Best series to watch on Netflix right now - updated (December 2024)

However a new instalment of Squid Game has also joined the streamer, which could prove some competition for the spy thriller in the top 10.

Of course, you may well want a break from all of the festive options, and Netflix has you sorted there too, with recent additions to the platform including originals like A Man on the Inside, Senna and The Madness, as well as some great acquisitions.

Recently, the platform has acquired some stellar under-the-radar dramas that were originally broadcast on linear TV, including series on ITV, BBC, Sky and Channel 5.

Other big releases from across 2024 include new seasons of hit shows such as The Diplomat, The Lincoln Lawyer, Cobra Kai and Outer Banks, while new shows such as Territory and Nobody Wants This have also made their mark.

Scroll on for our latest suggestions of the best TV series on Netflix, so you can stop searching and start watching ASAP. Alternatively, you can check out our line-up of the best Netflix movies for other recommendations.

You can also tweet us @RadioTimes if we've missed your favourite off the list – otherwise, happy streaming!

Best series to watch on Netflix right now

Squid Game

If anything can reignite the mania of late 2021, it's the season 2 premiere, which kicks off this latest chapter on a remarkably strong note and ends with a knockout scene for returning star Lee Jung-jae.

His character, Squid Game champion Seong Gi-hun, is found three years on from his victory, living a reclusive life in an empty, eroding hotel and using his enormous winnings for one simple mission: revenge. - David Craig

Black Doves

Missing Bond? Well, Black Doves may be just the tonic if you're looking for a gripping spy drama, and while it isn't the most cheery of festive watches, it is set in London at Christmas – so it ticks that Yuletide box. The new series boasts a cast full of familiar British acting talent and centres on deep-undercover agent Helen (Keira Knightley), whose life is turned upside down when her secret lover is killed in a targeted assassination.

From screenwriter Joe Barton – who is known for Giri/Haji, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself and The Lazarus Project – it's safe to say that the writing and tension of this is well-executed, although unevenly paced at times. But for a binge watch that's set to keep you guessing, it sure is the ideal kind of series to get stuck into for these longer evenings. – Morgan Cormack

The Madness

If you're looking for the kind of gritty thriller that will keep you steadily hooked, Colman Domingo's latest leading production could be right up your street. The series follows Domingo's Muncie Daniels, an activist turned TV pundit who takes a sabbatical in the Poconos woods, only for his life to be upended when he's framed for the murder of a popular white supremacist.

What ensues is a race to the truth and also for his own life as the mysterious wider network at play in this crime is also after Muncie himself. While some of the episodes can feel a little drawn out and the pacing is slightly uneven, Domingo's performance carries this drama enough to ensure you'll want to find out what (strangely lifelike) powers have been pulling the strings all along. – Morgan Cormack

A Man on the Inside

This charming little comedy from the creator of The Good Place is based on an acclaimed documentary, and follows Ted Danson's Charles, a widower and retired professor who is hired by a private detective to go undercover in a retirement village. There, as he investigates a potential theft from one of the residents, he gets involved with the community, struggling to not get attached.

It may not be the funniest thing you'll see all year, and is admittedly light on the jokes, but what it does have is heart in spades, and an emotional core which will no doubt bring a tear to your eye on more than one occasion. It is also filled with delightful, nuanced performances from Danson, Stephanie Beatriz, Stephen McKinley Henderson and more, and has plenty to say on themes such as grief, ageing and familial communication.

It has already been renewed for a second season, meaning it's the perfect time to get stuck into this very bingeable first batch of episodes. - James Hibbs

The Diplomat

After an acclaimed run on FX's The Americans (now streaming on Disney Plus), celebrated actor Keri Russell has landed herself another hit political thriller with The Diplomat.

The series follows Kate Wyler – the newly appointed US ambassador to the UK – as she adjusts to her new life in London, while handling the pressures that her job regularly throws at her. From responding to international crises to forging essential political alliances, she'll have a lot on her plate as a sinister threat from within the British government begins to take root.

As discussed in our The Diplomat season 2 review, this is a show that sometimes pushes the boundaries of believability, but it is easily elevated by a stellar cast that includes Russell, Rufus Sewell (Scoop), David Gyasi (Carnival Row), Ali Ahn (Agatha All Along), Rory Kinnear (No Time to Die) and T'Nia Miller (The Haunting of Bly Manor).

Academy Award winner Allison Janney joins that ensemble in season 2, which dropped in October, playing the vice president of the United States Grace Penn, who will be causing some major headaches for Kate in the latest run. And good news: a third season is already confirmed! – David Craig

Love Is Blind

There truly is no dating show with quite as wild a concept as Love Is Blind, and it's now spawned numerous spin-offs in other countries. But nothing quite beats the original, right? Now in its seventh season, the show sees individuals date each other in 'pods', not knowing what one another looks like in a bid to find out if you can fall in love sight unseen.

Like any good reality show, Love Is Blind delivers plot twists, surprises and revelations galore throughout all the episodes and only gets more dramatic as the couples have to reckon with the possibility of tying the knot at the end of it all. An ideal binge-watch pick, if ever there was one. – Morgan Cormack

The Lincoln Lawyer

Based on the novels by Michael Connelly, this series follows the life and cases of Mickey Haller (played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a recovering addict and criminal defence lawyer who runs his practice in the back of his car – a Lincoln Navigator, hence the title. Don't let his humble HQ fool you, however, because Mickey is great at what he does, which is just as well because his cases are never easy to put together.

That's particularly true in season 3, based on Connelly's The Gods of Guilt, in which Mickey is wrestling with the grief of losing a close friend – but ultimately comes to the aid of the man thought to be responsible. It sets the stage for some tense and compelling scenes as the lawyer attempts to keep his strong emotions in check, with Dexter and Nope star Devon Graye providing an effective foil as the accused.

It's not all grim, however, as The Lincoln Lawyer also carries a quirky sense of humour in its earlier seasons, which also feature the talents of Scream icon Neve Campbell, How I Met Your Mother's Becky Newton and Insidious star Angus Sampson. No, it's not a reinvention of the genre, but if you enjoy a legal drama with some memorable characters and exciting moments, you could do a lot worse than The Lincoln Lawyer. – David Craig

Outer Banks

Something of a surprise mega-hit, Outer Banks has grown into one of Netflix's most popular continuing shows – particularly among young people.

Set in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina, the series follows a gang of adventurers known as the Pogues, who go on perilous expeditions in search of lost treasure. They face opposition from the area's wealthy seasonal residents (known as 'Kooks'), often finding themselves in a race to find their bounty before their bitter rivals.

While Outer Banks contains the usual elements that you'd expect from a young adult drama – romance, melodrama and, sometimes, slightly questionable acting and dialogue – it has found great success in deviating from its competitors. There's something novel and exciting about seeing this familiar format applied outside of a high school setting, with the usual gossipy subplots replaced with breathless action sequences and a welcome liberation from social media.

The series is making stars out of its young cast too, with Madelyn Cline appearing amidst A-listers in Rian Johnson's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Drew Starkey generating buzz for his turn opposite Daniel Craig in Queer. So, if you're looking for some soapy adventure that isn't overly concerned with realism – and some picturesque scenery to boot – then Outer Banks might just be the Netflix series for you. - David Craig

Heartstopper

This LGBTQ+ romance has captured the hearts of viewers across the globe, telling the story of how schoolboys Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) go from being friends to boyfriends over the course of a fateful school year. The show dispenses with the drugs and misery of edgier high school fare like Euphoria, in favour of an all-ages approach that makes up for in cuteness what it lacks in dramatic stakes.

That being said, the newly released third season does delve into some darker material, as our characters face troubled home lives and mental health concerns among other obstacles.

With a brisk 25-minute runtime per episode, this is a series you can easily binge-watch – and if you're a hopeless romantic, then you most likely will. Heartstopper boasts a cast comprised largely of newcomers (along with one A-list cameo), but expect to see plenty more from them in the years to come. In fact, trans actress Yasmin Finney – who plays arty schoolgirl Elle – has already gone on to star in Doctor Who, while co-lead Joe Locke can currently be seen in Marvel's Agatha All Along. – David Craig

Nobody Wants This

This charming romantic comedy series stars Kristen Bell as an agnostic podcast host, Joanne, and Adam Brody an unconventional rabbi, Noah, who meet at a party and find sparks flying. However, their differing outlooks on life and their sometimes well-meaning, sometimes sabotaging families get in the way.

While the show may not lean as hard on its central premise as some viewers might expect, the relationships are delightful to follow, with warm, engaging performances from Bell and Brody, who have a winning chemistry together.

Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons make for a terrific supporting duo, and the show is consistently funny. It may not be the most original of set ups or formulas, but fans of romcoms are likely to be delighted that they seem to be going through a bit of a renaissance on TV right now. – James Hibbs

The Perfect Couple

Nicole Kidman fronts another compelling adaptation of a popular mystery novel. This time, she's the novelist matriarch of a wealthy family, who is uneasy about her son's imminent wedding to the less affluent Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). But could this disapproval lead her to murder? That's the question when a body is found at the beachside venue, leaving every guest a suspect.

The whodunnit-type story featuring upper-class characters in a picturesque location recalls HBO's juggernaut The White Lotus – the two shows even share a cast member in Meghann Fahy – but The Perfect Couple doesn't have quite the same satirical edge. In general, it's not at the level of Mike White's phenomenon, but fans of the genre (including Kidman's past work in The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers) are likely to be drawn in by this miniseries.

The supporting cast also includes Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), Dakota Fanning (Ripley), Billy Howle (The Beast Must Die), Jack Reynor (Midsommar) and Ishaan Khatter (A Suitable Boy). – David Craig

Gangs of London

This propulsive, gritty action crime thriller blew viewers away when it first debuted on Sky, and now both seasons are available to stream on Netflix ahead of the third season arriving soon.

The show stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Joe Cole and Michelle Fairley and focuses on the power struggles between international gangs operating in London, following the assassination of the head of one of the crime families.

It might not be for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for thrilling, electric action, exceptional performances and knotty, tense storytelling, then you're unlikely to find anything else quite like it on British TV. It's a show with a real attitude which isn't afraid to go dark or kill its darlings, explaining why it has become such a hit with fans of the genre. - James Hibbs

Emily in Paris

If you're looking for the kind of easy-going, entertaining and fashionable drama to mix up your TV viewing with in among the thrillers, hard-hitting documentaries and suspense dramas then Emily in Paris is just the pick for you.

Now into its fourth season, the series follows Emily (Lily Collins) as she makes the move to the French capital to work in a glamorous marketing firm. Along the way, she meets new friends, romantic flames and tries to navigate all the drama that life can throw at you.

Season 4 part 2 just landed on Netflix, with hopes for the series to continue even further. Watch this space – after all, Emily has proven that she shouldn't be underestimated. - Morgan Cormack

Breeders

Like Brassic before it, Breeders has been quietly building a following on Sky and NOW for the past few years, but could well expand that fan base with its recent addition to Netflix. Martin Freeman (The Responder) and Daisy Haggard (Boat Story) co-star as parents Paul and Ally, with the series following their experience raising children over a considerable timespan.

In fact, the actors playing their kids are regularly swapped out as the characters grow up, allowing creators Freeman, Chris Addison and Simon Blackwell to explore the distinct challenges that occur from raising toddlers, young children, older children and, of course, the dreaded teenagers.

The show is a grittier take than, say, BBC One's Outnumbered, with an early storyline being Paul's struggle with anger management, which is exacerbated by his demanding offspring.

Breeders is a warts-and-all depiction of parenting, which the team hopes will feel authentic to those who have been through the experience – on both sides. Speaking to RadioTimes.com in 2022, Freeman said "show me a person who’s not been screamed at by their parents and I’ll show you a unicorn", adding that Breeders is "a comedy, but only just".

Three seasons are streaming on Netflix now, with a fourth on Sky and NOW wrapping up the story. – David Craig

Brassic

In a somewhat surprising move, a select few Sky Originals are now heading to Netflix, with long-running comedy-drama Brassic leading the charge. It's a fitting choice given the enduring success of Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst's creation, which is tied with Trollied for Sky's longest-running scripted series – and could well overtake it one of these days.

The story follows Vinnie O'Neill (Gilgun), whose small-time criminal antics lead to big-time trouble as he tries to scrape by in the declining town of Hawley. The show is full of wacky moments and larger-than-life characters, but also touches on serious themes, including Vinnie's struggle with bipolar disorder and the broader impact of social deprivation.

Gilgun has been nominated at the BAFTA TV Awards every year since 2021, but is yet to bag a prize for his performance. Fortunately, with a sixth and seventh season on the way, he will hopefully have more opportunities to do so. You can catch the first four chapters on Netflix, where the show is currently finding a number of new fans (if the streamer's top 10 is any indication). - David Craig

All Creatures Great and Small

As this cosy Channel 5 drama readies up for the release of its fifth season this year, and the first run has now been added to Netflix, giving a whole new raft of viewers an opportunity to enjoy it. Based on the books written by Alf Wight under the pen name James Herriot, the series follows young vet James as he settles into life in the Yorkshire Dales.

While future seasons also explore the start of the Second World War, the show never strays from its central mission, which is to provide hopeful, easy watching with a kind-hearted, warm sensibility.

Featuring some of the best animal scenes you'll find on screen as James and his uptight boss and later veterinary partner Siegfried Farnon tend to all sorts, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but has found a loyal and devoted audience of fans. - James Hibbs

Love Is Blind UK

Love Is Blind has returned to Netflix once more but this time, the pods are headed to our side of the pond in the UK! Hosted by Matt and Emma Willis, the husband and wife duo follow a new cohort of singletons as they look for love, sight unseen.

The couples who eventually get engaged will experience a dynamic like never before, from planning their wedding, moving in together to figuring out whether or not they want to say all-important words once they reach the altar.

Comprised of three batches, there is plenty more Love Is Blind to catch up on – with the US series already having six seasons out. If you're after some romance and potential tears of joy along the way, Love Is Blind may be the one for you! - Katelyn Mensah

BoJack Horseman

Having recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, now would be a great time to revisit the jaw-dropping Bojack Horseman – or to finally give it a chance if you've been holding off for any reason. Need more convincing? Well, we reckon BoJack Horseman is the best animated show of all time.

Across six wonderful seasons, this zany show about an alcoholic humanoid horse did something very few can manage: it perfectly blended laugh out loud comedy with dark, thought-provoking subject matter in a way that felt both effortless and profound.

Will Arnett leads the voice cast as the titular BoJack, a washed up television star living in Hollywood and desperately angling for a comeback at any cost. Throughout the series, we also meet his affable former rival Mr Peanut Butter, his agent and ex-girlfriend Princess Caroline, and two human characters, Todd Chavez and Diane Nguyen, each of whom get numerous chances to shine in both humorous and serious storylines.

Tackling issues including the perils of fame, addiction and depression but also containing an incredible range of visual gags and wordplay BoJack Horseman is easily one of the best Netflix originals currently available, and arguably one of the finest TV shows of all time. - Patrick Cremona

Cobra Kai

The show responsible for introducing The Karate Kid to a new generation, Cobra Kai recently kicked off its sixth and final season on Netflix – with parts two and three still to come.

The story begins when burnout Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has been defined by a humiliating karate tournament defeat as a teenager, decides to take control of his destiny by reopening his old dojo: Cobra Kai.

That soon gets the attention of high school rival Daniel LaRusso, who runs a successful business with his loving wife and gifted daughter. In response to Johnny's hyper-aggressive methods, Daniel starts teaching local kids in the peaceful style taught to him by late mentor Mr Miyagi – reigniting their decades-long feud and setting into motion a series of increasingly dangerous events.

Cobra Kai never loses sight of the fact that its premise is inherently a bit daft – it comes from the creatives behind Hot Tub Time Machine, after all – but it balances the comedy with some breathtaking action sequences and genuinely compelling drama.

Of course, the high school love triangles and fallings-out are nothing we haven't seen before, but a cast of talented young actors generally succeed at elevating the material.

If you haven't tried out Cobra Kai yet, now is the perfect time! - David Craig

Supacell

This superhero drama, created by Rapman and starring Tosin Cole, follows five seemingly unconnected Black South Londoners who are changed forever when they suddenly, inexplicably develop superpowers. Cole's Michael, who is zapped into the future on the night of his engagement, believes he can save the life of his fiancée if he brings the group of five together.

Viewers may be feeling some superhero fatigue, but Supacell cuts right through that, telling a story which feels wholly unique and using the genre the explore themes around race and power, while also feeling truly authentic and specific to its time and place. - James Hibbs

Outnumbered

With news that BBC sitcom Outnumbered is returning for a one-off special this Christmas, now could be the perfect time to go back and watch all five seasons, which are available to stream on Netflix.

The series from Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin follows the Brockman family as the children grow up, and stars Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez. It is perhaps best-known for its approach, which saw the two youngest children improvising, while the others used scripted lines.

It's a consistently funny, frequently relatable sitcom which manages to retain its strength and comedic style even as it has to naturally shift and change with the children's ages. - James Hibbs

Bridgerton

Netflix didn't have much of a reputation for period drama - but everything changed in the lockdown Christmas of 2020, when the world needed a little cheer. Santa Claus delivered the most glorious series onto the streaming service on 25th December, just in time for us to binge watch with our tins of Quality Street. Based on Julia Quinn’s popular novels, Bridgerton focuses on eight siblings looking for love in sparkling Regency London.

First to meet her match was Daphne, played by Phoebe Dynevor, who started a fake love affair with the smouldering Duke of Hastings, aka breakout star and potential Bond Regé-Jean Page, while season 2 saw the focus shift to Anthony Bridgerton and his relationship with new character Kate Sharma.

Now, the focus is on friends-to-lovers Penelope, played by Nicola Coughlan, and Bridgerton son Colin (Luke Newton), whose slow-burn plot line isn't immediately as captivating as previous seasons, but is nonetheless worth the watch.

Really, you'll want to tune in to see how the dual identity of Penelope as Lady Whistledown unfolds, especially seeing as the anonymous pamphlet writer is the thorn in Colin's side this season. Fun and fresh, with brilliant performances, lavish costumes and a modern soundtrack, the series is a joyous distraction from everyday life – and has gone down a storm. - Emma Bullimore/Morgan Cormack

Big Boys

This warm-hearted, funny and emotional sitcom from Jack Rooke has not only just been added to Netflix, but a third season has also been commissioned for Channel 4, meaning there has never been a better time to catch up.

Loosely based on Rooke's own life and experiences, it follows Dylan Llewellyn's Jack, a closeted and shy 19-year-old man who starts at university while still grieving the loss of his dad. There he meets Jon Pointing's Danny, a 25-year-old, laddy mature student, who is secretly struggling with his own mental health issues. They form a fast friendship, and the series charts the ups and downs of their time at Brent Uni.

Packed with stellar performances, not least from Llewellyn and Pointing, the series has a lightness of touch and is utterly brimming with positivity and a love for its characters.

Although it elicits chuckles more frequently than it provides laugh-out-loud moments, its utterly easy watching, with some strong messages behind it and a group of characters you'll want to spend your time with. - James Hibbs

Kin

This Irish crime drama seemed to arrive out of nowhere when it first aired on RTÉ, and later BBC One in the UK. Featuring a stellar cast including Daredevil's Charlie Cox and Game of Thrones's Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds, viewers found themselves immediately gripped by the workings of the Kinsella crime family as they battled to stay on top in Dublin.

It may not be particularly original or innovative, but it's not trying to be. Instead, what it does is tell a well-worn crime series incredibly well, with complex characters viewers want to spend time getting to know and understand. Featuring some big shocks across its first two seasons, Kin has left viewers desperate for a third season, and while we can't offer any assurances on that front, the arrival of seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix should bring the show to a whole host of new fans. - James Hibbs

Baby Reindeer

There's no doubt that many will be speaking about this seven-part drama which, on the face of it, many may think is a comedy – but actually delivers devastating blow after blow as we dig deeper into comedian Richard Gadd's real-life tale.

Having created and written the series after performing it as a one-man theatre show, Gadd stars as Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian who works in a pub to make ends meet.

There, he meets a vulnerable woman called Martha, who starts to develop an unhealthy obsession with him and becomes his stalker. While the unrelenting nature of Martha's constant messaging punctuates this series with a kind of claustrophobia, it is actually the explorations of trauma in this series that make it the kind of watch that will linger with you – and make Gadd a name on many people's lips thereafter.

If you've watched I May Destroy You, there are definite similarities to be drawn to the Michaela Coel series – but here, Gadd is unflinchingly reflective on his own past and his own downfalls. - Morgan Cormack

Ripley

There have been plenty of adaptations of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley novels before, none more famous than 1999 film The Talented Mr Ripley, starring Matt Damon. However, perhaps none have been quite as faithful to the novels, nor as alluring, than this new black and white Netflix original series starring Andrew Scott.

Scott is dazzling, eerie and unknowable as con artist Tom Ripley, who schemes and worms his way into the life of Johnny Flynn's Dickie Greenleaf in the 1960s. It's a masterful, tense series, with style to spare, gorgeous visuals and phenomenal performances, while the plot will keep you guessing and lead to more than a few gasps and the episodes go on. - James Hibbs

3 Body Problem

Coming from famed Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and DB Weiss, and True Blood's Alexander Woo, this series has been anticipated for quite some time now since it was first announced in 2020. Based on the novel of the same name by sci-fi author Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem sees a young woman’s fateful decision in 1960s China reverberate across space and time into the present day.

Across the eight episodes, we follow a group of five scientists who team up with a detective when the world around them stops following the laws of nature. But what's the threat to earth and will they be able to save humanity? Featuring plenty of familiar faces, this glossy new production is sure to be a hit with any fans of the sci-fi genre and will quickly have viewers wondering if there will be more seasons to come. - Morgan Cormack

The Gentlemen

Country estates, chicken suits and cannabis combine in this latest Guy Ritchie venture, which returns to the TV roots that Ritchie had set out for the project ahead of its release as a film back in 2020. In this new eight-part series, we follow Eddie Horniman (Theo James), who is given quite the shock when he inherits his father's sprawling country manor only to find that it's actually home to a staggering cannabis empire.

But things get a lot more complicated when a bunch of dangerous characters want a piece of the operation, leading Eddie to slip further into the criminal underworld that he initially doesn't seem all that cut out for. Featuring well-known faces like Vinnie Jones and Ray Winstone, as well as Max Beesley and Joely Richardson, this a series that is all too easy to tear through. - Morgan Cormack

One Day

Is a series like One Day going to divide viewers? Most definitely. But if you're in the mood to watch something romantic, poetic and sure to pull at your heartstrings then the new drama is one you'll not only want to tuck into, but will quickly be lapped up in. 14 episodes may seem like a long stretch of time to dedicate to a series but it's necessary in a show that spans two decades and two separate lives in the form of Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall).

While their onscreen chemistry may wane at times, One Day pulls you in with that old chestnut of the 'right person, wrong time' trope. From meeting at their graduation ball to being the most important person in each other's lives, you'll want to keep a tissue on hand for the final episodes and Woodall's impressive (and very emotional) performance. - Morgan Cormack

Beef

This comedy-drama series comes from film producing powerhouse A24, whose reputation speaks for itself, meaning you know you're in a safe hands. It stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong and focuses on the aftermath of a road rage incident as two people, Danny and Amy, enter a feud which threatens to destroy their entire lives.

The series balances its tones perfectly, with whip-sharp comic dialogue punctuating the darkness of the story. It is at its heart a deeply existential thought-piece about why we need to open up more and talk about our feelings, rather than letting them consume us – and with two terrific central performances, it sells every aspect of that message.

In case you don't believe us, Beef emerged from victorious from the recent Golden Globes 2024 ceremony, with Yeun and Wong winning awards for their performance as the show was named best limited series. - James Hibbs

The Crown

Of course, the balance between fact and fiction did arguably shift in its later years, but it's still thrilling to get a glimpse behind palace doors and into the private lives of one of the world’s most famous families.

Claire Foy and Matt Smith set the tone with their stunning portrayals of a young Elizabeth and Philip, whose relationship had to survive the pressures of duty and the public gaze, and Vanessa Kirby made the world fall in love with a complex Princess Margaret.

As the years rolled by, Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter led the cast into a new era of the monarchy, with Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin bringing to life the difficult marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. For its final two seasons, Imelda Staunton took over in the lead role, while there were key parts for the likes of Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki and Jonathan Pryce, among others.

Nominated for more awards than the producers can count, this show was a game-changer for Netflix, bringing prestige, acclaim and a whole new audience, who were dipping their toes into streaming service waters for the first time just because they wanted to see The Crown.

Beautifully acted, lavish and with a huge budget, it offers tantalising insight into a world we thought we knew, and people whose lives we’ve followed so closely, from afar. (Check out our Season 6 part 2 review for more). - Emma Bullimore/David Craig

Squid Game

If you're one of the few people on Earth who are yet to see viral sensation Squid Game, then you are in for one wild, violent and thought-provoking ride. The breakout South Korean series follows several indebted individuals who are given the chance to compete for 45.6 billion won prize, and all they have to do is play popular children's games.

While it may sound like a piece of cake, with a cash prize that's so staggeringly high, the games are far from easy - and lead to any losers being brutally murdered in their hundreds.

Now, with the release of the spin-off reality series, conversations around the anticipated second season will surely follow, especially since the first season of Squid Game has gone on to become one of the streamer's biggest shows of all time. It's easy to see why - Squid Game is simply great television that is well acted, tightly written, sharply directed and acts as a critique of the predatory competition a capitalist society inspires.

But even those not looking for a social commentary will find something to enjoy, with plenty of white-knuckle survival sequences - made all the more effective because the compelling, character-driven nature of the series means we actually care about the contestants involved. - Daniel Furn/Morgan Cormack

Friends

The sitcom which launched a thousand copycats and absolutely took over the '90s and early 2000s, Friends really was like lightning in a bottle. The core cast had such great, undeniable chemistry, and everyone suited their role down to the ground. Everyone has their favourite and there's no objective stand-out.

Some may say it dipped off towards the end but, in truth, there was no variation in quality. The show was funny and heartfelt throughout, and while some aspects may now be dated, the series still speaks to timeless themes and a period of life that will be relatable for so many.

Friends has been a hugely popular streaming title for many years – hence why HBO Max paid almost half a billion dollars for its exclusive rights in the US – but the sitcom has seen a surge in recent weeks following the tragic death of Matthew Perry.

His performance as Chandler Bing will go down in comedy history as one of the all-time greats. - James Hibbs/David Craig

Lupin

Get ready for some more mind-bending antics courtesy of Assane (Omar Sy) in the third instalment of the anticipated Lupin series. It's been a long time coming but, finally, fans will be able to see just what happens to our beloved - and very sneaky - protagonist, after he went on the run at the end of season 2.

While Assane managed a lot in the season 2 finale, he's far from welcome in Paris as he is now one of the most wanted men in France. He may have helped put Hubert Pellegrini in cuffs and cleared the late Babakar's name but now, he's faced with the challenge of returning to Paris while also trying to patch things up with his family.

As ever, we can expect some twists, unwelcome villains and can only hope that Assane makes it out unscathed. - Morgan Cormack

Sex Education

There's good news and bad news for Sex Education fans. While the series has thankfully returned to our screens for more of its important messaging, perfect comedic timing and relatable explorations of sex, it is the final outing for the series.

The fourth season may be the final farewell for Sex Education, but it doesn't mean that the series will be short of twists, character development and emotional goodbyes. In this new season, Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) are figuring out what life looks like in their new sixth form and Otis is not only struggling with no longer being the only sex therapist on campus, he also has to contend with being an older sibling and his long distance relationship with Maeve (Emma Mackey). - Morgan Cormack

Top Boy

The production history behind crime drama Top Boy has been a fascinating one. Originally running for two seasons on Channel 4 in 2011 and 2013, the series was shelved by the broadcaster in 2014 and looked to have run its course – only for Netflix to step in a number of years later, thanks in large part to interest from Canadian rapper Drake. Now, all five seasons of the show are available to stream on Netflix.

Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson star as Dushane Hill and Sully Sullivan respectively, with the final season seeing the drug bosses forced to confront the devastating impact they've had on the Summerhouse Estate. It's an absorbing, gritty crime drama that makes the most of its location – brilliantly juggling more intimate personal storylines with grander ambitions. The fast-paced concluding chapter is not to be missed. - Patrick Cremona

Narcos

If the one-two punch of The Last of Us and The Mandalorian still hasn't satisfied your need for Pedro Pascal content, then perhaps it would be worth circling back to one of the projects that made him a household name.

Debuting not long after the finale of Breaking Bad, it was important for Narcos to distinguish itself from what came before – and it did so with incredible results. Unlike Vince Gilligan's fictional saga, this series is partially grounded in fact, unravelling the extraordinary life of notorious kingpin Pablo Escobar (portrayed by Wagner Moura) from the late 1970s up to his death in 1993.

Pascal plays Javier Peña, another real figure from the case, who is tasked with bringing down Escobar. It's no easy task, with the series offering plenty of thrills as it chronicles the efforts of his team at the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). A sequel series, titled Narcos: Mexico, followed later. – David Craig

You

The world was completely gripped when You launched on Netflix at the end of 2018 – and viewers haven’t really stopped looking over their shoulders since. The psychological thriller, initially set in New York, began by following creepy (but also kind of likeable) Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) and his developing obsession for Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail).

Over the course of 10 episodes, we stared in horror as his lust turned into toxic desire. At times, the Netflix series makes you laugh, but as the tone shifts in the story, so too does a viewer’s unease; this is quite simply not the kind of series you want to watch in the dark before bed.

Seasons 2 and 3 saw Joe living in California where he was challenged by rival-slash-partner Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), while season 4 shook up the format once again, with Joe adopting a new persona in London and rubbing shoulders with members of high society, including Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie as an icy art gallery curator. - Helen Daly

Wednesday

With reboots, remakes and revivals reigning supreme in the world of TV, it was only a matter of time before the Addams Family were dusted off and resurrected by Netflix. Thankfully, it brought in the king of gothic whimsy, Tim Burton, to lead coming-of-age horror-comedy Wednesday. Gen Z scream queen Jenna Ortega was an inspired choice to play the titular deadpan teenager, who is sent to the Nevermore Academy after unleashing a pack of piranhas on Pugsley's (Isaac Ordonez) bullies.

While Wednesday was initially unimpressed with the school for supernatural students, she soon became tied up in tracking down a murderous monster, channelling her own psychic abilities and absolving her parents, the loved-up Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez Addams (Luis Guzmán), from a crime they're suspected of committing whilst at the school themselves.

While this eight-parter at times leans too far into the teen drama genre that's been desecrated by the likes of Riverdale, the show's aesthetic, overall tone and Ortega's excellent performance are Burtonesque enough to make this an eye-catching and entertaining watch. – Lauren Morris

The Sandman

This adaptation of Neil Gaiman's hugely popular comic book series is incredibly long-awaited, arriving 30 years after the source material was published – with various issues having held back its development. The good news for fans is that proves to be very much worth the wait, with our own four-star review calling it "a vision that Dream himself could have conjured".

The complex plot concerns a cosmic being who controls all dreams, who must venture to an assortment of disparate worlds and timelines in a desperate bid to undo the damage stemming from his recent absence – when he was captured and held captive for more than a hundred years. Along the way, he encounters all sorts of beings and obstacles, making this a magical but frequently rather grim tale. - Patrick Cremona

Better Call Saul

When Better Call Saul was first announced people were understandably sceptical. Prequels have a shaky history and anyway, how could anything measure up to Breaking Bad?

The answer of course was by standing on its own two feet, while still honouring the past and delivering some of the most nuanced characters of the decade in TV. Bob Odenkirk puts in masterful work as Slippin’ Jimmy McGill, a character so initially detached from the sleazy Saul Goodman that your heart can’t help but break in the knowledge of what he becomes.

The slow-burn series came to an end this year, with legal shenanigans taking more of a back seat to full-on mob warfare. Fans were largely agreed that their long term investment in the series paid off in a big way. - James Hibbs

Stranger Things

This '80s-set-and-inspired sci-fi drama turned Netflix’s Original series output Upside Down (sorry), becoming a pop culture touchstone and genuine word-of-mouth hit as fans around the world become obsessed with the strange happenings in Hawkins, Indiana.

The meme-ification of this series can sometimes distract from just how warm, fun and scary Stranger Things can be, full of plucky kids, terrifying monsters and laugh-out-loud moments from the outset and continuing through its second, third and fourth seasons.

Originally following the threat of a single monster slipping through from another dimension and facing off with a telekinetic young girl called Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), the scope of Stranger Things has widened over the years to take in telepathic Mind-Flayers, teen romance, puberty, fashion, grief AND dastardly Russians – as well as a pretty rousing rendition of Never Ending Story at the end of season 3. - Huw Fullerton

Mindhunter

David Fincher's terrific psychological thriller series may only have lasted for two seasons but in that time it certainly made its mark. Jonathan Groff stars as FBI agent Holden Ford, who along with his partner Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) aims to interview serial killers in order to understand their mindset and stop similar perpetrators.

It's a dark and murky series but it still retains a dry sense of humour throughout, while Groff, McCallany and Torv are all on top form. Fincher has said the series is at least done for now, but here's hoping he eventually changes his mind, because this was a smart, intricately crafted thriller the likes of which we don't see all too often. - James Hibbs

Breaking Bad

Widely regarded as one of the best series of the 21st century, if not all time, Breaking Bad starts off with a killer premise and then just ramps up and up and up until it reaches one of the most satisfying finales for a long-running series ever.

Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk - they all put in electric, utterly believable performances as these characters who have all, intentionally or not, got in way over their heads, while Giancarlo Esposito pulls off one of the most memorable villain performances on screen, so much so that it made the star a go-to baddie for huge series such as The Boys and The Mandalorian. - James Hibbs

Peaky Blinders

Dramas still don't get much more stylish than this. Set in Birmingham between the World Wars, Peaky Blinders follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family – led by Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, who has returned from the trenches to take over Birmingham (and beyond).

The show’s writer Steven Knight has built a story around gang warfare, socialism, fascism, poverty, violence, community, class, family, and Tommy Shelby’s constant scrabble to beat his enemies and rise to the top. But no matter how far his journey has taken him, the demons are never far behind. - Eleanor Bley Griffiths

The Last Kingdom

Game of Thrones fans should feel right at home in The Last Kingdom, an action-packed drama series partly inspired by real British history. Alexander Dreymon (American Horror Story) plays fierce warrior Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who was born to a Saxon nobleman but raised among Danish invaders. Torn between these two clashing worlds, he is forced to choose a side as the war for England rages on.

Dreymon is the breakout star of the show, with his roguish character embarking on many compelling quests as he strives to reclaim the land that is rightfully his. David Dawson (Year of the Rabbit) also earned acclaim for his performance as the pious King Alfred, who is both friend and foe to Uhtred at various stages in his life. Their complex bond is an electric component of the first three seasons.

Based on the popular novels by author Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom began life as a BBC Two drama before later converting to a Netflix original. While it’s never enjoyed the hefty budget of George RR Martin’s fantasy epic, the show has nevertheless orchestrated some ambitious battles across its five-season run – with no shortage of swords, horses and, inevitably, blood. - David Craig

Ozark

Ozark revolves around Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and the obstacles he and his family encounter after joining forces with a Mexican drug cartel. The final season found Marty and Wendy on damage control, trying to stop a grieving Ruth from exacting her vengeance on cartel kingpin Javi. Could their time be finally running out?

With the tiniest wrong move threatening to finish off the entire Byrde family, this enthralling series certainly keeps you hooked, so why not check out Ozark season 4 on Netflix – if nothing else, you’ll enjoy stellar performances from Bateman and Linney. - Molly Moss

Money Heist

Heist thrillers have to walk a fine line between realistic - or at least believable - burglary schemes and enough tension-filled twists and turns to keep things entertaining - and it's a balance that Money Heist (mostly) manages to pull off. Money Heist dedicates several seasons each to two heists planned by the enigmatic criminal mastermind The Professor, who recruits an unusual group of robbers named after cities to take hostages in key financial centres in Madrid. However, mistakes, emotional dynamics and impulsive relationships on both sides on the heist mean the plans soon go wrong - and robbers, hostages and police alike are all in a race to outwit each other before it's too late.

Initially regarded as a failure after first airing on Spanish TV, Money Heist was added to Netflix with little fanfare and barely any promotion - yet still became an absolute worldwide phenomenon, with a whole new audience falling in love with The Professor and his Dali-masked accomplices while a certain earworm swept the European charts. It was enough for Netflix to order three additional seasons, the last of which was split into two parts with the final instalment arriving in December 2021.

The heist genre gets subverted in this crime caper, which uses a female narrator, a Spanish cultural lens and a twisty-turny narrative to update the long-running formula with a series where the complex characters and their relationships matter just as much as the actual heist. A few unnecessary love triangles mean the show veers dangerously close to soap opera territory in later seasons - but at its best Money Heist is a smart, inventive and utterly gripping series that truly deserves its status as one of the most-watched non-English language shows in the world. - Daniel Furn

The Queen's Gambit

Chess might be a fascinating game, but it's probably fair to say most don’t really view it as a spectator sport. On the face of it, then, a limited series revolving around the subject might not sound like a likely candidate for a mega word-of-mouth smash, but Scott Frank’s series, The Queen's Gambit, became exactly that when it arrived on Netflix in 2020.

Based on a novel by Walter Tevis, the narrative follows Beth Harmon – a young orphan and chess prodigy whose rise to the top of the game is offset by frequent struggles with addiction. Anya Taylor-Joy turns in one of the best small-screen performances in recent memory in the lead role, and is helped by a brilliant supporting cast that includes Marielle Heller, Harry Melling and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Lavishly produced and filled with wonderful period detail, the sumptuous series includes an array of expertly-staged chess match set-pieces and a plot that will keep you engaged for every minute of its seven-episode run. - Patrick Cremona

Orange is the New Black

Orange Is the New Black is not only one of Netflix’s most-watched original series, but also its longest - and if that doesn’t tempt you to it, then allow me to continue.

Jenji Kohan’s trailblazing series is famous for breaking boundaries, telling stories of humanity, and its fantastic cast. We follow Taylor Schilling’s Piper Chapman, a 30-something woman who is sentenced to 15 months in a minimum-security prison after smuggling drugs. When she arrives at Litchfield Penitentiary, she finds an eccentric bunch of inmates all with very unique and personal stories to tell.

Alliances are formed, broken and tested throughout the course of the seven seasons, with Piper constantly at the heart of the story. As you continue through the story, you’ll laugh, cry, and have your heart-broken as the series delves into some hard-hitting topics including corruption, prison privatisation, racial discrimination and sexism. To put it simply, Orange Is the New Black is not only unmissable TV, it’s essential viewing. - Helen Daly

Schitt's Creek

If you’ve ever felt like a fish out of water, Schitt’s Creek is the show for you. The Rose family quite literally ends up at dead-end town Schitt’s Creek without a paddle after their business loses their money and they are forced to give up their wealth. The easy-watch sitcom was penned by father and son duo Eugene and Dan Levy who also star as on-screen dad and child Johnny and David.

But really, the star of the show is the impeccable Catherine O’Hara, who brings too many fabulous outfits to count and the most sass seen on the small screen. Her timing is perfect, her acting is gently extra and we all really could be a little bit more like Moira. There’s plenty of heart, genuinely hilarious moments and plot you won’t want to miss. - Helen Daly

Looking for something else to watch? Check out our best movies on Netflix, best Netflix comedies and best Netflix horror movies.

Want to see what's on the other streaming sites? Take a look at our best Disney Plus shows guide or best Disney Plus movies. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.