Criminally-underrated shows on OTT that you need to stream right now

The ‘streaming wars’ have produced exciting content across the board in recent years, with platforms vying for the top spot every year. While some TV shows have certainly lived up to the hype, others have faded away into obscurity. And in the digital age where physical copies of shows are not being released by studios, several TV shows have literally ceased to exist. However, there are a few underrated shows that are rarely promoted by major streamers that have garnered a cult following. These gems have managed to survive even as major platforms plan to purge their catalogues and have been hiding in a corner of that streamer you frequently comb through for new and exciting content. So, for today’s List hai toh hit hai we take a look at some of the most underrated shows available to stream online in India.

1. A Spy Among Friends

The Cold War is probably the only era in human history that’s so abundantly rich with riveting spy stories. So it’s no surprise that the period has been the setting for countless spy novels, including tales from renowned authors such as Ian Fleming, Frederick Forsyth, John le Carré, Robert Ludlum, and Tom Clancy among others. The 2022 spy thriller A Spy Among Friends is yet another tale of espionage and double agents set during the Cold War. But make no mistake, this isn’t your cookie-cutter spy series and ditches the tropes synonymous with the genre. Based on Ben Macintyre’s novel, the plot revolves around an SIS agent who discovers that his best friend is a double agent for the KGB. The series features Damien Lewis and Guy Pearce in lead roles.

Watch A Spy Among Friends here.

2. Without Sin

Vicky McClure, who is best known for essaying the role of badass detective Kate Fleming in the British crime drama Line of Duty, plays the lead in Without Sin. She slips into the role of Stella, a grieving mother whose daughter was murdered three years prior. The plot revolves around how Stella, an Uber driver, is contacted by a man who she believes murdered her daughter, and how they develop an unusual relationship. However, Stella is also confronted with astonishing new revelations from her past. The four-part drama series is created by Frances Poletti.

Watch Without Sin here.

3. Hullraisers

Set in the port city of Hull in the North East of England, Hullraisers is a British sitcom that is adapted from the Israel TV show, Little Mom. Created by stand-up comedian Lucy Beaumont, the British iteration follows the lives of three women, Toni, Paula, and Rana as they attempt to navigate love, life, and friendship. Leah Brotherhead plays the role of Toni, a struggling actress, Sinead Matthews slips into her older sister Paula, and Taj Atwal is seen as their police officer friend Rana. The show has been lauded for its witty dialogues and suggestive humour and is easily one of the most underrated comedies of 2023.

Watch Hullraisers here.

4. Justified

The critically-acclaimed American TV series, Justified stars Timothy Olyphant in the lead role as Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens — a hard-as-nails policeman who believes in his own brand of justice. The neo-western crime drama is created by Graham Yost and is based on the stories written by Elmore Leonard. The series ran for six seasons between 2010 to 2016, earning overwhelming praise from critics, with Leonard himself claiming that Justified is the best adaptation of his works, which boasts Jackie Brown, 3:10 to Yuma, among others.

Watch Justified here.

5. It’s a Sin

The British drama series, It’s a Sin, is one of the most underrated TV shows of 2021. Created by Russell T Davies, the series is set in 80s London where a group of gay men decide to leave their homes or risk being ostracised. These men form a unique bond and embark on a journey of self-discovery along with their new friend Jill. However, when the AIDS epidemic sweeps through London, they are caught in chaos as the lesser-known virus threatens to destabilise their lives. The series features humour, heartbreak, and compelling performances by the lead stars Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, David Carlyle, and Lydia West. Renowned actors Stephen Fry, Keeley Hawes, and Neil Patrick Harris also essay other prominent roles. The series received widespread acclaim for its controversial themes, compelling writing, direction, and performances.

Watch It’s a Sin here.

6. Becoming Elizabeth

Stories from the Tudor era continue to enjoy the same popularity despite the countless films and TV shows released over the years based on the time period. This 2022 TV series is a biographical drama that revolves around a young Elizabeth Taylor, an orphaned teenager, who would one day become Queen Elizabeth I of England. The narrative explores the scandalous politics of the Royal court and Elizabeth’s dramatic rise to power. The series is created by Anya Reiss and stars Alicia von Rittberg as the titular character.

Watch Becoming Elizabeth here.

7. Heels

Stephen Amell, who is best known for playing the DC superhero Green Arrow in the hit TV show Arrow, plays the lead in Heels. He is joined by Vikings star Alexander Ludwig, who also stars in the lead role along with Amell. They play the roles of two brothers from an American pro-wrestling promotion. While one plays the role of the villain or heel, the other plays the role of hero or babyface in wrestling kayfabe. But their in-ring storyline rivalry becomes real when they both vie for control over their late father’s wrestling company. The second season of the underrated series is scheduled to release on July 28th this year.

Watch Heels here.

8. Mrs Wilson

Luther star Ruth Wilson plays the role of her grandmother, Alison, in the BBC miniseries Mrs Wilson. The plot follows Alison in the year 1963 when she discovers that her late husband, a former MI6 agent, had been leading a double life both personally and professionally. She discovers that she is not the only Mrs Wilson, and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about the man she was married to for 22 years. Game of Thrones star Iain Glenn plays the role of the deceased husband, Alexander Wilson, while Anupam Kher and Keeley Hawes essay other pivotal roles.

Watch Mrs Wilson here.

You can watch these underrated TV shows on OTTplay Premium.

• Written by Ryan Gomez