Editor's Pick: 35 of the best TV shows on Netflix Australia

If there's a downside to Netflix, it's that there's just too much to watch: whether you're looking for serious drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, or action and adventure, there's plenty on offer. And when it comes to binge-worthy television, Netflix's massive library provides thousands of hours of non-stop entertainment.

Now that Netflix is churning out its own originally-produced content, as well as hosting much-loved programs from network and cable channels, it's harder than ever to figure out what to watch next. There's just too much TV!

To help, we've picked some of our favourite titles for you obsess over.

The Umbrella Academy

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Kate's comment: Weird, wild fun with an excellent cast

Kate's rating:

Eccentric billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopts 7 children, who are all mysteriously born with superpowers. He catapults them into fame by creating a child superhero group, fighting crime and evil. But superhero children turn into damaged adults who hate each other’s guts. When the world is on track to end though, they must put aside their differences and once more fight evil… as long as they don’t kill each other first. It’s weird, it doesn’t always make sense, but it’s a wild ride.

Oh, and it’s based on comics by Gerard Way. So it’s got that emo, My Chemical Romance vibe. -Kate Reynolds

Community

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Alex's analysis: Going back to school shouldn't be this much fun.  

Alex's rating:

Before Rick & Morty had the internet going crazy for Szechuan sauce, Dan Harmon created Community. When disbarred lawyer Jeff Winger is forced to return to community college, he reluctantly falls in with a misfit study group. The series started small, following the ins-and-outs of day-to-day life at school, but ultimately became known for its high-concept episodes that included campus-wide paintball, alternate realities, and countless movie homages.

While the show is brilliantly written, it's elevated to greatest thanks to an ensemble cast including Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong - Alex Choros

The Queen's Gambit

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Anula's notions: Check mate. 

Anula's rating:

This limited series is unlike any other. Follow orphan, addict, and chess prodigy Beth Harmon through her journey of demise and fierce competition in the world of international chess. Sales of chess sets have been at an all time high since the release of this series, and it's easy to see why.

The gorgeous cinematography is just the backdrop to a uniquely heart breaking and warming story about acceptance and the true depths of rock bottom - Anula Wiwatowska

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Sex Education

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Anula's notions:  If sex-ed in schools was even an iota as mature as this show, the world would be a better

Anula's rating:

As if highschool and puberty isn't hard enough, imagine if your mum was a sex therapist too. This is the reality for Otis (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward teenager just trying to make it through without answering questions about night time emissions.

He's not the only one at school grappling with questions about sex and relationships, but with what he's picked up from his mum he just might be able to answer some for others.

Sex Education may get racey, but more importantly it handles crucial questions about relationships, identity, and sexuality with a surprising amount of maturity and warmth. No question is off limits, and no question is marginalised. This show does what most sex education classes can't by validating a range of perspectives without presenting them as novel, and tackling how physical and emotional intimacy plays in to all aspects of life. - Anula Wiwatowska

Close Enough

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Anula's notions:  Every eight minutes is a new ride, except the bike you’re riding is on fire, and the ground is on fire, and the pedals fell off somewhere too.

Anula's rating:

Structured as two, eight-minute mini-eps per episode, you’ll never predict where Close Enough goes. The loose story centres around a young married couple with a five-year-old daughter, and their two divorced friends who live with them.

Together the group tackle seemingly normal life issues all 20-30 somethings face. Ghosting, being too old to club, relationship woes. But these domestic difficulties escalate in weird, super-natural, sometimes cultish climaxes -

Anula Wiwatowska

Schitt's Creek

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Kate's comment: Get your wigs ready, the Rose family are in town.

Kate's rating:

When the out-of-touch and wealthy Rose family lose everything, they must say goodbye to their fortune, and hello to the small, zany town of Schitt’s Creek. Chaos ensues. It's hilarious deadpan comedy that does awkward cringe with impeccable finesse. And Catherine O’Hara is perfection. -Kate Reynolds

Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun

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Alex's analysis: Who's ready to get weird?   

Alex's rating:

While purportedly a sketch show, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun is perhaps better described as an absurdist descent into madness. There's really nothing more to say. You'll laugh. You'll yell confused expletives at your TV. You'll get the credits music stuck in your head. It's a good time.

Black Books

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Anula's notions: Slapstick nihilism, set in a book shop. What's not to love?

Anula's rating:

Bernard Black (Dylan Moran) is the walking embodiment of nihilism. Manny (Bill Bailey) approaches the world with cautious awe and wonder. It is no wonder that when these two personalities collide, the juxtaposition makes for hilarious results.

Set in Bernard's book shop, Black Books takes the everyday and turns it on its head through characters representing the opposite sides of the spectrum. How would the world's most pessimistic man react to selling out of every book in his store? How does an optimist handle the constant barrage of life's ill will?

The writing and acting are laugh out loud funny. And it may just have you reaching for a glass of wine to pair with the show - Anula Wiwatowska

The Midnight Gospel

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Alex's analysis: Not your typical animated show.

Alex's rating:

The Midnight Gospel is an unusual beast. Forgoing any traditional narrative structure, each of the show's episodes is ostensibly an animated podcast, where main character, Clancy, interviews guests around topics such as a psychedelics, death, and magic. Of course, the guest debating the idea of "good drugs" versus "bad drugs" might just so happen to be a fictional president dealing with a zombie apocalypse. While the surreal animated settings don't necessarily affect the conversation that each episode focuses on, they build a strong sense of atmosphere that makes The Midnight Gospel unlike anything else on "TV". Pro-tip: don't binge it all at once. Savour each episode. Meditate on it  - Alex Choros 

The End of the F***ing World

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Anula's notions: Maybe you don't have to murder people?

Anula's rating:

Ahhh, this will hit you right in the feels and won't stop. 17 year old misfit, James is in the midst of planning his first real murder when he meets Alyssa. The brash, tortured girl catches him off guard, leading the pair off on a journey far away from the sleepy town they're living in. 

Nothing about this show is sunshine. There are no roses to smell, only thorns and knives to prick yourself on. But the deadpan delivery amidst a sea of trauma will pull a couple of smiles before you hug your pillow again. - Anula Wiwatowska

Big Mouth

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Alex's analysis: Dick jokes with depth. 

Alex's rating:

Horny and hilarious, Big Mouth is a painfully real animated comedy about puberty. The show follows a group of seventh graders grappling with growing up and treats nothing as sacred. Masturbation, periods, and sexuality are tackled within the first few episodes. Adding to the weird odyssey is a supporting cast of Hormone Monsters, furry personifications of the kids' worst impulses. Big Mouth is crass, gross, and irreverent, but it's also charming, relatable, and deeper than its dick joke deluge may suggest - Alex Choros 

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Parks and Recreation

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Tara's take: If you loved The Office and like your comedy with lots of heart, Parks and Recreation is mandatory viewing.

Tara's rating:

Former Saturday Night Live star Amy Poehler is perfectly cast as Leslie Knope, the eternally hopeful, politically ambitious small-town government employee with dreams of building a park in a (literal) pit. While the short first season is a little hit-or-miss, the show really hits its stride from the second season onward, solidifying its main cast and, eventually, seeing Leslie move beyond the simple dream of park-building to something more. 

With an abundance of one-liners and running jokes, and an endearing ensemble cast, there’s plenty to love about Parks and Recreation. Treat yo’self - Tara Donnelly

Tuca & Bertie

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Alex's analysis: A surreal yet wholesome series about female friendship.

Alex's rating:

Tuca & Bertie is one of the weirdest shows on Netflix. It has ghost cakes, snake trains, hungover boobs, and more. It's a lot. But for all its surrealism, Tuca & Bertie is an endearing portrait of the friendship between two besties who live in the same apartment building: Tuca the toucan, and Bertie and the songbird. 

While the show is created by Lisa Hanawalt - the production designer behind BoJack Horseman - the tone is a whole lot more optimistic. It's not without its downer moments, but Tuca & Bertie is more of an arrow to the heart rather than a curb stomp to the soul. Another must watch new show - Alex Choros 

New Girl

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Anula's notions: Nick Miller is all of us.

Anula's rating:

Eccentric teacher, and recent dumpee Jessica Day (Zoey Deschanel) moves into a loft with three men resulting in pink wine, Taylor Swift, drinking games, and some real weird bonds being made.

The sitcom follows a Friends style format - the flat mates live their lives through various entanglements and shenanigans but the characters are simultaneously the most relatable and the most outlandish you'll encounter in this format. Nick Miller is always depressed, angry and down on his luck, Jess is blindingly optimistic and sweet, Schmidt is an old man trapped in a young man's body. You'll cry laughing and probably get emotionally attached and I'm not sorry. - Anula Wiwatowska

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Derry Girls

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Jacqui's gist: There may be a civil war happening, but life and teen drama goes on.

Jacqui's rating:

If you've ever found yourself wondering what The Inbetweeners would have been like if they were mouthy Irish girls, you've finally got your answer. They'd be the Derry Girls. Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and their token boy James may be growing up in the midst of Northern Ireland's thirty-year-long civil war, but nevermind that. They've got bigger problems: sarcastic nuns, smirking statues of the Virgin Mary, having to fake an armed robbery to avoid being barred from the local chip shop. Every episode is an outrageous adventure that never quite turns out how you expect - Jacqui Dent

Russian Doll

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Alex's analysis: Groundhog Day laced with death and drugs.

Alex's rating:

Nadia keeps dying and she doesn't know why. She finds herself in a bathroom on her birthday, she lives out the day, she dies, and the day repeats.

Russian Doll is a puzzle-box of a TV show, following Nadia as she attempts to navigate the time loop she's caught in. Is it drugs? Is it purgatory? Is she losing her mind? Each half-hour episode peels another layer back from the mystery, making Russian Doll a highly binge-able affair.  - Alex Choros

Unorthodox

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Anula's notions: A heartwarming, and breaking tale of independence

Anula's rating:

While many around her live happily in the conservative Hasidic community in Brooklyn, Esty (Shira Haas) struggles with marriage and with the restrictions placed upon her. Eventually she runs away to Berlin finding music, family, and freedom but her past won't stop stalking her.

This limited series shows a terrifying side of strict religion and just how difficult it can be to leave a situation you've been born in to. Although it is emotionally exhausting, watching Esty grow in spite of the adversity she is dealt left me in happy tears. - Anula Wiwatowska 

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You

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Anula's notions: He can be out murdering people and still text back, so what's your excuse?

Anula's rating:

I've been a fan of You since the books came out, and this is a rare cinematic adaptation that I think does justice to the work. 

Joe (Penn Badgley) is an obsessive stalker disguised as your dream guy. He is psychotic, plotting, romantic, charming, bookish, murderous - he really cares about his girlfriends. Like, a lot. He takes the term "I would kill for you" and he wholeheartedly means it.

You follows Joe's obsession with his latest girlfriend, from the meet-cute to the first time he breaks in to her apartment, through to fits of jealousy and rage. It's unnerving, and it will have you at the edge of your seat waiting for the next episode... And might have you looking at your partner a bit weird as well. - Anula Wiwatowska. 

Hannibal

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Tara's take: A blood-soaked re-imaging of the Hannibal Lecter story, with plenty of plot twists and an exceptional cast.

Tara's rating:

Thomas Harris’ iconic literary cannibal, Hannibal Lecter, makes another return to the screen – and it’s not for the faint of heart (or weak of stomach). Co-scripted by Harris himself, the series stars Mads Mikkelson in the title role, portraying a pre-capture Dr. Lecter as he works with a brilliant but troubled young FBI lecturer to profile and track down serial killers. 

Chronicling some of the events of the novels Red Dragon through to Hannibal, the series works best if you disregard what you already know about Lecter and appreciate Mikkelson’s vicious, yet strangely humanising, take on one of cinema’s favourite villains. Gory, shocking, and fast-paced - Tara Donnelly

Middleditch & Schwartz

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Anula's notions: This long form improv is glorious chaos

Anula's rating:

Whether you're a fan of improv or not it's hard not to get caught up laughing your ass off at this pair. Middleditch & Schwartz (known best for their roles in Silicon Valley and Parks & Rec) embark on a lofty premise - an hour long improv sketch. The pair bounce off each other's prompts for an hour creating ridiculous stories, over the top characters and sometimes forgetting them again in a hilariously raw cycle. This is one of the best random selections I've ever stumbled upon. - Anula Wiwatowska

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

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Jacqui's gist: Not to build it up too much but Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of the funniest sitcoms of the past ten years.

Jacqui's rating:

If you're into the Saturday Night Live brand of comedy then adding Brooklyn Nine-Nine to your to-watch list should be a no-brainer. The series follows Andy Samberg as the immature but somehow genius detective Jake Peralta as he and his fellow detectives get up to shenanigans while fighting crime. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is created by Parks and Recreation collaborators Mike Schur and Dan Goor and treads the same line between reality and the ridiculous without ever becoming truly absurd. It's a masterful delight that gets better with every season - Jacqui Dent

The Keepers

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Joe's judgement: You might assume you know how this story will play out, but trust me, you don't.

Joe's rating:

On the surface this might seem like just another story of history abuse in the Catholic church, but it is much more. The Keepers follows the investigation by two unlikely heroes, and they search for answers surrounding the murder of a teacher from their childhood, and discover a lot more than they set out to. It's a harrowing topic and difficult to watch in parts, but The Keepers proves to be a fascinating true story of amateur sleuths uncovering courage in the face of dark, dangerous obstacles - Joe Hanlon

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

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Jacqui's gist:Your favourite teenage witch is back, but not like you remember, in this dark re-imagining of the comic book / TV classic.

Jacqui's rating:

Half-mortal Sabrina is caught between two worlds. On the one hand there is the hidden world of witches into which she was born. On the other is the normal world with high school, her friends and her boyfriend. So far, so familiar, right? Except this new tale of the teenage witch comes with a dollop of devil-worship. 

Sabrina's coven are old-school witches and warlocks who sign their names in the book of the beast in exchange for long life and extraordinary powers. Soon Sabrina will have to choose whether she will do the same, or if she'll give up her powers for the sake of her mortal friends. Prepare yourself for drama and demons - Jacqui Dent

Aggretsuko

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Alex's analysis:  A cute-but-clawed series that will be all too relatable for anyone who's ever had a bad boss. 

Alex's rating:

Produced by Hello Kitty-creator Sanrio, Aggretsuko is a hell of a curve ball, blending cuteness, humour and social commentary with extreme death metal. Retsuko is an overworked red panda stuck in a toxic office with a literal sexist pig for a boss. Her only respite is found in pints of beer and death metal karaoke. Perfect for anyone whose job makes them want to scream - Alex Choros

Homeland

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Tara's take: A tight and suspenseful crime-drama with an outstanding cast and plenty of cliffhanger episodes. 

Tara's rating:

Claire Danes is superb as Carrie Mathison, a biploar CIA operative who jumps head-first into investigating recently-returned but potentially dangerous war hero Nicholas Brody. Carrie's obsession with proving her suspicions about Brody correct leads to some spectacularly bad decision making, culminating in a tense and gripping finale - and that's just the first season. With so much on the line in every episode, Homeland is perfect for weekend binge-watching - and with five Golden Globes and eight Emmy awards to its credit, is every bit deserving of a wider audience - Tara Donnelly

Bojack Horseman

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Alex's analysis: Surprisingly human for an animated comedy about an alcoholic anthropomorphic horse.

Alex's rating:

Do you like your comedy with a big wallop of misery? BoJack Horseman starts out as an irreverent animated comedy about a washed up actor - who happens to be an anthropomorphic horse - but quickly turns into a pitch black character study of one of TV's most tragic antiheroes. While the show has been lauded for its nuanced take on depression, self-destructive behaviour, trauma, and addiction, it's also wildly funny. BoJack is truly a show that can have you crying tears of laughter one minute, and ugly crying the next. Easily the smartest comedy on "TV" - Alex Choros 

Marco Polo

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Jacqui's gist: Sexy, blood-thirsty and hella binge-worthy, Marco Polo will plug the Game of Thrones shaped hole in your heart.

Jacqui's rating:

Do you have a need for political intrigue, swords and sexy bits that not even Game of Thrones can satisfy? Marco Polo might be the answer. Based (pretty loosely) on historical events, the show follows the adventures of Marco Polo, the Italian merchant who finds himself prisoner, then servant then confidante to the great Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan. It's got kung fu. It's got plot twists. It's got a handsome Italian man and Benedict Wong. It's only got two seasons (boo!) but they're two great seasons so strap yourself in and get ready to binge - Jacqui Dent

Ugly Delicious

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Alex's analysis: Don't watch this one on an empty stomach.

Alex's rating:

Hosted by David Chang of Momofuku fame, Ugly Delicious trades in fine dining for comfort food in an eight-part exploration of pizza, tacos, fried chicken, and more. Ugly Delicious delves deeper than your average piece of food porn, tackling authenticity, appropriation, cultural issues, and politics. It's tantalising TV, in more than once sense. And hey, how many cooking shows visit Taco Bell and Michelin Star chefs in the same episode? - Alex Choros

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

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Tara's take: Sweet, goofy and weirdly-inspiring comedy from SNL alumni Tina Fey. 

Tara's rating:

After spending fifteen years imprisoned in a doomsday bunker with a pseudo-religious cult leader, title character Kimmy Schmidt heads to New York City to start a new life. There, the ever-optimistic Kimmy is thrown head-first into the 'real world', struggling with career choices, dating, an equally-confused new housemate, and overcoming her traumatic past. Created by 30 Rock  and SNL star Tina Fey (who appears semi-regularly in Season 2, as Kimmy's alcoholic therapist), Unbreakable's humour is sometimes absurd, but never cynical - if you're looking for a warm and infectious comedy that leaves you feeling good, this is for you - Tara Donnelly

Rake

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Alex's analysis: This courtroom dramedy is one of Australia's finest TV shows. 

Alex's rating:

Cleaver Green - the show's eponymous rake / general loose unit - is a brilliant yet self-destructive criminal barrister with a chaotic personal life and equally chaotic career. If he's not defending a cannibal, he's falling in love with a sex worker. On top a stellar cast, Rake touts an impressive list of cameo performances including Hugo Weaving, Noah Taylor, Sam Neil, Jacqueline McKenzie, Toni Colette, and Cate Blanchett - Alex Choros 

The Alienist 

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Jacqui's gist: Everything you love about historical drama plus everything you want from a crime thriller. The Alienist could be the most binge-worthy Netflix Original you've never heard of.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1896, New York City is being terrorised by a series of gruesome Jack the Ripper style murders targeting young, androgynous boys. Enter Dr Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), a brilliant if troubled psychologist (or "alienist" as they were known back then) intent on hunting the killer down. 

For the task he recruits the first woman employed by the NYPD (Dakota Fanning), a pair of Jewish socialist pathologists and his alcoholic socialite friend John. But as the unlikely crew delve deeper they find a web of police corruption and conspiracy. And meanwhile the killer they're hunting might have started hunting them - Jacqui Dent

Lucifer

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Anula's notions: Satan leaves hell to holiday in LA as a pseudo-detective, with sexy results.

Anula's rating:

Lucifer Morningstar is living as a prevalent nightclub owner in LA, exchanging favour for favour with the Hollywood elite. Living a life compiled only of vices and excess, Lucifer uses his god-given powers to manipulate humans to his will. He eventually finds himself caught up in the murder of one of his starlet friends. 

Enter Detective Chloe Decker, a badass female detective that is inexplicably immune to Lucifer’s charms. The two team up, using Chloe’s kick-assery and Lucifer’s devilish wiles to solve crimes and punish the guilty. All the while with Lucifer’s brother trying to return him to his throne, and an absolute hellfire of celestial events hinting that maybe he should just go. 

Guys, guys, guys - there’s a reason why this was the most watched show on Netflix in 2019. Succumb to the darkness - Anula Wiwatowska

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

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Anula's notions: Jerry Seinfeld interviews celebrities in cool cars while they drink coffee.

Anula's rating:

I’m not a car person, but I am a coffee and Seinfeld person (came second in Seinfeld Trivia once - it’s on my resume). Combining two of his passions, cars and delicious coffee, Jerry hangs out with his comedian friends in cars chosen to match their personalities. It’s ultimately like watching two mates (who just happen to get paid to be hilarious) talking nonsense on a car ride and over lunch. I would call it complete validation for anyone who has ever thought they should start a podcast with their bestie - Anula Wiwatowska

Archer

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Anula's notions: Animated version of James Bond, except Bond's mum is also his boss, and everyone around him is crazy.

Anula's rating:

Archer itches that sweet spot between irreverent wit, sexual innuendo, making fun of spy tropes, and getting away with it all because it's animated. Suave super spy, from the International Secret Intelligence Services (ISIS), Archer works under the watchful eye of his indifferent mother, and for the most part under the influence. Alongside his on again, off again girlfriend and tactical partner Lana Kane, Archer fumbles through mission after mission to ubiquitous chagrin.

The rest of the dysfunctional intelligence agency is made up of; a cashed up, psychotic nymphomaniac (receptionist), a deviant, proficient in ghetto combat (HR), an uptight pencil pusher (accountant), a crazy scientist/evil twin (research), and one genuinely good natured, albiet sarcastic AF field agent. Strap in. - Anula Wiwatowska

The Chef Show

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Anula's notions: A real life spin off of the film Chef - snacks are essential.

Anula's rating:

Watch Jon Favreau and his culinary mentor Roy Choi experiment with their favourite recipes and techniques alongside big names in entertainment and food. As a huge fan of eating, but not so much of cooking, this show has helped to push me into the kitchen and away from Uber Eats.

Take a cup of banter, add a quart of technical skills, a dash of foodie culture, a heaped tablespoon of passion and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with choice celebs on the side and season to taste - Anula Wiwatowska

Still can't find anything to watch? Check out the best shows on Amazon Prime Video Australia instead.