There are the TV shows that get the big-budget rollouts, with all the promotions and the incredible trailers that have audiences reeled in for a month before the show even hits their favorite streaming service. There are the recommended movies and series that you’ve heard about from friends, and then there are the dark horse TV shows that few people have ever heard of but are steadily blowing the minds of each person who lays eyes on them. Those are the ones we’re interested in! The most underhyped TV shows of 2022 are here for you to experience in a convenient list. Whether you’re on staycation, spring break, cuddled up by the fire somewhere cold, or lazing out by the pool with your tablet, we’ve got you covered.
Cleverman
This interesting Australian series is finally giving a little airtime to some Indigenous actors. The show Cleverman follows two indigenous half-brothers as they fight the mythical creatures of their fictional Sydney, to stay alive. The show is definitely science fiction, and we couldn’t be happier about that- we’ll take a pass on any beasties living among us, thanks! For SciFi, it’s unusually thought-provoking and shines a light on a lot of racial and socio-political issues that need airing.
Racial allegories aren’t strange in science fiction at all, but rarely have they been so smooth and impactful. Stories are often told about Indigenous people but rarely are they told by them or from their perspective, so this show is a breath of fresh air in that regard as well. If you loved Heroes and American Gods, then Cleverman is your next favorite binge show.
Party Down
A tale as old as time: actors who move to Hollywood in search of fame, glory, and hopefully a fulfilling career. In Party Down, which first aired in 2009, Adam Scott and Jane Lynch seek their ever-elusive “big break”, but end up working as cater waiters, of course. The comic timing of the cast is incredible, and the witty scripts serve the cast well. If you’re interested in a sitcom that isn’t terribly taxing but offers up a lot of good laughs in a fairly fluffy format, then this one’s for you. Think Community or The Office for an idea of the laughs you’re in for.
Des
If you’re a true crime fanatic, then you might have discovered this one already. Des is a pretty dark journey based on the true-life killings of the infamous Dennis Nilsen. Instead of delving into the acts themselves in excruciating detail, this miniseries goes for a deep dive into Nilsen’s twisted mind and the reasons behind his actions. David Tenant, as usual, does slightly too good a job at being creepy as the villain himself and the sharp script supports his incredible performance. There are only three episodes so it’s perfect for a Saturday binge. The psychology behind these gory crimes is genuinely fascinating, so if you’ve got the stomach, this is a creative miniseries to check out.
Everything’s Gonna Be Ok
Another Australian series well worth watching is the hilarious and touching Everything’s Gonna Be Ok. Comedian Josh Thomas plays Nicholas: a 20 something who has gone to visit his family and upon arriving discovers that his father is incredibly ill. His life is abruptly turned upside down not only by this revelation but also by his dying father’s request that he become his half-sister’s guardian after his death. This is another show that has a happily diverse cast: LGBTQ and autistic characters. This is a quirky, offbeat comedy which brings a lot of life and laughter to our screens.
The Get Down
Anything that Baz Luhrmann does is done well and certainly worth a watch. While The Get Down is long, it’s undoubtedly one of the best shows on any streaming service at the moment. The show takes us to 1970s Brooklyn and follows the rise of hip-hop in a fractured New York city. Narrated by award-winning artist Nas, the show features work by some incredibly interesting people: Oscar winner Catherine Martin, hip-hop historian Nelson George and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Stephen Adly. Each character, every scene, and minute in this show is created with incredible attention to detail which is why the sequences are often longer than usual. The adjustment might be hard for viewers with shorter attention spans, but we say it’s worth it.
Wrap Up
All that’s left to do now is make a huge bowl of popcorn, get comfy on the sofa and enjoy!
