In recent years, Netflix has stood out for producing miniseries that captivate both audiences and critics, combining engaging scripts, brilliant performances, and high-quality productions. These compact works explore varied themes—from historical dramas and biographies to psychological thrillers and stories of resilience—delivering intense and impactful narratives in just a few episodes.
Below, see the 10 best miniseries to binge-watch on Netflix!
1. Eyes That Condemn (2019)
Directed by Ava DuVernay, this four-episode drama miniseries tells the powerful true story of the “Central Park Five,” a group of Black teenagers unjustly convicted of a brutal crime in New York City in 1989. The narrative follows the developments of the case, from the controversial investigation to the aftermath.
injustices
of the judicial system. With standout performances by Jharrel Jerome, Asante Blackk, and Michael K. Williams, the series received critical acclaim and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor for Jerome.
2. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the miniseries portrays the story of Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan raised in a reform school in Kentucky, where she discovers her exceptional talent for chess with the help of the janitor, Mr. Shaibel. Dependent on tranquilizers provided by the institution, she develops an addiction that follows her throughout her life.
After being adopted by Alma Wheatley, Beth begins competing in local and international championships, challenging the prejudice of a male-dominated environment and becoming a sports star. The production received several major awards, including the Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series, the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film, and the Golden Globe for Best Actress for Anya Taylor-Joy.
3. An Unexpected Virtue (2020)
The plot follows the journey of Esty Shapiro (Shira Haas), a young woman who decides to flee her arranged marriage and leave her home in an extremely conservative Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn. Determined to take control of her own destiny, she heads to Berlin in search of freedom.
discoveries
and new possibilities. There, the protagonist confronts old traumas, broadens her horizons, and explores the musical talent she had long repressed. Faced with challenges and transformative encounters, she confronts her fears and learns to live free from the restrictions that have always governed her life.
4. Maid (2021)
The miniseries follows Alex (Margaret Qualley), a young woman who decides to leave behind a toxic relationship, taking her young daughter with her. Homeless and nearly broke, she starts doing housecleaning jobs in an attempt to secure safety and stability. Throughout this journey, she faces challenges within the public support system, deals with emotional trauma, and seeks strength to rebuild her life while nurturing her desire to pursue a career as a writer. The episodes poignantly depict the invisible barriers surrounding those living on the edge of poverty.
5. Treta (2023)
This intense and provocative drama, created by Lee Sung Jin, tells the story of a traffic altercation that triggers an obsessive rivalry between Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong). What begins as an apparently trivial incident turns into a growing conflict that profoundly impacts their lives. With only 10 episodes, “Treta” explores anger, personal frustrations, and the
complexities
emotional aspects of modern life, being a success with both the public and critics.
6. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
The miniseries portrays the youth of Charlotte (India Amarteifio and Golda Rosheuvel), sent from Germany to England to join King George III (Corey Mylchreest and James Fleet) in an arranged marriage that would change the monarchy. Divided into two timelines, the story shows her unexpected romance with George and her struggle to carve out a place for herself at court, as well as a later period, already as an experienced sovereign, when she faces political pressures and the need to secure succession. The miniseries also depicts the introduction of Black families into the nobility, personal conflicts caused by the king’s mental health, and Charlotte’s growth as a woman and leader.
7. Griselda (2024)
plot follows the trajectory of Griselda Blanco (Sofía Vergara), one of the most feared drug traffickers in 1970s and 1980s Miami. Upon arriving in the city with her children, she uses her
intelligence
and determination to build a cocaine empire, facing the challenges of a male-dominated world and the violence of organized crime. The production highlights her relentless rise, bold strategies, and the personal cost of this journey.
8. Ripley (2024)
The suspense series “Ripley” is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s classic and acclaimed novels, following the trajectory of Tom Ripley, portrayed by Andrew Scott, a skilled con artist who thrives on scams both small and grandiose in vibrant 1960s New York. With eight episodes, the plot entangles viewers in a web of schemes, dangers, and murders when the protagonist is hired by a millionaire to bring his heir son back from Italy.
9. Baby Rena (2024)
The British miniseries combines psychological drama with dark humor. The story follows Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), a bartender and aspiring comedian in London, whose routine is shaken after an act of kindness: offering a free cup of tea to Martha (Jessica Gunning), a fragile woman who becomes an obsessive stalker.
Martha’s fixation intensifies through the incessant sending of messages, gifts, and invasions of Donny’s performances, forcing him to confront his own traumas and their consequences.
psychological
of persecution. The series portrays the emotional complexity of the protagonists, avoiding simplistic stereotypes of villain and victim.
10. Adolescence (2025)
The police drama created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, directed by Philip Barantini, revolves around Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate. The plot unfolds through the eyes of his family, psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty), and investigator Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters), who attempt to uncover the truth behind the crime.
With four episodes filmed in long takes, the production offers an intense and immersive experience. The series received critical acclaim and became a global hit, leading viewership in 71 countries, including Brazil.
About The Author
