Every year, I watch a lot of new shows. Granted, it's my job, but this year alone, I've watched more than 55 new shows from the whole host of the best streaming services out there, from "The Pitt" on HBO Max, to "Adolescence" on Netflix and more. Averaged out, that means I'm watching at least a new show every week.
Unfortunately, I still miss out on some great shows. I find I miss Netflix shows in particular; weekly releases allow me to have a reason to get back on a show that's already a few episodes deep, rather than making the conscious decision to go back and binge an entire season or series that's already over. I'm not saying that it's Netflix's fault by any means, but I do think it's why some of their shows pass me by.
'American Primeval' (Netflix)
"American Primeval" started the year as one of my most anticipated Netflix shows. It stars Taylor Kitsch as Isaac, a troubled man who goes west in hopes of overcoming his demons. It looks dark, it looks gritty, and it explores a part of American history — the Utah War — that is often overlooked. It also features an incredible cast including Kim Coates as Mormon leader Brigham Young, Jai Courtney and Kyle Bradly Davis as ruthless trappers Virgil and Tilly and Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger, who runs the Fort Bridger outpost in the Wild West. But those are just the U.S. factions in the conflict; there's also the Wolf Clan of natives led by Red Feather (Derek Hinkey).
The other thing that had me so intrigued about this six-part drama miniseries is that it's directed by "Friday Night Lights" director Peter Berg, and features the music of post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, who worked with Berg on the aforementioned Texas football drama. Somehow, despite my interest, "American Primeval" passed me by. But now that I have some time to check things off my watchlist, it's rising to the top of my list.
Stream "American Primeval on Netflix now
'Dept. Q' (Netflix)
"Dept. Q" had me hooked from the first trailer. A crime thriller series adapted from the book series of the same name, it stars Matthew Goode as Carl Morck, an elite detective tasked with setting up a cold case unit in an Edinburgh basement. It immediately gave off vibes of "Slow Horses" and "Broadchurch," which pretty much meant it was tailor-made for me to enjoy.
Even better, "Dept. Q" was created for Netflix by Scott Frank, writer of acclaimed miniseries like "The Queen's Gambit" and "Monsieur Spade," which was one of my favorite shows from last year. If I hadn't put off "American Primeval" for so long, this show would probably be at the top of the list of shows I missed in 2025. Especially since it's already been renewed for season 2.
Stream "Dept. Q" on Netflix now
'The Beast in Me' (Netflix)
This show has only been out for just over a month, so it's less shocking that I haven't managed to watch "The Beast in Me" yet. But with a lot of people putting it in their end-of-year lists for the best shows of 2025, I definitely need to see what all the fuss is about.
Granted, I'm not shocked this show has been such a hit. This psychological thriller miniseries features an incredible duo of actors at its core. It stars Claire Danes as Aggie Wiggs, an acclaimed writer who has been unable to produce a book since the tragic death of her son. It also stars Matthew Rhys as real estate mogul Nile Jarvis, who moves in next door and suddenly becomes the perfect subject for Aggie's next book.
Except Nile's not the perfect subject. Yes, he's compelling, but he's compelling, in part, because he might have murdered his wife (Brittany Snow). Even if this show doesn't quite live up to the hype, I'm willing to watch "The Beast in Me" to see Daines and Rhys acting in the same room.
Stream "The Beast in Me on Netflix now
'Squid Game' season 3 (Netflix)
My final Netflix show on this list might be the most shocking. Yes, you're reading this correctly: I still haven't seen 'Squid Game' season 3. I'll admit, part of this is down to personal choice. While 'Squid Game' season 2 had some great moments, it felt incomplete and was a notable drop-off from season 1. So I didn't feel the need to rush back for the series finale, especially since I wasn't so keen on there being a season 2 in the first place.
But it's finally time for me to finish "Squid Game" once and for all. For those of you who have never seen the show, it takes place in a dystopian version of South Korea and is set around a series of children's games that pit the poor and desperate against each other. Win, and you could take home a life-changing sum. Lose, and you lose your life. A total of 456 players enter, but only one lives.
In season 1, a down-on-his-luck divorced dad named Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) took home the top prize. In season 2, he returned to play the game yet again, determined to take down the cabal of the wealthy and powerful who run it. Now, he's the prisoner of The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) following a failed uprising in the game, and his luck may have finally run out.
Stream "Squid Game" on Netflix now
'All Her Fault' (Peacock)
I love Sarah Snook, so this thriller has been on my watchlist ever since I saw the first trailer. Based on Andrea Mara’s bestselling 2021 novel of the same name, this show stars Snook as Marissa, a mother who arrives to pick up her son Milo (Duke McCloud) from a first playdate with Jacob (Tayden Jax Ryan) at Milo's new school. But when she arrives, the woman who answers the door has no idea who Marissa and her son are.
This has Marissa and her husband Peter (Jake Lacy) racing to find their missing son, but the search starts to tear their family apart. Marissa is left relying on her new friend Jenny Kaminski (Dakota Fanning), but as they search for Milo, they uncover deep secrets that change both their lives forever. Meanwhile, Detective Alcaras (Michael Peña) is investigating the disappearance of Milo as a criminal case, and his work unravels a web of lies that brings him to the brink of breaking down completely.
Stream "All Her Fault" on Peacock now
'King & Conqueror' (Prime Video)
A British historical drama about the Norman conquest? And it stars Jamie Lannister? Sign me up. "King & Conquerer" is actually a BBC production, but it's been released on Prime Video in the U.S., and it looks awesome. Centered around the Norman conquest of England in 1066, it stars the aforementioned "Game of Thrones" alum Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, who would go down in history as William the Conqueror, or William I of England. It also stars James Norton as Harold Godwinson, the last English king before the invaders from France took over.
The series ultimately builds up to the climactic Battle of Hastings in 1066, but it starts years earlier with the succession debate around the childless Edward the Confessor as King of the English. Edward was arguably a good ruler, but his inability to produce an heir ultimately led to his house's downfall. William, who was Edward's cousin by marriage, was an option to rule following Edward's death, but the throne ultimately went to Edward's brother-in-law, Harold. William takes that slight personally, especially since Harold was originally his ally in the succession fight, and William's vengeance against his relative would change the course of history.
Stream "King & Conqueror" on Prime Video now
'Dying for Sex' (Disney Plus/Hulu)
"Dying for Sex" stars Michelle Williams as Molly, a character loosely based on the real-life podcaster Molly Kochan and her final years after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. This version of Molly is married to Steve (Jay Duplass), and it's an unhappy marriage. So when she receives her diagnosis, she leaves her husband in search of her first orgasm induced by another person. Joined by her best friend, Nikki (Jenny Slate), this odyssey leads her to a sexual awakening.
"Dying for Sex" is probably the biggest Emmy contender from the past year that I haven't seen. At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, this comedy-drama miniseries scored nine nominations, including for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and for the performances of its stars, Williams, Slate and Rob Delaney, who plays Molly's neighbor. It didn't ultimately win any of those awards, but the sheer number of nominations shows
Stream "Dying for Sex" on Disney Plus and Hulu now
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