If you’re looking to get lost in a good story, buckle up, because we’ve found the best drama series streaming on Netflix right now. From families pushed to the brink and cautionary tales of power and wealth, to historical period dramas that make you feel like you’ve travelled in time, the best drama series take you on the best kind of journeys.
So, whatever you’re in the mood for—romance, intrigue, or a little bit of comeuppance—you’ll find something worth streaming from our curated list.
Here are the best dramas to stream on Netflix right now.
Department Q
Get ready to be hooked to this Scottish crime drama from episode one (actually, scene one). There are some crime tropes here—a brash but excellent cop refusing to play by the rules, an under-resourced department, a commanding officer making things difficult—but the whole show just seems to work. The plot follows Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, who is put in charge of a new cold case department following an accident on duty. We see him team up with a new assistant, a former Syrian policeman, and investigate the disappearance of a high-profile prosecutor. The show is gritty and has a noir quality, with the Edinburgh setting so iconic it’s almost another character. A must-watch for any crime or drama fans.
Sirens
Sirens is a slow burn, but one you won’t regret sticking with. After watching the first episode I thought I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, but as the show progressed, I continued to be surprised by what was playing out in front of me. The series follows Devon (Meghann Fahy), who, after becoming worried about her sister Simone (Milly Alcock), travels to the luxury beach resort where she works for a mysterious boss (Julianne Moore). It’s a chaotic watch but you will love the power dynamics, the strong cast of characters and the plot that will have you guessing until the last moments.
Ozark
Jason Batemon and Laura Linney star in this slow-burn drama series that has echoes of Breaking Bad and Succession. Bateman plays Marty, a financial advisor who offers to set up a money laundering scheme in the Ozarks for a Mexican drug cartel after another scheme goes wrong. Soon, his wife and whole family become involved. The performances are gripping and the story is gritty and complex. Once you start untangling the web, you’ll be hooked.
Unbelievable
This show is heartbreaking and a tough watch, even more so when you learn that it’s based on a true story. Unbelievable follows a teenager who reports being raped, but then is charged with lying about it. The detectives try to unravel the truth and follow the path to a serial rapist. The series is powerful and emotional, and beautifully acted by the female-led cast.
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Peaky Blinders
What’s a ‘best drama’ list without one of the best period dramas streaming on Netflix? Peaky Blinders has been a fan favourite since it was released in 2013. It's set in Birmingham, the UK, in the aftermath of WWI, and follows the Peaky Blinders crime gang. The series is a family epic with Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, leading the family into more wealth and more crime. It’s a seriously engaging watch, with the show expertly weaving gripping criminal storylines with the intriguing historical backdrop.
The Diplomat
The Diplomat is political drama at its best—high-stakes drama, an incredible cast and an intricately woven plot. It follows Kate Wyler (Kerri Russel) as the new US ambassador to the UK as she manages an international crisis, all while her marriage crumbles in the background. The show is very well written and you’ll love the sharp—almost funny—dialogue between Kate and her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell). Series three is now streaming, and it’s just been renewed for season four.
Boy Swallows Universe
If this show has managed to fly under your radar, make sure it gets onto your watch list. It’s based on the award-winning 2018 Australian novel of the same name. The story follows 13-year-old Eli Bell in 1980s Brisbane as he navigates the crime that surrounds him and his troubled family. While the series explores a lot of issues—crime and violence being a big one—there is a sense of hope that pushes through. Strap yourself in for an emotional but endearing coming of age story.
The Crown
This sprawling epic continues to be one of Netflix’s most popular series. Whether you’re a royal fan, royal hater or indifferent, The Crown is one seriously good watch. The six seasons follow the royal family over six decades, beginning in 1947 before a then-Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten and ending in 2005 before the wedding of King Charles (then Prince Charles) and Queen Camilla (then Camilla Parker Bowles). Each episode explores a story in more detail, such as the great smog covering London in season one, while new actors portraying the family as they age keeps things fresh and realistic. Six seasons is a big commitment but it’s one you won’t regret making.
Main image credit: Netflix
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