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So you’re stuck trawling Prime Video for something genuinely worth a watch.
A binge even, a TV show to fill up a chunk of the night or be savored throughout the week. Amazon’s streamer might not be the most prolific releaser or the biggest awards darling — stay with us — but it’s has picked up a ton of bonafide gems. Put your phone away. Allow these shows to grip your eyeballs tight — and look forward to what’s coming up each month.What’s new on Prime Video this month (March)March 3
Daisy Jones & The Six, season 1 premiere (2023-): Drama based on a book of the same name. It follows the story of a fictional ’70s band, fronted by two feuding yet charismatic lead singers.
March 17
Class of ’07, season 1 premiere (2023-): Comedy. A literal apocalyptic tidal wave hits during the 10-year reunion of an all-girls high school.
Dom, season 2 premiere (2021-): Brazilian drama. In season 2, Pedro Dom becomes the most wanted criminal in Rio de Janeiro. The show also follows a young version of Pedro’s father, Victor.
Swarm, season 1 premiere (2023-): Thriller co-created by Donald Glover. It follows an obsessed fan of the world’s biggest pop star. March 31
The Power, season 1 premiere (2023-): Thriller starring Toni Collette and based on a book of the same name. Without warning, teenage girls develop the power to electrocute people at will.
Boss, seasons 1-2 (2011-12): Political drama starring Kelsey Grammer. Mayor Tom Kane is King of Chicago and he rules his domain with an iron fist.Best Amazon Prime Video original TV shows
At time of writing, these TV shows all score at least 70 on Metacritic.Comedy
The Kids in the Hall (2022—)
Prime Video has resurrected The Kids in the Hall, the Emmy-nominated Canadian sketch comedy show that originally ran from 1988 to 1995. (By « resurrects, » I mean the show literally exhumes members of the comedy troupe from a grave they were buried in at the end of the original show. That’s just the beginning of the fun.) Follow the comedians as they freak out over mislabeled desserts, fight over imaginary love interests and write Earth’s last fax. But be warned: Some of these sketches are highly NSFW.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017—)
A ’50s housewife who becomes a standup comic? This brilliant series from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, is filled with sparkling performances from Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, with dialogue to match. Set in a vibrant and changing New York, our delightful heroine moonlights as a comedian, while doing her duties as an upper class Jewish American housewife. With impressive visuals, warmth and zingers, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is the full package.
A League of Their Own (2022—)
Prime Video’s TV series A League of Their Own is inspired by the 1992 film of the same name and introduces new characters portrayed by Abbi Jacobson, D’Arcy Carden and others. In the comedy-drama’s first episode, women try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the ’40s. The show explores themes of race and sexuality, and offers a satisfying period setting and compelling characters.
Undone (2019—)
This unique series uses the Rotoscoping animation technique to tell the story of a young woman who, after suffering a near-fatal car accident, discovers she can manipulate time. Intriguing, right? It gets better: Bob Odenkirk plays Alma’s dead father, who enlists her help in investigating his murder. Bending both time and space, Undone is surreal and beautifully existential for those looking for deep material.
The Outlaws (2021—)
Seven strangers are assigned to the same community payback sentence in this appealing comedy thriller set in Bristol, England. The six-episode show is fun, dark and touching, offering an engaging look at its rule-breakers’ backgrounds and the relationships that form between them. The plot thickens when some members of the group come across a bag of cash. If you need another draw, the show is co-created by Stephen Merchant, who co-created the UK version of The Office.
A Very English Scandal (2018-2021)
A sex scandal in the UK Parliament? Starring Hugh Grant and Ben Wishaw? You can thank Russell T. Davies for dramatizing this slice of late-’70s British politics. Jeremy Thorpe, a Liberal member of Parliament, wants to silence unhappy ex-lover Norman before his career ends up in tatters. Watch the murder conspiracy, big trial and media scrutiny through A Very English Scandal’s darkly funny lens.
Fleabag (2016-2019)
If somehow the Fleabag train passed you by, it’s time to let it hit you at its full, incredible force. Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes and stars in the play-turned extraordinary comedy series. A 30-something woman who runs a cafe lives a sex-filled life with a sense of humor that hides the tragedies she hasn’t yet come to terms with. Just about word-for-word perfect, with a fourth-wall breaking device, Fleabag frequently does its best to both shock and devastate you, while being ridiculously funny.
I Love Dick (2016-2017)
Going on a Katheryn Hahn binge after WandaVision? Marvel’s new favorite witch starred in one season of this 2016 comedy with a memorable title. Her character’s name is just as memorable: Chris Kraus, an artist and filmmaker who moves to Texas with her husband. She quickly falls in love with his fellowship sponsor, played by Kevin Bacon. Yes, Kevin Bacon is in this. The dynamic of her marriage shifts as her infatuation challenges everything in smart and provocative and adult ways. Sadly, I Love Dick didn’t score a second season, but the first is well worth your time.
Catastrophe (2015-2019)
Featuring Carrie Fisher’s final TV role, Catastrophe is a rom-com about messy, chaotic people. Londoner Sharon and Bostonian Rob have a one-week stand that results in an unplanned pregnancy and Rob moving to the UK so they can start a family. The tricky part: Sharon and Rob don’t know the first thing about each other. Covering age, sex, parenthood, marriage and love in its open book, Catastrophe is a superb rom-com that gives you four seasons to devour.
Transparent (2014-2019)
Transparent’s unique story follows the Pfefferman siblings who discover their dad is transitioning into a woman named Maura. Other aspects of the Pfeffermans’ lives, including a sour marriage and a disappointing child, give this tightly scripted comedy-drama a relatable side. Poignant and ambitious, Transparent is a show to look out for.
Mozart in the Jungle (2014-2018)
A comedy-drama set in New York’s classical music scene, Mozart in the Jungle is as whimsical as its title suggests.
