The 12 Most Underrated TV Shows Of 2021

Every year, new TV shows fall into one of a few categories: the high-profile shows everyone is watching and talking about (think Succession or Tiger King), the shows that are doomed before they even begin and are likely to be canceled, and the ones that are still finding their footing but show potential. But there’s another important category within the mix: the underrated shows.

These are the shows that are highly reviewed yet they don’t seem to garner as much attention as the big hits. Those TV watchers who do land their remotes on these shows and hit play typically stick with them, and might tell a friend or two about them. But by and large, these 2021 shows don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Reservation Dogs (FX On Hulu)

Lauded for having an almost entirely Indigenous North American cast and production team, Reservation Dogs is one of the best teen shows to premiere in 2021, coming out of the gate strong. Set in rural Oklahoma, it follows four teenagers who are up to no good, committing crimes in their hometown. Their hope is to eventually leave and move to California.

However, when new criminals arrive in town, they must fight to protect their territory. The show has an almost-perfect rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its ability to “deftly capture the malaise of youth and Rez life.”

The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)

A miniseries, the story in The Underground Railroad is based on the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead about Black slaves trying to escape slavery in the 1800s. In reality, the Underground Railroad is not a physical structure, but rather a network of people, hidden routes, and safe houses that worked together to help these people find freedom. In the show, it’s depicted as an actual railroad.

On Rotten Tomatoes, where the show has a 94% critic rating, reviewers commend the “superb ensemble” and the delicate way the story manages to turn the powerful source material into a visually stunning work.

Midnight Mass (Netflix)

Squid Game overshadowed another fabulous show that premiered at the same time on Netflix. Midnight Mass, a supernatural horror about residents in an isolated community that begins experiencing strange events, was showered with praise.

It centers around a young man who returns to the island he once called home after serving time in prison for killing someone in a drunk driving accident. At the same time, a young priest shows up and manages to captivate the residents, restoring their faith.

The Big Leap (Fox)

The seemingly boring premise of The Big Leap didn’t turn heads, despite actors like Scott Foley, Piper Perabo, and Tom Lennon among the cast. But it has the distinction of receiving a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling the show a “joyous celebration of life.”

A musical comedy-drama, it tells the story of a group of adults who are all facing hard times and decide to finally follow their dreams. So, they participate in a reality dance show competition, despite the repercussions and impact on their reputations.

Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Despite counting Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, and Juliette Lewis among its cast, Yellowjackets, one of the best new TV series of 2021 according to Rotten Tomatoes, hasn’t quite garnered the same fanbase as other shows. The story is told through different timelines. In the first timeline set in the ’90s, a group of high school soccer players en route to a tournament crash in the wilderness. They are left to survive on their own for close to two years, which takes a toll on them in every way possible.

In the second, the surviving women deal with their lives in the present day. Already renewed for a second season, Yellowjackets is yet another show with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating that reviewers call “an absorbing mystery with plenty of sting.”

The Chair (Netflix)

Sandra Oh heads up this comedy-drama as Professor Ji-Yoon Kim, the first female chair of the English department at a fictional prestigious university. The story in The Chair follows Kim as she navigates the daily nuances of her job as well as her complicated personal life that includes a strong-willed adopted daughter, a close friend, and a love interest.

With Amanda Peet as creator and David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the team behind Game of Thrones, named among the executive producers, it’s a wonder the show didn’t get more attention. With only six episodes in the first season, it could be that viewers simply need more before realizing its value.

The White Lotus (HBO)

From the creative mind of Mike White and with a star-studded cast that includes Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Steve Zahn, and Molly Shannon, it’s puzzling that White Lotus has flown under the radar. While Coolidge did receive a Golden Globe nomination for her supporting role, the show isn’t one that people talk about.

The setting for White Lotus, one of the biggest TV shows of 2021, is a tropical resort in Hawaii where staff and guests in the ensemble cast interact to hilariously satirical results. Dubbed an anthology series, it was renewed for a second season, though season 2 will follow a different story and take place at a different White Lotus property.

Ghosts (CBS)

Based on the British series of the same name, Ghosts is a fun sitcom about Sam and Jay, a married couple who move from the big city to a country house with plans to run it as an Airbnb. But it seems the home is already filled with the ghosts of people who died there over the decades, desperately trying to cross over to the afterlife.

Interestingly, after being involved in a near-death experience, Sam starts being able to see and hear the ghosts, though Jay remains oblivious to their existence. Following a strong first few episodes, the show was given a full-season order.

Mythic Quest (Apple TV+)

Already in its second season in 2021, Mythic Quest is one of those comedies that is quietly popular among fans but isn’t as widely recognized as it should be. Already renewed for a third and fourth season, the series is about a fictional video game studio and its staff that created a popular MMORPG game called Mythic Quest.

Starring Rob McElhenney, Ashly Burch, and Danny Pudi, and created by McElhenney alongside Charlie Day and Megan Danz, the strong comedic team behind the show is reflected in its hilarious content.

Invincible (Amazon Prime Video)

A superhero animated series, Invincible is actually for adults, telling the story of a 17-year-old who must deal with coming-of-age as both a regular kid and the son of the most powerful superhero on Earth. As Mark, voiced by Steven Yeun, begins to discover his own superhero abilities, he must also focus on living up to his father’s expectations and reputation.

Invincible, one of the best ranked Amazon Prime original series from 2021 according to IMDb, is based on the comic series by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, and it’s graphic and gory. But for fans of the genre, it’s a must-watch that has been praised for every aspect, from the performances to the story and animation.

Kevin Can F**k Himself (AMC)

Hot off her Emmy win for Schitt’s Creek, Annie Murphy starred in this dark comedy about an unhappy wife who, after getting increasingly frustrated with her husband’s juvenile behavior and complete lack of care for her desires, plots to kill him.

Kevin Can F**k Himself served both as a parody of cookie-cutter sitcoms and a dark drama that showed what anger can be brewing beneath the surface of mindless laugh tracks. While the plot can only be sustained for so long, it’s no surprise that AMC renewed the show for a second and final season.

Made For Love (HBO Max)

With Cristin Milioti and Ray Romano attached to this dark comedy, which is based on the novel of the same name by Alissa Nutting, Made For Love should have gotten more attention. In terrifying Black Mirror fashion, a woman finally escapes her stifling marriage to a tech billionaire only to discover that he implanted a tracking device into her. It not only allows him to see where she is at all times, but even enables him to watch her from afar and know how she’s feeling emotionally.

Balancing both comedy and drama beautifully, critics awarded the show a 94% rating according to Rotten Tomatoes, loving the “satirical riffs on technology” and the special effects, along with Milioti’s talented comedic timing.

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