Some shows start strong and stay steady. Others take a little time to find their voice. And then, there are the rare few that just keep getting better—expanding their worlds, deepening their character lore, and refining their storytelling with each new season. It’s a rare storytelling magic that rewards patient audiences and turns good series into cult favorites. Yes, Netflix may now be famous for its frequent cancellations, but it also happens to be a place that stores some of the best serial forms of storytelling.
From character-driven masterpieces to addictive political thrillers and cultural comedy juggernauts, these are the shows that prove longevity doesn’t have to mean diminishing returns. Sometimes, the best shows resemble wine: they simply get better with age. With each passing season, they sharpen their vision, lean harder into their strengths, and deliver unforgettable television moments. And in this case, these are the ones that rose to the challenge and became even more binge-worthy as they went.
8
‘Sex Education’ (2019–2023)
Socially awkward teenager Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) is ambivalent about sex, despite being raised by a confident, boundary-pushing sex therapist mother. But upon helping the school bully overcome his sexual performance anxiety, Otis—alongside his sharp, rebellious classmate Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey)—launches an on-campus, underground sex therapy clinic to help fellow students with their sexual problems.
What started as a raunchy teen comedy quickly grew into one of Netflix’s most thoughtful coming-of-age shows. Each season expands the ensemble, deepens character arcs, and tackles more complex topics with nuance and heart. The show doesn’t just evolve—it matures with its characters. The series famously handled taboo subjects with humor and sincerity, treating teenage sexuality not as scandalous but as a normal, complicated part of growing up. Over time, Sex Education became richer, more empathetic, and even more emotionally rewarding.
7
‘Dead to Me’ (2019–2022)
Jen Harding (Christina Applegate), a hot-headed real-estate agent, is mourning the death of her husband, who was recently killed by a hit-and-run driver. One day, she meets Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini)—a warm but chaotic woman grieving for her fiancé—at a grief support group. (Spoiler alert) The two become quick friends, but Jen is unaware of one major detail: Judy is actually the driver responsible for her husband’s accident.
As one of the best comedies to come out in recent years, every season of Dead to Me raised the bar with tighter writing, sharper twists, and a deepening connection between its leads. The jokes keep coming, even when the plot turns serious. Applegate and Cardellini deliver some of the best chemistry on television, grounding the show’s wild turns in real emotion. Rather than dropping the ball, the series grows more gripping—and surprisingly moving—as it leans into its themes of grief, forgiveness, and the messy, unconventional forms friendship can take. Sure, it features some occasional soapy tropes, but that’s what gives it its charm.
6
‘Heartstopper’ (2022–2024)
Charlie (Joe Locke), a high-strung openly gay teenager, unexpectedly forges a friendship with gentlehearted rugby player, Nick (Kit Connor), when they are made to sit next to each other in class. Along the way, Charlie develops a crush, though he’s convinced he has no chance of reciprocation—unaware that Nick himself is beginning to question his own feelings.
While Heartstopper beautifully centers on Charlie and Nick’s blooming romance, the show only becomes more layered with each season as it expands to explore the journeys of their wider friend group. The show handles big emotional moments with a simplicity that makes them hit even harder. Indeed, as relationships grow, identities evolve, and conflicts become more nuanced, Heartstopper matures without losing its warmth, optimism, or soft pastel charm. Each new chapter feels richer and more confident—keeping the feel-good Netflix series as comforting as ever, while giving its characters room to grow.
5
‘Bridgerton’ (2020–)
Set in a reimagined Regency-era London, the close-knit siblings of the noble and influential Bridgerton family learn to navigate the highly competitive social season. Unfortunately, their lives grow more complicated thanks to Lady Whistledown, a mysterious columnist who provides commentary and gossip on the events of the ton.
Taking the world by storm, each season of Bridgerton spotlights a new central romance, delivering swoon-worthy drama, lavish balls, and steamy entanglement. The mix of modern music, sharp dialogue, and corseted chaos keeps things fun even when the stakes get serious. The show only becomes juicier and more gripping as it expands its ensemble of lovers, rivals, and gossipmongers. Because who could ever ignore a passionate love affair with fresh chemistry and lavish escapism? Sure, it may take a million years for each season to arrive, but boy, is it worth it if it means we get to ride the highs (and chaotic lows) of period-drama romance.
4
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)
Once a mega star of the 90s, thanks to his successful run in a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) is now all washed up 18 years later, living off past glories. Cynical, depressed, and struck with many vices, he continues to struggle with his deteriorating popularity—that is, until he decides to regain his dignity. Unfortunately for him, Hollywood isn’t exactly what it used to be.
In what began as a goofy, joke-dense animated comedy, BoJack Horsemanquickly evolved into one of the most emotionally complex shows Netflix has ever produced. Its transformation from irreverent cartoon to philosophical character study is nothing short of remarkable. Each season pushes the characters (particularly BoJack) into deeper psychological territory, exploring trauma, accountability, and personal growth with intricate writing and inventive storytelling. By the later seasons, the show becomes a masterclass in balancing dark humor with genuine poignancy, earning its reputation as one of the platform’s boldest shows—proving the capabilities of Netflix’s adult animation.
3
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)
Set in Birmingham, during the aftermath of World War I, the Shelby family continues to make a name for themselves as dangerous bookmakers and gangsters—effectively controlling the entire city to their will. Middle brother, Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), stands as the head of the organization as he continues to carve out an empire that will soon expand beyond the borders of Birmingham.
It’s generally agreed that Peaky Blinders only grows more gripping as it progresses, as each season raises the narrative stakes, complexities, and style. The soundtrack, too, leans harder into its gritty, modern flair—amplifying every slow-motion strut and backroom deal. For one thing, the cinematography becomes bolder, the plotlines more intricately woven, and Murphy’s performance continues to be increasingly electrifying. Frankly, it’s impressive that rather than burning out, the show gains momentum—transforming from an already stellar gangster drama to a sprawling epic. Luckily for us, we have another Peaky Blinders movie to look forward to.
2
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
In the 1980s, the small fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, is forever changed after the sudden disappearance of a young boy. His friends go on a mission to find him, but soon discover a mysterious girl with psychokinetic abilities, roping them into a world of secret government plots and supernatural forces. What begins as a missing person case quickly unravels into a battle against terrifying creatures from another dimension known as the Upside Down.
While Season 1 immediately became a cultural phenomenon, Stranger Things has consistently grown more ambitious with each installment. What started as a tight sci-fi mystery has become a multi-dimensional epic with blockbuster energy. The stakes get bigger, the monsters get scarier, and the emotional arcs become more resonant as the characters grow up. Later seasons expand the mythology, celebrate the ensemble chemistry, and deepen the horror elements—proving how the show isn’t just nostalgic fun but a sprawling saga that continues to evolve in surprising ways. Let’s just see how the rest of Stranger Things‘ final season rolls out.
1
‘The Diplomat’ (2023–)
Veteran diplomat Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is shocked when she is suddenly appointed as the US ambassador to the United Kingdom. Thrust into the center of an international crisis, she must juggle tense political maneuvering alongside the complexities of her personal life—including her deteriorating marriage to her husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), a fellow diplomat. What was supposed to be a temporary role quickly spirals into a high-stakes balancing act with global consequences.
Thanks to its nail-biting scripts, whip-smart pacing, and crackling performances, The Diplomat was quick to prove itself as a stellar television drama. Its blend of high-stakes diplomacy and messy relationship drama makes every episode feel like a controlled explosion. Indeed, as the political conflicts grow messier and the personal stakes heighten, the show becomes more addictive, layering its commentary on power with unexpected humor and emotional nuance. No wonder it’s been deemed one of the best political thrillers and Netflix’s most bingeable successes.
The Diplomat
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Debora Cahn
- Directors
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Alex Graves, Andrew Bernstein, Simon Cellan Jones, Tucker Gates
