The Best Original Series on Netflix to Stream Now
Timea Saghy/Netflix
For years, Netflix has consistently delivered some of TV's biggest hits. The streaming platform has created original series spanning every genre and category: heartwarming comedy dramas, thrilling crime mysteries, intense political dramas, historical fiction series and futuristic sci-fi stories, just to name a few.
Some Netflix series are short and sweet, with only one or two seasons. Others span several seasons and call for several hours of viewing time. You can watch established actors or get acquainted with up-and-coming stars, too. Whether you're looking for something to sink your teeth into or a funny show to keep you laughing, there's a series for everyone.
Here's a list of the best original series on Netflix to add to your watch list ASAP.
Shadow and Bone
Dávid Lukács/Netflix
Fans of Locke & Key, The Witcher or any other bingeworthy fantasy series are summoned to try this one. Based on the books of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse, Shadow and Bone introduces audiences to a teen orphan named Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), who discovers she possesses rare powers of controlling light and is exposed to danger once her gifts are made public. Premiering March 16, the show's second season follows Alina fleeing from dark forces as she works toward protecting the land of Ravka from its potential downfall.
Watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix
Sex/Life
Sabrina Lantos/Netflix
Based on BB Easton's 44 Chapters About 4 Men, this erotic series follows Billie Connelly (Sarah Shahi), a mother of two who's jaded with the banalities of suburban life and her run-of-the-mill marriage with Cooper (Mike Vogel), and craves the intoxicating thrills she had with a past lover (Adam Demos, who's dating Shahi in real life). Filled with second chances and twice the steam, season 2 finds Billie treading old and new relationships, along with added characters who will surely arouse more drama.
Wednesday
Courtesy of Netflix
Cue the finger snaps! Executive produced by Tim Burton (he directed a handful of episodes, too!), this darkly comedic crime series stars Jenna Ortega as the deadpanned titular character, who falls heir to her mom's psychic powers and uses them to solve a murder at her boarding school. Whether you're a "normie", an "outcast" or a disembodied hand, this supernatural show is worth taking a stab at.
Outer Banks
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Starring Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline and Madison Bailey, this teen mystery follows two divergent groups of teens — the privileged "Kooks" and the working-class "Pogues" — who live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they try to uncover the mystery of John B's (Stokes) missing father. With two seasons available, catch the wave now before season 3 hits Netflix on Feb. 23.
That '90s Show
Patrick Wymore/Netflix
Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) finally got back together in the finale of That '70s Show — and now they have a teenage daughter. The spin-off series follows Leia (Callie Haverda) spending the summer at her grandparents' (Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith) home as she forges her own friend group.
Watch That '90s Show on Netflix
Dead to Me
Courtesy of NETFLIX
This hit dark comedy premiered in 2019 and landed Emmy nominations for its pair of leading ladies. Starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me follows two women who become close friends after meeting in a grief support group. Chaos ensues as they unravel their husbands' deaths. All three seasons are now streaming.
Manifest
Peter Kramer/Netflix
In this supernatural drama starring Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and Athena Karkanis, a plane mysteriously lands years after takeoff, and the passengers are left to deal with a world that has presumed them dead. Their new reality is strange, and some passengers realize they've emerged with otherworldly powers. While the first three seasons premiered on NBC, Netflix picked up the series in August 2021 after NBC announced its plans to cancel the show. The fourth and final season was split into two parts and part 1 premiered in November 2022. (Part 2 will premiere in 2023.)
1899
Netflix
European migrants traveling on a transatlantic ship find themselves heading in an unexpected direction after encountering a mysterious vessel at sea. This German sci-fi epic, starring Emily Beecham, Aneurin Barnard and Andreas Pietschmann, follows a mysterious and unforgettable story line.
Ozark
Courtesy Of Netflix
The final season of this crime drama was released in 2022. Financial planner Marty (Jason Bateman) relocates his family to the Ozarks of central Missouri to escape the consequences of a money laundering scheme gone wrong. Ozark also stars Laura Linney, Julia Garner and Sofia Hublitz.
Bridgerton
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Inspired by Julia Quinn's best-selling romance novels, 2020 hit Bridgerton takes place in Regency-era London. The series follows the Bridgerton family as they look for love and avoid being the subject of Lady Whistledown's gossip column. The first season focuses on outcast Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and eligible bachelorette Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), and each subsequent season follows another member of the family. The series was renewed for seasons 3 and 4 in 2021.
Emily in Paris
Carole Bethuel/Netflix
Marketing executive Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is sent to work at her company's Paris branch in this 2020 hit. The fashion-infused show follows Emily as she navigates friendships, new romantic interests and plenty of career hijinks. Season 3 was released in December 2022 and the series has already been picked up for a fourth one.
Watch Emily in Paris on Netflix
The Crown
Netflix
With an impressive cast of some of Britain's best actors, including Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Matt Smith, The Crown has been capturing our attention since it premiered in 2016. The show chronicles the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II from her ascension to modern times, looking at the most dramatic moments of the royal family's public (and private) lives.
Firefly Lane
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Based on the Kristin Hannah novel of the same name, this drama stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as inseparable best friends who met when they were kids. The series follows the ups and downs of their relationship, from their teenage antics of the '70s to adulthood in the early aughts. The first part of the final season dropped in December 2022. Part 2 of season 2 will be released on April 27, 2023.
Grace and Frankie
Suzanne Tenner/NETFLIX
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin prove that opposites attract as best friends Grace and Frankie on this Emmy-nominated comedy. The two former rivals form an unlikely bond when their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) fall in love with each other, and plenty of hilarious moments pop up along the way.
Watch Grace and Frankie on Netflix
Virgin River
Courtesy Of Netflix
In this romantic drama, nurse practitioner Melinda (Alexandra Breckenridge) moves to a remote town in Northern California to get a fresh start. Her search for a simple small-town life proves to be difficult, though, when she's interrupted by some surprising situations and quirky neighbors. Martin Henderson and Tim Matheson also star.
Stranger Things
Courtesy of Netflix © 2022 Stranger Things
This critically acclaimed sci-fi horror series features a cast of young friends (Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink and Gaten Matarazzo) growing up in small-town Indiana in the 1980s. The teens encounter mystery after mystery, including supernatural creatures and a government cover-up.
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix
Sweet Magnolias
Courtesy Of Netflix
This sweet series follows a group of three lifelong friends (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley) living in small-town Serenity, S.C. The trio's relationships ebb and flow as they juggle friendship, family and careers. Costars include Jamie Lynn Spears, Justin Bruening and Chris Klein. Season 3 will air in 2023.
Watch Sweet Magnolias on Netflix
Never Have I Ever
Netflix
The teenage rom-com hit Never Have I Ever comes from Mindy Kaling and stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Darren Barnet and Poorna Jagannathan. Devi (Ramakrishnan) is a first-generation Indian American teenager who wants to become more popular at school, so she defies the ways her friends and family have held her back. Catch up on the first three seasons before the final one airs later in 2023.
Watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix
Pieces of Her
Mark Rogers/Netflix
This thriller follows Laura Oliver (Toni Collette), a speech pathologist and cancer survivor, as she uncovers details about her mother's past after a violent attack in her town. As she searches, Laura discovers more terrifying secrets than she could have imagined.
Watch Pieces of Her on Netflix
The Queen's Gambit
PHIL BRAY/NETFLIX
When The Queen's Gambit was released in 2020, it left fans anxiously waiting for a follow-up season. Set during the Cold War, this adaptation follows orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who faces addiction while competing against world-renowned players.
Watch The Queen's Gambit on Netflix
House of Cards
Netflix
This early Netflix original stars Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Rachel Brosnahan and more. The political saga chronicles high-ranking politicians making their way through the U.S. government — with plenty of drama along the way.
Watch House of Cards on Netflix
The Kominsky Method
Netflix
Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas) and Norman Newlander (Alan Arkin) are best friends living in Los Angeles. This heartwarming Emmy-winning comedy follows the actor-agent duo through the years after Kominsky's short-lived stint with fame.
Watch The Kominsky Method on Netflix
Master of None
Universal TV/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari created and starred in this comedy loosely based on his own dating life. Dev (Ansari) is a struggling actor navigating being single in New York City with the support — and sometimes disapproval — of his best friend Denise (Lena Waithe) and his parents (Ansari's real-life parents Fatima and Shoukath Ansari).
Watch Master of None on Netflix
Peaky Blinders
Netflix
This six-season drama takes place in 1919 England and follows a notorious gang led by crime boss Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). The award-winning series features an all-star cast, including Tom Hardy, Helen McCrory and Annabelle Wallis.
Watch Peaky Blinders on Netflix
Longmire
Netflix
Based on the best-selling mystery novels by Craig Johnson, this contemporary crime drama follows Wyoming sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), who is struggling to deal with his wife's death. With the help of friends and family, Longmire tries to put his life back together after the tragedy by dedicating himself to his job.
The Last Kingdom
Netflix
This historical fiction series was abruptly canceled after five seasons, but it remains a good pick. The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), who was orphaned and captured by a Danish warlord as a child and raised in a Danish camp. Uhtred grows up to become a warrior who faces tragedy and exile, later vowing revenge for his father's death. Full of intense action and Viking Age politics, The Last Kingdom is a wild ride.
Watch The Last Kingdom on Netflix
The Witcher
Netflix
Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) is a magical monster hunter, known as a "witcher," struggling to find his place in the world in this fantasy drama series. Along the way, he solves mysteries and follows adventures leading to his destiny. In 2022, it was announced that Liam Hemsworth will take over as Geralt in season 4 after Cavill's departure. Season 3 will be released in summer 2023 with Cavill's final episodes as the title role.
Atypical
Netflix
This heartfelt coming-of-age story premiered in 2017 and quickly became a hit. Sam (Keir Gilchrist), a teenager on the autism spectrum, wants to start dating and become more independent. He and his family strive to be more "normal," and the result is a sweet story asking what "normal" really is.
Mindhunter
Netflix
Though there are only two seasons, this true-crime drama still packs a punch. Mindhunter follows two FBI agents (Holt McCallany and Jonathan Groff) trying to catch serial killers by examining their psyches. Directed by David Fincher and touting Charlize Theron as an executive producer, this show is both dynamic and fascinating.
You
Netflix
This psychological thriller starring Penn Badgley was an instant hit for Netflix in 2018. Badgley plays Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager who turns his intense crushes into sinister relationships through social media stalking and dark obsession. The first part of season 4 just dropped on February 9 — catch up now before part 2 streams on March 9.
Derry Girls
Netflix
This coming-of-age story follows 16-year-old Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) and her friends (Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Dylan Llewellyn) growing up in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles." Amid the political conflict, Erin and her friends still have to deal with normal teenage things, like crushes, exams and family drama.
The Watcher
Eric Liebowitz/Netflix
This limited series is based on a horrifying true story. Nora (Naomi Watts) and Dean (Bobby Cannavale) have just moved their family into their dream home, only to be immediately plagued by threatening letters from a stalker who goes by "The Watcher." Jennifer Coolidge, Margo Martindale and Mia Farrow are also part of the impressive cast.
Maid
Courtesy of Netflix
The award-winning limited series Maid, based on the true story and book by Stephanie Land, follows Alex (Margaret Qualley), a single mother struggling to make a life for herself and her young daughter. She's also dealing with an absent mother (Andie MacDowell, Qualley's real-life mom) and an abusive partner (Nick Robinson) from whom she can't escape.
Big Mouth
Courtesy of Netflix
Big Mouth might be a cartoon, but the raunchy adult animated series features a stellar cast, including Nick Kroll, John Mulaney and Maya Rudolph. The show, created by Kroll, is about a group of friends going through the humiliating moments of puberty in hilariously honest and heartwarming ways.
Workin' Moms
Sophie Giraud / ©CBC / courtesy Everett Collection
This comedy-drama series focuses on a quirky and dynamic group of friends: PR exec Kate (Catherine Reitman), psychiatrist Anne (Dani Kind), IT guru Jenny (Jessalyn Wanlim) and realtor Frankie (Juno Rinaldi). Over seven seasons, the friends navigate motherhood, marriage and careers after meeting in a judgmental parenting group.
The Ranch
Netflix
In this series, Colt (Ashton Kutcher) goes back to his family's ranch in Colorado after his semi-pro football career falls apart. As he gets ready to run the family business with his dad (Sam Elliott), Colt rekindles a relationship with his high school sweetheart (Elisha Cuthbert).
Ginny & Georgia
Courtesy of Netflix
Anyone looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud show should try Ginny & Georgia. The series follows Georgia (Brianne Howey) and her teenage daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) after they move to a quaint New England town for a better life.
Watch Ginny & Georgia on Netflix
Gentefied
Netflix
Gentefied's two seasons are a delicious watch. The show, starring Karrie Martin, Carlos Santos and J.J. Soria, follows three Mexican American cousins in pursuit of the American Dream. The Morales kids also contend with gentrification and family dynamics — all while trying to save their family-owned taco shop.
On the Verge
Netflix
For a quick watch, settle in for On the Verge's one season. On this comedy, four middle-aged women (Alexia Landeau, Julie Delpy, Sarah Jones and Elisabeth Shue) juggle their careers, family lives and personal crises in L.A.
The Umbrella Academy
Courtesy of Netflix
This action-packed series centers on seven adopted siblings born with mysterious powers. The siblings were taken in by a billionaire father (Colm Feore), who created the Umbrella Academy as a way to prepare the kids to save the world. After years of estrangement, the heroes reunite to solve a mystery about their dad. This series stars Elliot Page, Aidan Gallagher, Tom Hopper and Ritu Arya, among others.
Watch The Umbrella Academy on Netflix
BoJack Horseman
Netflix
Another cartoon made with adults in mind, this absurdist comedy about mental health, addiction and trauma has been a hit since its premiere in 2014. BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) is a humanoid horse and once-beloved sitcom star. With support from human pal Diane (Alison Brie), roommate Todd (Aaron Paul), agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) and former rival Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins), BoJack attempts to revive his career and fix his reputation.
Watch BoJack Horseman on Netflix
Bloodline
Netflix
This dramatic thriller stars Kyle Chandler, Linda Cardellini and Sissy Spacek as the Rayburns, a hardworking American family whose past contains dark secrets. When a terrible crime takes place, the Rayburns' reputations are put on the line.
Russian Doll
Courtesy of Netflix
This comedy-drama series stars co-creator Natasha Lyonne as Nadia, a young woman in New York City who gets caught in a mysterious time loop on her 36th birthday. Season 2 follows Nadia as she uncovers family secrets and unravels her relationship with her mother (Chloë Sevigny). Russian Doll also stars Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee and Elizabeth Ashley.
Anatomy of a Scandal
Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Anatomy of a Scandal is a psychological thriller starring Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend and Michelle Dockery. The show is about a minister of Parliament, James Whitehouse (Friend), and a scandalous secret that threatens to destroy his happy family and public image.
Watch Anatomy of a Scandal on Netflix
The Empress
Netflix
This Austrian historical drama is based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Devrim Lingnau). When she falls for her sister's fiancé, Emperor Franz (Philip Froissant), and becomes his bride, Elisabeth enters the Viennese court, where familial and court politics threaten her place in the palace.
Squid Game
Netflix
This South Korean survival drama series became an instant hit upon release. In Squid Game, divorced father Gi-hun (Emmy-winner Lee Jung-jae) has lost all his money to gambling. When he's approached by a stranger to compete in children's games for an alluring prize, Gi-hun joins other broke players in a deadly competition. This exploration of class struggle also stars Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-joon and O Yeong-su.
Bodyguard
Netflix
This British series was renewed for a second season in 2022. The political thriller follows bodyguard David Budd (Richard Madden), a war vet living with PTSD, as he protects Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) — despite his disdain for her political views.
Dear White People
Netflix
Based on the 2014 film of the same name, this series follows a group of Black students at the predominantly white Ivy League school Winchester University. The students deal with social injustice, politics and racism, using humor and irony to interrogate these real-life issues. Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton and Ashley Blaine Featherson star.
Watch Dear White People on Netflix
Narcos
Netflix
This American-Colombian crime drama is about the rise of cocaine trade in 1980s Colombia. With a focus on drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and his circles, Narcos dramatizes real-life conflicts and government attempts to control cocaine. Costars include Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook and Paulina Gaitán.
Orange Is the New Black
Netflix
Based on Piper Kerman's memoir of the same name, this series begins with Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a privileged New Yorker who gets sentenced to prison when her past catches up to her. Over seven seasons, Piper adjusts to prison life, and the show later pivots to the lives of other women at Litchfield Penitentiary. Costars include Laura Prepon, Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox, Natasha Lyonne and Samira Wiley, among many others.
