Summary
While some shows seem to go on for years and years, there are just as many that only get a single season. There are lots of reasons a show might only get one season. Sometimes they simply don’t attract enough viewers over time, other times they don’t get enough opportunity to build that crucial audience because of the marketing they receive.
This doesn’t mean a show isn’t worth watching, though; sometimes a single season is enough to wrap up a story succinctly.Some shows create intrigue by leaving the story unfinished, letting the viewer decide what happens next. This list looks at the best single-series Netflix shows that left audiences wanting more.
This political thriller, based on a novel of the same name, explores the intersection of public and private scandals through the story of British MP James Whitehouse when a colleague accuses him of sexual assault. Things begin to unravel, with Whitehouse’s wife unable to reconcile her husband’s version of events with what he is being accused of, leading to questions about events that occurred during their time at university, over twenty years before.
Both Sienna Miller and Rupert Friend were praised for their performances in the show, and undeniably, they work well together as scene partners who maintain a sense of intrigue throughout. The show was also commended for its discussion of issues like consent, privilege, and power dynamics.
The Queen’s Gambittells the story of an orphaned chess prodigy named Beth Harmon, who is trying to rise through the ranks of the male-dominated chess world in 1960s America while dealing with drug addiction. With only seven episodes, the show was designed as a limited series and is based on the 1983 novel of the same name.
The show received generally positive acclaim, with special attention paid to Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Beth. It rated highly on IMDb and won eleven Emmy Awards, as well as two Golden Globe Awards and two Critics' Choice awards.
The Societytells the story of a group of teenagers who, returning from a school trip, find everyone else to be missing from their small Connecticut town. With no outside communication and no idea what happened, the group must work together to create a functioning society while trying to establish why their families disappeared.
The Societywas praised for its commentary on ethics and morality, successfully combining typical teen-drama plotlines with the added seriousness of the group’s isolation and newfound responsibility.The show was canceled due to production issues arising from COVID-19, leaving many of the stories in the show open-ended and unresolved.
Unbelievableis the story of a young woman accused of lying about being raped,and the two detectives who seek to find out the truth. While investigating the case, they uncover a pattern of similar crimes, creating a larger mystery surrounding the event in question. The show was praised for its performances, and for the way it handled a particularly sensitive topic.
When it comes to awards,Unbelievable’s greatest achievement was winning the prestigious Peabody Award for entertainment. It scored a very respectable 83 on Metacritic.
Bodyguardis a British thriller about a veteran-turned-policeman who is assigned to protect a controversial politician. While the show remains really popular among audiences, intelligence officers have said that the relationship between the protagonists would be considered unprofessional in the real world. Originally released on the BBC, the show has been internationally distributed on Netflix.
The show received an 8.1 on IMDb and Richard Madden won a Golden Globe for his performance. The tense thriller was also nominated for several BAFTA awards.
For audiences who loveclassic Westerns,Godlessis a solid choice, taking on traditional themes as well as some fresh ideas. A fugitive seeks refuge in a New Mexico town populated almost wholly by women, his story is one of redemption and resilience.
Godlesswas praised for both its exceptional visuals and for its acting. The show boasts a number of actors known from other successful shows, such as Michelle Dockery from the period pieceDownton Abbeyand Jack O’Connell from the acclaimed teen dramaSkins. Further, Jeff Daniels and Merritt Wever both won Emmys for their performances in the show.
2The Get Down
Starring Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jimmy Smits
This hidden gem is action-packed, despite being made up of only eleven episodes. Produced by the iconic Baz Luhrmann,The Get Downtells the story of the origins of hip-hop inthe Bronx during the late 70s. The show is densely packed with a variety of themes, including music and art, poverty and crime, and the socio-political state of the United States in the mid-20th century.
The show was acclaimed for its stunning visuals, and for its excellent soundtrack, which features a number of original songs, receiving a score of 8.2 on IMDb. Moreover,The Get Downwas Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s first professional acting role, and his performance was incredible. Ultimately, the show had budget issues and challenges in production which led to its premature cancelation.
This 2019 series chronicles the case of the Central Park Five: teens who were wrongly accused and convicted of an assault that occurred in 1989. The show was praised for its astute observations about the lives of the teenagers and their families in light of the allegations, and how systemic racism impacts the justice system.
In particular, the show was lauded for its emotional depth and received an impressive 16 Emmy nominations. It has a score of 8.9 on IMDb and is considered a must-watch for examining racism and injustice in America and globally.
