20 Criminally Underrated TV Shows We Think Everyone Should Have Watched in 2019

With so much fantastic television out there, it’s hard to keep up with everything. It’s been the so-called “Golden Age” of TV for several years now, and the constant introduction of new, high-quality series has given no signs of slowing down.

Still, these 20 shows should’ve gotten so much more attention this year — from viewers, critics, and awards shows alike.

Here are 20 of the most underrated TV shows of 2019, listed in no particular order.

1. You’re the Worst

Heading into the final season of You’re the Worst, it seemed impossible that Gretchen and Jimmy — two massively flawed, frequently terrible people — would find their happy ending. And yet, they did. Well, sort of.

The FXX dark comedy was criminally under-watched and under awarded throughout its entire run, and there were several seasons where numerous cast members (particularly Aya Cash) deserved to have all the accolades heaped upon them. While much of the final run of episodes left a bit to be desired, in the end, the series finale pulled it all together for a perfectly poignant, perfectly imperfect ending that satisfied just about every Worstie.

2. Los Espookys

Those who are fans of Julio Torres’ delightfully bizarre Saturday Night Live sketches probably won’t be shocked to learn that Los Espookys (the HBO comedy co-created by Torres with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega) is downright hilarious.

The zany and undeniably unique show premiered its first season in June. It follows “a group of friends who turn their love for horror into a peculiar business, providing horror to those who need it, in a dreamy Latin American country where the strange and eerie are just part of daily life,” per HBO’s official description.

Viewers who appreciated the under-watched and under-discussed series’ absurdist humor will be glad to know it’s returning for a second season.

3. Lodge 49

You may not have heard of AMC’s Lodge 49, but you should have. The dramedy centered on Sean “Dud” Dudley (Wyatt Russell), an ex-surfer from Long Beach, California who struggles to find purpose after his father’s death and the demise of a family business. He finds it in one of the most unlikely places — a fraternal lodge.

He strikes up a friendship with a plumbing salesman named Ernie (Brent Jennings) and starts on a path to solve alchemical mysteries that may help him recover his lost optimism.

Lodge 49 comes from creator Jim Gavin and is inspired by the novella The Crying Lot Of 49 by Thomas Pynchon. It was canceled in 2019 after two seasons, 20 episodes, and tons of critical acclaim for being unlike anything else on TV. In 2019, that’s a feat that should’ve been rewarded. The show also stars Sonya Cassidy as Dud’s sister Liz.

4. Pen15

Pen15 premiered on Hulu in February 2019 and gained social buzz because of more than just its hysterical name. Executive producers Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle star as 13-year-old versions of themselves (they are both 32) surrounded by actual tween co-stars.

No matter how old you are, one look at the trailer and you’ll probably agree that the show is a more authentic portrayal of tween years than most shows bother with, even if it’s sometimes so awkward and hysterical that you sometimes get secondhand embarrassment watching. We champion its authenticity and diversity. Though Hulu announced in May that Pen15 will have a second season, we still think more people need to be talking about it.

If you were actually in junior high/middle school around this time, you’ll probably know this series is based in truth thanks to the line, “You are my actual rainbow gel pen in a sea of blue and black writing utensils.”

5. Undone

We’re all about genre-defying shows, and Undone is a perfect example of how well that works when it’s done correctly.

Equal parts dramedy, psychological thriller, and mystery, the adult animated series follows a young woman, Alma, who nearly dies in a car crash and gains the ability to manipulate and move through time. She uses this new ability to investigate the death of her dad, voiced by Better Call Saul‘s Bob Odenkirk.

The surrealist, genuinely moving, and visually stunning show was co-created by Bojack Horseman‘s Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy will undoubtedly get more attention when it returns to Amazon for a second season. But for now, more people need to be watching (and talking about, and praising) the show’s first outing.

6. The Good Fight

If you don’t subscribe to CBS All Access, you may want to start if only to watch The Good Fight. The series aired its third season in the spring of 2019 and continued the story of Diana Lockhart, formerly of The Good Wife and her new law firm. The Good Fight Season 3 dug in its heels and explored any and all taboo political themes making it the perfect drama for anyone absolutely sick of the political climate.

Some things that new viewers can look forward to from Season 3, an underground resistance group that isn’t above rigging voting machines, a speech on the virtues of punching Nazis, animated songs song by Jonathan Coulton on nondisclosure agreements and Russian troll farms, and fentanyl lollipops.

All of this is to say that calling The Good Fight’s 2019 run crazy might be an understatement. Yet, the show doesn’t just take swings because it can, it examines the issues it presents in a granular fashion.

7. Catastrophe

Catastrophe, the often-dark, always-hilarious British comedy following Sharon and Rob — two virtual strangers who couple up after Sharon unexpectedly gets pregnant following their brief fling — wrapped its four-season run in February.

The series inexplicably never got the kind of awards attention it deserved. Its dry British wit and genuine heart made this half-hour series one of a kind. And that’s not even to mention the recurring role the late, great Carrie Fisher played as Rob’s mother!

8. The Magicians

The Magicians is one of those adaptations that is near-universally considered better than its source material.

While some viewers may opt to turn their backs on the show forever thanks to a particularly devastating turn of events at the end of the fourth season, there are a few undeniable things that make this Syfy fantasy series worthy of note.

For one, it managed to make viewers incredibly invested in characters that once seemed lame (or downright despicable), to the point where major character deaths caused shockwaves, disbelief, and sadness throughout the fandom. For another, it’s got some of the best character development genre TV has seen since Cordelia went from catty cheerleader on Buffy the Vampire Slayer to badass champion on Angel.

9. Perpetual Grace, LTD

A long con grows ever longer as complications set back a former firefighter and his new gang of friends on Perpetual Grace, Ltd, who only wants to rob a criminal preacher and his wife. But all the good intentions in the world couldn’t predict the ever-growing mess that Jimmi Simpson’s James faces.

Co-creators Steven Conrad and Bruce Terris create a brilliant cast of characters who all suffer from regret in some way, doing all they can to redefine themselves in a world that is starting to move on from kindness. There’s an arthouse style to the show that is markedly different than almost everything else on television, a sharp, clear voice that’s taking its time to tell a story about redemption and friendship.

When it isn’t wickedly funny, it’s poignant and meaningful, becoming one of the most underrated shows of the year.

10. Shrill

The Hulu original series Shrill, starring Aidy Bryant, centers on Annie, an aspiring journalist who is too often being told how to feel about her own weight. This is more than just a very funny comedy.

It’s a poignant story about self-discovery, self-esteem, and owning who you are. Annie becomes empowered in spreading a message of body positivity and realizing that she should expect more out of others — and out of herself. 

11. Harlots

Hulu’s Harlots may look like your average period drama; in truth it’s anything but. A story of two rival brothels in 18th century London, this is a show that isn’t interested in the salacious nature of sex work, but rather in centering the lives of the women forced to make a living for themselves at the oldest profession.

As a result, Harlots turns out to be a show about female power and agency, and how women who are generally afforded little of either grasp onto it wherever they can.

The show features terrific performances all around, but Jessica Brown Findlay and Leslie Manville are standouts in a complicated and surprising third season that pushes the boundaries of the sorts stories we expect this genre to tell.

12. Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack gave lovers of history, and the LGBTQIA community, something to cheer about. The source material for Gentleman Jack was the diaries of Anne Lister, where she recorded the details of her life and relationships extensively. Some of the most intimate details were pulled out and shaped for the series creating an intimate look at a charismatic historical figure.

Determined to save her ancestral home, Shibden Hall, Anne Lister doesn’t shy away from bucking expectations. She’s a character who dresses in head-to-toe black, and who isn’t afraid to be unapologetically herself; including when it comes to her intention to take a wife.

Gentleman Jack is more than just an LGBTQIA love story, it examines Anne Lister’s relationship with not only her would-be wife but her family, tenants, and her industrial rivals, giving viewers a full portrait of a historical LGBTQIA character.

13. Atypical

This feel-good family comedy centers on Sam, a teen with Autism who is navigating everyday life — from his friendships and his relationship with his girlfriend to his educational goals — with the help of his family and friends.

In the most recent season, he starts college, realizing the new environment presents a brand new set of struggles. Atypical also follows his parents and his sister, who have their own ups and downs, and their self-discoveries. It’s a heartfelt series that’s as important as it is enjoyable to watch.

14. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Complex characters, nuanced narratives, expansive world-building, and big overarching character arcs. You might expect that description to be about the latest adult drama or high concept fantasy show but it’s actually a description of the Netflix animated series She-Ra and The Princesses of Power.

Where so many other shows aimed primarily at children underestimate them and talk down to them, She-Ra has always been a show that trusts that kids can understand big ideas and navigate ambiguity. It’s always been a show that assumes kids are smarter and more sophisticated than we give them credit for.

The result is a rich, deeply engaging show for kids and adults alike. A show with multidimensional villains, flawed heroes, and a series mythology that can hold its own against any sci-fi or fantasy show being produced today.

Each season of She-Ra builds on what’s come before adding layers to its characters and their relationships, and depth to its larger narrative making its most recent season its best so far. Not only were the four main characters given smart storylines that tackled big themes, many of the supporting characters like Scorpia, Mermista, and even Horde lackey, Kyle had thoughtful emotional journeys that made them more than allies and adversaries to Adora, Bow, Glimmer, and Catra.

She-Ra is one of the best shows for children currently being made but it is also one of the best shows currently being made, full stop. If you aren’t watching it you are missing out on something truly special.

15. Tuca & Bertie

In a similar vein as Bojack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie is another adult animated sitcom focusing on mature, complex issues in an often darkly comedic manner.

Featuring the voice talents of Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong as two 30-year-old bird-women friends and neighbors, the series had a slew of other notable guest stars, from Tig Notaro and Awkwafina to Downton Abbey‘s Michelle Dockery and Orange is the New Black‘s Laverne Cox.

While the series won critical acclaim in its debut, Netflix announced its decision to cancel the show, choosing not to renew it for a second season. This decision was met with much anger from fans and TV critics alike, but to date, the criminally underrated show has yet to find a new home.

16. Good Trouble

This spin-off of the beloved ABC Family-turned-Freeform series The Fosters could’ve stood to be about a third as good as it is and still attracted plenty of viewers who still held loyalty to its parent show.

Instead, the series has gone above and beyond, seamlessly following Callie Adams Foster and Mariana Adams Foster in an entirely new phase of their lives as young working professionals. All the while, the writers have managed to weave in incisive and provocative explorations of contemporary social issues in a way that doesn’t ring at all preachy.

17. What We Do in the Shadows

Based on the film of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows is a vampire comedy told in the style of a mockumentary. Yes, we’re saying it’s basically The Office, but with vampires and it’s more bizarre.

Especially if you like vampire stories, What We Do in the Shadows is bound to make you laugh with its dark humor. On a deeper level, the series is also about family, finding one’s place, and the importance of community. It’s well worth a watch, and deserving of much more attention.

18. Workin’ Moms

 

Workin’ Moms is a Canadian gem, created by and starring the hilarious Catherine Reitman (and produced by Reitman and her on-screen and off-screen husband, Philip Sternberg). We’re so thankful to Netflix for bringing this show to the US this year.

The character development is so strong, presenting each of the moms (and dads) as relatable people, with relatable motivations, scenarios, and personalities. Even if you’re not a mom, you’ll find it hard not to relate to the show’s characters in one way or another.

The show has remained strong through its third season, released on Canada television and on Netflix in 2019 — and we’re eagerly awaiting its return for the fourth season in 2020.

19. Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel was a drama developed by Brian Tanen and executive produced by Eva Longoria Bastón based on the Spanish series Gran Hotel. As the title suggests, it centers on the Mendoza family, who run the Rivera Grand Hotel in Miami Beach.

But they have more to worry about than guests’ demands when one of their employees is murdered during a storm and her brother goes undercover as a server to figure out who killed his sister.

There are too many other twists and turns in the lives of the Rivera Grand Hotel staff to mention them all. But they reveal themselves at a satisfying pace and are even difficult to guess. Grand Hotel focuses on a Spanish family in Miami, so representation is in its DNA, but it doesn’t stop there. LGBTQ stories are also told, as well as stories about mental illness and even health care.

All of that is wrapped around a dramatic center for a sweet summer treat. We don’t understand why ABC let this one go, but it was sadly canceled after one season consisting of just 13 episodes.

20. Bless This Mess

Though its pilot was originally ordered by FOX, Bless This Mess starring Lake Bell and Dax Shepard is now a surprise gem on ABC. We won’t lie and say that the premise of moving from a big city in favor of a quieter life on a farm is a completely new idea, but in a sea of reboots and revivals, original concepts are worth so much more.

Plus, no other comedy of the sort has had Shepard and Bell behind it. Though the latter woman is of no relation to Shepard’s wife Kristen Bell, they are an equally solid comic team. There is also the fact that having Pam Grier in your cast is always an advantage.

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Did your favorite underrated show of the year make our list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

*Contributions by Caralynn Lippo, Esme Mazzeo, Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Lauren Busser, Kaitlin Willow, Sarah Fields, Lacy Baugher, and Kevin Lever.

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