20 Best Limited TV Series of 2021

Growing in popularity, the limited TV series brought us some of this year’s best television.

Binge-worthy superheroes, surprising mysteries, true stories, and heart-wrenching moments kept us glued to our screens for the entirety of a show’s run (or its season if it’s an anthology series). 

Either way, there’s something especially satisfying about watching a series that we know will only last for a few episodes, largely because its conclusion will be final, and one that was intended from the beginning.

In no particular order, here are the 20 Best Limited TV Series of 2021:

1. Mare of Easttown

Mare of Easttown is a series that had everyone talking. The HBO Max original follows Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a small-town Pennslyvania detective whose reputation for solving crimes is diminished because of one case that’s taken far too long to solve. Meanwhile, her personal life is complicated, and she finds herself in the middle of a custody battle.

The series is gripping from the start, with Winslet’s performance being a true standout. Mare of Easttown’s representation of women is just one of the things that makes it special, but that’s along with a story that keeps us on our toes and characters that are so complex that we can’t help but feel invested.

2. WandaVision

You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to appreciate the genius that is WandaVision. Each episode offers an ode to a different era in television as Wanda Maximoff fights to keep the love of her life by her side, living in a fantasy world and controlling those around her to make that happen.

Each era is so brilliantly well done, with clear attention to detail that provides a fun look at TV sitcoms over the years. Though that’s all much more emotional when you learn Wanda’s attachment to the TV sitcom in the first place.

WandaVision is a love story, a story about overcoming grief, and a story about learning to let go.

3. Dr. Death

Based on true events and inspired by the podcast of the same name, Dr. Death is the chilling story of Dr. Christopher Dunstch (played by Joshua Jackson), a charming surgeon in Texas who killed and maimed several patients in the course of a short time period. Importantly, the series also focuses largely on the people who made it their mission to stop him. 

Powerful performances by Joshua Jackson, Alex Baldwin, and Christian Slater elevate an already fascinating story. And while Dr. Death is certainly dark and unsettling, it’s also difficult to stop watching once you start. 

4. Dopesick

Created by Danny Strong, Dopesick is based on Beth Macy’s book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America. Make no mistake, this is difficult subject matter. Dopesick examines how a major company triggered the worst drug epidemic in American history, specifically with OxyContin.

It’s also one of the year’s most important and captivating stories, offering a look at the history of how the use of this drug was able to get out of control. The writing is excellent, and the show features incredible performances by Michael Keaton and Kaitlin Dever along with the rest of the talented cast. 

5. The Underground Railroad

A masterpiece in the storytelling, Prime Video’s The Underground Railroad is an incredible journey based on the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead.

It centers on Cora Randall (Thusu Mbedu) after she escapes a Georgia plantation and makes her way from state to state, in hopes of a new life. Though certainly difficult to watch at times, The Underground Railroad is also full of heart, with a stellar cast and outstanding directing by Barry Jenkins.

6. It’s a Sin

Available on HBO Max, this limited series centers on a group of gay men, Ritchie, Colin, and Roscoe, who all set out to start new lives in London, just as the HIV/Aids crisis is beginning. It’s a Sin follows the friends through the course of a decade, seeing how their lives and the lives of those around them are impacted by the virus. 

The series is just five episodes, and in that time, it masterfully tells this significant story, with characters who are joy to watch. It is visually stunning, deeply emotional, and features fantastic performances from a wildly talented cast.

7. The White Lotus

The White Lotus turned out to be bizarrely addictive and just a tad unsettling. It follows a group of vacationers at an exclusive resort in Hawaii, who all converge in various ways with a whole host of conflicts. The six episodes span only the course of a week but offer a detailed picture of the lives of each traveler — and reveal some of their darkest sides.

In addition to the travelers, we meet those who work at the resort, including resort manager Armond, who starts on a downward spiral from the very first episode.

It’s fascinating television, and it will be getting a second season, but as an anthology series, we’ll be looking forward to an entirely new group of travelers at a different White Lotus property.

8. Clickbait

The Netflix original series Clickbait is one of those shows that’s impossible to stop watching once you start. It’s the epitome of binge-worthy television as it follows the murder of Nick Brewer, and the lies surrounding who the man truly was.

Each episode focuses on a different character’s journey, allowing the story to unfold in a surprising way, with so many twists and turns that it could easily give one whiplash. Ultimately, it’s a fun, engaging, entertaining series, and one that definitely stood out this year.

9. Maid

Another Netflix original, Maid was another standout limited TV series this year. The series is inspired by the best-selling memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. It’s the story of single mother Alex who struggles to make ends meet when she escapes an abusive relationship.

She becomes a housecleaner in order to create a better life for her daughter, and it’s an arduous journey along the way. Maid is both compelling and inspiring, and Margaret Qualley’s performance alone is enough to land it a spot on this list.

10. Landscapers

Inspired by true events, Landscapers is the story of Chris and Susan Edwards. They are a seemingly ordinary British couple who wind up killing Susan’s parents and burying them in their back garden. When the bodies are discovered years later, they become the focus of an investigation. 

Olivia Colman and David Thewlis star in this true-crime limited series on HBO. That casting alone should be enough to get audiences interested in Landscapers, but the style and the witty writing go hand-in-hand with their performances to create a series that’s a must-watch, even if it is a bit bizarre. 

11. Midnight Mass

Like his other Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass is a thoughtful, deftly plotted horror tale. But it is also a surprisingly rich and deft meditation on faith, community, and the power of belief.

Set in the small fishing town of Crockett Island, the series follows of new priest Father Paul, who begins to perform profound and unexpected miracles for his congregation that ignites a new religious fervor among them.

But there is more to Father Paul than meets the eye. As various horrors begin to mount in the wake of his arrival, Midnight Mass is unflinching in its depiction of violence as it is in its exploration of why want to believe in something larger than ourselves at all. Surprisingly rich and meaningful, this isn’t your average horror story – in all the best ways.

12. The Shrink Next Door

Another series based on true events, and also inspired by the podcast of the same name, The Shrink Next Door follows the relationship between Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) and his patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Will Ferrell).

While their doctor/patient relationship seems fairly typical at first, it eventually evolves into something wildly dysfunctional, with Ike inserting himself into Marty’s life in extreme ways. It’s a fascinating, tragic, and somewhat uncomfortable story that’s made all the more captivating thanks to performances by Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell. 

13. Love Life

If there’s anything that the second installment of HBO Max’s Love Life taught us this year, it’s that 1) there should be more Rom-Com Anthologies and 2) William Jackson Harper and Jessica Williams deserve more leading roles.

Whether you did or didn’t watch the Anna Kendrick installment of Love Life doesn’t matter. The series’s second season, featuring William Jackson Harper, is a completely fresh story with new characters and new relationships.

It’s a picture-perfect take on dating in the 2020s and the writing, and the story is so authentic that Marcus and the cast of supporting characters feel like they could be your own friends, regaling you with their good (and the bad!) dating stories.

Love Life is one of those rare stories that really feels real, and that maybe, just maybe, there is a Marcus (or a Darby) out there for all of us.

14. Genius: Aretha

Starring Cynthia Erivo, National Geographic’s latest season of Genius centers on the story of Aretha Franklin, her career, her personal life, and her commitment to the civil rights movement.

It’s enjoyable to watch the story unfold, spanning several decades and offering stellar musical performances. The limited series features an especially talented cast, including Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett, David Cross. And Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Aretha Franklin? It’s award-worthy, to say the least. 

15. Nine Perfect Strangers

Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers made for one of the most captivating limited series this year, with a star-studded cast and a deeply psychological story. Based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, the story centers on nine strangers who gather for a 10-day retreat at Tranquillum House, a health and wellness resort hosted by Nicole Kidman’s Masha.

Of course, the resort is not what it seems to be, and neither is Masha. Though the mysteries that unravel are intriguing, what’s most interesting about the series is the characters, the way they respond to conflict, and the way they deal with one another.  

16. Modern Love

One of the lighter, and perhaps more comforting series to make the list this year is the anthology series Modern Love. Its second season follows the format of the first, with each episode telling an individual story from a different set of characters, all inspired by the New York Times column of the same name.

Each tale is unique, with different themes and sometimes differing tones. The casting is enough to draw anyone in — stars include Minnie Driver, Kit Harington, Sophie Okonedo, Larry Owens, Tobias Menzies, Gbenga Akinnagbe, and Anna Paquin, to name a few.

17. Brand New Cherry Flavor

Brand New Cherry Flavor is a 90s Hollywood horror story that never has a dull moment. It only takes the protagonist Lisa Nova throwing up a kitten once for viewers to realize this isn’t your average tale of revenge.

In an effort to get her movie back from the predatory producer who fired her from directing, Lisa turns to dark magic. The show blends body horror, surrealism, and a wry sense of humor to create a bizarre but captivating series.

Rosa Salazar is magnetic in the role, keeping you invested in Lisa even when she starts to cross the line between victim and perpetrator. Her twisted romance with the self-destructive actor Roy Hardaway also adds a layer of appeal to the show.

Fans of feminist stories, the occult, and just plain weird television will enjoy this wild ride.

18. Little Birds

Little Birds flew under the radar, but it is definitely worth the watch, especially if you like visual storytelling that emphasizes the visual while leaving the story ambiguous. This makes the plot open to interpretation with many paths of thought for one to go down.

The views on those paths are stunning. Deep, rich colors, vibrant patterns, lush interiors, and sun-baked landscapes make up 1950s Tangier that is brought to life through artful cinematography—every frame is a feast for the eyes.

Little Birds also boasts incredible performances. Juno Temple consummately inhabits this world, the dreamy aesthetic a natural setting for her. Hugh Skinner plays the hapless Hugo as a sympathetic character.

But it is Yumna Marwan that steals the show as Cherifa Lamour. She is hypnotic on the screen—seductive, strong, and powerful—playing emotion with raw intensity that allows her vulnerability to shine through.

19. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 

Starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, the much-anticipated series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier follows Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they deal with the aftermath of the events of Avengers: Endgame. 

The interactions between Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan make the series especially fun to watch. And in addition to the action-packed and visually appealing storytelling, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier also manages to explore race in a relevant way. The series also stars Daniel Brühl, Emily VanCamp, and Wyatt Russell.

20. Hawkeye

The expectations for Marvel’s Hawkeye were high, to say the least. Luckily, Hawkeye not only lives up to all those expectations, but it also exceeds them.

Clint has never been more endearing or sympathetic than in this series, and we can all agree that Pizza Dog is a very good boy.

But, it’s the women of Hawkeye that make it stand out. There is Kate’s mom, Eleanor, who we all knew was more than she seemed; the incredibly cool Yelena Belova, who made her first appearance in the series’ best fight scene so far; and Maya Lopez, the fascinating antagonist who has already been greenlit for her own spin-off.

Then there is Kate Bishop herself, the newest star of the next generation of Marvel heroes. Hailee Steinfeld is perfection in this role, capturing all of Kate’s stubborn confidence from the comics and breathing so much life and energy into this much-loved character’s MCU debut.

Hawkeye delivers on every bit of its hype, and in the tradition of Die Hard and The Long Kiss Goodnight, it’s an excellent addition to any holiday TV and movie line-up.

—

What were your favorite limited series this year? Let us know in the comments below!

*Additional contributions by Erin Allen, Breeze Riley, Lacy Baugher, Marissa Crenwelge, and Sarah Fields.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

20 Best TV Dramas of 2021