With a wide variety of Amazon Prime originals, it’ll be hard to decide how to spend your precious binge time! This is why we’ve made it a little more manageable; ranking Amazon Prime original shows for you from worst to best!
The Romanoffs (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Anton Sanko, David Carbonara, Giona Ostinelli, Sonya Belousova, Marcelo Zarvos
Description: The anthology series features an ensemble cast that differs from episode to episode and is a study of the worst kind of people, the kind who manipulate into giving their existence a little more meaning.
Why it's a stinker: There were high expectations for Matthew Weiner's follow-up to "Mad Men," yet somehow, it wasn't the fun, light series many expected. If you're in the mood to watch horrible people make fools of themselves, "The Romanoffs" is for you!
Betas (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Joe Dinicol, Karan Soni, Charlie Saxton, Jon Daly
Description: Before there was "Silicon Valley," there was "Betas." The show's characters find themselves in a race with time to find an "angel" -- someone to invest in their dream. The four computer geeks are trying to get their new dating app funded and launched.
Why it's a stinker: Unfortunately, "Betas" doesn't seem to hold a candle to HBO's "Silicon Valley." Time after time, the show attempts (and fails) to shine a spotlight on the exciting side of the tech scene with episodes repeatedly focusing on sex and drugs.
Hanna (WORST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Noah Taylor, Dermot Mulroney, Joel Kinnaman
Description: When the 2011 movie version of "Hanna," starring Saorise Ronan, was released, the world went crazy over the eponymous teen who grew up in the woods. The story got extended into an Amazon series and told the story of Hanna, 15, who lives in a forest in a remote part of Poland.
Why it's a stinker: Following the series' release "The New York Times" called the show "genetically modified. The movie was suspenseful and full of action, but the show somehow seems like a stretched-out version of a story that's already been told.
Mad Dogs (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn, Phil Davis
Description: "Mad Dogs" focuses on the angst of a group of 40-something underachieving men who become caught in a vacation from hell. After the old friends gather to celebrate an early retirement in Belize, a series of unfortunate events unfold, exposing dark secrets, and you guessed it...murder!
Why it's a stinker: Like every TV show with four male leads, the plot is a cocktail of testosterone and poor decision-making. Let's be honest. It's a stale midlife-crisis tale, one we've seen one too many times.
The Last Tycoon (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Matt Bomer, Kelsey Grammer, Lily Collins, Dominique McElligott, Enzo Cilenti, Mark O'Brien, Rosemarie DeWitt
Description: The pre-World War II show takes place in 1936 Hollywood. "The Last Tycoon" follows studio exec, Monroe Stahr, studio head, Pat Brady and, Brady's daughter, Celia, a young woman trying to make her way into the industry.
Why it's a stinker: As you may have guessed, the glamorous, "The Last Tycoon," based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished last novel was an expensive production! While time, money, a lot of attention went into production, the show's writing is not persuasive, and the final product is how do we put this lightly...short of substance.
Z: The Beginning of Everything (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Christina Ricci, David Hoflin, David Strathairn
Description: "Z: The Beginning of Everything" is a bite-sized adaptation of Therese Anne Fowler's "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald." The show presents a fictionalized version of the life of American writer and socialite Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald in the 1920s. The show's first and only season follows her marriage to the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who is not yet famous.
Why it's a stinker: The series suffers a formless storyline and over-the-top characterizations and failed to make a second season, which doesn't come as much of a surprise considering "The Last Tycoon's" failed attempt to succeed.
Good Girls Revolt (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Genevieve Angelson, Anna Camp, Joy Bryant, Erin Darke, Hunter Parrish, Chris Diamantopoulos,
Description: The "Mad Men"-Esque series follows a group of young female researchers working at News of the Week magazine in 1969. Many of these researchers were more talented and better educated than their male counterparts, and yet, they were paid less. The women realize just how much lower their pay was, and though their writings were accepted, the stories were published only under the men's names.
Why it's a stinker: We were expecting a revolution, and we didn't get one, which was a total bummer. The show may have managed to discover a stronger voice in the second season, but never got the chance to as it was canceled after one season.
Doctor Thorne (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Tom Hollander, Stefanie Martini, Alison Brie, Harry Richardson
Description: This three-part television adaptation of the 1858 Anthony Trollope novel by the same name follows Mary Thorne, who grows up under the guardianship of her uncle, Dr. Thorne. Mary spends many of her formative years in the company of the Gresham family, a family that lives on a neighboring estate. Their lives seem fine until the Gersham family's financial woes disrupt Mary's peaceful life, and her past comes back to haunt her.
Why it's a stinker: Those who loved "Downton Abbey" were excited, to say the least, when it's creators announced "Doctor Thorne.” Unfortunately, the show is a minor canvas, compared with “Downton Abbey."
Hand of God (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Ron Perlman, Dana Delany, Garret Dillahunt, Alona Tal
Description: It's hard to describe the premise of "Hand of God" in short, but we're going to try anyway. The show follows Pernell Harris (Rob Perlman), a judge who is accused of murdering a police officer. Following his son's recent suicide, Harris suffers a breakdown and believes God is compelling him to follow a path of vigilante justice. The once-corrupt judge becomes a born-again Christian and joins the Hand of God, an evangelical church.
Why it's a stinker: Though "Hand of God" boasts a talented cast and fascinating premise, neither is enough to overcome the lack of worthwhile drama or impactful thrills.
Jack Ryan (WORST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Abbie Cornish, Dina Shihabi
Description: The political spy thriller follows CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, as he is thrown from the security of his desk job into the field after he discovers a string of suspicious bank transfers that are being carried out by a rising Islamic extremist named Suleiman.
Why it's a stinker: The show is predictable, to say the least. For some reason, throughout the second season the show's producers and writers toned down its character's moral complexities, and we were left with a straight-forward spy show. Boo!
Jean-Claude Van Johnson (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Moisés Arias, Kat Foster, Phylicia Rashad
Description: "Jean-Claude Van Johnson" follows martial arts and action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme, portraying himself. Pretty solid up until now, right? Well, that's when the story takes an exciting twist! It is revealed that Van Damme's movie career and personal history are all a cover story! The "actor" is a secret agent known as Jean-Claude Van Johnson. He goes undercover with the help of his assistant and make-up specialist - his handler and weapons master, respectively.
Why it's a stinker: Unfortunately, as unexpectedly satisfying and refreshing as the show's original pilot was there was very little to say and not much story to tell after it's release. That being said, "Jean-Claude Van Johnson" is not one of Amazon's best productions.
Absentia (WORST)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Stana Katic, Matthew Le Nevez, Patrick Heusinger
Description: The series tells the story of Emily Byrne (Stana Katic), an FBI agent who disappears without a trace and declared dead in absentia. Six years later, she reappears clinging to life, with absolutely no recollection of the years that she was missing. All this time, the FBI believed she had been killed by the serial killer she had been hunting at the time of her disappearance. Now, Byrne sets out to reclaim her identity and family and resume her life.
Why it's a stinker: We're just going to come out and say it, "Absentia" is as basic as it gets. The production didn't take any risks leaving its lead and somewhat intriguing mystery plot treading water.
The Dangerous Book for Boys (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Drew Logan Powell, Kyan Zielinski, Erinn Hayes, Gabriel Bateman
Description: Based on a book by the same name, Bryan Cranston co-created this six-episode comedy-drama series that had everyone feeling sentimental in a fraction of that time. The show tells the story of brothers who, along with their mother, are trying to process the death of their father. Their father left behind a dangerous book that transports the boys into a magical world that serves as a sort of family therapy.
Why it's a stinker: Amazon had the chance to take an amazingly creative idea and use it to set them apart from other streamers. Instead, the final product turned out to be a generic network television show, which is why it didn't come as much of a surprise when Amazon announced that they had canceled the series after one season.
Lore (WORST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Aaron Mahnke, Robert Patrick, Holland Roden, Colm Feore
Description: Amazon has given us an anthology hybrid horror-docuseries that provides us with a taste of vampires, werewolves, possessed dolls, and more. Blending dramatic scenes, animation, archive, and narration, "Lore" reveals the hidden truths behind our favorite horror legends. The series combines both documentary and cinematic footage to tell horror stories and their origins.
Why it's a stinker: As a podcast, "Lore" was highly addictive. As a television show, it didn't succeed at truly distinguishing itself in any way. Pass!
Hunters (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, Josh Radnor, Jerrika Hinton, Kate Mulvany
Description: If you're into history, drama, and Al Pacino, this next one is for you. The series inspired by real events, "Hunters," follows a group of Nazi hunters in New York City in 1977. The diverse band of Nazi hunters learns hundreds of Nazis fled to the United States. When they learn that there's a conspiracy to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S - they seek to aim justice and get revenge.
Why it's a stinker: With a solid cast, and an even stronger sense of justice, there's something about "Hunters" that somehow feels "off" to us. Perhaps season two will manage to do the show with a promising premise justice?
James May: Our Man In Japan (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: James May
Description: "James May: Our Man in Japan," follows journalist James May as he travels by land, air, sea, and even go-kart exploring Japan. The travel documentary's production started in March 2019, as the show was filmed over three months. The show was released in 2020 and presented a linear journey as May travels from the north end of Japan, through Sapporo and Tokyo to the south island.
Why it's lukewarm: The show is exactly what you expect from May. Though it's funny and on point, it's swift to jump from topic to topic, and with just six episodes - it's a quick watch. Don't expect too much information like its a documentary, its more of a themed road trip.
All or Nothing (SO-SO)
Seasons: 5
Starring: Various Sports Leagues
Description: "All or Nothing" is a sports documentary series in which each season covers a professional sports franchise in various sports leagues—debuting in 2016, the series films undercover following the practices, operations, and competitions without the knowledge of the athletes being taped. Season five of the Emmy-Award winning series follows the Philadelphia Eagles the season following their Super Bowl championship.
Why it's lukewarm: If you want to get up close and personal with your favorite sports players, this show's tailor-made for you. If you're not a big sports fan, this is one you may prefer to pass up.
The Grand Tour
Seasons: 4
Starring: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May
Description: If you loved "Top Gear," and have never seen "The Grand Tour," boy, are you in for a treat! "The Grand Tour," takes "Top Gear," to the next level with more lavish production and out of this world vehicles. The cast travels around the globe for specialty episodes, including one in Dubai featuring sand buggies and involving charitable efforts in Mozambique.
Why it's lukewarm: The show combines auto-journalism with goofing off -- as the hosts pick fun at each other regularly. If you like cars, you need to watch this show! If you aren't a car fan, this show is a major snooze-fest!
Tales from the Loop (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Rebecca Hall & Jonathan Pryce
Description: "Tales from the Loop" is a science fiction drama television series based on the art book by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. The series premiered on Amazon in 2020 as all eight episodes of the first season were released simultaneously. The show follows the lives of the residents in Mercer, Ohio, a fictional town. Mercer is home to an underground facility known as the Loop, where researchers attempt to make the impossible possible.
Why it's lukewarm: "Tales from the Loop" somehow builds up a particular promise of adventure that doesn't seem to pay off. Though the show is cinematically stunning, many will argue that it lacks a plot-line.
Ted Bundy: Falling For a Killer (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Molly Kendall & Elizabeth Kendall
Description: We're all familiar with the Ted Bundy story by now, right? This five-episode documentary series looks into the serial killer's crimes from a female perspective. For the first time, Bundy's long-term partner Elizabeth Kendall, her daughter Molly and other survivors open up to tell their stories. The show uncovers the profound way Bundy's psychological hatred of women came into contact with the feminist movement and the culture wars that impacted the 1970s.
Why it's lukewarm: They cracked the case 15 minutes into the 1st episode. Though the show received critical acclaim and praise, some will say watching it may be a waste of time. What do you think?
Goliath (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, William Hurt, Maria Bello, Olivia Thirlby
David E. Kelley, the king of legal dramas, blessed us with the old-school legal thriller that is: "Goliath." The show is filled with flawed characters and a compelling storyline. Billy Bob Thorton, who won a Golden Globe for the role, portrays Billy McBride, an alcoholic has-been lawyer who gets his hands on a case against a big tech firm.
Why it's lukewarm: The beauty of "Goliath," is that it's not trying to be anything other than a well-made television show about morally questionable good guys, bad guys, and a solid cast! So it's neither the best nor the worst. It just is!
The Feed (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: David Thewlis, Guy Burnet, Nina Toussaint‑White, Michelle Fairley
Description: "The Feed" takes place in London in the near future and follows Lawrence Hatfield and his family. Hatfield invented an omnipresent technology called The Feed. The Feed, implanted into everyone's brain, enables people to share information, emotion, and memories. Things take a haunting twist when the new technology falls into the wrong hands, and users become murderous. Hatfield's family is driven apart as they struggle to control the monster they have created...
Why it's lukewarm: "The Feed" isn't telling a story we haven't heard before. Just open a newspaper or the internet, and there are thousands of articles about social media addiction. The actor's performances are outstanding. It's just; the storyline isn't anything new...
Good Omens (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Miranda Richardson, Michael McKean, Jack Whitehall, Jon Hamm
Description: Based on the 1990 novel of the same name, "Bad Omens" was co-produced Amazon Studios and BBC studios. The six-episode series stars an all-star ensemble cast led by David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Jon Hamm - as well as Frances McDormand as the voice of God. "Bad Omens" follows an angel and demon whose lives are threatened by the approaching apocalypse. The duo has to team up to prevent a war between heaven and hell.
Why it's lukewarm: Like the book that inspired it, the show is packed with quirky and sharp humor. The downside is, while Tennant and Sheen are incredibly engaging, there is something about their chemistry on screen that doesn't seem to work.
Forever (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Fred Armisen & Maya Rudolph
Description: "Forever" follows Oscar and June, a married couple that has reached stagnation. For the past 12 years, the couple has lived a comfortable but predictable life, having the same conversations, eating the same meals. That's until June talks Oscar into shaking things up...
Why it's lukewarm: "Forever" is not everyone's cup of tea. To understand and appreciate the show thoroughly, you have to be an appreciative existentialist. The show explores what paradise looks like for different people, and the first season feels like an appetizer for what's to come. Which is why it is so unfortunate the Amazon decided not to pick it up for a second season.
Crisis in Six Scenes (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Woody Allen, Miley Cyrus, Rachel Brosnahan, John Magaro, Elaine May
Description: Woody Allen's six-segment series is set in the 1960s and follows a middle-class suburban family who is visited by Lennie Dale, a left-wing radical who is wanted by the FBI.
Why it's lukewarm: Though "Crisis in Six Scenes," did not change television history, it did manage to advance the narrative that TV is the new movie. While Woody Allen's humor is a little old-fashioned, the show manages to be funny and gives Miley Cyrus room for an excellent performance.
Comrade Detective (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring the Voices of: Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Jason Mantzoukas, Chloë Sevigny, Jake Johnson, John DiMaggio
Description: Okay, hang tight for a moment while we try and explain this ambitious Amazon endeavor. "Comrade Detective" is a Romanian buddy-cop action set in the 1980s. With a Communist backdrop, it's a Romanian production. It is dubbed in English by an all-star cast, including Kim Basinger, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chloë Sevigny, Mahershala Ali, and many, many more.
Why it's lukewarm: "Comrade Detective" takes history and humor and mixes them up to create a bizarre cluster of familiar detective stories. Sometimes it hits, other times, it misses. But no one can deny the all-star cast.
Carnival Row (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, Andrew Gower, Simon McBurney, Tamzin Merchant, David Gyasi,
Description: "Carnival Row," a neo-noir fantasy, is a show about an alternate urban universe in which the world of humans and the world of fairies are always at war with each other. The show's main stars, a fairy portrayed by Cara Delevigne, and a human detective, played by Orlando Bloom, are caught in a love/hate relationship.
Why it's lukewarm: We're not sure what audience this show is aimed for, but if it sounds like your cup of tea, you're going to want to give this show a chance!
Alpha House (SO-SO)
Seasons: 2
Starring: John Goodman, Matt Malloy, Clark Johnson, Mark Consuelos
Description: The series follows for Republican Senators who spend their days in Capitol Hill and their nights in a row house they rent together. Their primary purpose in life: do as little work as possible. The political satire was created by Garry Trudeau and went strong for two seasons.
Why it's lukewarm: Throughout the show's two seasons, there were cameos from Hollywood's most celebrated veterans and politicians alike, which made for a refreshing series. Though many viewers wanted to love "Alpha House," they felt like the show was high-jacked with an agenda.
Patriot (SO-SO)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Michael Dorman, Kathleen Munroe, Kurtwood Smith, Michael Chernus
Description: Different from any CIA show you've ever seen, "Patriot" follows the emotionally unstable state of John Tavner. The agent poses as a piping engineer so he can travel to Europe to prevent Iran from obtaining full nuclear capabilities. The show follows the complications that arise along the way of Tavner's mission.
Why it's lukewarm: "Patriot" manages to be dark yet often funny, some may even call it quirky. Although its risks don't always pay off, the show is still one worth watching.
The Man in the High Castle (SO-SO)
Seasons: 4
Starring: Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Luke Kleintank, DJ Qualls, Joel de la Fuente
Description: "The Man in the High Castle," takes place in a parallel universe where the Axis powers win World War II. The United States is divided into the Japanese Pacific States to the west, San Francisco as the capital, and the Greater Nazi Reich in the east, with New York City as the regional capital. The series takes place in 1962 and follows characters whose destinies become intertwined.
Why it's lukewarm: Although its plot is somewhat unwieldy, "The Man in the High Castle" has an intriguing premise that blossomed into compelling new directions—obviously accompanied by stunning visuals, strong performances.
Modern Love (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, Caitlin McGee
Description: Leave it to Amazon to adapt "The New York Times'" most tear-jerking weekly column into an anthology series with an all-star cast. The show portrays sketches about love, romantic and otherwise, in New York City.
Why it’s lukewarm: The show's primary focus is its ability you make you weep and received slight criticism for its lack of diversity. Unsurprisingly, the series was renewed for a second season, and we're willing to give it a second chance.
The Expanse (BEST)
Seasons: 4
Starring: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper
Description: "The Expanse" is an American science fiction television series based on the series of novels of the same name, written by James S. A. Corey. The premise of the show takes place hundreds of years into the future after the human colonization of the solar system. The series follows a diverse group of antiheroes, as they are guided across the solar system and find themselves at the center of the most significant conspiracy theories in human history.
Why it's a keeper: Over the years, "The Expanse" has received praise for its character development, visuals and, political narrative. Though we aren't famed television critics, we couldn't agree more!
Free Meek (BEST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Meek Mill, Jay-Z, Van Jones, Swizz Beatz
Description: The true-crime docuseries examines American rapper Meek Mill's ongoing battle with the U.S justice system following his disputed conviction in 2007. The five-part series includes interviews with the rapper and his family, as well as fellow rapper and friend Jay-Z, Black Lives Matter activist Tamika Mallory and many more.
Why it's a keeper: The show's viewers thought it was an eye-opening, educational documentary, and we have to say that we agree. Free Meek" was produced by Mill's record label, Roc Nation, and the Intellectual Property Corporation, and you can tell time and effort went into eloquently telling his story.
The Tick (BEST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman, Yara Martinez, Valorie Curry, Brendan Hines,
Description: The Tick is a superhero in a blue tick suit who arrives at the city to help fight crime and uncover the mysterious figure behind the city's underworld. He befriends a nervous young man, Arthur, who becomes his sidekick. Together they come to the understanding that the supervillain they thought was dead is still pulling strings...
Why it's a keeper: When comic book fans heard that Amazon was producing "The Tick," only one thought came to mind: "would anybody be able to fill the shows of original live-action star, Patrick Warburton?" The answer is, yes! Peter Serafinowicz managed to nail the airheadedness that is...the Tick.
One Mississippi (BEST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Tig Notaro, Noah Harpster, John Rothman
Description: This autobiographical adaption of Notaro's life, "One Mississippi," tells Notaro's painful story battling two deadly illnesses: breast cancer and CDI. Finding humor in darkness is one of the comedian's talents, so when she added the death of her mother to the script, the depressing addition to the story wasn't at all surprising.
Why it's a keeper: After the pilot episode received positive feedback from Amazon's audience, the show was picked up for a first and second season. The show balances honesty and drama and is everything we could ever want in a series.
Red Oaks (BEST)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Craig Roberts, Josh Meyers, Jennifer Grey, Richard Kind, Ennis Esmer, Gage Golightly, Oliver Cooper
Description: Set in Red Oaks, a fictional country club in a New Jersey suburb, the show follows David, a college student working at the club, enjoying the summer before it comes to an end. "Red Oaks" follows David's life with subplots focusing on his family, friends, and of course, coworkers.
Why it's a keeper: When "Red Oaks" first premiered, it was underrated and went completely unnoticed. The show manages to find fresh humor in a seemingly familiar premise. And slowly but surely, word got out about the intelligent, raunchy '80s-style comedy.
Too Old to Die Young (BEST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Miles Teller, Cristina Rodlo, Augusto Aguilera, Nell Tiger Free, Jena Malone
Description: "Too Old to Die Young," follows a grieving police officer, Martin Jones, who spirals into a world of crime, filled with working-class hitmen. Jones finds himself amid cartel assassins sent from Mexico, Russian mafia captains, and Yakuza soldiers.
Why it's a keeper: The provocative yet colorful television series stars Miles Teller and Augusto Aguilera. The show is "Breaking Bad" and "Twin Peaks" on steroids in the best way possible if you ask us!
Mozart in the Jungle (BEST)
Seasons: 4
Starring: Lola Kirke, Gael García Bernal, Saffron Burrows, Bernadette Peters, Peter Vack
Description: "Mozart in the Jungle" was inspired by oboist Blair Tindall's 2005 memoir of her professional career in New York. The series stars García Bernal as Rodrigo, a character based on famous conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Why it's a keeper: The comedy-drama series was developed by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Alex Timbers, and Paul Weitz. "Mozart in the Jungle" became a fan favorite, and the show's writers and producers made it accessible even to those who aren't the most significant classical music fans!
Sneaky Pete (BEST)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Marin Ireland, Shane McRae, Libe Barer, Efrat Dor
Description: "Sneaky Pete" follows Marius Josipović, a released convict who acquires the identity of his cellmate, Pete Murphy, to avoid his past life and the gangster he once robbed. Pete (Marius) then "reunites" with Pete’s estranged family, who has no reason to suspect he’s not their beloved Pete.
Why it’s a keeper: Bryan Cranston and David Shore created this outstanding crime drama series. The show is suspenseful, smart, and was cast perfectly. "Sneaky Pete" has it all: drama, comedy, and crime, and is definitely worth the watch.
I Love Dick (BEST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Hahn, Griffin Dunne, Roberta Colindrez, Lily Mojekwu
Description: Based on the memoir of the same name, "I Love Dick," tells the story of Chris, and unsuccessful New York City-based artist who follows her husband, Sylvère, to Marfa, Texas. Sylvère takes a research fellowship in Marfa, and upon their arrival, Chris becomes obsessed with her husband's fellowship sponsor, Dick. Her feelings for Dick become articulated in undelivered letters to him, which are filled with her explicit desires.
Why it's a keeper: Simply put, "I Love Dick" is "adult" in the best way. It's a smart, funny, and provocative exploration of sexuality and gender roles. The series was canceled after just one season, but the season is one worth watching!
Catastrophe (BEST)
Seasons: 4
Starring: Sharon Horgan & Rob Delaney
Description: "Catastrophe"'s leads portray two single people who are forever intertwined when she accidentally becomes pregnant following a fling while he's in London on a business trip. The show is a rom-com in reverse; there's a pregnancy, then a marriage, and then they get to know each other to see if they can fall in love.
Why it's a keeper: Amazon knew what they were doing when they bought the exclusive streaming rights to the British sitcom. "Catastrophe" involves ever-so-obvious, culture clash -- he's American, and she's British -- and the constant bickering between the two makes the show all the more enjoyable.
Bosch (BEST)
Seasons: 6
Starring: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Sarah Clarke, Madison Lintz
Description: "Bosch" is a police procedural television series produced by Amazon Studios, starring Titus Welliver as LAPD detective, Harry Bosch. His investigations of a sadistic serial killer become an escape for the officer, who is also an Afghanistan veteran. As the series progresses, his investigations also serve as a healing process.
Why it's a keeper: "Bosch" manages to maintain the series' mastery over mystery throughout its seasons. Thanks to its solid acting and breathtaking moments, the series was renewed for a seventh and final season in early February 2020.
Homecoming (BEST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Julia Roberts, Bobby Cannavale, Stephan James, Janelle Monáe, Joan Cusack
Description: Adapted from the podcast of the same name, "Homecoming," follows Heidi Bergman. Portrayed by Julia Roberts, Bergman tries to piece together the reason behind leaving Homecoming, the treatment center for veterans she worked at as a therapist. Years later, working as a waitress, Heidi realizes that there's a lot more to the story than what she's been telling herself.
Why it's a keeper: "Homecoming" is a well-executed mystery that avoids a lot of the pitfalls of mystery shows. It is a visually aesthetic exploration of trauma, and the conflict between the human heart and mind.
The Boys (BEST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Tomer Kapon
Description: The show follows a world where superheroes are commodified into action figures and take part in heroic publicity stunts so that the powerful corporation that owns them can market and monetize on them.
Why it's a keeper: Let's be real, who doesn't love superheroes misbehaving? "The Boys," based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, introduces an eclectic cast of super-natural humans. Ahead of the show's premiere, Amazon renewed "The Boys" for a second and third season.
Undone (BEST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Siddharth Dhananjay, Daveed Diggs, Bob Odenkirk
Description: A reality questioning, funny, compelling, and heartbreaking story about Alma, who was involved in a near-fatal car accident. After waking from the coma she was in, she has gained the ability to communicate with her late father, Jacob, who says he was murdered because he researched time travel.
Why it's a keeper: "Undone" is Amazon's first episodic TV series to utilize the surreal technique that is Rotoscope animation. Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy created a series that put simply, has it all. "Undone" is so good it's hard to stop watching - bring on the binge!
Transparent (BEST)
Seasons: 5
Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Jay Duplass, Amy Landecker, Kathryn Hahn
Description: "Transparent," starring Jeffrey Tambor, centers around a character who decides, late in life, to transition into a woman. We see how her decision affects her family through the pain of an older woman realizing she's waste much of her life as a man. The drama tells its story in a way that dignifies its deeply flawed, multifaceted characters.
Why it's a keeper: "Transparent" is tragic and heartbreaking at times, and triumphant at others. The beautifully heartbreaking and heartbreakingly beautiful series is a must for anyone interested in this moment of cultural history.
Fleabag (BEST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Olivia Colman, Sian Clifford, Bill Paterson, Brett Gelman, Hugh Skinner
Description: "Fleabag" stars the ever-so-talented Pheobe Waller-Bridge, who is also the shows creator. Set in London, it tells the story of a young woman on an endeavor to navigate modern life in the city. The show is hysterical, dirty, and manages to depict grief and loneliness accurately.
Why it's a keeper: Co-produced by Amazon and England's BBC Three, each of the show's season has six half-hour episodes that viewers soak in and savor before they end. If we're lucky, Waller-Bridge will continue on her path of becoming one of the leading creative voices of her generation!
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (BEST)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shalhoub, Jane Lynch
Description: 1950's housewife, "Midge," Maisel found a voice on stage, and between performing for bohemian crowds at Greenwich Village's The Gaslight Cafe and toasting her wedding, the crowd seems to love Maisel!
Why it's a keeper: Writer-director Amy Sherman-Palladino caught everyone's attention when she wrote a story about a 1950s housewife. Apart from the witty writing, it's actress Rachel Brosnahan's outstanding performance that makes the show as compelling as it is rowdy!