Top 10 Best Original Series on Netflix You Must Watch Right Now

With the massive amount of shows on Netflix, deciding on the best TV shows to watch can be a difficult task. So, coming up, I’ll count down the top 10 original series that you can watch on Netflix right now.

To qualify, the series must be current with new episodes released since the beginning of last year and be listed as Netflix Originals here in the state.

As many of you know, we don’t care about scores from critics; these will be our personal favorites based on entertainment value alone. Let’s get started!

10. Griselda

This biographical crime drama is one of the most underappreciated series on Netflix to be released in years. This six-episode miniseries stars Sophia Vergara in the greatest role of her career as Griselda Blanco, a prominent Colombian drug lord in the cocaine drug trade and underworld of Miami, Florida, in the 1980s. Creating one of the most profitable cartels in history, if you’re a fan of shows like Narcos, Griselda is a must-watch.

9. 3 Body Problem

The science fiction mystery thriller was co-created by two of the creators of the popular series Game of Thrones. Three Body Problem follows a group of scientists who all come into contact with an extraterrestrial civilization, which leads to various threats to humanity.

While it’s not a perfect show, the source material is ambitious and a must-watch for fans of sci-fi. Netflix has renewed Three Body Problem for a second and third season.

8. A Man on the Inside

Switching gears to a show that’s not so serious, A Man on the Inside comes in at number eight. This show changes the tide of lousy comedies on Netflix—this one is surprisingly really good. It was created by Michael Schur, who’s known for his work on the American version of The Office and creator of The Good Place.

It stars Ted Danson as a retired professor who gets a new lease on life when he gets hired to go undercover inside a San Francisco retirement home. Danson, as usual, is at the top of his game with an excellent supporting cast, including Sally Struthers. The writing is fantastic. A Man on the Inside has been renewed for its second season, expected sometime later this year.

7. The Lincoln Lawyer

This legal drama is based on the novels by Michael Connelly, who some of you might know as the author of books featuring LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, which was also turned into a series. The Lincoln Lawyer was created by David E. Kelley and follows Mickey Haller, an idealistic defense attorney taking on cases big and small in Los Angeles who primarily works out of the chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator rather than his office.

The Lincoln Lawyer is not groundbreaking in any aspect but is highly entertaining with likable characters. Three seasons are available to watch right now; its third was just released, and we’re awaiting word on a fourth season.

6. Cobra Kai

Taking the number six spot, this martial arts comedy-drama is a sequel to the original Karate Kid films. It takes place more than three decades after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. The series begins with Johnny.

Who is down on his luck, reopening the infamous Cobra Kai Dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel, who is now a successful businessman. While extremely cheesy at times, this nostalgic series is well-written and highly entertaining. Five full seasons of Cobra Kai are available now. Season 6, which is its final season, has been split into three parts—the first two parts can be streamed right now, with the third part coming very soon on February 13th of 2025.

5. The Diplomat

This political thriller follows Kate Wyler, played by Keri Russell. She plays the new US ambassador to the UK, where she helps to forge strategic alliances, diffuse international crises, and adjust to her new role being thrust into the spotlight.

At the same time, she’s also managing a failing marriage to Hal Wyler, a fellow career diplomat played by Rufus Sewell. If you enjoy shows like Succession and House of Cards with sharply written dialogue, this series should be on your watch list. Two seasons of The Diplomat are available right now and it has been renewed for a third.

4. Squid Game

When released in 2021 with its first season, this South Korean survival thriller quickly became Netflix’s most-watched series worldwide. This surprise hit show follows hundreds of contestants strapped for cash who accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a tempting prize—but the stakes are deadly. A second season of Squid Game was just released last month. A third and final season is expected to be released near the end of 2025.

Honorable Mentions

Before we get to our top three, here are some other shows released over the past year just missing out on our top 10 that we think are worthy of your time to watch:

• Black Doves: A British action spy thriller released in December of 2024, starring Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire. It’s been renewed for a second season.
• No Good Deed: A dark comedy with an all-star cast including Denis Leary, Lisa Kudrow, and Ray Romano. One season is available now; no word yet on a second.
• Territory: A six-part Australian neo-Western with lesser-known actors you might recognize from other popular shows. Just released, Netflix has yet to officially renew the series.
• Unstable: A workplace comedy starring Rob Lowe and his son, John Owen Lowe. After two seasons, Netflix canceled this series.
• Vikings Valhalla: A historical drama and sequel to Vikings, which ran for five seasons. Vikings Valhalla premiered its third and final season in July of 2024.

3. Arcane League of Legends

Based on a video game, this adult animated fantasy action adventure is set in the League of Legends universe. The story follows two sisters who find themselves in a developing conflict over clashing convictions and arcane technologies. All I can say about this show is that it’s absolutely brilliant with fantastic storytelling and is one of the best video game adaptations into a TV series of all time. Arcane has two seasons available, with the second being its last.

2. The Gentlemen

In the runner-up spot, this action comedy crime drama was created by Guy Ritchie and is a spin-off of the Matthew McConaughey film of the same name. The story follows Eddie, the 13th Duke of Halstead, a former United Nations peacekeeping officer. After the passing of his father, he inherits his family’s estate, where he learns that a section of the land is part of a marijuana-growing empire.

While trying to get the proprietors to leave his property, Eddie must navigate a world of eclectic and dangerous characters with nefarious agendas while trying to stay alive and protect his home and land. If you love fast-paced shows with plenty of twists, The Gentlemen is for you. Netflix has renewed the series for a second season, expected later this year or early 2026.

1. Ripley

Taking the top spot, the best Netflix original series released over the past year is Ripley. This psychological mystery thriller is based on the crime novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” It stars Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley and Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood.

This eight-episode limited series, set in New York during the late 1950s, follows Tom Ripley, a down-on-his-luck con man who was hired by a wealthy man to convince his prodigal son to return home from Italy. Tom’s acceptance of this job is the first step in a life of deceit, fraud, and murder.

The writing and acting are fantastic, and even though it was filmed entirely in black and white, the cinematography is top-notch.

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