Best Shows on Netflix Right Now (December 2020)

Created by Jed Mercurio

Starring Richard Madden, Keeley Hawkes, and Sophie Rundle

Bodyguard made waves upon release for its graphic depictions of violence, terror, and PTSD – told through the story of David Budd, an Afghanistan war vet who becomes the bodyguard for the British Home Secretary.

Richard Madden’s pronunciation of Ma’am is just one reason to check out Bodyguard – there are dozens more. Bodyguard was also a favorite of critics in 2018, with many citing its difficult subject matter as timely and unforgettable.

Created by Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, and Jonathan Krisel

Starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein

From the get-go, it’s clear that Portlandia is unlike any other show that’s ever been made. As Fred Armisen serenades us to the tune of a nostalgic song of the 90’s, we’re transported into a truly singular setting – that of Portland, Oregon.

Through eight seasons, Portlandia runs the gambit of the uber-hipster city’s culture all through the eyes of creators Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, and Jonathan Krisel. Portlandia is no doubt one of the most binge worthy shows on Netflix.

Developed by Greg Daniels, Based on a Series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

Starring Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer

The Office has found a long, enduring second life on Netflix – although it won’t be long before the series returns to NBC on the Peacock streaming service.

But The Office is comfortably at home on Netflix for the time being. The Office pilot script didn’t do a great job of setting up the show, but as time went on, the series picked up great momentum and became a fan-favorite for millions of viewers. The Office is no doubt one of the best shows to binge on Netflix.

Developed by James Manos Jr., Based on Jeff Lindsay’s Novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Starring Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, and David Zayas

“Tonight’s the night” is what blood-spatter expert/serial killer Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) says to begin the first episode of what would become one of the most notorious shows in existence. For years, Dexter was regarded as one of the best shows on television.

The fourth season of Dexter is still largely viewed as one of the single best seasons of a show ever made. Of course, John Lithgow aided that season with an incredible performance, but Dexter was never more focused than it was then. In the end, Dexter floundered to give resolution to its title character, which resulted in the dismissal of a once highly revered show – but showrunner Clyde Phillips will have another chance to stick the landing with a greenlit miniseries.

Created by Álex Pina

Starring Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño, and Pedro Alonso

Money Heist, or as it’s referred to with Spanish speaking viewers La Casa de Papel, follows a mysterious man named the Professor and his elaborate heists on financial institutions.

After years of toiling away in obscurity, Money Heist has finally found widespread appeal with international audiences and critics.

Starring Cuba Gooding Jr. Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, and John Travolta

Featuring the most unlikely of all-star casts, The People v. O.J. Simpson captivates through ten episodes. Although many are familiar with Simpson’s infamous murder trial, the actors here breathe new life into all the integral players.

Schwimmer, Paulson, and Travolta in particular are enrapturing in their roles, largely in part to some excellent hair and makeup from the team at FX.

Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould

Starring Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Sheahorn, Jonathan Banks and Giancarlo Esposito

When it was announced that Vince Gilligan was going to follow up Breaking Bad with a prequel series focused on Saul Goodman, many responded with a healthy dose of skepticism. Not because Saul wasn’t an interesting character but because many wanted to see Gilligan do something “new.”

Although Better Call Saul is a prequel, it still feels very new. Most of the show takes place in the past, but we also see momentary glimpses into the events after Breaking Bad. This gives us something to be unsure of and adds a foreboding sense of doom to the events of the past. Ultimately, Better Call Saul is Gilligan’s most refined work and the current best show on television – oh and can we finally give Rhea Sheahorn the Emmy she deserves for her incredible performance as Kim Wexler?

Created by Vince Gilligan

Starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, and Dean Norris

The course of television history was changed forever with Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad. Bryan Cranston stars in the show as a high-school teacher turned meath kingpin who will do anything necessary to get what he wants.

Directed by Jason Hehir

Featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson

The Last Dance chronicles the Chicago Bulls’ sixth and final championship season, including interviews with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, Barack Obama, Carmen Electra and many, many more. The Last Dance shows us what people – particularly the people in the Chicago Bulls organization in the 1990s – sacrifice in order to achieve the highest degree of success.

There’s a reason why Michael Jordan is considered the greatest player of all-time – no athlete in American sports, save for Tom Brady, Bill Russell and Kobe Bryant, were so committed to winning that they’d risk everything for it.

Created by Steven Knight

Starring Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, and Paul Anderson

Peaky Blinders is a captivating look at a family of criminals in Birmingham, England during the underexplored period between World War I and World War II.

Perhaps no show on television today oozes with style more than Peaky Blinders. Every facet of the show is layered with incredible period detail and expressive production decisions. Cillian Murphy gives a career performance as Thomas Shelby, the head of the peaky blinders. Oh, and the show just happens to have one of the best recurring title sequences of all time, featuring the enrapturing music of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Based on the Books of the Same Name by Andrzej Sapkowski

Starring Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, and Anya Chalotra

Henry Cavill is great in the role of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, even if he does take the “witchers don’t have emotion” maxim too much to heart. I think most would admit that the first season of Netflix’s mega-budget The Witcher was far from perfect – there were pacing issues, instances of acting inconsistency, and plenty of questionable moments of dialogue.

However, for many who stuck with it, The Witcher proved worthwhile in the end. And with plenty of room to grow, it seems likely that The Witcher will only continue to gain traction in the seasons to come.   

Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Starring Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, and Aaron Paul

Has there ever been a more surprising animated hit than Bojack Horseman? This original series from Raphael Bob-Waksberg makes true use of the operative word “original.” Bojack is unlike anything that came before it, and it may be a long time before we see something that matches its signature blend of style and story.

Through six seasons, Bojack delved into some deep subject matter and went further than most shows in how it showed the depths of depression.