Netflix Australia’s best TV shows: 80+ must-watch series to stream in 2021

UPDATE: Netflix has kicked off the new year in terrific form with the long-awaited arrival of Cobra Kai: Season 3 – find out more about the show below!

Since its arrival on Australian shores, we've enjoyed unfettered access to all of Netflix's critically-lauded original shows. Not only that, users also have access to a wealth of other licensed material.

If you're like us, you spend a good deal of your time Netflixing. Sure, Netflix also streams movies, but its television output is perhaps the reason most people have signed up for an account. There's nothing quite like firing up Netflix and binge-watching a series at your own pace. Getting instant access to entire seasons of Stranger Things from day one is half the appeal.

This is why we've created the TechRadar guide to the best shows on Netflix Australia right now (in no particular order). We'll keep this best TV show list constantly updated with the latest television shows that you should be watching on Netflix in Australia and also tell you why.

The best new TV series on Netflix Australia

We’ve selected more than 80 great series worth watching over the following pages, but if you've watched 'em all already you can also find out what's new on Netflix this month right here, or cut to the chase with our quick picks for the top trending shows on Netflix right now.

The following list charts the best shows that are currently trending right now on Netflix Australia. For our complete list of shows, which has been separated into genre, continue on to the next page or select your preferred genre from the drop-down list above!

1. Cobra Kai

Once a YouTube original, Cobra Kai is now back for its first Netflix-produced season. Set 34 years after Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) was defeated by Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the former reopens the Cobra Kai dojo once more to teach a new generation of kids how to fight. This not only sparks Johnny and Danny's old rivalry, but also a new one between the young students at their respective dojos. If you love the original films, this show is a lot of fun, and both its leads are in surprisingly great condition considering they're each performing fight stunts in their fifties. Now back for its third season, Cobra Kai is diving deeper into The Karate Kid's history with a number of surprise cameos.

Details: 3 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 23-37 minutes per episode

2. The Queen's Gambit

This seven-episode miniseries is the latest great Netflix show – and while the subject of chess might not sound exciting, The Queen's Gambit manages to weave it together with a tale of self-actualization, romance and drug abuse. Anya Taylor-Joy (The VVitch, Split) stars as Beth Harmon, an orphan trained to play chess by a talented janitor, before she challenges the very male-dominated chess scene with her skills. Essentially, her talents land her a slightly better life, but not without a price. Exciting even if you don't know chess from checkers, The Queen's Gambit is an instant Netflix classic.

Details: 1 season, 7 episodes per season, 46-67 minutes per episode

3. The Ripper

In the late '70s and early '80s, Northern England was held in a vice or fear by a new serial killer whose methods brought back memories of the famous Jack the Ripper killings of the late 1880s. Dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, this killer targeted vulnerable women in the working class city of Leeds, with occasional trips to nearby Manchester. Disturbingly, the killer went uncaught for several years due to a severe mishandling of the case by authorities who put all their chips on a fake voice recording, along with a misguided belief that only prostitutes were being targeted. Despite being strongly upsetting, this four-part series is an excellently crafted piece of true crime filmmaking that explores how systemic sexism helped prolong a killer's murder spree.

Details: 1 season, 4 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

4. Unsolved Mysteries

A reboot of the classic 80s/90s series of the same name, Netflix's version of Unsolved Mysteries has received a modern day makeover to bring it stylistically in line with the likes of Making a Murderer. For those not familiar with the show, Unsolved Mysteries presents a series of real-life cold cases which have left authorities baffled in the hopes that someone watching may have information that will help bring the truth to light. Now back for its second volume, the Netflix's series has presented six more cases which are not only heartbreaking, but truly unusual. Bizarre and unnerving, the new Unsolved Mysteries may become a new obsession for true crime-junkies. Oh, and the classic theme music has returned, also, which should delight fans of the old series.

Details: 2 seasons, 6 episodes per season, 37-52 minutes per episode

5. The Haunting of Bly Manor

The follow-up to The Haunting of Hill House – and listed separately on Netflix – The Haunting of Bly Manor is the latest horror series worth adding to your watch list. 'The Haunting' series is now an anthology, with many members of the same cast popping up again in this new '80s-set season, including Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Henry Thomas. This goes down more of a romantic route – an au pair (Pedretti), looking after two orphaned children, begins to uncover ghostly happenings in Bly Manor that reveal the location's history. The first season is well worth checking out, too, if you missed it in 2018.

Details: 1 season, 9 episodes per season, 45-66 minutes per episode

6. Schitt's Creek

Canadian sitcom Schitt's Creek has caused an upset at the 2020 Emmy Awards by beating the likes of The Good Place and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel to the Outstanding Comedy Series award. And why not? Eugene and Dan Levy's sitcom about a rich family forced to move to a town they once purchased as a joke is both hilarious and heartwarming – and has slowly gained a big following through its presence on Netflix. Netflix has now added the sixth and final season of the series, and it really is one of the best Netflix shows.

Details: 6 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 21 minutes per episode

7. The Last Dance

Missing sports at the moment? Well, Netflix's new sports documentary series The Last Dance should offer some respite from the monotony of a sports-free world. In this candid 10-part weekly series, you'll get to witness never-before-seen footage chronicling Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during the most pivotal season in its history, namely the 1997-98 NBA season which saw the greatest team lineup in basketball history come to an end. You'll also get an inside-look at the tensions within the dynasty that caused the team's management to clash with its players and head coach, eventually leading to the end of an era. Not just for basketball fans, The Last Dance is a must-watch for anyone who's ever been invested in a sports team.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 50 minutes per episode

8. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Forget the '90s TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, because aside from sharing character names, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is an entirely different beast. Darker and scarier than that family-friendly take, Netflix's version of the classic Archie Comics character owes a lot more to creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's recent comic series of the same name. Dealing head on with Satanism, demons and other dark subject matter, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina makes for a perfect companion to Riverdale (also from Aguirre-Sacasa), which tends to dabble in death and mystery, too. Of course, the show is quite fun, too, with a terrific performances from Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) as Sabrina, Lucy Davis (Wonder Woman) as Aunt Hilda and Australia's own Miranda Otto (Return of the King) as Aunt Zelda. Spooky and clever, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina positively ghoulish fun. Back for its fourth and final season, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina promises to close out the series with a bang.

Details: 4 seasons, 10 episodes per season (plus one holiday special), 60 minutes per episode

9. The Witcher

Grand in scale and epic in scope, Netflix's The Witcher series may very well end up being the Game of Thrones-sized hit the service has been looking for all these years. Though The Witcher is a property that's well-known in the gaming world, Netflix's series actually hews closer to the original book series by Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski. Lending significant muscle and star-power to the series is Henry Cavill, who's clearly having the time of his life as the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. But it isn't just Geralt's adventure, here – throughout the first season of the season, he'll also cross paths with Ciri (Freya Allan), a princess who's lost her parents and kingdom, and Yennefer, a sorceress whose journey has forced her to overcome many obstacles, including her own deformity. While The Witcher is initially slow out of the gate, the show rewards the viewer with a great amount of depth and fantastic action sequences. We think Netflix is on to a winner here.

Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

10. Sex Education

Meek teenager Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) can't catch a break at school, with kids constantly teasing him about his mother (Gillian Anderson) and her profession as a sex therapist. Of course, teens are more vulnerable and inexperienced than most when it comes to sexual matters, so when Otis inadvertently deals out some of the useful advice he'd overheard from his mother to a sexually-frustrated bully, he soon garners an unwanted reputation as the school's unofficial sex therapist. Sensing a potential to make money, Maeve (Emma Mackey) teams up with Otis to help find paying customers amongst their classmates. Now back for season 2, Netflix's Sex Education is a frank and funny series that never shies away from embarrassing truths.

Details: 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 47-52 minutes per episode

Want to know more about Netflix's take on binging? Watch our very own Jon Porter live on the couch discussing his time at Netflix HQ!

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The End of the F***ing World

This darkly funny British series feels like a cross between Thelma and Louise and True Romance, with its two young protagonists on the lam after running away from home and accidentally killing someone. James (Alex Lawther) is a prospective teenage psychopath looking for his first person to kill. Enter Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a girl from his class who wants out of her horrible home life. With the two now a couple and on the run, will James satisfy his bloodlust by killing his new girlfriend? Or will she warm his black heart? The first season ended on a huge cliffhanger that left everything up in the air - particularly the fate of one of the show's main characters. With season two, we definitely hope to see that person return, or else we riot! Pitch-black in its humour and surprisingly sweet, The End of the F***ing World is one for those who like their entertainment with an edge.

Details: 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 25 minutes per episode

Dead to Me

In Netflix's pitch black comedy Dead to Me, Christina Applegate (Anchorman, Married... with Children) plays Jen, a recently widowed woman who sets out to find the truth about her husband's death by hit and run. Of course, Jen has her own way of grieving and the outpouring of sympathy from those around her to be utterly insufferable. However, by a twist of fate, Jen starts to loosen up when she meets and befriends Judy (Linda Cardellini), a free-spirited woman who also lost someone. A dark and acerbic comedy from the makers of 2 Broke Girls and Hot in Cleveland, Dead to Me may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is destined to find a devoted audience who are willing to go to some uncomfortable places.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 30 minutes per episode

GLOW

From the makers of Orange is the New Black comes GLOW, a show based on a real-life all-women wrestling league that existed in the '80s. Why's it called GLOW? It stands for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, that's why! The show stars Alison Brie (Community) as an aspiring actress who auditions for the wrestling gig after being fed up with the lack of meaty female roles in Hollywood. Here, she can be a fierce warrior, one who is in charge of her own destiny and gets to play opposite other strong women. Like Orange is the New Black, GLOW is a show that masterfully balances comedy and drama. In its third season, we follow the ladies as the show moves to Las Vegas for live performances, leading to a new set of problems for everyone involved.

Details: 3 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 30 minutes per episode

Dead to Me

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 30 minutes per episode

Russian Doll

With its Groundhog Day-esque premise, Russian Doll sees Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) forced to relive her 36th birthday party over and over again. Though she's killed repeatedly, there's seemingly no end in sight for Nadia's inescapable night, leading her to question her own sanity as she tries to find a way out. Funny and fast-paced, Russian Doll is ideal for viewers looking for something short and sweet to watch, with each episode leaving you wanting more.

Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 25 minutes per episode

Lucifer

Unceremoniously cancelled on broadcast television, the devilishly-funny series Lucifer has found a new home on Netflix where it's received a brand new fourth season! From mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun, Armageddon, Pirates of the Caribbean) and based on the Vertigo comic of the same name (the comic series was a spin-off of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman), the series follows Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) as he abandons Hell to open a nightclub in Los Angeles and work as a consultant for the LAPD. If you haven't watched Lucifer before, fear not — the first three seasons are also available to stream on Netflix.

Details: 4 seasons, 13 episodes per season, 43 minutes per episode

BoJack Horseman

The best way to approach BoJack Horseman is to let it slowly grow on you. Chances are you won't be blown away by it from the first episode, but once you get hip to its rhythm, you'll likely find it to be one of the best animated comedy shows since Bob's Burgers (only with a lot more depth). Will Arnett voices BoJack, a washed-up '90s sitcom star who spends his days being bitter about his failures alongside his perpetual houseguest, Todd (Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul). Things get complicated when his cat girlfriend and agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) hires ghost writer Diane (Alison Brie) to pen BoJack's memoir. Filled with hilarious characters that could only exist in drawing-form, BoJack Horseman is a real winner. Now back for its fifth season, BoJack finds himself leading a terrible new cop show for a television channel that shouldn't exist. Meanwhile, Diane finds herself on a spiritual journey after her break up with Mr. Peanutbutter.

Details: 5 seasons, 12 episodes per season, 25 minutes per episode

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Someone escaping from a Domesday cult shouldn't be a recipe for comedy but Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt manages to squeeze the funny out of this premise. Created by Tina Fey and starring Ellie Kemper as the title character, the show sparkles with wit and lands on the right side of kooky. Best of all, the first half of the show's 4th (and unfortunately final) season has just landed and is fizzing with the same energy of the three seasons (we especially love the 'Making a Murderer' parody episode). If you're a fan of shows like Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock, you're pretty much guaranteed to love Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

Santa Clarita Diet

Like a cross between Modern Family and The Walking Dead (with a spattering of Dexter thrown in for good measure), Santa Clarita Diet is a hilariously gory Netflix Original series that sees suburban mum Sheila (Drew Barrymore) suddenly acquire an insatiable hunger for human flesh. Though shocked at first, Sheila's loyal husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) and daughter Abby (Liv Hewson) are determined to keep this family together, even if it means covering up a number of murders...

Seasons on Netflix: 2

The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale

Rising to prominence with the hilarious clip show The Soup before hitting it big as an actor on Community, Joel McHale has returned to the green screen once again to offer his unique brand of biting, sarcastic commentary on the ridiculous world of reality television. Featuring plenty of celebrity guest stars and more one liners than any reasonable person could possibly keep track of, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is the perfect way to cap off the week. Originally presented as a weekly series (unusual for a proper Netflix Original), The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is returning shortly with a whole batch of binge-worthy episodes. We can't wait!

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Everything Sucks!

Don't be put off by its twee trailers and the 1990s nostalgia-bait that lies therein — Everything Sucks! is actually a very endearing series that follows a group of young high schoolers (and their parents) as they struggle with new found feelings of love. It's the first day of high school for Luke (Jahi Di'Allo Winston) and his geeky friends, and the boys immediately meet Kate (Peyton Kennedy), the principal's daughter, in AV Club. Luke falls for her right away, but there's one problem — Kate is starting to realise that she actually likes girls. Meanwhile, Kate's widower dad (Patch Darragh) and Luke's single mother (Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako) have started a secret relationship, and it's only a matter of time before everything blows up in their faces. Funny and surprisingly heartfelt, Everything Sucks! is much more than a '90s-set Freaks and Geeks clone.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Good Place

A hilarious and refreshing comedy series, The Good Place sees Eleanor (Kristen Bell) arrive in a Heaven-like afterlife only to be greeted by Michael (Ted Danson), architect of what is known as 'The Good Place'. This beautiful neighbourhood is meant to be a reward for living an upstanding life. The problem is, she totally doesn't belong there, and now Eleanor must hide her wrongdoings, lest she be sent to The Bad Place instead. Witty and full of terrific one-liners, The Good Place is a delightful show with some unexpected twists and turns to keep you on your toes.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Reviled on initial release and then rediscovered as a cult classic, the 2001 film Wet Hot American Summer is the kind of satirical comedy that leaves most people scratching their heads. Those in the know, however, see it as an absolutely pitch-perfect, gobsmackingly hilarious spoof of the summer camp movies of the late '70s and early '80s. Many of the actors in the original film went on to become huge stars (Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler), so it should be considered a minor miracle that all of these people were wrangled back almost 15 years later to star in a prequel series for Netflix. If you haven't seen the original movie, you might want to stream it on Netflix before watching the show, but if you have seen it and love it like we do, you'll be over the moon with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later

If you've seen and are a fan of David Wain and Michael Showalter's hilarious film Wet Hot American Summer (WHAS), then you've surely watched its Netflix Original prequel series, WHAS: First Day of Camp (also on our list of the best shows on Netflix Australia). Hilariously taking place during the same summer of 1981 (despite a cast that's obviously aged by 15 years), the series hit every comedic note that made the film a cult favourite. Now, a sequel series has been made that sees our beloved characters return to Camp Firewood ten years after the events of the film and first series. Set in 1991, the show gets a lot of comedic mileage out of its new era, and sees most of its original cast return in some form or another (Bradley Cooper is unfortunately absent, though Adam Scott does a good job of filling his shoes). If you've ever wondered what these ridiculous characters might be like as adults, this is a series you must watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Ever spent an evening with friends watching bad movies and cracking jokes at their expense? If that's you, you're going to love Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). Based on a flimsy premise involving a scientific experiment by Gizmonic Institute, the show's lovably homemade sci-fi angle is just an excuse to have comedian Jonah Ray hang out with a bunch of wise-cracking robots named Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow as they relentlessly mock utterly terrible movies. The new Netflix version is actually a remake of an American cult favourite from the '80s and '90s and each episode will actually give you an entire movie to cringe and laugh through. A second season has now arrived on the service, dubbed The Gauntlet, which challenges viewers to sit through six more terrible movies in one sitting! Charming, funny and endlessly entertaining, MST3K is bound to capture a whole new generation of fans.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

One of the funniest shows to hit TV in years, Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars Andy Samberg as an immature goofball who also happens to also be a brilliant NYPD detective. The show revolves around the many cases (and shenanigans) that Samberg and his equally hilarious co-stars get wrapped up in under the watchful eye of their stern Captain. Quick-witted and full of heart, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a new comedy classic.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

Master of None

One of the freshest and most enjoyable shows Netflix has put out to date, the semi-autobiographical Master of None sees comedian Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) play Dev, a character much like himself who is trying to navigate his family, friends, acting career and love life in New York City. Hilarious and thoughtful, Master of None gives Dev the opportunity to reflect on difficult subjects like like racism and misogyny in a way that's warm, funny and eye-opening – no easy feat! Master of None also has an amazing soundtrack, and some wonderful supporting turns from Noël Wells, Eric Wareheim, Kelvin Yu and Ansari's own scene-stealing parents, Shoukath and Fatima.

Seasons available on Netflix: 2

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Before he was a global superstar, Will Smith was the frontman for the late '80s/early '90s hip hop duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. With a winning sense of personality and infectious hits like 'Parents Just Don't Understand', Smith took his performing talents and turned to acting by starring in the family sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Playing a fictionalised version of himself, Smith moves in with his stuffy high society Aunt and Uncle's family in the posh suburb of Bel-Air. Before long, his crazy persona turns the entire family's dynamic on its head, bringing a sense of much needed humour into their lives. A classic series with one of the best and most memorable theme songs of all time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is as fresh and funny now as it was 20-odd years ago. Now, sing it with us: "In West Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days..."

Seasons on Netflix: 6

Tiger King

The latest documentary series on Netflix to make you ask, "how is this real?", Tiger King takes you behind the scenes of big cat tourism in the United States, and it's eye-opening to say the least. At the centre of all this is Joe Exotic – a gun-toting, gay polygamist country singer and aspiring politician who runs a roadside zoo showcasing hundreds of tigers, lions and other big cats. Things take a dark turn when a war breaks out between Joe and Carole Baskin, a so-called animal rights activist and big cat sanctuary owner who may have had a hand in her millionaire husband's disappearance and presumed death. What starts as a documentary about an eccentric with a lot of big cats in cages and a hunger for fame quickly escalates into darker and more serious territory involving cult leaders, drugs and murder-for-hire. A story that almost seems too crazy to be true, Tiger King is bound to be your next reality obsession.

Details: 1 season, 7 episodes per season, 41-48 minutes per episode

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

In this four-part docuseries, survivors of the billionaire convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein come forward to tell their stories. Exposing a disgusting international sex trafficking operation with ties to the highest levels of society, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is a harrowing and emotionally devastating true story, but one that absolutely needs to be heard.

Details: 1 season, 4 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

Floor is Lava

A game show concept that is as silly as it sounds, Floor is Lava takes the classic childhood activity of navigating your living room without touching the ground and throws a Netflix budget behind it. With elaborate themed rooms and pulsing red ooze to avoid, contestants must navigate a series of slippery obstacles in order to reach a goal area. In each episode, three teams compete against each other for the chance to win $10,000. The team with the most members who make it to the end (or with the fastest completion time) takes home the cash prize along with a $15 lava lamp trophy. Sure, it isn't rocket science, but it's a great deal of fun and possibly the perfect show to watch as you unwind after a stressful day.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 25-37 minutes per episode

Next in Fashion

Unlike many other competitive reality shows, Next in Fashion succeeds by celebrating the work of its talented artists and designers rather than resorting to the usual cattiness and forced drama that makes similar shows unbearable. Join Queer Eye's fashion guru Tan France and model/designer Alexa Chung as they set out to find the world's next big name in fashion. It's worth noting that none of the show's contestants are amateurs – each one has dressed some of the world's biggest celebrities and is just waiting for the opportunity that will turn them into a household name. Now, if only Netflix would greenlight additional reality shows for the other members of the Fab 5! Just imagine a home renovation show hosted by Bobby Berk, or a cooking show starring Antoni Porowski...

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 45-55 minutes per episode

Ugly Delicious

A documentary series that simultaneously celebrates food while asking why we like it in the first place, Ugly Delicious is a must-watch for any food lover. World-renowned chef David Chang takes us on a culinary journey, exploring the foods we cherish, from pizza to barbecue and everything in between. Rather than just show us the best forms of each dish, Chang's approach is entirely different, looking back at the history and ethnography of each meal and asking us to do away with our food elitism. It's only then that we can open our minds up to the endless possibilities of what food can actually be.

Details: 2 seasons, 4-8 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

The Chef Show

If you loved Jon Favreau's delightful comedy Chef, you're going to adore The Chef Show, which sees the actor/director reunite with the film's leading food advisor, Chef Roy Choi, to embark on new cooking adventures, like sharing a meal with the Avengers cast in Atlanta, or cooking keto-friendly pizza with director Robert Rodriguez. During the first season, most episodes saw the duo cook one of the signature dishes that made mouths water in the film Chef, allowing you at home to see exactly how they're made. For season 2, the scope of the show has expanded, with Choi and Favreau embarking on cooking adventures that have nothing to do with the original film – which is great, because now we're likely to get even more seasons in the future!

Details: 2 season, 10 episodes per season, 30 minutes per episode

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

A global sensation, the new Netflix Original series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is inspiring people from all walks of life to de-clutter their home environments. Each episode, Japanese 'tidy guru' Mari Kondo is invites home owners to go through all of their belongings, keeping only those which "spark joy" within them. Kondo then teaches everyone in the home how to more efficiently store their clothes and possessions, drastically reducing the amount of space they take up in the process. If you fear that you're becoming a bit of a hoarder, this show should steer you back on track.

Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 35-44 minutes per episode

The Innocent Man

Based on John Grisham's book 'The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town', Netflix's latest Original docu-series is sure to become a new obsession for true crime aficionados. The Innocent Man tells the gripping (and baffling) story of Ron Williamson, a man who has been imprisoned since 1988 and has sat on Oklahoma's death row for 11 years for a heinous murder that experts believe he couldn't possibly have committed. The problem is, his taped confession is impossible to ignore. Has Williamson been thrown under the bus by dodgy police and prosecutors?

Details: 1 season, 6 episodes per season, 48 minutes per episode

Queer Eye

Queer Eye is back! Taking over from where the original Fab Five left off, the new team has been put together with the same ultimate mission: to remodel individuals into the best possible version of themselves, whether it be their wardrobe, living arrangements, grooming, diet or even their confidence. We know, makeover shows are usually pretty lame, but this one is fantastic in the way that the guys really get to the emotional heart of each subject they undertake. Often, there's a reason the men and women featured in each episode have let themselves go or have put up defensive walls against the outside world, and it's up to the Fab Five to reignite their inner spark and show them their own potential. Because the Fab Five really seem to care about them, it becomes incredibly rewarding to watch them go from unhappy to full of life. Chances are you'll cry at least once per episode. And, as an added bonus to the usual US-based seasons, Netflix has dropped a special four-episode season that sees the boys travel to Tokyo, Japan to makeover and improve the lives of some much-deserving people.

Details: 5 seasons, 4-8 episodes per season, 45 minutes per episode

Making a Murderer

True crime stories are so hot right now, evidenced by the immense popularity of the podcast Serial and HBO's The Jinx. Netflix's original series Making A Murderer however, is probably the hottest of them all, documenting and recounting the trials of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, two working-class Americans accused of the murder of 23-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach. Over the first season's 10 episodes, the show exposes the failings of the Wisconsin justice system in blood-boiling detail. Having spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Steven Avery is exonerated based on new DNA evidence. However, shortly after his release, he becomes the prime suspect in Halbach's murder, and Avery is put through the ringer once again by law enforcement figures that seem to have it out for him. What follows is an anger-inducing sequence of events that involve forced confessions, unconvincing (and possibly planted) evidence, dodgy lawyers and a complete presumption of guilt from almost everyone involved. Years later, as Avery and Dassey continue to sit in prison, the appeals process continues in Making A Murderer: Part 2, which covers each attempt to free the pair in great detail. Compelling, infuriating and tragic, we guarantee you won't be able to stop watching Making a Murderer once you've started.

Details: 2 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 60-70 minutes per episode

Dark Tourist

While there's no shortage of traditional travel shows on television these days, the Netflix Original series Dark Tourist takes an entirely different approach by setting its sights on unconventional destinations and frightening, morally-questionable itinerary activities. NZ journalist and documentarian Daniel Farrier embarks a journey across the globe, exploring the world's most confronting tourist spots and larks. From a narco tourism experience that sees him travel around Colombia with Pablo Escobar's number one hitman, to a tour through radioactive Fukushima, Farrier visits the world's most ill-advised tourist attractions so that you don't have to.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

American Vandal

A note-perfect spoof of the 'true crime docu-series' model that's become all the rage following the success of Making a Murderer and Serial, American Vandal follows the investigation of a fictional crime in which an underachieving high school student is accused of spray painting dicks on every car in his high school's faculty car park. In its second season, which looks to be just as good as the first, the teen-aged documentarians find themselves on a new case, investigating a school-wide pooping-spree masterminded by someone who goes by the name 'The Turd Burglar'. Like any good true crime investigation series, American Vandal is filled with conflicting testimonies, unreliable witnesses, compelling evidence, huge revelations and, of course, moody cinematography. Hilarious and constantly surprising, American Vandal is a must-see for any true crime aficionado.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Car Masters: Rust to Riches

If you love classic cars, particularly of the American muscle variety, you're going to love the Netflix Original series Car Masters: Rust to Riches. Join the loveable misfits of the Temecula-based auto shop Gotham Garage as they recover rusted-out car bodies from junkyards all over California and restore them way beyond their former glory — with some additional Gotham-style, to boot. From post-apocalyptic Kombi vans to beautifully restored concept cars (like the never officially released Lincoln Futura), the team at Gotham Garage will blow your mind with what they're able to accomplish. As an added twist to the car restoration format, each restored vehicle is eventually traded upwards in an attempt to land a huge six-figure payday that can split amongst the Gotham crew. One episode and you'll be hooked!

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Wild Wild Country

This six-part documentary series tells the almost-unbelievable story of a utopian cult that was founded by a charismatic Indian guru and went on to build its own city in the Oregon desert. Told using news stories and archival footage from the city’s heyday in combination with present-day interviews with those who were there, the slowly-escalating series jumps from free love to stoushes between cult members and local Oregonians and culminates in attempted assassinations, legal battles, bombings and mass poisonings. It’ll leave you wondering who’s really in the right — and pondering what rules people are willing to break as they attempt to hold on to power. Wild Wild Country is one wild, wild ride.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Stay Here

A renovation series with a twist, Netflix's Stay Here sees underwhelming Airbnb and short-stay vacation properties transformed by a team of professionals in an effort to maximise their potential and profitability. Over the course of each half hour episode, designer Genevieve Gorder and real estate expert Peter help turn each lacklustre property into a five star experience. Eye opening and addictive, you'll like blow through Stay Here's whole eight episode season in a single weekend.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Defiant Ones

Charting the rise of one of the world's most successful business partnerships, The Defiant Ones delves into the lives of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre — two men who not only conquered the music industry, but whose famous Beats Electronics brand went on to become a $3 billion player in the tech world with its sale to Apple in 2014. Featuring a huge number of candid interviews from major music industry titans, including Bono, Eminem, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springstein, Gwen Stefani, Trent Reznor and more, this three-part documentary series (which is considered a Netflix Original in Australia despite being made by HBO) is a must-watch for music lovers and people fascinated by those who display an incredible business acumen.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Rapture

Fans of hip-hop will definitely want to check out Rapture, the new Netflix Original documentary series which spends each episode with a different major player in the rap game, kicking off with Logic and featuring T.I., Just Blaze, 2 Chainz and more over the course of its entire run. in Rapture, the artists themselves are tasked with describing their careers, how they got to where they are, and what kind of cultural legacy they think they'll leave behind. Candid interviews with the artists and the people around them provide an eye-opening insight into a world that's not quite as it seems on the surface.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Flint Town

Shot over a two-year period, this gripping Netflix Original documentary series follows police in Flint, Michigan, shining a light on a town that has been crippled by dwindling resources, crumbling infrastructure, violence and a contaminated water supply. A harrowing look at an American city that's been failed by its government, Flint Town shows that many of the issues plaguing communities, and the law enforcement departments tasked with serving and protecting them, aren't as cut-and-dried as they appear on the surface. Flint Town is an eye-opening series that's bound to change the way you look at police and impoverished communities who can't find a way out of their struggles.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Toys That Made Us

For people of a certain age, the toys they grew up with would come to define their childhoods. In this 8-part documentary series (only 4 eps are currently available), we get to see how our favourite toys came to be, while also meeting the people responsible for them. Kicking off with Star Wars toys, the show them gives us a glimpse at the surprising origins of Barbie, G.I. Joe and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Now, the second season has arrived, bring new 1-hour episodes about Transformers, Star Trek, Lego and Hello Kitty toys. It's hard to imagine anyone who grew up in the 70s/80s/90s not getting a massive kick out of this.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

The Staircase

A harrowing true crime series that's as binge-worthy as Making A Murderer (but was actually released long before it), The Staircase follows the real-life murder trial of noted author Michael Peterson for the mysterious death of his second wife Kathleen, who violently lost her life at the bottom of the family home's staircase. While the accused vehemently protests his innocence and (most of) his family stands by him, it isn't the first staircase-based death of a loved one that's taken place in his orbit. Though it appears to be an open and shut case at first, various factors surrounding this second death seem to defy explanation. Was it an accident or was it murder? We promise that your opinion on the matter will flip frequently throughout the original eight-part series, and will continue to do so in the three brand new episodes accompanying it on Netflix.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Hip Hop Evolution

An incredibly fascinating four-part docu-series charting the birth of hip hop music, Hip Hop Evolution takes us on a trip back to New York City's South Bronx area during the tumultuous early '70s. Beginning with the famous DJ Kool Herc block party that started it all and continuing on to the early days of gangsta rap music in the late '80s, Hip Hop Evolution is an eye-opening examination of all the elements that led to rap music becoming the global phenomenon it is today. Featuring countless interviews with hip hop pioneers, including Africa Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow, this Netflix Original series is one of the most entertaining cultural lessons you're ever likely to see. Once you're finished watching this, keep the beat going with Netflix's other brilliant hip hop show, The Get Down.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Chef's Table

From the makers of the incredible documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi comes this Netflix Original series that takes us into the lives (and kitchens) of six of the world's most celebrated chefs each season. Get an inside look at the artistry behind the creation of some of the most breathtaking dishes imaginable, and then start to wish you had the unlimited resources required to travel around the world, visiting each of these incredible restaurants. Mouth-watering and awe-inspiring.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Skin Wars

Did you know that competitive body painting was a thing? Well, if you didn't, Skin Wars is here to show you what you've been missing out on! Hosted by Rebecca Romijn and featuring RuPaul Charles, Skin Wars pits the world's best body painters against each other for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. Contestants are given weekly tasks that involve painting naked models. Need more convincing? Well, the tasks will put their skills for painting and storytelling to the test, with a panel of judges handing out verdicts at the end of each episode. The person who presents the least skin-tillating artwork will be sent packing. Brutal, but hey, war is Hell.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Altered Carbon

Based on the science fiction book series of the same name by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon explores a futuristic world where death has become an inconvenience rather than a permanent state. A human's entire life can be backed up onto a chip in their neck, so when they die, they can move onto to a different body and continue on in another form. In the show's first season, Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman) is brought out of digital prison after 250 years to solve a rich man's attempted (permanent) murder. Kovacs is the last remaining Envoy, a super soldier who is now tasked with working for the very people he fought a war against. Following the conclusion of that mystery, Kovacs is back 30 years later in a new sleeve (Anthony Mackie) for season 2, and his goal is to track down the long lost love of his life, Quellcrist Falconer (Renée Elise Goldsberry). With an epic scope and a visual style influenced by the cyberpunk classic Blade Runner, Altered Carbon is one of the most epic shows that Netflix has produced to date.

Details: 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 45-56 minutes per episode

I Am Not Okay With This

From the producers of Stranger Things, and the creative team behind The End of the F***ing World, comes I Am Not Okay With This – a new show about a troubled teenager named Sydney (IT's Sophia Lillis) who discovers she has super powers and must juggle these newfound abilities with her complicated home and school life. You can also expect these powers to wreak havoc on her budding sexuality. With episodes lasting roughly 20 minutes each, I Am Not Okay With This is perfect for those looking for something short and punchy to watch. Also stars Lillis' IT co-star, Wyatt Oleff.

Details: 1 season, 7 episodes per season, 19-24 minutes per episode

Locke & Key

Based on the beloved comic book series of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke & Key follows three siblings who move into their ancestral home following the murder of their father. Soon after arriving, the kids discover that the house is filled with magical keys which not only grant them powers, but could also bring them closer to solving their father's murder. Of course, their discovery also awakens a mysterious demon who also wants the keys, so they'll have to keep their wits sharp to stay alive.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 40-48 minutes per episode

Dracula

Now for a series with bite! From the makers of the fantastic Sherlock Holmes series comes a new take on Bram Stoker's classic Dracula story. Set in 1897 Transylvania, the series follows the blood-drinking Count (the magnificent Claes Bang) as he plots against London in three movie-length episodes. Admittedly, the first season's ending will likely divide audiences as it veers into ridiculousness, but hopefully the show will be able to steer back to the strength of its first episodes if it does eventually return.

Details: 1 season, 3 episodes per season, 90 minutes per episode

Lost in Space

Based on the classic 1960s television series (and rather forgettable 1990s film) of the same name, Lost in Space is the latest show to get its own Netflix makeover. The space colonist family Robinson has found itself stranded on a mysterious planet once again, and it's up to them to find a way off that rock and back on course to its actual destination. Darker and more serious in tone than the original series, the new Lost in Space still offers the same sense of wonder, albeit with a new emphasis on survival in a harsh new realm. Visually spectacular. Now, Lost in Space is back for its second season, picking up as the Robinson family go searching the galaxy for the robot they've come to trust.

Details: 2 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 40-54 minutes per episode

Stranger Things

Following up its successful first two seasons, Stranger Things season 3 is now streaming on Netflix. Playing like a cross between Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, Stranger Things is a nostalgic and somewhat scary throwback to the classic Amblin films of the '80s. In the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, young boy Will (Noah Schnapp) disappears in the middle of the night without a trace. The very next day, a young girl in a hospital gown appears in town, scared and unable to speak. In true Goonies/Stand By Me-fashion, the girl joins up with Will's buddies in an attempt to track down their missing friend. Also embroiled in the mystery is the young boy's mother, Joyce (Winona Ryder) – a woman who must confront terrifying forces if she has any hope of seeing her son again. Without spoiling seasons 1 and 2 for newcomers, Stranger Things 3 picks up in 1985 and not only introduces some new characters and threats, but a flashy new location in the Starcourt mall, which is about as '80s as it gets.

Details: 3 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

A beloved fantasy film from the 1980s, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal has returned as a brand new Netflix Original series! Delightfully, the original's staggeringly masterful puppetry has been retained and looks better and more elaborate than ever. Following on from the events of the original film, the new series once again takes place in the fantastical world of Thra, where the Gelfling clans are still in rebellion against the Skeksis – a reptilian bird-like race that rules over the world and causes much suffering for its people. A must-watch for '80s kids who grew up on the original film.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 45-50 minutes per episode

Love, Death & Robots

From the twisted minds of David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) and Tim Miller (Deadpool) comes Love, Death & Robots – a violence and sex-filled animated anthology series that's strictly for adults. For years, the two visionaries attempted to bring a new adaptation of the classic Heavy Metal comics to screens, only to eventually leave the project behind due to lack of interest from all the major studios. Now, the project has been resuscitated in a new form thanks to Netflix, allowing the filmmakers to produce 18 self-contained short films, many of which are adapted from classic sci-fi and fantasy stories from authors such as Peter F. Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, John Scalzi and more. If you're into genre fiction involving robots, monsters and heady sci-fi themes, you're going to adore Love, Death & Robots.

Details: 1 collection, 18 episodes, 6-17 minutes per episode

Black Mirror

As far as dystopian fiction goes, Black Mirror is up there with the very best. Penned by Charlie Brooker, who before this was disassembling and decimating the news in his show NewsWipe, Black Mirror consists of a handful of caustic tales about the perils of technology, shady governments and human nature as a whole.

Not only has Netflix nabbed the original seven episodes of the show to stream, comprising two series and a Christmas special, but it also funded three additional seasons. Each standalone episode holds a mirror up to our society in extreme satire, with themes that are not too far from issues facing us all today: social media highs and embarrassing lows, technology going awry and new games that start to feel all-too real. Pitch-black comedy at its absolute darkest, Black Mirror is a must for tech-heads with a wicked sense of humour.

Now in its fifth season, Black Mirror has returned to Netflix three brand new episodes. Expect some seriously dark and dystopian tales with an undercurrent of pitch black comedy.

Details: 5 seasons (plus one interactive special), 3-6 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

Chambers

In the creepy Netflix Original thriller Chambers, a young woman named Sasha (Sivan Alyra Rose) receives a heart transplant from the recently deceased girl Becky (Lilliya Scarlett Reid) and immediately senses that something is not right. After meeting with Becky's mother, Nancy (Uma Thurman), Sasha begins seeing things that were witnessed by her heart's previous owner, leading her to believe that she's being haunted by Becky. To make matters worse, it quickly becomes apparent that Becky's mum and dad are up to something seriously sinister. Guaranteed to send shivers up your spine, Chambers is heart-pounding despite its deliberate pace.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 38-50 minutes per episode

The Haunting of Hill House

Loosely based on the 1959 gothic horror novel by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House follows seven members of the Crain family who are forever traumatised by their brief time living at an old mansion in 1992. From the show's title, you've probably surmised that the house is haunted, however, these particular ghosts will continue to haunt the Crain children well into adulthood – no matter where they live. Regularly flicking back and forth between the present and past, The Haunting of Hill House gets under your skin slowly, gradually revealing the escalation of horror that led the family to be as fractured as it is today. As chilling as The Haunting of Hill House is, it's the family drama aspect that resonates most. That said, you'll probably want to sleep with the lights on after binging this is one. If you're a fan of films like The Conjuring, It and Hereditary, you're going to love this.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 60-70 minutes per episode

Maniac

From director Cary Fukunaga (True Detective) comes Maniac, a sci-fi dramedy that's almost impossible to describe (we'll try our best, though). Set it a retro-futuristic version of New York City (think 'Big Apple' by way of Blade Runner), Maniac follows two troubled individuals (played by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill) who sign up for a mysterious pharmaceutical trial that promises to improve their lives exponentially. Placed in a series of dream-like states, the pair somehow find themselves repeatedly drawn to each other in their shared delusion. Do the two characters share a destiny, or is this just a side-effect of the trial? Featuring beautiful visuals and incredible performances, Maniac is the kind of mind-bending miniseries that deserves your time.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 26-47 minutes per episode

Star Trek: Discovery

It may take an episode or so to truly get off the ground, but the newest Star Trek TV series delivers all the intergalactic adventuring we could possibly hope for. There's no shortage of action or spectacular visuals here, though the show's creators have balanced it with the series' trademark smarts to provide a truly compelling new entry in the Star Trek canon. The cast, which is led by Sonequa Martin-Green and features the likes of Michelle Yeoh and Jason Isaacs, is extraordinary. We can't wait to see where Star Trek: Discovery takes us in the future.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Scream

Many scoffed when it was announced that MTV would be making its own Scream show based on the hit Wes Craven-directed film series of the same name, but that initial cynicism bleeds away once the show sinks its hooks into you. Inspired by the films but in no way connected to them, the show maintains the meta-commentary and slashing action that the Scream name is known for while creating a whole new mythos of its own. Featuring a (mostly) likeable cast, buckets of blood and a central mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end, fans will definitely get a kick out of Scream's small-screen slashing mayhem. The first iteration of the show is done and dusted after two seasons, however, a brand new story will kick off later this year that follows a completely different group of characters. It's also been promised that the classic Ghostface mask will return!

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Riverdale

Set aside any pre-conceived notions that you might have about a 'sexy Archie' series and get ready for one of the most addictive new shows of the moment with Riverdale. First things first — this ain't your grandpappy's Archie show. A modern day re-imagining of the beloved comics franchise that has spanned almost eight decades, this Twin Peaks-inspired version of Riverdale is fraught with murder, deception and small town scandal. Famous characters like Jughead, Veronica, Betty and even Josie and the Pussycats are all present and accounted for, only with a decidedly millennial twist. The first season followed the murder of star quarterback (and most popular kid in school) Jason Blossom, and the mystery surrounding it. This was followed by the arrival of a Zodiac-style serial killer who terrorised Riverdale from behind a black hood. In the third season, the gang must contend with a forbidden role-playing game called Griffons and Gargoyles that's causing people in town to die, as well as a cult-like community called The Farm that's putting everyone under its spell.With new episodes fast-tracked from the US every Thursday, your only problem will the seven day wait in-between.

Details: 3 seasons, 13-22 episodes per season, 42 minutes per episode

Marvel's Daredevil

When Marvel revealed that it would be creating several Netflix shows tied directly into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fanboys (like me) were over the moon. The fact that it would start by bringing Daredevil back to life (Evanescence pun completely intentional) after the much-maligned Ben Affleck film was more than we could have ever hoped for. This isn't some low-level player – Daredevil is a genuine fan favourite. And if you ask us, 'The Man Without Fear' is probably better suited to being the star of a series rather than another movie – especially as he'll eventually team up with Netflix's other Marvel heroes Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage in the Netflix miniseries, The Defenders. Though the series kicked off with a bang in the first season, Marvel matched it with its second season, which also included The Punisher and Elektra. In season 3, Matt Murdock has gone back to basics, returning to his old black costume and devoting himself entirely to being Daredevil. He'll have to take on Kingpin once again, as well as his comic arch-nemesis, Bullseye.

Details: 3 seasons, 13 episodes per season, 50 minutes per episode

Marvel's Iron FIst

While many Marvel fans found the first season of Netflix's Iron Fist underwhelming, steps have been taken to address the show's issues (the fight scenes, the lead character's personality), leading to a vastly superior second season overall. Danny Rand (Finn Jones), heir to the Rand Industries fortune, returns to New York City after being presumed dead for 15 years. During that time, Danny was being trained by monks, earning himself the title of the Immortal Iron Fist — protector of the mystical (and eternal) hidden city of K'un-Lun. Upon his return, Danny discovers that his company is secretly being controlled by The Hand, an order that has been at war with K'un-Lun for centuries. With the help of martial arts teacher Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), Danny must use his extremely powerful glowing fist to take down The Hand once and for all. In season 2, must taken down an old compatriot from K'un-Lun who embarks on a murderous rampage across New York.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Marvel's Luke Cage

Netflix has been killing it with its Marvel shows so far, having already launched a number of top-tier shows including Daredevil and Jessica Jones. With Luke Cage, we got a new kind of hero — one who's proud to use to his powers in an effort to represent and protect his community. If you've watched Jessica Jones, you'll already be familiar with this literally unbreakable character, as he played a pivotal role in that show's first season. HIs own series, however, picks up some time after that, with Cage relocating from Hell's Kitchen to Harlem, and finding himself coming to blows with local gangsters. And, now that Luke Cage's second season has arrived on Netflix, it's time for Harlem's hero to once again re-enter our list of trending shows. Expect plenty of intense action with a real hip-hop flair. Unfortunately, Netflix has since cancelled the series after season 2, meaning fans will have to hope for more Luke Cage appearances in Netflix's other Marvel shows.

Series on Netflix: 2

Marvel's Jessica Jones

In retrospect, it would seem impossible for Marvel to surpass its first Netflix Original series, Daredevil, with a show about a hard drinking ex-superhero that's little known outside of comic book circles, but that's pretty much what it's done with Jessica Jones. Though the show doesn't quite reach the action heights of Daredevil, Jessica Jones manages to be even more compelling in terms of story and character. Based on the comic Alias by Brian Michael Bendis, the first season of the show sees private investigator Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), bar owner Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and celebrity Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor) do battle with a mind-controlling creep named Kilgrave (David Tennant), whose incredible obsession with Jessica is causing everyone around her to die. The second season follows on from the events of Marvel's The Defenders, and finds Jones delving into her past in order to make sense of her latest case. Dark, violent and quite sexual for a Marvel show, Jessica Jones is required viewing for fans of the MCU.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Black Lightning

Tackling issues of race, crime and violence in his community, the DC Comics character Black Lightning makes an electrifying debut on television. Unlike most other superhero vigilantes, Black Lightning (Cress Williams) is a school principal and family man during the day, juggling a rocky marriage and two free-spirited daughters in the process. In this TV version, Black Lightning returns to the streets to fight crime after a forced retirement period. Using stories ripped from the headlines, Black Lightning feels more current than every other television show in DC's Arrowverse. While Arrow, Flash and Supergirl won't be making an appearance in the first season of Black Lightning, we can certainly expect a team-up somewhere down the line. Black Lightning is also considered a Netflix Original in Australia, so you can expected new episodes to be fast-tracked as they're aired in the States.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Marvel's The Punisher

After a polarising first season, The Punisher is back his second (and possibly final) outing. Having already killed everyone involved in his family's death, Frank's attempts to lay low in season one are interrupted when he is dragged into a military conspiracy that he may or may not have been involved in. For season two, Frank is set to deal his own brand of justice in an all new adventure. Unfortunately, it appears the ghost of last season's big villain is back to haunt him. Though it can be slow-paced at times (please Netflix/Marvel, look up the phrase 'cut to the chase'), it is nonetheless a powerful and violent show that isn't afraid to deal with some heavy topics. As a study on the effects of PTSD, The Punisher is surprisingly poignant. It may not hit the heights of Daredevil or Jessica Jones, but The Punisher still makes for a welcome addition to Marvel's television landscape.

Details: 2 seasons, 13 episodes per season, 55 minutes per episode

Arrow

Though the show has had its ups and downs over the years, Arrow has probably remained the most consistently-watchable of all the DC Arrowverse shows to date. Missing for five years and presumed dead, rich-kid Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) returns home to find his beloved Starling City overrun by crime and corruption. In an effort to fulfil a promise made to his dying father, Queen dons a hood, grabs a bow and arrow and becomes a deadly vigilante with one mission — to save his city. Of course, he can't do it alone, which is why Oliver recruits a team that includes John Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) among others. Feeling a bit more like Batman than the Green Arrow comics it's based on, Arrow is nevertheless an action-packed superhero series worth watching.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

Marvel's The Defenders

Everything has been leading to this – Marvel's insanely popular Netflix shows, each set in the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe, are finally colliding in The Defenders. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, all the lead heroes of their own respective shows, must now come together to stop a threat that aims to watch New York City fall. Think of them like the television equivalent of The Avengers, only more street-level. Will they be able to put aside their differences to fight as a team? Or will The Hand, the shadowy, ancient criminal organisation that featured in both Daredevil and Iron Fist, take one more step towards global domination? You'll have to binge-through this 8-episode special event to find out!

Seasons on Netflix: 1

You

you season 3 release date — (Image credit: Netflix)

For the most part, people tend to meet each other purely by accident. But what if that perfect guy you've just met has actually been fixated on you from afar for quite some time? Worse still, what if the aforementioned guy is actually a psychopath who inserts himself into the lives of those he becomes obsessed with? That's the premise of the Netflix Original series You, which is now in its second season. From Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural) comes a disturbing thriller series that sinks its hooks into you and doesn't let go until you've binge-watched the whole thing!

Details: 2 season, 10 episodes per season, 44-50 minutes per episode

Spinning Out

Mixing classic sports drama with teen melodrama, Spinning Out delves into the world of competitive figure skating, exploring the extreme pressure that's placed on the skaters themselves. The once-promising solo skater Kat (Kaya Scodelario) finds herself at a crossroads following an accident on the ice that left her terrified to attempt complex aerial manoeuvres. With her singles career pretty much over, Kat must decide whether she will continue as a doubles partner for Justin (Evan Roderick), a rich ladies man who sleeps with every girl in sight, or quit the sport entirely. To make matters worse, Kat's relationship with her mother (January Jones) is downright toxic – an issue that isn't helped by both parties suffering from bipolar disorder. Seriously addictive viewing.

Details: 1 season, 10 episodes per season, 45-56 minutes per episode

Unbelievable

Inspired by real events and based on a Pulitzer prize-winning article, Unbelievable tells the harrowing and mysterious story of a teen girl (Kaitlyn Dever) who reports a rape to the police, only to eventually recant said report. States away from the incident, two female detectives (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) hear about it and become determinded to investigate the matter and reveal the truth behind the claim. While the show deals in difficult subject matter, it is tastefully handed and immaculately acted and directed. One of Netflix's best new shows of the year.

Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 43-58 minutes per episode

Mindhunter

From David Fincher, director of such serial killer classics as Se7en and Zodiac, comes Mindhunter – a Netflix Original series that details how the FBI's profiling practices came into fruition. Academic and detail-oriented, the series sees its agents stare deep into the heart of darkness in order to better understand this new breed of demented killer that they've been tasked with chasing. Based on autobiographical accounts by FBI Agent John Douglas, who inspired the fictional character of Jack Crawford in Thomas Harris' seminal Hannibal books, Mindhunter is a gripping series that applies an analytical approach to a well-worn subject. Now back for season 2, the team will face the likes of Charles Manson and David 'Son of Sam' Berkowitz.

Details: 2 seasons, 9-10 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

Dirty John

Based on the hit podcast series of the same name, Dirty John tells the unnerving true story of a man who infiltrates the life of lonely single mother Debra (Connie Britton), despite extreme disapproval from her daughters. While John (Eric Bana) initially convinces Debra that he's a dreamboat doctor who'll make her life wonderful, things soon turn dark, with his lies and psychological manipulation eventually leading to some truly devastating consequences for the family. While the show may have a slight 'Hallmark Channel' vibe, Bana and Connie are exceptional in their roles. Fans of the podcast and disturbing true crime stories are sure to enjoy Dirty John.

Details: 1 season, 8 episodes per season, 45 minutes per episode

Bodyguard

War veteran David Budd (Richard Madden, aka Robb Stark from Game of Thrones) works for the London’s Metropolitan Police. While travelling on a train with his kids, Budd is forced to lead police negotiations with a suicide bomber. He then gets assigned as the principal protection officer to UK’s Home Secretary (Keeley Hawes) and the twists and turns in this six-part series begin to unfurl. Each minute keeps you at the edge of your seat – every time you think you’ve figured something out, you’re proven wrong. Not only is the show gripping, it portrays today’s tense times extremely well. The Brits do police procedurals better than most, and this drama is no exception – in fact we think it’s the best BBC production in a while. The script shines through in the cast's perfectly restraint acting, and the plot is full of intrigue and suspense that will probably make your brain hurt – a must-watch in our books.

Details: 1 season, 6 episodes per season, 60-75 minutes per episode

Orange is the New Black

Back for its sixth season, Orange is the New Black is showing no signs of slowing down, with the women of Litchfield now experiencing some new problems after having been moved into a maximum security prison following last season's riot. It may have never reached the heady heights of House Of Cards, but Orange Is The New Black is another show that proves Netflix is now up there with HBO when it comes to offering decent programming. As per its prison setting, Orange doesn't shirk the big issues of violence and rape but manages to mix these with a heady dose of black humour and some occasional romance. If you haven't gotten onboard the OITNB train, now's the time to start your binge! For those who are up to date, check out the trailer for season 6 below.

Seasons on Netflix: 6

The Alienist

Set at the turn of the 20th century, The Alienist finds New York City gripped by the heinous serial murders of young male prostitutes. With the city in a panic, police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) appoints a team to track and apprehend the killer. This includes the unorthodox criminal psychologist, Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), New York Times illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) and aspiring detective Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning). A harrowing mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, The Alienist is a grisly crime thriller in the vein of Mindhunter and From Hell.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Manhunt: Unabomber

With true crime stories being all the rage these days, the creative people in TV land have turned their attentions to story of the US domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, better known to most as the Unabomber. This dramatic retelling of the real-life events stars Paul Bettany as the Unabomber and Australia's own Sam Worthington as the FBI profiler who helped track him down. A gripping and sometimes harrowing series, Manhunt: Unabomber is consistent in its high level of quality throughout its entire run.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Godless

Need a badass western series to tide you over until Westworld returns next year? Well, saddle up pardner, because Netflix's new limited series Godless should keep your spurs from jingling and jangling. From Scott Frank, director of The Lookout and A Walk Among the Tombstones, comes Godless, a show that sees an outlaw chase his ex-partner into a New Mexico town populated entirely by women. Starring Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery and Scott McNairy, Godless is a gripping western that will shock and surprise you.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Sinner

What causes a seemingly normal woman to violently murder a random person while out at the beach with her husband and newborn child? That is the premise behind The Sinner, a show which sees Jessica Biel take on a darker character than she ever has before. Bull Pullman also stars as an investigator who becomes obsessed with finding out where these violent fits of rage come from. Is there something hidden deep in her past that even she doesn't know about? Thrillingly told and terrifically acted, The Sinner is compelling viewing.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Narcos

With its latest season, Netflix's hit series Narcos has left Colombia behind and spun off into a different story exploring the Mexican drug trade. While it occasionally crosses over into the world of Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel, Narcos: Mexico is its own story, following the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel, led by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna). Meanwhile, American DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena (Michael Peña) relocates his family to the city in order to track the cartel, expecting to investigate a bunch of disorganised traffickers. Unfortunately, he gets more than he bargained for with Gallardo, whose ambition sees him build an unrivalled Mexican drug empire. Once again based on a true story, Narco: Mexico is just as riveting as the show's previous seasons, only with an entirely different Mexican flavour. Also, you don't need to have seen the previous seasons to enjoy this one. Check out the trailer below.

Details: 4 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 60 minutes per episode

Ozark

Though Netflix's new crime drama Ozark has understandably been compared to Breaking Bad, the show approaches similar themes in an entirely different and uniquely intense way. Chicago businessman Marty Bryde (Jason Bateman, who also directs some of the episodes) seems like a standup guy, but has actually spent years laundering drug money for a Mexican cartel. When it's revealed that his friend and business partner has been skimming money off the top, Marty finds himself in debt to a trigger-happy drug lord who has no qualms about murdering Marty's entire family, including wife Wendy (Laura Linney) and their two young children. Now, Marty's only chance at keeping his family alive is to move them to the Ozarks, a long coastline in Missouri that Marty believes is potential a goldmine, so that he can pay back the money that's owed. Gripping and very adult, Ozark will surely appeal to fans of shows like Fargo and the aforementioned Breaking Bad.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

True crime fans, get ready for your newest obsession. The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story recounts the 1994-1995 murder trial involving all-star NFL legend O.J. Simpson, in which he was accused of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Lyle Goldman. The first in a series of one-off stories, American Crime Story season one is an engrossing and terrifically-acted retelling of the infamous trial told from the perspectives of both the prosecution and the defence. Cuba Gooding Jr. gives a fantastic performance as O.J., while Sarah Paulson (as Marcia Clark), David Schwimmer (as Robert Kardashian) and John Travolta (as Robert Shapiro) provide exceptional support.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Mad Men

Arguably one of the finest shows ever made, Mad Men is a brilliant time capsule that takes us on a journey through the ever-changing landscape that was 1960s America. Over the years, we get to see the country evolve through the eyes of the people who work at a swanky New York advertising agency – most notably our lead character Don Draper (John Hamm), a damaged individual with a hidden past and a drinking problem who is constantly engaging in infidelity. Through the show, we get some insight into the slow rise of power for women in the workplace while facing overt sexism, race relations and the evolution of the American family during the most tumultuous period in American history. Truly an outstanding, must-watch show.

Seasons on Netflix: 6

Suits

You've never seen a lawyer show like this before. Suits mostly avoids the 'courtroom drama' angle that law shows usually take, and instead focuses on the dealings behind the scenes. Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is a brilliant man with a photographic memory who is wasting his life away as a petty drug dealer, until lawyer-extraordinaire Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) hires him to work at the most prestigious law firm in New York. Let's hope no one finds out about his lack of a law degree. Absolutely addictive.

Seasons on Netflix: 6

House of Cards

Funded completely by Netflix, House of Cards is an addictive series that sees a terrible man and his equally duplicitous wife manipulate their way into the Oval Office. It also boasts a visual style crafted by director David Fincher and immense acting by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. With allegations about Spacey coming to light recently, Netflix has dropped the actor from the show entirely, opting instead to put Wright front and centre for the show's final season. With five seasons currently available, Netflix's Card trick is still impressive and shows just how far Netflix has come, bringing the service worldwide critical acclaim and awards attention. With the world as focused on US politics as it is now, House of Cards is downright therapeutic entertainment. We can't wait to see how show fares without its former star.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

The Get Down

Reportedly Netflix's most expensive show ever, The Get Down is an absolutely dazzling look into the birth of hip hop music in the South Bronx during the late 1970s. The show effortlessly blends real life footage from the period with scenes from the show, mixing them together like a good DJ. Created by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!), The Get Down is bursting with style, drama, colourful characters and fantastic music. If you have even the slightest interest in hip hop music, consider The Get Down required viewing. Unfortunately, the show was too big for Netflix to handle, which is why we only have a single two-part season to enjoy. Though we wish we could've followed these characters further, we're glad we got to spend time with them regardless.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

BoJack Horseman

The best way to approach BoJack Horseman is to let it slowly grow on you. Chances are you won't be blown away by it from the first episode, but once you get hip to its rhythm, you'll likely find it to be one of the best animated comedy shows since Bob's Burgers (only with a lot more depth). Will Arnett voices BoJack, a washed-up '90s sitcom star who spends his days being bitter about his failures alongside his perpetual houseguest, Todd (Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul). Things get complicated when his cat girlfriend and agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) hires ghost writer Diane (Alison Brie) to pen BoJack's memoir. Filled with hilarious characters that could only exist in drawing-form, BoJack Horseman is a real winner. Now back for its sixth and final season, BoJack finds himself at a crossroads on his road to recovery. Meanwhile, Diane moves to Chicago with her new boyfriend as Mr. Peanutbutter struggles to keep his relationship with Pickles from falling apart.

Details: 6 seasons, 12 episodes per season, 25 minutes per episode

Rick and Morty

Playing like a hilariously twisted version of Back to the Future, Rick and Morty follows a whiny high schooler and his alcoholic scientist grandfather as they set out on crazy adventures across the Universe. From Dan Harmon, creator of Community, and Justin Roiland, who voices both the titular characters, Rick and Morty is an endlessly clever show that never ceases to come up with mind-blowing stories to tell. This isn't just the best animated sci-fi comedy since Futurama – it's even better. So, grab your Plumbus and strap in, because the remaining episodes from season four of Rick and Morty and now in the process of teleporting onto Netflix Australia!

Details: 4, 10 episodes per season, 22 minutes per episode

Ultraman

Ultraman is back! The beloved Japanese superhero may have left Earth decades ago, but now, his son Shinjiro (voiced by Josh Hutcherson of The Hunger Games franchise) must rise up and become the new Ultraman in order to protect Earth from alien invaders. Featuring gorgeous CG animation, this modern anime series is packed with drama and intense battles – you won't find any goofy rubber monsters in this show! If you love Netflix's Godzilla anime series, or the classic Guyver anime films, you owe it to yourself to check out Ultraman.

Details: 1 season, 13 episodes per season, 23-25 minutes per episode

Castlevania

Inspired by the beloved video game franchise of the same name and modelled after Japanese anime, the Netflix Original series Castlevania isn't shy about packing its short four-episode season with as much blood and guts as possible. Produced by noted geek Adi Shankar (Dredd) with animation by the renowned Frederator Studios (Adventure Time), Castlevania sees Dracula (Graham McTavish) wage war on mankind after the senseless killing of the one human he loved. Now, it's up to whip-cracking hero Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage) to stop him. With comparisons to Game of Thrones, Castlevania is definitely a series made with adults in mind. If you like brutal medieval stories that are willing to explore some seriously dark territory, you're going to love Castlevania.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Voltron 84

Finished watching Netflix's new Voltron reboot series and crave even more intergalactic action? Well, you're in luck – Netflix has seen fit to drop a whole bunch of classic Voltron episodes from the original series on its service! Rather than just posting them in the order they were released, the episodes have been handpicked by members of the creative team behind the new series. Not only that, each episode is prefaced by a short introduction from the person who picked it detailing why it's important to them. A must-watch for Voltron fans who want to take a stroll down memory lane.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Crown

A truly opulent historical epic, The Crown is a majestic Netflix Original series that deals with Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) and her rise to the throne, starting in the 1940s and moving on to modern times. With a reported budget of £100 million, Netflix and Left Bank Pictures spared no expense to tell this story of royalty with as much detail and historical accuracy as possible. Though it might seem like a stuffy costume drama, the brilliant photography and incredibly sense of scale will leave you flabbergasted. Featuring terrific acting and wonderful direction from Peter Morgan (who directed the Oscar winning film, The Queen), The Crown is the perfect show for Downton Abbey fans who are looking for their next big fix.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Peaky Blinders

This British gangster epic is set almost a century ago and charts the rise of Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his gang in Birmingham. 'Peaky Blinders' refers to the gang's tendency to sew razor blades into the into the peaks of their caps — not exactly the warmest of welcomes, if you ask us. With incredible production value, acting, writing, costumes, sets and cinematography, Peaky Blinders is the kind of show that screams quality from every angle. To make the show even more of a 'must-watch', Tom Hardy lends his star power by playing the villain in the show's second season. Well c'mon then guv'nor, start watching!

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Spartacus

Before he was the showrunner for Marvel's Daredevil, Steven DeKnight worked on the gratuitously violent and sexual series Spartacus. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there's nothing more to the show than meat-headed beefcakes fighting and screwing in a 300-aping manner, but there's so much more going on – we follow Spartacus (the late Andy Whitfield and his replacement, Liam McIntyre) as he is taken into slavery and forced to do cruel and unimaginable things in the gladiatorial arena, just waiting for the day that he can finally get his revenge on slave-owners Batiatus (John Hannah) and Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). All of this culminates in one of the most satisfying season finales in recent memory. Be warned – this show is filled with grotesque violence and an immense amount of sex and nudity. It's like Game of Thrones times ten.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

Vikings

Praise Odin! We finally have a brutal and (mostly) historically-accurate show about Norse culture that would make Thor proud. Vikings takes us on a journey through Scandinavian/European history as Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a man who may or may not be a direct descendent of Odin himself, rises up the viking ranks and searches for new civilisations alongside his band of viking brothers. Best watched with a pint of mead in your hand.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

Marco Polo

Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones, Marco Polo is the most epic and expensive Netflix original series to date. With a budget of $US90 million for the first season alone, the show is packed with big scale battles, thousands of extras, incredible locations and lavish sets. Set during Marco Polo's time in Mongolia under Kublai Khan, the series follows the famed Venetian's adventures as he navigates through Khan's Imperial City. You can guarantee that there will be blood, betrayal, intrigue and heaping helpings of sex and nudity. Hey, we told you it was like Game of Thrones!

Seasons on Netflix: 2

January 04, 2021 at 04:21AM from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2H06P3Z
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Netflix Australia’s best TV shows: 80+ must-watch series to stream in 2021

The best new TV series on Netflix Australia

1. Cobra Kai

2. The Queen's Gambit

3. The Ripper

4. Unsolved Mysteries

5. The Haunting of Bly Manor

6. Schitt's Creek

7. The Last Dance

8. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

9. The Witcher

10. Sex Education

The End of the F***ing World

Dead to Me

GLOW

Dead to Me

Russian Doll

Lucifer

BoJack Horseman

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Santa Clarita Diet

The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale

Everything Sucks!

The Good Place

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Master of None

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Tiger King

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

Floor is Lava

Next in Fashion

Ugly Delicious

The Chef Show

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

The Innocent Man

Queer Eye

Making a Murderer

Dark Tourist

American Vandal

Car Masters: Rust to Riches

Wild Wild Country

Stay Here

The Defiant Ones

Rapture

Flint Town

The Toys That Made Us

The Staircase

Hip Hop Evolution

Chef's Table

Skin Wars

Altered Carbon

I Am Not Okay With This

Locke & Key

Dracula

Lost in Space

Stranger Things

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Love, Death & Robots

Black Mirror

Chambers

The Haunting of Hill House

Maniac

Star Trek: Discovery

Scream

Riverdale

Marvel's Daredevil

Marvel's Iron FIst

Marvel's Luke Cage

Marvel's Jessica Jones

Black Lightning

Marvel's The Punisher

Arrow

Marvel's The Defenders

You