The under the radar TV shows that are really worth a watch

There's so much good American TV on now it's ridiculous. It's at the stage where a lot of the best stuff isn't even being shown over here or even making it onto streaming sites. It's impossible to keep up so you really have to pick and choose what to watch. 

Here's 9 shows from the last few years that you never hear much about but that are all well worth watching. The last 2 have actually been shown on TV over here but a lot of people missed out on them.

Now. Because some of these aren't on Irish/UK TV or netflix etc they have to be watched through other means. Means which I don't condone.....but you do what you have to. Cough.

Kingdom. (4 seasons, 40 episodes )

I'm amazed this one hasn't turned up on Irish TV or Netflix yet considering the subject matter. It's about a very troubled family who are in the mixed martial arts business and it's excellent. It's tough, gritty stuff but it has something for everyone. It's 4th and final series is just finishing up soon so it's ready and waiting for a binge watch.



Animal Kingdom ( 2 seasons so far, 23 episodes) 

A TV adaption of the masterful 2010 Australian film about a family deeply involved in crime. The show transplants the action to Los Angeles but still manages to keep the uneasy and queasy tension of the film. Plus it has Ellen Barkin and Shawn Hatosy in the lead roles and they are always worth watching.



Atlanta ( 1 season, second coming next year, 10 episodes )

A brilliantly funny and surreal look at the life of a young black man in Atlanta, Georgia. Under the comedy is an ultra topical show about the hardships black people face in modern day America. Stars Donald Glover who is going to go stratopheric when he stars as Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo film coming next year.


Horace And Pete ( a one off season of 10 episodes )

Louis CK's one off drama series and the lives and loves of the owners of a bar in Brooklyn. Every episode takes place in the bar and the flat above. It is immense. Fantastically acted by all ( Louis CK, Edie Falco, Steve Buscemi & Alan Alda ) It's a show that will leave your heart bruised by the end but its so worth watching. This one is available to buy from here


Queen Sugar ( 1 full season, 2nd on now, 29 episodes in all )

An extremely engaging and emotional drama about 3 siblings who's father dies and leaves them a sugar cane farm in Louisiana. It's a bit like Parenthood but with an African American cast and characters who actually seem real. Remember the way Friday Night Lights used to leave you battered after every episode? This does the same.


Insecure ( 1 full season, 2nd on now, 16 episodes in all )

An unusual show about 2 women in Los Angeles and the racial and social issues they face daily and the shite they put each other through. Unusual in that it's a look a life from a viewpoint we rarely if ever see on TV. Like Atlanta above it's also uproariously funny in places too. Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji as the leads are brilliant.


Broad City ( 3 seasons so far, 4 coming very soon, 30 episodes so far )

A flat out hilarious comedy about 2 Jewish women struggling to survive in New York City. Struggling because they are a pair of disasters who can't do anything right but you'll still love them both. Written & acted by Ilana Grazer and Abbi Jacobson who are both brilliant. I think this actually might be available on comedy central but I still love to talk about it. It's pretty perfect. It's like the Anti-Girls. 


American Crime ( 3 seasons, 29 episodes )

A 3 series show that changed its story & characters each year but kept the same actors. Sounds gimmicky but was actually a brilliant look at the seamier side of life in America in a format that kept it from ever going stale. Proper challenging brave stuff that went to places TV rarely goes. Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Regina King, Lili Taylor & Benito Martinez deserve special mention. Amazing actors. RTE showed this but never advertised it sadly.


Snowfall ( 1st series is on now, 10 episodes in all )

Yet another Los Angeles based drama. This time set in 1983 and about the beginnings of the crack epidemic that ravaged the poorer areas of the city. All seen from the point of view of 4 people involved. From low level dealers to the CIA agents who allowed it all to happen. This has the potential to be great. A glorious evocation of the time period too.