart observations about modern life.
8. The Americans
It might not be the most under-the-radar show on this list, but The Americans is still vastly under-appreciated for its brilliant acting, writing, and direction. Set in the 1980s during the Cold War, the show follows Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings, two Soviet spies posing as a married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C. The Americans is a gripping, smart thriller, but it’s also a profound exploration of marriage, identity, and loyalty.
9. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
This musical comedy follows Rebecca Bunch, a successful but unhappy lawyer who moves to West Covina, California to try and win back her high school sweetheart. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a daring, subversive show that tackles themes like mental illness, gender, and race with wit and heart. It’s also packed with catchy, hilarious musical numbers that you’ll be humming for days.
10. Search Party
This dark comedy-thriller follows a group of self-absorbed twenty-somethings who get drawn into a missing persons case that hits too close to home. Search Party is a whip-smart, hilarious show that also doubles as a biting satire of millennial culture. The ensemble cast is fantastic, and the show manages to keep you guessing until the very end.