The Best TV Shows on Netflix to Add to Your Watchlist

Looking for something to binge-watch tonight? Netflix binges aren’t a guilty pleasure; they are a winter necessity and one of the best ways to wind down and unplug after a busy day. 

From tense dramas and shocking crime investigations to laugh-out-loud comedies and heartwarming romcoms, these are our picks for the best TV shows on Netflix. Take note!

Emily in Paris

Love it or hate it, Emily in Paris has become the cornerstone of our TV diets in recent years. Light, fluffy and fashionable, the show follows Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins), a young marketing executive from Chicago, as she relocates to Paris for a new job. With three seasons already in the bag, fans are counting down to the first drop of season four. 

Part one of the fourth season will air on August 14, and part two on September 14. The show will pick up from season three's cliffhanger pregnancy plot twist, and Emily will find herself in a romantic entanglement as she continues to face career dilemmas and cultural clashes. With its charming portrayal of Parisian life, fashion-forward aesthetics, and light-hearted drama, it is escapism at its best. 

Four seasons

Love

Judd Apatow’s quirky and brutally honest rom-com about the ups and downs of modern relationships. In Love, Gus and Mickey are thrown together in an unlikely coupling – Gus is a sweet, geeky guy who has just been cheated on by his long-term girlfriend, and Mickey is a self-destructive, recovering alcoholic/drug enthusiast who seems to destroy everything and everyone around her. 

They’re in no way suited to each other, yet somehow, they are, and the series unfolds with a comical set of mishaps that, in the end, help them figure out just what love is. Addictively infuriating and hysterically amusing, Love will reaffirm any doubts you had about relationships and leave you giddy. 

Three seasons

Bridgerton

When the super steamy period drama Bridgerton debuted in 2020, it set off a cultural awakening, and we haven't looked back since. This Regency-era drama, produced by Shonda Rhimes, follows the lives and loves of the Bridgerton family. It blends stunning period settings with modern sensibilities, creating a fresh take on historical romance.

Each season focuses on a different sibling's journey to find love, beginning with Daphne Bridgerton's enchanting romance with the Duke of Hastings. With its captivating storyline, fascinating social dynamics, and sizzling chemistry between characters, Bridgerton makes for a very entertaining watch. It's believed season four of the show will premiere in 2026. 

Three seasons

Outlander

Outlander chronicles the life of Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe), a WWII nurse who is transported back to 18th-century Scotland. There, she meets the handsome Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), and their epic romance unfolds amidst historical events and political drama.

The series masterfully combines romance, adventure, and historical drama, driven by the powerful chemistry between its leads, Balfe and Heughan. With its captivating storytelling and stunning visuals, Outlander is a compelling exploration of love that transcends time and place.

7 seasons

The Gentlemen

It's hot, it's heavy, and it's jam-packed with nail-biting twists. In this crime-comedy series, which was made by director Guy Ritchie and based on Ritchie's 2019 film of the same title, the show follows Edward Horniman (Theo James) after he inherits a vast 15,000-acre estate and the title of Duke of Halstead following his father's death.

Edward soon discovers the land is part of a marijuana empire overseen by mob boss Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario). Edward must navigate a complex world filled with dangerous characters while trying to protect his family and their fortune. 

One season

Narcos

Documenting the gritty, real-life story of Colombia's notoriously violent and powerful drug cartels, this critically acclaimed series follows the infamous Pablo Escobar as he battles against the Columbian government and relentless DEA officers in a drug-hungry battle that’s embroiled in politics, narcotics, power and money. 

Three seasons

Ozark

Brutally dark and sinister, Ozark’s white-collar crime tale follows Marty Byrde, a Chicago financial planner who gets mixed up with one of Mexico’s biggest drug cartels. His life is turned upside down when he’s forced to launder millions of dollars for the Mexican gangsters, and so he moves his entire family to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri to set up the large-scale laundering operation. But things don’t run as smoothly as expected.

Four seasons

The Umbrella Academy

The Umbrella Academy is a Netflix series based on the comic book by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. It shares the story of a dysfunctional family of adopted superhero siblings, each with unique powers, who reunite to solve the mystery of their father's death and prevent an impending apocalypse. The show blends action, dark humour, and emotional drama, exploring themes of family, identity, and destiny. The fourth and final season of the series will be landing on August 8. 

Four seasons

The OA

Wonderfully weird and creepy to the max, The OA’s supernatural masterpiece will have you instantly transfixed. Britt Marling stars as a dimension-hopping angel with supernatural powers in a gripping, bizarre story that’s shrouded in mystery. Part romance, part mystery, part thriller with a sprinkling of sci-fi fantasy, this beautifully created, strangely harrowing tale will leave you wide-eyed and reeling for more. 

Two seasons

Maniac

In this fast-paced sci-fi mini-series starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, two strangers connect during a mind-altering pharmaceutical trial that claims to permanently cure them of their mental health issues. But strangely, the bond between the pair develops during the trial in the corners of their subconscious while uncovering the traumas they were both desperately trying to bury. 

Teetering precariously between reality and fantasy, Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgram find themselves spiralling uncontrollably from one world to the next, all at the hands of a doctor with serious mother issues and an emotionally complex computer. 

One season

Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker’s sharp, satirical sci-fi anthology explores a twisted, high-tech near-future where humanity's greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide — but in the most sinister, comedic, and uncomfortable fashion. Catch the latest season (and all the others if you’ve yet to watch) on Netflix now.  

Six seasons

Boy Swallows Universe 

Boy Swallows Universe is a Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton's best-selling novel set in 1980s Brisbane. The coming-of-age series follows Eli Bell, a curious young boy with an otherworldly intellect and a troubled family.

As he navigates his tumultuous life, Eli encounters love, crime, and magic, seeking to understand the mysteries around him. The series promises drama and fantasy, capturing the essence of Dalton's poignant storytelling and rich character development. 

One Season

Heartbreak High

Heartbreak High on Netflix is a modern reboot of the iconic 1990s Aussie series. It captures the essence of high school life with a contemporary twist. Set in Sydney, it follows a diverse group of students working their way through love, friendship, and identity in today's fast-paced world.

The series delves into issues like social media, sexuality, and cultural diversity, offering a fresh perspective while maintaining the original’s edgy and authentic feel. With its dynamic characters and engaging storylines, Heartbreak High resonates with both nostalgic fans and new viewers alike.

Two seasons

Bodyguard

In this utterly absorbing British crime drama starring Richard Madden (Robb Stark, Game of Thrones) and Keeley Hawes, an Afghanistan war veteran finds work as a police sergeant with the London Metropolitan Police. After preventing a terrorist attack, he’s assigned to protect a politician who was a main proponent of the very conflict he fought in. But things get complicated when they become romantically involved. 

One season

Russian Doll 

When acerbic New Yorker Nadia dies (played by the brilliant Natasha Lyonnne), she’s forced to relive her 36th birthday party over and over again. She’s trapped in a surreal time loop where she dies at the end of each night. But each time she’s brought back to life, Nadia discovers more about that night and about her past, which could be the key to escaping her existential limbo. With plenty of twists and turns and a lot of sharp, cutting humour, this heartfelt comedy-drama is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Two season

The Crown

The Crown is a critically acclaimed, lavish drama documenting Queen Elizabeth II's reign, decade by decade, exploring her public and private life, and the political rivalries that reshaped the monarchy and the 20th century. Claire Foy is magnificent in the first two seasons, with elaborate set designs and opulent costumes.

Season three sees Olivia Colman taking the helm as the Queen during her 1964–1977 reign, while season four introduces Emma Corrin as Princess Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher. The most recent and final season, featuring Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, continued to captivate with its rich historical storytelling.

Six seasons

Suits

Set in the shark-infested world of US corporate law, Suits is a swaggering, walk-and-talk drama about a New York law firm. Big deals and big bluffs come courtesy of Mike Ross – a genius-level university dropout with a photographic memory who lands a coveted associate job, despite having none of the legal credentials. 

Nine seasons

Peaky Blinders

Slick, smart and grotesquely violent, Peaky Blinders is a powerful drama about a depraved Birmingham gang in the 1920s. The spectacularly talented Cillian Murphy – who is rather easy on the eye – plays Thomas Shelby, the hypnotic Peaky Blinders’ gang leader, who uses any means necessary to build his criminal empire. But there’s a hint of innocence to the ruthless gangster that you’ll fall for the minute you start watching. 

Six seasons

The Letdown

The Letdown is a heartfelt and hilarious Australian TV show that explores the ups and downs of new parenthood. The series follows Audrey, played by Alison Bell, who reluctantly joins a mother's group full of quirky characters. As Audrey navigates the challenges of being a new mum, she forms a supportive and comedic community.

The show brilliantly captures the messy, unglamorous realities of raising kids, highlighting the pressures on mothers, marriages, and friendships. With its relatable moments and authentic humour, The Letdown is a must-watch for parents or anyone who enjoys a well-crafted comedy.

Two seasons

Utopia

Australia’s answer to The Office is set in the fictional Nation Building Authority, a bumbling government department tasked with building our country’s major infrastructure. Some of our finest comedic talents, including Rob Sitch, Celia Pacquola, Kitty Flanagan and Dilruk Jayasinha, play beleaguered civil servants whose grand visions are often stalled by bureaucratic blunders.

Five seasons

Dead to Me

Starring Christina Applegate and Linda Caredellini, this darkly humorous comedy is about two women thrown together in the face of grief. Having lost her husband in a tragic hit-and-run accident, Jen, a sardonic widow, is left grieving yet determined to solve the crime. Her efforts are thwarted, however, when she meets a free-spirited, slightly kooky Judy at a bereavement support group, and the two become unlikely friends. But their friendship quickly takes a sinister turn as a dark secret attempts to come between them. 

Three seasons

Derry Girls

Derry Girls is a charming and witty British sitcom set in 1990s Northern Ireland. It follows the lives of a group of teenage girls and one boy as they navigate the trials of adolescence amidst the backdrop of political turmoil. The series is brimming with mischief, teenage angst, and thick Northern Irish accents, all delivered with sharp humour and a nostalgic nod to the era.

With its endearing characters and clever writing, Derry Girls captures the chaotic yet heartfelt experiences of growing up during a unique historical period. Expect plenty of laughs, heartfelt moments, and a vivid depiction of friendship and resilience.

Three seasons

Flowers

Mighty Boosh and Peep Show fans, prepare to rejoice. Julian Barratt and Oscar-winning Olivia Coleman combine forces – believe us, this comedic coupling is a force to be reckoned with – in this delightfully humorous, dark British comedy that follows a depressed children’s author and his eccentric, dysfunctional family. 

Touching on mental health, trauma, marriage and relationships, this unique series deals with the bittersweet (and often painful) reality of life in all its complexities, yet with a touching sense of humour that’s unwaveringly honest, uncomfortably funny and wonderfully surreal. 

Two seasons

Kath & Kim

Brilliantly funny, this satirical Aussie comedy follows mother and daughter duo Kath and Kim, a.k.a. the foxy ladies of Fountain Lake. While Kath gets the preparations underway for her wedding to Kel Knight, purveyor of fine meats, her vapid daughter Kim moves home and throws a giant spanner in the works. This is a guaranteed laugh-a-minute with plenty of ill-fitting lycra and shell suit faux pas to keep you entertained. Just be sure to re-stock the chardonnay. 

Four seasons

After Life

A witty and earnest depiction of life, love and death, Ricky Gervais’ poignant comedy tells the tale of Tony Johnston, a cynical journalist struggling to come to terms with his wife Lisa’s untimely death. In the wake of her passing, Tony decides his life isn’t worth living without her. But after a failed suicide attempt, he decides, instead, to punish the world around him by saying and doing whatever he wants. 

But despite his rather humorous attempts to insult everyone he comes into contact with, his friends, family (and even a few strangers on the street), he discovers the world isn’t as cruel as he once thought and discovers glimmers of hope in the light of his heartbreak. Heartfelt yet incredibly funny, After Life will have you in hysterics and then sobbing in complete succession. 

Three seasons

Sex Education

Sex Education tells the story of Otis, an insecure and socially awkward 16-year-old boy whose mum (played by Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist. Despite lacking somewhat in the bedroom department, he’s been given all the advice under the sun. And so, using his skills to his advantage, he teams up with high school bad girl Maeve Wiley to offer sex advice to the kids at his school. 

Four seasons

Finished working your way through the best TV shows on Netflix and are looking for more cosy winter inspo? If your wardrobe needs a refresh, check out our round-up of the most affordable knitwear items. Or, maybe you're planning a winter-inspired getaway? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Jindabyne.