The year 2025 delivered an extraordinary wealth of television, but amidst the blockbuster releases and heavily marketed events, a host of exceptional series quietly arrived with little fanfare. These are the hidden gems, the shows that critics adored but which many viewers may have overlooked. From breathtaking dramas to innovative comedies and gripping documentaries, here are the standout programmes that deserved a much wider audience.
Dramatic Masterpieces and Unconventional Thrillers
In a surprising strategic move, Netflix released Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Asura' with almost no promotion. The Japanese auteur, celebrated for films like 'Shoplifters', created a rich, sumptuously shot 1970s drama about four sisters discovering their father's lifelong affair. Many critics have hailed it as potentially the most visually beautiful series the streaming giant has ever produced.
Elsewhere, 'Reunion' on BBC iPlayer offered a fresh perspective in the crime drama genre. Written by deaf scriptwriter William Mager and starring Matthew Gurney, it placed deafness and British Sign Language at its core, using communication barriers to build a powerful atmosphere of menace. The story followed Daniel Brennan's return from prison and his fraught attempt to reconnect with his daughter, Miri, played by Rose Ayling-Ellis.
For those seeking a thriller with a wildly original premise, 'The Assassin' on Prime Video starred Keeley Hawes as a menopausal hitwoman on a bloody rampage. Created by the Williams Brothers ('The Tourist'), the series combined a huge body count, corporate intrigue, and a son forced on the run with his mother.
Comedy Gold and Animated Innovation
The comedy landscape was brilliantly subverted by several shows. Ramy Youssef's '#1 Happy Family USA' on Prime Video delivered sharp, idiosyncratic satire, exploring life as a super-young Muslim in post-9/11 America with dark humour and retro nostalgia.
In animation, 'Common Side Effects' on Channel 4 proved to be a phenomenal conspiracy thriller. From Mike Judge, it told the story of a fungi expert who discovers a miracle mushroom, bringing him into direct conflict with big pharma in a wild, blackly comic tale.
Meanwhile, 'The Horne Section TV Show' (Channel 4) served as a brazenly silly antidote to trauma-led comedies. Featuring Alex Horne and his band, along with guests like John Oliver, it was a gleefully stupid celebration of chaotic fun.
Compelling Documentaries and Epic Adaptations
The documentary 'Once Upon a Time in Space' (BBC iPlayer) achieved a remarkable dual feat. It provided a grand survey of the space race's ambition while also sharing deeply personal, emotional stories from astronauts, including tales of changing times and profound sacrifice.
In a different vein, 'Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt' on ITVX offered a meticulous and compelling re-examination of the evidence in one of Britain's most infamous criminal cases, presented by the Guardian's Josh Halliday.
Literary adaptations also shone. 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' (BBC iPlayer), based on Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize-winning novel, featured spellbinding performances from Jacob Elordi and Ciarán Hinds. It wove together a harrowing prisoner-of-war story with a tender, lifelong tale of love and longing.
Finally, 'Forever' on Netflix delivered a lovely update of Judy Blume's classic novel, centring on Black teenagers Keisha and Justin, portrayed with authentic charm by Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr.
These series represent the daring, diverse, and high-quality storytelling that flourished across streaming platforms and broadcasters in 2025. They may not have dominated the headlines, but they undoubtedly enriched the television landscape for those who discovered them.
