The 50 Most Underappreciated Shows of the 21st Century

The greatest TV shows, released since 2000, that got buried beneath the current century’s avalanche of cable and streaming originals. Encompassing every genre, these undersung series introduced talented newcomers who are now household names, spotlighted underexposed perspectives, and stretched the episodic medium in new directions.

How TIME Chose the List

Alias Grace
2017
by
America to Me
2018
by
Betty
2020-2021
by
Boarders
2024-2026
by
Bunheads
2012-2013
by
Bupkis
2023
by

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Chewing Gum
2015-2017
by
China, IL
2008-2015
by
Colin from Accounts
2022-
by
Corporate
2018-2020
by
Crashing
2016
by
David Makes Man
2019-2021
by

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Dead Like Me
2003-2004
by
Detroiters
2017-2018
by
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23
2012-2013
by
Downward Dog
2017
by
Extraordinary
2023-2024
by
First Person
2000-2001
by

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Flack
2019-2021
by
Florida Girls
2019
by
It's a Sin
2021
by
Lady Dynamite
2016-2017
by
Lenox Hill
2020
by
Lodge 49
2018-2019
by

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Made for Love
2021-2022
by
Men of a Certain Age
2009-2011
by
Minx
2022-2023
by
My Mad Fat Diary
2013-2015
by
Now Apocalypse
2019
by
On Becoming a God in Central Florida
2019
by

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Penelope
2024
by
Pulling
2006-2009
by
Rain Dogs
2023
by
Rectify
2013-2016
by
Sherman’s Showcase
2019-2022
by
Slip
2023
by

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Sort Of
2021-2024
by
Such Brave Girls
2023-
by
Terriers
2010
by
The Bisexual
2018
by
The Corner
2000
by
The Knick
2014-2015
by

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This Fool
2022-2023
by
Undeclared
2001-2002
by
Underground
2016-2017
by
United States of Tara
2009-2011
by
Vida
2018-2020
by
We Are Lady Parts
2021-
by

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With Love
2021-2023
by
Work in Progress
2019-2021
by

Project Credits

Project lead:Judy Berman
Project editors:Eliza Berman, Lori Fradkin, and Mahita Gajanan
Art and design:Victor Williams
Audience:Diana Elbasha and Kitty Ruskin
Digital:Juwayriah Wright
Photo:Chloe Dowling
Video:Jeannie Kopstein, Alex Robson, Justine Simons