A subscription to Amazon Prime offers a lot of perks, including access to some amazing shows you can stream via Amazon Prime Video. That collection features a wide variety of excellent series spanning many genres, with critically praised drama projects well-represented among them. The Prime Video library is always changing too, with new shows coming to Amazon all the time. From original shows you won’t find anywhere else to compelling programs that earned acclaim elsewhere, here are the best drama series on Amazon Prime Video.
If you’ve already burned through the Amazon Prime Video catalog and need more ideas, we’ve also put together a list of the best original series on Amazon Prime Video.
Recommended Videos
Recently added to Amazon Prime Video
-
Hunters2020 -
The Devil's Hour2022
-
The Peripheral2022
-
Hunters (2020)
2 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Logan Lerman, Al Pacino, Jerrika Hinton
Created by
David Weil
Watch on Amazon
Al Pacino leads the ensemble cast of this alternate-history series about a group of Nazi hunters based in New York City during the late-1970s. When they discover a vast conspiracy to resurrect the Reich in the U.S., they’re swept up in a terrifying, deadly hunt that puts them in the crosshairs of secret Nazi agents and U.S. government officials alike.
The Expanse (2015)
72%
8.5/10
6 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham
Created by
Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby
Watch on Amazon
Amazon Prime Video saved The Expanse from premature cancellation by SYFY, and consequently, the best sci-fi series of this generation has had the chance to finish its story. In the far future, four shipmates, James Holden (Steven Strait), Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper), Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar), and Amos Burton (Wes Chatham), find themselves thrust into events of intergalactic importance when they uncover a conspiracy that may redefine humanity’s place in the universe. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane) embarks on a search for a missing woman that will lead to proof of alien life.
The Devil's Hour (2022)
70%
7.8/10
1 Season
Genre
Mystery
Stars
Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel
Created by
Tom Moran
Watch on Amazon
Have you ever heard that nothing good can happen during the Devil’s Hour? Rest assured, it’s not talking about The Devil’s Hour, a riveting miniseries that reunites former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat with a former Doctor, Peter Capaldi. The titular hour refers to the sixty minutes between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., and it’s proving to be a difficult time for Lucy Chambers (Jessica Raine). Every night, at exactly 3:33 a.m., Lucy is awakened by terrifying visions that haunt her daily life. Lucy needs answers, and that leads her to Gideon Shepherd (Capaldi), a murderous criminal who may be more than what he seems.
The Peripheral (2022)
57%
8.4/10
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor
Created by
Scott B. Smith
Watch on Amazon
Amazon Prime Video recruited Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy to adapt William Gibson’s The Peripheral, and it’s one of the streaming service’s biggest swings in the sci-fi realm. In the near future, Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a young woman whose genius has no outlet beyond her video games. Flynne lives with her family, but they have no hope of escaping poverty. At least not until Flynne’s gaming skills give her the opportunity to become part of something much bigger than a game. It’s an experience that is not only real, but it will also threaten everything and everyone Flynne loves.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
71%
6.9/10
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama
Stars
Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Charlie Vickers
Created by
John D. Payne, Patrick McKay
Watch on Amazon
If you love fantasy, then you’ve very likely seen The Lord of the Rings movies. But only the true J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiasts are fully versed in the Second Age, which took place thousands of years before The Hobbit. Prime Video’s The Rings of Power condenses the Second Age’s complex plotlines as the Elven warrior Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) seeks to destroy Sauron’s evil before he can rise again.
Some of the highlights of this series are the relationships, including the friendship between the elf, Elrond (Robert Aramayo), and the dwarf prince, Durin IV (Owain Arthur). There’s even a forbidden romance between a human woman, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), and an elf, Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). But much to their horror, Arondir and Bronwyn soon realize that evil has returned to claim their home as its own.
A Private Affair (2022)
6.6/10
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Mystery, Drama
Stars
Aura Garrido, Jean Reno, Nerea Portela
Created by
Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Teresa Fernández-Valdés
Watch on Amazon
You won’t find many original Spanish period mysteries set in the 1940s, so A Private Affair is something special to savor. It’s also a very enjoyable mixture of drama and comedy. Aura Garrido stars as Marina Quiroga, a rich young woman who has the misfortune of witnessing a murder. But rather than hiding away from the horror that she saw, Marina is inspired to become a detective herself, much to the chagrin of her brother, Arturo (Pablo Molinero), the local police commissioner. Against the wishes of Arturo, Marina convinces her butler, Hector (Jean Reno), to accompany her as she attempts to solve the crime.
Reacher (2022)
68%
8.1/10
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Drama
Stars
Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald
Created by
Nick Santora
Watch on Amazon
Amazon has taken a couple of bites at the American one-man army story, falling somewhat flat with Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. With Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, however, the studio gets it right. Alan Ritchson plays the title character, a retired Military Police Officer who is arrested for murder the second he arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. Now, Jack must fight to clear his name while the same police who arrested him continue to lean on him for help.
Goliath (2016)
65%
8.2/10
4 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Billy Bob Thornton, Nina Arianda, Tania Raymonde
Created by
David E. Kelley, Jonathan Shapiro
Watch on Amazon
Billy Bob Thornton stars as washed up, drunk, former power lawyer Billy McBride in this crime drama. Reluctantly, Billy agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the biggest client of the enormous law firm he helped to create, only to soon find the suit is so much bigger than he thought. As Billy and his ragtag team begin to unravel a vast criminal conspiracy, they feel the full weight of taking on a corporate Goliath.
As We See It (2022)
82%
8.2/10
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien, Albert Rutecki
Created by
Jason Katims
Watch on Amazon
Three roommates on the autism spectrum navigate their early 20s in this unique original dramedy. Jack, Violet, and Harrison may struggle to fit into modern society, but that’s not going to stop them from trying. And with the help of their families, aides, and occasionally one another, they set off on their particularly challenging journeys into adulthood and independence.
Hanna (2019)
62%
7.6/10
3 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama
Stars
Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Dermot Mulroney
Created by
David Farr
Watch on Amazon
Based on Joe Wright’s 2011 film about a young girl raised to be an assassin, this series adaptation slightly rewrites and expands the story. Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) was raised in the forest, on the run from a relentless, off-the-book CIA agent for as long as she can remember. As Hanna runs for her life and slowly begins to reintegrate into society, the series combines coming-of-age drama with edge-of-your-seat action.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
78%
8.7/10
4 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen
Created by
Amy Sherman-Palladino
Watch on Amazon
It’s a testament to the skill behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel that the series works equally well as a drama and a comedy. Rachel Brosnahan stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a housewife in the late ‘50s whose husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), abandons her and their children. In response, Midge strikes out on a daring career as a standup comedian, with Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) as her manager. However, Midge makes an enemy out of Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch), a rival comedian who becomes eager to crush her competition.
Billions (2016)
72%
8.4/10
6 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff, David Costabile
Created by
Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Watch on Amazon
Billions is currently one of Showtime’s signature dramas, but Amazon Prime subscribers can watch the series through season 3. Paul Giamatti stars as Charles “Chuck” Rhoades, Jr., a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who is obsessed with bringing down Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a wealthy hedge fund manager whose activities tend to be illegal. Further complicating their rivalry is Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), Chuck’s wife and a longtime employee of Bobby’s Axe Capital. Wendy also feels a great deal of loyalty to Bobby, which puts additional strain on her marriage to Chuck. This high-stakes cat-and-mouse game is still unfolding, and there are no winners yet.
The Wheel of Time (2021)
55%
7.3/10
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoe Robins
Created by
Rafe Judkins
Watch on Amazon
Amazon Prime Video is placing a big bet on fantasy, and it starts here with an adaption of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. In a world where only women can safely use magic, Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) embarks on a quest to find the Dragon Reborn, an individual who may be humanity’s only hope against the Dark One. Moiraine has narrowed the candidates down to five: Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoë Robins), Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris). All five have power and potential, but one of them has already been lost to darkness.
A Very English Scandal (2018)
84%
7.7/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Alex Jennings
Created by
Russell T Davies, John Preston
Watch on Amazon
A Very English Scandal is based on the true story of Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), a member of the British Parliament who is desperate to hide his secret affair with Norman Josiffe (Ben Whishaw). At this point in time, homosexuality was still largely a taboo subject in British society, and Jeremy was willing to do anything to keep Norman silent, even if it meant ordering his execution. Unfortunately for Jeremy, not only did the attempt on Norman’s life fail, it led to the exposure of all of his dirty laundry. That leads to a sensational trial that was anything but predictable.
The Pursuit of Love (2021)
76%
6.7/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Lily James, Emily Beecham, Andrew Scott
Created by
Emily Mortimer
Watch on Amazon
Emily Mortimer’s adaptation of The Pursuit of Love offers a modern perspective to Nancy Mitford’s classic novel. Mortimer even has a small role in the show as “The Bolter,” the mother of Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham), a young woman who was raised alongside her cousin, Linda Radlett (Lily James), in the early 20th century. Fanny and Linda become as close as sisters in the shadow of World War II. Both women also find love with the men in their lives, to varying degrees of success. But it’s the relationship between the two women that fuels this story.
The Man in the High Castle (2015)
73%
8/10
4 Seasons
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Alexa Davalos, Joel de la Fuente, Jason O'Mara
Created by
Frank Spotnitz
Watch on Amazon
Philip K. Dick’s alternate history novel The Man in the High Castle was one of Amazon Prime Video’s most ambitious series. In this darkly imagined world, the Axis powers won World War II, and the United States was divided between Japan and Germany. In the ‘60s, Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos) lives in occupied San Francisco when she first encounters the films of The Man in the High Castle. Somehow, these movies feature images from worlds where America won the war and is free. This inspires Juliana to rebel against both the Japanese and the German regimes, and her actions move others to fight back as well. However, the survival of this world is already at stake as Germany and Japan slowly lurch toward war with each other.
Suits (2011)
65%
8.4/10
9 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Amanda Schull
Created by
Aaron Korsh
Watch on Amazon
There aren’t many shows that can boast a future member of the British royal family. And Meghan Markle is quite good as Rachel Zane in this series. Regardless, the focus of Suits is on Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) and his unlikely boss, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Mike only interviewed to become a law associate for Harvey’s firm in order to avoid being arrested. And yet, his knowledge of the law was so impressive that Harvey hired him on the spot despite Mike’s lack of formal legal education. While keeping Mike’s secret, Harvey utilizes his new employee’s unique skills to win difficult cases with style.
The Widow (2019)
6.9/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Action & Adventure
Stars
Kate Beckinsale, Matthew Le Nevez, Alex Kingston
Created by
Jack Williams, Harry Williams
Watch on Amazon
In The Widow, Kate Beckinsale plays Georgia Wells, a woman who lost her husband, Will (Matthew Le Nevez), to a plane crash in Africa. Or so she thought. Three years later, Georgia catches a glimpse of Will during a TV news report from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Georgia quickly becomes determined to discover why Will faked his death, so she travels to the Congo to find the answers. Beckinsale’s Underworld action chops come in handy on his show, as Georgia fights for survival in Africa. And she’s not going to like what she finds when the truth about Will comes out.
Modern Love (2019)
Modern Love has previously been nominated in the Emmy Awards’ comedy categories, but it also works equally well as a drama. This anthology series has gathered a very impressive lineup of stars for one-off episodes, including Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andrew Scott, Andy Garcia, Cristin Milioti, Olivia Cooke, and more. Each episode tells a story that relates to love in some way, even if it’s not romantic. Platonic relationships are given their due, as are family and other entanglements. There are even episodes of self-reflection that allow the lead characters to make peace with their romantic past. And because the stories are so short, fans can quickly go from one tale to the next.
Animal Kingdom (2016)
65%
8.2/10
6 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Finn Cole, Ellen Barkin, Shawn Hatosy
Created by
Jonathan Lisco
Watch on Amazon
Animal Kingdom is a breakout original series for TNT, but the first four seasons are currently on Prime Video as well. Finn Cole stars in the series as Joshua “J” Cody, a teenager who is brought into the fold of his criminal family. J’s grandmother, Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin), is the matriarch of the family, and few dare to cross her. J’s father, Barry “Baz” Blackwell (Scott Speedman), is also Smurf’s adopted son, alongside her biological children Andrew “Pope” Cody (Shawn Hatosy), Craig (Ben Robson), and Deran (Jake Weary). There’s definitely some sibling rivalry, but the family’s enemies come from within and without. It’s a jungle out there, and only the fittest will survive.
Vikings (2013)
74%
8.5/10
6 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama
Stars
Alex Høgh Andersen, Jordan Patrick Smith, Marco Ilsø
Created by
Michael Hirst
Watch on Amazon
History’s Vikings is not entirely accurate with history as we understand it. But it was a hit that found an audience both on History and on Prime Video. The show is loosely inspired by the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a ninth-century Viking chieftain. Ragnar’s rise to power is explored in the early seasons before the focus shifts to his children and descendants who continued to carry on the family tradition. Living as a Viking is hard and not everyone is cut out for it. But this is where legends are born, and Valhalla is always calling.
Panic (2021)
6.5/10
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama, Crime
Stars
Olivia Scott Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula
Created by
Lauren Oliver
Watch on Amazon
Life in Carp, Texas isn’t exactly ideal, but would anyone die to escape being stuck in this small town? In Panic, the answer is yes. When her plans to leave are derailed by the theft of her college money, Heather Nill (Olivia Welch) joins Panic out of desperation. It’s an annual competition among the high school graduates for a chance to get a large cash prize that would let them reinvent themselves in a new place. But when the reward is great, so is the risk. Heather and her fellow competitors are risking their lives for a chance, and it’s not going to work out for everyone.
The Underground Railroad (2021)
92%
7.3/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton
Created by
Barry Jenkins
Watch on Amazon
The Underground Railroad takes more than a few liberties with the actual history of slavery in America. For example, the titular railroad is literally an underground railroad built to smuggle slaves out of the south years before the Civil War. But it’s still a very compelling story about Cora Randall (Thuso Mbedu) and her journey to freedom. After Cora and Caesar Garner (Aaron Pierre) flee from their owner, they are relentlessly pursued by a slave catcher, Arnold Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton). Along the way, Cora meets new friends and allies. But far too often, Cora winds up in more danger when she comes face to face with the dark side of America.
DOM (2021)
7.1/10
1 Season
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Gabriel Leone, Flávio Tolezani, Filipe Bragança
Watch on Amazon
Amazon Prime Video has expanded its international reach with the Brazilian drama DOM. This is a father-son story set against the drug trade in Rio de Janeiro. The father, Victor Dantas (Flavio Tolezani), is a cop who has fearlessly fought to bring down the dealers and cartels. However, his son, Pedro (Gabriel Leone), is an addict and a thief who is estranged from Victor. Regardless, Victor doesn’t give up on trying to save his son from himself. Through flashbacks, we see Victor as a younger man whose actions impact the present. And in the modern-day setting, Pedro’s choices threaten his father’s efforts to bring his prey to justice.
Poldark (2015)
72%
8.3/10
5 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Heida Reed
Created by
Debbie Horsfield, Winston Graham
Watch on Amazon
Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have a lot of historical romance dramas, but the British series Poldark fills that void nicely. The series stars Aidan Turner as Captain Ross Vennor Poldark, a British soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. After returning home to Cornwall in 1783, Ross discovers that his family life is in turmoil. His former lover, Elizabeth Chynoweth (Heida Reed), is now engaged to Ross’ cousin, Francis Poldark (Kyle Soller). And the Poldark family’s finances have taken a severe downward turn in his absence. But as Ross begins to rebuild, he finds new love with Demelza Carne (Eleanor Tomlinson) despite their different social backgrounds.
ZeroZeroZero (2020)
75%
8.2/10
1 Season
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Giuseppe De Domenico
Created by
Stefano Sollima, Mauricio Katz, Leonardo Fasoli
Watch on Amazon
ZeroZeroZero is an Italian crime drama with a masterfully complex story that takes place in three countries. In Italy, Don Damiano “Minu” La Pian (Adriano Chiaramida) tries to revive the fortunes of his crime family with a massive shipment of cocaine. Don Minu’s grandson, Stefano La Piana (Giuseppe De Domenico), sabotages the deal, which causes problems in America as smuggling brokers Emma (Andrea Riseborough) and Chris Lynwood (Dane DeHaan) face severe consequences for the delay. And in Mexico, the Lynwood family’s interests with the narcos Jacinto Leyra (Flavio Medina) and Enrique Leyra (Víctor Huggo Martin) take a deadly turn in the ongoing battle with Mexican special forces.
Tell Me Your Secrets (2021)
55%
7.4/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Crime
Stars
Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Amy Brenneman
Created by
Harriet Warner
Watch on Amazon
Tell Me Your Secrets runs through three interconnected stories about Emma Hall (Lily Rabe), Mary Barlow (Amy Brenneman), and John Tyler (Hamish Linklater). Years ago, Emma was the girlfriend of serial killer Xavier Samuel (Kit Parker), the man who murdered Mary’s daughter, Theresa Barlow (Stella Baker). However, Mary is convinced that Theresa is still alive. So she hires John to find Emma and get her some answers. But despite the passage of years, Emma’s life is endangered by another killer waiting in the wings. This is a tale of potential redemption, and not everyone is as innocent as they initially appear to be.
The Wilds (2020)
76%
7.4/10
2 Seasons
Genre
Mystery, Drama
Stars
Sophia Ali, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause
Created by
Sarah Streicher
Watch on Amazon
There are definitely some shades of Lost in The Wilds since it involves a group stranded on a seemingly deserted island interspersed with flashbacks and flash-forwards. But in this case, we know that there’s something off from the start. Gretchen Klein (Rachel Griffiths) invited Fatin Jadmani (Sophia Ali) and eight other teenage girls to attend her Dawn of Eve retreat. However, that was just a ruse to engineer a plane crash and allow Gretchen the opportunity to perform a sociology experiment by secretly observing the survivors through hidden cameras on the island. Naturally, there’s some friction between the girls. Yet their problems are far bigger than they imagine.
Them (2021)
57%
7.3/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Mystery
Stars
Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill
Created by
Little Marvin
Watch on Amazon
It would not be inaccurate to say that Them is a spiritual descendant of American Horror Story, since both shows embrace a seasonal anthology format. But Them dives deeper into real-world horror in addition to its otherworldly thrills. Season 1 takes place in 1953, as Henry (Ashley Thomas) and Livia “Lucky” Emory (Deborah Ayorinde) move their family from North Carolina to Los Angeles in a bid to escape the racism of their former home. But the city of angels has plenty of racism bubbling just beneath the surface, and the Emory family has to deal with dark threats beyond the scope of their understanding as well as the malevolent actions of their own neighbors.
The Vineyard (2021)
7.1/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Leonor Watling, Rafael Novoa, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
Created by
Susana López Rubio
Watch on Amazon
The Vineyard is another recent addition to Amazon Prime Video that brings an international flavor to its epic tale of romance and tragedy in the 19th century. The story of Mauro Larrea (Rafael Novoa) and Soledad Montalvo (Leonor Watling) keeps them apart for most of the first season as they struggle to face challenges that threaten to destroy them and their families. But when Mauro and Soledad finally come face to face in Mexico, they find that they desperately need each other. And perhaps something greater can grow from their mutual attraction as well.
The Night Manager (2016)
82%
8.1/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Mystery, Crime
Stars
Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman
Created by
David Farr
Watch on Amazon
The Night Manager has a cast that would be the envy of any movie or TV show, with Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in the leading roles alongside Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Elizabeth Debicki. In this adaptation of John le Carré’s classic novel, Hiddletson plays Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier turned night manager for a luxury hotel. After Jonathan becomes too close to one of his guests, British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) uses that as leverage to convince him to help her take down an international arms dealer named Richard Roper (Laurie). But the deeper Jonathan goes into Richard’s world, the harder it becomes to pull himself out.
Good Girls Revolt (2015)
65%
8.1/10
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Stars
Genevieve Angelson, Anna Camp, Hunter Parrish
Created by
Dana Calvo
Watch on Amazon
Good Girls Revolt was one of the earliest original dramas on Amazon, and it probably should have had a much longer run than just a single season. Regardless, this is a compelling period drama that takes place in 1969. Patricia “Patti” Robinson (Genevieve Angelson), Jane Hollander (Anna Camp), and Cindy Reston (Erin Darke) are overworked and underpaid researchers at News of the Week. Slowly, all three women realize that their male counterparts are getting all of the credit and far bigger paychecks. As they come together to challenge the status quo at work, they also become more assertive in their personal lives.
Bosch (2015)
73%
8.5/10
7 Seasons
Genre
Mystery, Drama, Crime
Stars
Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino
Created by
Eric Overmyer
Watch on Amazon
Police procedurals are pretty common on network TV, but less so on streaming services. Regardless, Amazon’s Bosch is among the best in the genre, and it is also a largely faithful adaptation of Michael Connelly’s novels. Titus Welliver stars as the title character, Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Harry is a homicide detective for the LAPD who has a knack for finding himself in trouble and in the middle of major cases. In addition to navigating his dangerous job, Harry also tries to maintain his bond with his daughter, Madeline “Maddie” Bosch (Madison Lintz). It’s never an easy road, but Bosch is a cut above other police dramas.
Downton Abbey (2010)
Streaming services tend to mine British TV shows to round out their programming, and Amazon picked a winner with Downton Abbey. This period drama was an international sensation for six seasons. It takes place in the early 20th century, as Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), face the very real prospect that their ancestral home, Downton Abbey, may not be inherited by their daughters despite their plans. Additionally, the series fleshes out the lives of the Crawley family’s servants and support staff, many of whom have romances, personality clashes, and even betrayals in the name of advancing their lot in life. There’s always intrigue in Downton Abbey, whether from above or below.
Homecoming (2018)
75%
7.4/10
2 Seasons
Genre
Drama
Stars
Stephan James, Janelle Monáe, Chris Cooper
Created by
Micah Bloomberg, Sam Esmail, Eli Horowitz
Watch on Amazon
Amazon recruited Julia Roberts to headline its original thriller, Homecoming, and it’s one of the most compelling shows on Prime. In season 1, Roberts plays Heidi Bergman, a social worker for the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. In the past, Heidi’s job was to help U.S. war veterans readjust to civilian life. A few years later, Heidi is working as a waitress with few memories about her time at Homecoming. But when Heidi eventually goes looking for answers about her missing past, she won’t like what she finds. Season 2 picks up with a new story, as Janelle Monáe’s Jacqueline Calico also finds herself bereft of her memories and her identity.
House (2004)
House really turned medical procedure dramas on their ear, thanks to a dynamite performance by Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House. The good doctor is uncommonly talented when it comes to diagnosing patients, but less so when it comes to bedside manners. Additionally, Dr. House is less than shy about telling his patients what he really thinks of them. But at the end of the day, House and his team — Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) — will do anything and everything they can to save lives.
Mr. Robot (2015)
Hackers have become fairly commonplace in fiction, but Mr. Robot is one of the few dramas that has actually made it compelling in and of itself. Rami Malek stars as Elliot Alderson, a gifted hacker turned cybersecurity engineer for Allsafe. Elliot also deals with crippling depression and mental illness. The titular Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) introduces a new level of chaos to Elliot’s life when he recruits him for a mission to destroy all records of debt within the files of Allsafe’s biggest client. No matter which path Elliot chooses, he will have to compromise himself.
Small Axe (2020)
Small Axe is the junction where television and film intersect. Writer and director Steve McQueen created Small Axe as an anthology series that explores the lives of London’s West Indian immigrants from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. Each episode stands alone as a full-length film, with a fantastic lineup of performers that includes Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden.
