2020 may have been the year of the binge-watch, but there are still plenty of underrated TV shows that slipped under the radar.
With many of us consuming more content than ever before, it’s understandable how some gems can get lost among the wild popularity of the Tiger Kings of the world.
Thus, I have made it my mission to collate some of the overlooked TV shows that are begging to be added to your to-watch list.
For your viewing pleasure, here are some of 2020’s most underrated TV shows.
I May Destroy You
Although I May Destroy You is undeniably one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows to have debuted in 2020, it’s fair to say that it has yet to receive the mainstream attention it deserves. Created, written, produced by and starring creative powerhouse Michaela Coel, the darkly funny show is a searing portrait of a woman seeking to rebuild her life after experiencing trauma.
Love, Victor
A spiritual sequel to 2018’s Love, Simon, Love, Victor centres around a teenager coming to terms with his sexuality and true identity. Originally intended to drop on Disney+, the show was moved to American streaming service Hulu instead. It’s a shame it lost the chance to appear on a worldwide platform, given how important it is for LGBTQ+ people to have these stories. Regardless, it’s a charming show guaranteed to warm your heart.
Search Party
While Search Party first burst onto screens back in 2016, it was during its 2020 third season that it really hit its strides. What originally began as the story of a group of millennials obsessed by the disappearance of an acquaintance eventually transformed into a satirical look at the American justice system. It’s a truly unpredictable show that manages to be tongue-in-cheek in its tackling of dark topics.
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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist tells the story of a woman who develops the power to hear the innermost thoughts of those around her via songs. As far-fetched as it may sound, it’s a surprisingly grounded show that is as touching as it is amusing. While some may be put off by the musical element, it’s worth checking out f0r its sensitive portrayal of some tough topics.
The Baby-Sitters Club
Okay, stay with me! While most of us may be older than The Baby-Sitters Club‘s target demographic, it’s hard to think of a book to TV adaptation that has modernised its source material more effectively than this one. At once nostalgic and entirely fresh, the 2020 Baby-Sitters Club is delightfully diverse and utterly wholesome.
Emily in Paris
Yes, I loved Emily in Paris and no, I won’t apologise for it. While you’d have to have been living under a rock to have not heard of this, uh, divisive Netflix show, it may just be the most underappreciated entry on this list. I’ll concede that it is certainly no masterpiece, but its sugary escapism was exactly what the doctor ordered to get through 2020. Since most of us won’t be able to travel internationally for the foreseeable future, there’s still plenty of time to live vicariously through Emily herself.
