The Best Drama Shows on Netflix Right Now (2024)

Sometimes you just need an immersive drama, and thankfully, Netflix delivers. From what are now TV classics (like Breaking Bad) to Peak TV gems (Mindhunter), Netflix is home to some of the most wonderfully crafted and engaging television of our time. This list will continue to grow, but for now, check out our list of the best drama shows on Netflix below, and let us know some of your other favorites in the comments.

Editor’s note: This article was updated July 2024 to include Ripley and Baby Reindeer.

‘Ripley’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Ripley

Crime

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

April 4, 2024

Cast

Andrew Scott , Johnny Flynn , Dakota Fanning , Maurizio Lombardi , Pasquale Esposito

Creator(s)

Steven Zaillian , Patricia Highsmith

Based on The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, Ripley is a stylish and sleek crime thriller starring Andrew Scott (Fleabag) as the titular murderous con man. Scott delivers a revelatory performance that instantly sucks viewers into this world of Highsmith’s novel while making the character all his own. This Emmy-nominated miniseries is a black-and-white ‘50s period piece that’s oozing with noir flavor, and the ensemble cast pumps it full of life. Joining Scott in this escapade is Dakota Fanning (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood), Johnny Flynn (Stardust), and Maurizio Lombardi (The New Pope), who all elevate the story with phenomenal performances.

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‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Biography

Drama

Release Date

April 11, 2024

Cast

Richard Gadd , Jessica Gunning , Danny Kirrane , Nava Mau

Creator(s)

Richard Gadd

Comedian and writer Richard Gadd (Against the Law) stars in this deeply personal dark comedy that recounts the real story of his dealing with a stalker. Baby Reindeer does an excellent job putting the viewer into Gadd’s point of view as an odd meet cute slowly turns into an all-consuming thrill ride of trauma — which makes sense, as the show feels like a cathartic journey for Gadd as he uses his art to process the most harrowing time of his life. But the thing that really sells the off-kilter vibe of the show is the brilliant performance by Jessica Gunning (The Outlaws) as the stalker who oscillates between sweet and terrifying at the drop of a hat. The show isn’t always an easy watch, often so raw and uncomfortable it hurts, but it’s well worth the pain.

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'The Lincoln Lawyer' (2022 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.7/10

The Lincoln Lawyer

TV-MA

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Release Date

May 13, 2022

Cast

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Neve Campbell , Becki Newton , Angus Sampson

Seasons

2

The Lincoln Lawyer, based on the books by Michael Connelly, is a TV drama starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as reformed-drug-addict-turned-defense-attorney Mickey Haller, who infamously works out of a Lincoln Navigator. He balances his hectic work life alongside his two ex-wives, Lorna (Becki Newton) and Maggie (Neve Campbell), the latter of whom Mickey still has feelings for and with whom he shares the custody of their teenage daughter, Hayley (Krista Waner). When Mickey inherits an entire law practice after its original owner, Jerry Vincent (Paul Urcioli), is shot dead in his car, Mickey not only inherits the law practice but also Jerry’s cases – including one high-profile murder trial – and perhaps even Jerry’s killer, who now has Mickey as a target. The show leaves audiences rooting for Mickey to succeed not only with the law but in all areas of his lawless life. – Emily Cappello

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'Everything Now' (2023 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Everything Now

TV-MA

Comedy

Drama

Release Date

October 5, 2023

Cast

Sophie Wilde , Vivienne Acheampong

Seasons

1

Everything Now follows Sophie Wilde’s Mia, who must face the tough world of British adolescence with the added obstacle of having just been released from hospital following a battle with anorexia nervosa. Everything Now brings representation to an under-discussed topic in anorexia nervosa, with the show’s brand of witty British comedy neatly packaged alongside gripping and poignant drama. The series includes an ensemble featuring the likes of Vivienne Acheampong, Stephen Fry, and Sam Reuben, but it’s Wilde’s lead performance that steals the show. Chucklesome and touching, Everything Now has been likened to shows like Heartstopper and Sex Education, showcasing just how appreciated it already is. - Jake Hodges

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'Painkiller' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 7.4/10

Painkiller (2023)

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America's struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA.

Release Date

August 10, 2023

Cast

Uzo Aduba , Matthew Broderick , Taylor Kitsch , Dina Shihabi

Seasons

1

Like Hulu’s award-winning mini-series Dopesick before it, Painkiller explores the terrible true stories of America's dependency on OxyContin. Starring Uzo Aduba (In Treatment), Taylor Kitsch (True Detective), and West Duchovny (Saint X), as well as Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler, Painkiller features a stacked cast for a six-episode limited series. Co-created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, Painkiller is a fictionalized dramatization of the real-life opioid crisis within the United States, focusing not only on tragic victims and manipulative perpetrators of the recent medical epidemic but also on the people who found themselves determined to uncover the truth and stop it. – Yael Tygiel

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'Beef' (2023 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.0/10

Beef

TV-MA

Drama

Comedy

Two people let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and slowly consume their every thought and action.

Release Date

April 6, 2023

Cast

Steven Yeun , Ali Wong , Joseph Lee , Young Mazino

Creator

Lee Sung Jin

Seasons

1

The A24 miniseries Beef (2023) kicks off with a simple altercation in a parking lot. But boy, does it go to some crazy places from there! More accurately described as a dramedy, Beef follows struggling handyman Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and successful-but-unfulfilled Amy Lau (Ali Wong) who first butt heads in that parking lot incident. They could have just left it there but instead, they begin using each other as the target for their pent-up frustrations in an ever-escalating series of reprisals. The show also goes into their individual lives and the emotional struggles they face. While there are some episodes towards the end that do seem a bit dragged, the payoff is worth it as the series ends on a mindblowing finale that's heartfelt, surreal, and... just sublime. For a story filled with tension, drama, comedy, and genuine human moments, look no further than this critically acclaimed gem. - Remus Noronha

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'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

TV-MA

Biography

Drama

History

Betrothed against her will to King George, young Charlotte arrives in London on her wedding day and faces scrutiny from the monarch's cunning mother.

Release Date

May 4, 2023

Cast

India Amarteifio , Freddie Dennis , Richard Cunningham , Golda Rosheuvel

Seasons

1

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a prequel to Netflix’s hit Shondaland period drama, shows fans of the original series the love story between Queen Charlotte and King George. But don’t worry, even if viewers haven’t seen Bridgerton, this spin-off gives newcomers all the context they need to sit back and enjoy this tale of marriage and madness. Plus, India Amarteifio (The Midwich Cuckoos) as young Queen Charlotte is enough to drive the series, delivering a masterful performance that feels like the Queen fans know while adding her own take on how the revolutionary Charlotte started down her path to change the kingdom for the better. – Tauri Miller

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'The Diplomat' (2023 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.0/10

The Diplomat

TV-MA

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

April 20, 2023

Cast

Keri Russell , Rufus Sewell , David Gyasi , Ali Ahn

Creator

Debora Cahn

Seasons

2

Keri Russell (Felicity) leads this political thriller about a US diplomat who is deeply in over her head trying to defuse an international incident while struggling to manage her husband, a former ambassador, who can’t help but step into the spotlight. Russell is the perfect driving force to keep this series on track, expertly balancing the heart-pumping drama of a potential world war with the difficulties of trying to hold together a marriage that interferes with her career. Also, the series is set in London and includes a cavalcade of top British talent such as Rory Kinnear (Man), David Gyasi (Interstellar), and Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who). – Tauri Miller

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'Supernatural' (2005 - 2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.4/10

Supernatural

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Drama

Horror

Sci-Fi

Two brothers follow their father's footsteps as hunters, fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds, including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth.

Release Date

September 13, 2005

Cast

Misha Collins , Jared Padalecki , Jensen Ackles , Jim Beaver

Seasons

15

Calling Supernatural (2005-2020) a drama is honestly quite limiting. Technically, it's a sci-fi fantasy horror road trip buddy comedy-drama (and I'm pretty sure I've missed some things there). But by the strictest definition, a drama it most certainly is. This landmark show that ran for over a decade begins with two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, going on a road trip to find their missing father. Simple enough, right? Except that the Winchesters are monster hunters and their dad is tracking the demon who killed their mother. And that's just the first two seasons! Over the course of its 15 seasons on the air, Supernatural has seen the Winchester boys go up against an ever-escalating set of big bads, all the way up to the biggest bad of all: God himself. It's a running joke on the internet (mostly Tumblr) that everything you could possibly think of has happened on Supernatural at least once. While that's not entirely true, the show has had everything from an episode where Gandhi throws fists, to one where the Titanic never sank, to an animated crossover with the gang from Scooby-Doo. For first-time viewers, the sheer amount of episodes to watch can seem daunting and yes, things do go downhill a bit toward the end. However, the first five seasons of the show make up one of the best narratives in supernatural TV. The ending may be divisive, and the series has certainly had its fair share of missteps, but the fact remains that Supernatural, all 15 seasons of it, is one hell of a ride! - Remus Noronha

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'Friday Night Lights (2006 - 2011)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.7/10

Friday Night Lights

TV-14

Drama

Sport

A drama that follows the lives of the Dillon Panthers, one of the nation's best high school football teams, and their head coach Eric Taylor.

Release Date

October 3, 2006

Cast

Kyle Chandler , Connie Britton , Zach Gilford , Aimee Teegarden , Brad Leland , Taylor Kitsch , Jesse Plemons , Derek Phillips

Seasons

5

Before Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and other Netflix-made series seemingly designed to binge-watch, there was Friday Night Lights. The show kicked off on NBC back in 2006, but now it’s almost as if it were made to watch over and over again from start to finish, and I’ve done so more times than I care to admit. It’s a brilliant and addictive mix of football, romance, and drama that rocks a roster of conflicted yet especially charming characters you come to know and love. Soon after starting the show, Dillon, Texas quickly starts to feel like a cozy home, making the show extremely tough to turn off after each episode. – Perri Nemiroff

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'Outer Banks' (2020 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Outer Banks

TV-MA

Drama

Action

Crime

Release Date

April 15, 2020

Cast

Chase Stokes , Madelyn Cline , Madison Bailey , Rudy Pankow

Seasons

4

Founded on a premise that sounds like The Goonies meets One Tree Hill, Outer Banks is a captivating adventure drama from co-creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke. Outer Banks swings from treasure-hunting action to star-crossed romance founded on the societal divide between working-class residents from a coastal town in North Carolina and the wealthy visitors who flock to the area on vacation. As expected from a quality young adult drama, Outer Banks promises hours of tension and romantic entwinement with an undeniably gorgeous cast, including Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, and Jonathan Daviss. – Yael Tygiel

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'Black Lightning (2018 - 2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Black Lightning

TV-14

Superhero

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

Release Date

January 16, 2018

Cast

Cress Williams , Christine Adams , James Remar , Nafessa Williams

Seasons

4

Just when I was starting to think we had reached peak superhero fatigue, Black Lightning hit the scene and shook things up. The CW’s dynamic series is laudable for a number of reasons, the most obvious one being that it focuses on a black family, and the second most obvious one being that its lead character isn’t a teenager. But the series also might be the superhero genre’s most intelligent; it knows what it wants to say about race and politics without ever being preachy. The first season also made a lot of smart choices about when to introduce the powers of characters other than Jefferson Pierce (a charming Cress Williams), and also didn’t feel the need to dispatch its Big Bad by the season’s end (though it did take care of a host of more minor villains throughout). The story of a vigilante-turned-principal looking to get back into the game because of drug violence on his streets is a refreshing one and helped keep Black Lightning grounded and relevant throughout its run. This is a hero to unequivocally root for. — Allison Keene

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'Dear White People' (2017 - 2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.4/10

Dear White People

TV-MA

Comedy

Drama

Release Date

April 28, 2017

Cast

Logan Browning , Brandon P Bell , John Patrick Amedori , Giancarlo Esposito

Seasons

4

From its deeply felt, character-driven stories to its hilarious pop culture parodies, Dear White People might have originally inspired controversy thanks to the title, but it represents a smart and unique voice in the TV space that goes well beyond the conversations about race it inspires. But those conversations are welcome and valid and nuanced in how they approach the topic from individual points of view, which combined with the occasional deviation into alternate realities or other genre-bending escapades makes for sometimes heartfelt, sometimes hilarious viewing. - Liz Shannon Miller

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'Grey's Anatomy' (2005 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Grey's Anatomy

TV-14

Drama

A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their supervisors.

Release Date

March 27, 2005

Cast

Ellen Pompeo , James Pickens Jr. , Chandra Wilson , Justin Chambers , Kevin McKidd , Jesse Williams , Patrick Dempsey

Seasons

20

I'll admit it: I was a devoted viewer of Grey's Anatomy back in the day. I remember tuning in for new episodes each week, and I definitely remember watching that epic two-parter kicking off right after the Super Bowl when the surgeons-in-training at Seattle Grace had to deal with a bomb in a body cavity. (An episode with both Christina Ricci and Kyle Chandler? Who could forget, honestly.) But even while I've fallen behind on keeping up with recent seasons, this long-enduring medical drama has always been a solid comfort show — around whenever I need it, waiting for me to jump back in. It's a series whose theme song has never felt more apropos than it does right now, as the ABC drama shows no signs of slowing down after almost 20 seasons and nobody knows where they might end up! Until then, Netflix's got all of the heartbreak, hardship, and honestly bonkers medical cases for you to revisit over and over again. - Carly Lane

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'In From The Cold' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 6.3/10

In From the Cold

TV-MA

Crime

Action

Drama

Release Date

January 28, 2022

Cast

Margarita Levieva , Cillian O'Sullivan , Lydia Fleming , Charles Brice

Seasons

1

For whatever reason, 2022 has seen the premiere of a lot of spy shows, quite a few of them on Netflix. But this Netflix original is easily one of the best, even if it is somewhat underrated. In From the Cold begins with a newly-divorced American mom named Jenny Franklin (Margarita Levieva) accompanying her daughter's figure skating team to Spain for a tournament. While there, she is abducted by CIA agents and exposed as a former KGB spy and assassin. With no way out, she agrees to help the agent who captured her solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. But even though that one secret might have been revealed, it turns out Jenny has a lot more up her sleeve, including experimental technology that makes her the perfect infiltrator. As the series progresses, Jenny uncovers a complex plot involving right-wing terrorists and a ghost from her past, all of which builds up to a climax that threatens the life of her beloved daughter. In From the Coldnever ceases to surprise audiences, even until the very last second, when the show's ending makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about this shadowy world. - Remus Noronha

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'Altered Carbon' (2018 - 2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 7.9/10

Altered Carbon

TV-MA

Sci-Fi

Action

Drama

Release Date

February 2, 2018

Cast

Anthony Mackie , Renee Goldsberry , Will Yun Lee , Chris Conner , Joel Kinnaman

Seasons

2

On an infinite timeline, everything gets pushed to the extreme. And in a world like that, what is one man to do when faced with the darkest corners of humanity? That's the question at the heart of the hard sci-fi series Altered Carbon. Based on the novel by Richard K. Morgan, the show is set in a far future where science has figured out how to store, transfer, and retrieve human consciousness like data on a disk. Behind the scenes, this gives the creators the opportunity to have the same character be played by multiple actors, with Joel Kinnaman playing the lead in Season 1 and Anthony Mackie taking over in Season 2. What this means for the narrative is that the rich effectively live forever, finding new lows of debauchery and colonizing whole worlds to feed their industrial machines. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, an imprisoned former rebel fighter who is brought out of stasis to solve the murder of a 300-year-old oligarch. The deal is that if he can solve the murder, his crimes will be pardoned and he'll be a free man. The first season follows Takeshi's investigation and shows how it's intrinsically tied to a ghost from his past. Season 2 takes things a step further with a new case, the mysterious reappearance of Takeshi's dead lover and rebel leader Quellcrist Falconer (Renée Elise Goldsberry). Though the show was canceled after just two seasons, it has an intricate, well-crafted world and plenty of noir-esque drama and intrigue. The franchise also has a spinoff anime movie on Netflix titled Altered Carbon: Resleeved and the show's ending leaves the door open for more stories in the future—provided someone ever gets around to reviving the series. - Remus Noronha

​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix

'Peaky Blinders' (2013 - 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.8/10

Peaky Blinders

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

A gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.

Release Date

September 30, 2014

Cast

Cillian Murphy , Sam Claflin , Helen McCrory , Sophie Rundle

Seasons

6

Historical fiction isn't an easy genre to get right but if you want to see a series that does pull it off, look no further. Peaky Blinders is a BBC series that takes a fictional approach to the story of the real-life gang whose name the show bears. Featuring a star-studded cast, including actors like Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy in recurring roles, this show is for those who enjoy a good crime series that also is shaped and informed by real historical events. Beginning shortly after World War I, the show follows the rise of Tommy Shelby (played by the incomparable Cillian Murphy) and his family as they lie, cheat, and kill to claw their way to the top. But Peaky Blinders isn't just about the crime element either. It artfully portrays complicated human beings in all their tenderness and pain. Come for the great cast and the dramatic storyline, stay for the relationships and emotional weight. Either way, this series is a must-watch.- Remus Noronha

​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix

'The Sandman' (2022 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.7/10

The Sandman

TV-MA

Horror

Fantasy

Drama

Release Date

August 5, 2022

Cast

Tom Sturridge , Gwendoline Christie , Charles Dance , Boyd Holbrook , Patton Oswalt , Mason Alexander Park

Seasons

1

There are very few works of literature as unique and epic as Neil Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman. The story revolves around Dream, the titular Sandman, and his siblings, the immortal more-than-gods known as the Endless. There have been attempts to adapt the series since the early 90s but this is the first time ever that this story is coming to life on screen. While the show makes some departures from the original material, it's still largely true to the graphic novel and is one of those few examples of a book adaptation done right. Netflix's The Sandman presents a well-crafted story with an intricate world that is sure to delight old fans of this universe just as much as those who are meeting Dream of the Endless for the very first time. - Remus Noronha

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'Borgen' (2010 - 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.5/10

Borgen

TV-14

Drama

Release Date

October 29, 2011

Cast

Sidse Babett Knudsen , Birgitte Hjort Sørensen , Lisbeth Wulff , Søren Malling

Seasons

4

If you're in the mood for a good political drama, check out the Danish series Borgen. The show follows the story of Birgitte Nyborg Christensen (Sidse Babett Knudsen), a minor politician who climbs up the ladder to become the first female prime minister of Denmark. As with any political series, there are conspiracies and betrayals aplenty. Audiences get to follow Birgitte's career through its ups and downs and see how her idealism frays in the face of practical politics. - Remus Noronha

​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix

'Heartstopper' (2022 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Heartstopper

TV-14

Romance

Drama

Release Date

April 22, 2022

Cast

Joe Locke , Kit Connor , William Gao , Yasmin Finney , Tobie Donovan , Olivia Colman

Seasons

2

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper is the queer coming-of-age story that many people had been waiting for. Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) is a gay schoolboy who falls in love with someone he sits next to in his new form, Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). A beautiful love story and exploration of sexuality, Heartstopper understands perfectly how difficult being queer and so young can be, exploring friendships, sexuality, and gender in a way that very few shows do. With incredible chemistry between the two leads, Heartstopper makes you fall in love with Nick and Charlie, bringing together a story worth rooting for and making you want to find the same kind of love they have. - Arianne Binette

​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix