8 Most Underrated TV Shows of the 2020s (So Far)

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Television in the 2020s has been fantastic, with shows like Adolescence and The Studio, plus the latest seasons of Stranger Things, becoming global hits. However, many other excellent shows haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. While some of these received praise from critics, they largely went unnoticed by general audiences.

Lots of fantastic TV shows from the 2020s haven’t gotten the attention they deserve, including thrilling crime shows, imaginative fantasy series, funny comedies, and even animated sitcoms. It’s tough for any show to stand out with so much competition, but many of these hidden gems are worth checking out – even if they’ve already finished airing.

Somebody Somewhere Is a Beautiful and Heartwarming Comedy

The HBO series Somebody Somewhere didn’t get a lot of attention at first, but it quietly ran for three seasons, totaling twenty-one episodes, from 2022 to 2024. The show thankfully gained recognition near the end of its run, with its star receiving an award nomination for a Comedy Series.

Somebody Somewhere is a heartfelt series that beautifully portrays grief, loss, acceptance, and starting over. It centers on Sam Miller, played by Bridget Everett, a woman in her 40s who is searching for purpose in life after the passing of her sister.

After her sister’s death, Sam feels lost and unsure of her own identity and future. The show Somebody Somewhere follows Sam as she adjusts to life without her sister, deals with the pain of her loss, and works through complicated family relationships, all while searching for a sense of belonging.

We Own This City Is a Dark Look at Police Corruption

Released in 2022, this series offers a harsh look at police misconduct, harmful ideas about what it means to be a man, and how broken systems can enable corruption within organizations meant to serve the public. It’s based on the true story of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force, and shows how the officers involved rose to power and ultimately fell from grace.

In just six episodes, We Own This City powerfully depicts how police officers can abuse their power – using excessive force, making threats, and fabricating evidence – within a system that prioritizes arrests and convictions above all else.

HBO’s We Own This City is a captivating watch. Viewers unfamiliar with the true story of the scandal surrounding Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force will be surprised by the many twists and turns. Despite receiving praise from critics, this miniseries – from the creators of The Wire and Bosch – hasn’t yet reached the wide audience it deserves, making it a hidden gem.

Upload Blends Mystery with Sci-Fi to Deliver a Unique Experience

The series Upload centers around Nathan, played by Robbie Amell, who dies and finds himself in the afterlife. However, this afterlife is a digital one – people can now ‘upload’ their consciousness to continue living in a virtual paradise. Nathan’s death comes as a surprise, as advancements in technology were meant to make car accidents nearly impossible.

Upload is a show that mixes comedy, science fiction, drama, and mystery, offering broad appeal. Created in 2020 by Greg Daniels – known for co-creating Parks and Recreation – it surprisingly remained under the radar despite its quality and four seasons.

The series Upload tackles big questions about life and death, specifically what a perfect afterlife might look like. It also examines the impact on those who choose not to digitally preserve their consciousness, and how that affects their loved ones. Adding to the thought-provoking themes, Upload incorporates a mystery surrounding the circumstances of Nathan’s death, making it a truly unique and often overlooked show.

Inside Job Takes Conspiracy Theories to a Whole New Level

Despite being well-made, the show had trouble gaining popularity. Created in 2021 by Shion Takeuchi, known for Gravity Falls, it’s set in a world where every conspiracy theory is actually true. A secret “shadow government” controls everything, and the company Cognito, Inc. is behind many of the most unbelievable disasters and schemes.

The show Inside Job centers around Dr. Reagan Ridley, the ambitious daughter of Randall Ridley, the former CEO and co-founder of Cognito, Inc. Lizzy Caplan, known from Mean Girls, plays Reagan, who is poised to lead the company but struggles with social anxiety and teamwork, hindering her progress.

What really made Inside Job stand out was its strong, continuous storyline. Each episode featured new adventures, but the series always moved forward with a larger plot about Reagan trying to prove herself as the next CEO of Cognito, Inc., and her father attempting to regain control of the company.

Dying for Sex Delivers More than What Its Name Implies

I just finished watching a truly powerful film centered around Michelle Williams, who delivers a heartbreaking performance as Molly Kochan. The story begins with the devastating news that her breast cancer has come back, and it’s spread – aggressively, to her bones, brain, and liver. The doctor’s prognosis is grim, and we quickly realize Molly is facing a very limited time left. It’s a tough watch, but Williams’ portrayal is incredibly moving.

Instead of feeling defeated by her diagnosis, Molly uses it as a turning point to confront the issues in her life – a troubled marriage, difficult childhood, and complicated family. She decides to take charge and live life to the fullest, starting with leaving her husband in pursuit of something she’s longed for: experiencing an orgasm.

Although the title Dying for Sex might suggest a certain focus, the miniseries is actually about much deeper issues. Molly’s experiences with sex are simply a way the show explores her past trauma, her grief, and her relationships – both with others and with herself. It’s a surprisingly insightful and overlooked show that could really change how viewers see things.

Mrs. Davis Sees a Nun Fighting a Powerful Algorithm

This show is definitely one of the more surprising ones to come out recently. It centers around Sister Simone, portrayed by Betty Gilpin from GLOW, a nun living in a world ruled by an all-powerful algorithm. The algorithm sends her on a mission to locate the Holy Grail.

As a big movie fan, I’m really hooked by this story! Sister Simone is totally against this algorithm, refusing to even acknowledge it. But honestly, she finds it impossible to ignore. It’s creepy because the algorithm communicates through headphones, and it starts using other people to try and reach Simone – and the ways it does this are getting seriously unsettling and eerie. It’s building a really strange atmosphere, and I’m on the edge of my seat!

Mrs. Davis is a funny, wild, and fast-paced show. While critics liked it, it didn’t become a huge hit worldwide, making it a bit of a hidden sci-fi comedy treasure from the 2020s. Its over-the-top story likely kept it from finding a large audience, but it’s still a series worth checking out.

Mythic Quest Is a Hilarious Look at Video Game Culture

Mythic Quest is an AppleTV+ series that premiered in 2020. It stars Rob McElhenney, known from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as Ian Grimm, the creator and head of the popular online game, Mythic Quest. The show begins as the team prepares to launch a major new expansion for the game, leading to tension and disagreements among the staff.

The show tracks the team’s work to maintain Mythic Quest’s popularity as a top online game, while also showcasing the challenges they face – like responding to player requests, handling PR crises, and dealing with players leaving the game – all of which throws their work into disarray.

Though the original series has ended, Mythic Quest wrapped up its story in a way that felt good. And fans will be happy to know that a spin-off series, Side Quest, premiered in 2025. While Mythic Quest focuses on the world of video game development – a topic some might not be familiar with – it’s still a funny and enjoyable show for a wide audience.

A Man on the Inside Delivers an Unexpected Mystery Comedy

This new series offers a fresh look at what life is like after retirement. Created by Michael Schur, the mind behind shows like The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it stars Ted Danson as Charles, a man in his 70s who’s struggling to find joy after losing his wife.

Charles, on his daughter’s suggestion, decided to take up a hobby or find work. He responded to an ad seeking someone his age for a secret investigation, which connected him with Julie Kovalenko. Julie needed help finding a necklace that had been stolen from a secure retirement community.

The title, A Man on the Inside, perfectly captures the story: Charles finds a new role helping Julie solve a crime within a retirement community. The show blends mystery, humor, and touching family moments, offering a fresh perspective on discovering meaning and purpose later in life.

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2026-01-16 00:39