Are you looking for something to watch this weekend or on a few chill evenings? Miniseries consisting of a few episodes have always helped me in such cases. After all, it is sometimes easier to “swallow” 5-8 episodes in a couple of evenings than to follow the characters for months or even years.
I have selected the best mini series of the last ten years for you today. You will find exciting thrillers, fascinating detectives, deep psychological stories, and romantic films on my list.
The best mini series 2014 – 2024.
Master of the House, 2024. Drama, thriller, mystery.
After the mysterious death of a businessman, a fight over his property breaks out between his heirs and the housekeeper whom their father recently married.
As always, the Netflix monster provides excellent visual quality. I devoured several episodes in one gulp. This show has intrigue, drama, and thriller elements. This mixture of genres always keeps the viewer in suspense.
Patrick Melrose, 2018. Drama.
Patrick Melrose is a playboy, an aristocrat, and an alcoholic. Patrick’s life can hardly be called easy and serene despite his money. Throughout his childhood, he endured his father’s cruel treatment, while his mother preferred not to interfere. As Patrick grows up, he finds the strength to make his way into high society, but at the same time, his path to self-destruction begins.
The series, largely thanks to Cumberbatch’s performance, creates a personal drama bordering on a psychological thriller. Sherlock has outdone himself in this series.
Ordeal by Innocence, 2018. Drama, thriller, crime.
The adopted son Jack was accused of murdering the wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyle, mother of five adopted children. However, a year and a half later, a new witness appeared, and everyone fell under suspicion: the servants and the family members. Then, there is general paranoia, ominous shadows on the walls, ticking clocks, a new murder, and flashbacks of conflicts within the dying family.
So, before us is another screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel from the BBC. As always from the British, it is a stylish, beautiful series with a twist.
Waco, 2018. Drama.
Series based on real events are considered the most delicious spectacle for a large public segment. The six-part “Waco Tragedy” is a recreation of the bloody siege of a ranch where members of a religious sect had dug in, which lasted 51 days. Who was inside? Who was outside?
The viewer will receive a detailed answer to these questions.
The series turned out to be amazing. While watching, I learned a lot of new things – emotions over the edge. I must also note the fantastic cast.
Fellow Travelers, 2023. Drama, romance.
The relationship between two lovers unfolds against the backdrop of American history – from the protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
I turned on Fellow Travelers solely because I love the retro vibe and aesthetics of the ’60s and ’80s. I didn’t expect what a stunning emotional experience awaited me. The series itself is quite liberated and demands the same from the viewer. And you will remember the words spoken in the final scene for a long time.
When They See Us, 2019. Drama, crime.
Five teenagers, African-Americans and Mexicans from Harlem were sentenced to prison terms for the brutal rape of a white girl, which they did not commit.
It is one of the best films I have seen in the last few years. It is a story about ordinary people—the same as you and me. I am delighted with the film as a product of cinematography. Everything is good here—from the script to the acting. You should see this story, too!
The Act, 2019. Drama, biopic, crime.
Seven years ago, after being hit by Hurricane Katrina, Dee Dee’s mom and her sick daughter Gypsy Rose moved into a new home built for them by a charity. The family immediately aroused the sympathy of others because the girl cannot get out of a wheelchair, and she has a whole bunch of incurable diseases – from muscular dystrophy to allergies to sugar. And how can one not sympathize with a mother who devoted her life to caring for her daughter?
Perhaps this excellent series will be of interest to amateurs and specialists in the field of psychiatry. The creators of the series have a clear idea: unhealthy people are capable of growing either people like themselves or people with even sicker souls and heads.
The Queen’s Gambit, 2020. Drama, sport.
Orphan Beth Harmon learned the intellectual game in an orphanage and began to defend the place of women on the chessboard while simultaneously battling an addiction to illegal substances.
It’s excellent how vividly and excitingly the creators introduced us to chess. There are few dynamics on the board, but the cameraman masterfully captured the moments of exchanging pieces, switching clocks, and the actors’ faces full of emotion: interesting editing, beautiful scenery, costumes, and color scheme—a solid aesthetic pleasure.
And the queen, of course, is the unearthly beauty Anya-Taylor Joy.
The Trial of Christine Keeler, 2019. Drama, history.
You will see the story of Christine Keeler, who found herself at the center of a political sex scandal that rocked the British government in the 1960s.
The movie is packed with passion, stunning women, and intriguing guys. The scenery corresponds to the time being described – the 60s of the 20th century. Everything is luxurious, atmospheric and measured. And I especially like music. The soundtracks are chosen in such a way that your heart aches.
War and Peace, 2016. Drama, romance.
The series takes place in 19th-century Russia, covering 1805 to 1812. The plot is based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace, focusing on the fates of Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostova.
I was captivated by the bright picture. It is nice to see natural shots of Moscow and St. Petersburg, meadows, fields, stunning costumes, and music that fills you with goosebumps. I got incredible pleasure from the film adaptation. The series emphasizes sensuality.
Inventing Anna, 2022. Drama, biopic.
It is a Netflix drama about financial fraud inspired by the story of Russian fraudster Anna Sorokina and the investigation of Jessica Pressler. For several years, the young girl pretended to be a rich German heiress and led a luxurious social life at the expense of others. Sorokina went to prison in 2019 for fraud but was released in 2021.
In general, watch it. The story is interesting. Anna’s personality is definitely ambiguous. There will be something to discuss over dinner.
Chernobyl, 2019. Drama, history.
It is one of the best mini series in modern history; it received ten Emmy awards and universal recognition. The hit from HBO recreates the tragedy that occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986, as well as subsequent events – from the rescue of victims to the hushing up of the real consequences of the accident.
As a result, we see a documentary drama, which, in some places, is reminiscent of a disaster film, while in others, it is a retro detective story. But most of all, it is impressive as a cinematic monument to the most important event in the entire planet’s history and a tribute to the memory of our compatriots who saved the whole planet from destruction.
Mare of Easttown, 2021. Drama, crime.
Maire Sheahan was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where she is still popular among locals who remember her as a star of the school basketball team. But many years have passed since then. The woman has long since quit sports, became a police detective, survived an unsuccessful marriage, buried her son who committed suicide and is raising her grandson Andrew with her teenage daughter Siobhan. At the same time, her daughter-in-law has a heroin addiction. When another murder occurs in the city, the main character must distract herself from family problems and catch the criminal …
It’s hard to tell which takes the spotlight—kitchen secrets or a detective tale. The story moves along at a relaxed tempo. Even the Scandinavians could be proud of such a pace.
The Haunting of Hill House, 2018. Drama, horror.
In the early 1990s, a family with five children moves to an old mansion in the woods. The couple intends to renovate the house and sell it profitably, but the youngest girl sees a ghost on the first night. This place holds many secrets, and even many years later, as adults, those who lived there cannot figure out their lives.
I love psychological thrillers, intricate detective stories, philosophical mysticism, and horror. And this series is just that! I recommend it to those who rarely watch horror since the impact on the viewer is impressive. If you really want to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of mysticism and horror, you should watch this show at home in the dark.
Unbelievable, 2019. Drama, crime.
Unbelievable 2019 is a great miniseries about a case that forced the US legal system to reconsider its approach to rape claims.
The heroine of the eight-episode project “Unbelievable” is subjected to violence, but the authorities do not react to her statements. Moreover, even her relatives doubt the veracity of the girl’s words. These days of doubt and skepticism became a catastrophic waste of time, which led to other similar tragedies – the serial predator was caught by police only several years later.
Normal People, 2020. Romance.
The main characters are high school students: shy, excellent student Marianna and the star of the football team, Connel. They come from different social classes: she grew up in a wealthy family, and his mother earns money by cleaning. But this does not stop them from starting dating. While growing up together, the couple tries to build a healthy relationship.
Firstly, the locations are captivating. The action mostly takes place in Ireland, and you will see enough to want to visit these places. Secondly, the style. I don’t know how else to describe this unique atmosphere created in the series: the scenes are staged so aesthetically deliciously that you want to pause and just look closely. I will separately note the music because it will finally nail you to the couch and make you feel what is happening on the screen.
This miniseries is a must-watch for romantics, dreamers, and those looking for love.
The Fall of the House of Usher, 2023. Drama, horror, fantasy.
The head of a large company loses all his children under terrible circumstances. It is a gothic horror series based on Edgar Allan Poe’s stories.
The Fall of the House of Usher is not aimed at those accustomed to horror. It hardly invents any sophisticated methods of murder and is hardly scary at all. The dialogues in ‘The Usher’ are well written, so it gradually transforms from a midnight fairy tale into a dense story about a family, its decay, and the limits of ambition. The showrunners explore the space of human passion, the resources of cruelty, and the boundaries of ambition.
One Day, 2024. Drama, romance.
Friends Dexter and Emma meet on the day they first meet and have been afraid to confess their romantic feelings to each other for several decades.
This miniseries turned out great. Even though I already knew the ending of this story, I really liked it. It was filmed with love. The plot of the 2011 film is supplemented, changed in small details, and stretched, although this does not spoil it at all.
Ripley, 2024. Thriller, drama, crime.
1960. Tom Ripley is scraping by in New York City with small-time scams until a wealthy businessman approaches him. The businessman considers him a friend of his son Richard, who is squandering money in Italy and has no plans to go to the States. He is ready to pay a lot if Tom goes to Europe and persuades his wayward offspring to return home.
The 1999 film starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law has become a classic, but a similar fate awaits the Netflix miniseries. It turned out to be a remarkably stylish and cool black-and-white project. I highly recommend it for lovers of twisted stories, intense action, excellent acting, and those who love with their eyes. For me, it was one of the brightest events of the film year.
Baby Reindeer, 2024. Drama, biopic.
London, 2015. Young loser Donnie Dunn is trying to make it in comedy while living with his ex-girlfriend’s mother and working in a bar. One day, out of pity, he treats a plump woman over 40 to tea at the bar’s expense, and she starts showering him with compliments. The new acquaintance’s name is Martha Scott, and now she comes to the bar every day, obsessively communicates with Donnie, calling him Fawn, and hints at a date in every possible way. He weakly jokes it off but soon finds out that he has become the object of adoration of an already convicted stalker. Fire! Fire! Splendor!
Combining humor, drama, and a suffocating thriller, Gadd puts the viewer in the most uncomfortable conditions he has experienced. The atmosphere of hopelessness and impasse here is so terrifying that you can cut it with a knife. It becomes especially scary when such a charming, plump laugher instantly turns into a terrible demon.
Mrs. Fletcher, 2019. Drama, comedy.
Eve Fletcher sends her son off to college and can finally focus on herself. Instead of being confused, the 40-year-old heroine quickly opens up new horizons and begins to explore her sexuality. At the same time, her son is settling into life on campus, where instead of his usual role as the school favorite, he suddenly plays the outsider. The heroes must step beyond their previous versions of themselves to adapt to new circumstances and change.
It is a wonderfully clear and coherent work about separation and finding one’s identity. It is incredible healing for those who have had a hard time with such a process. Honestly, this show is as good as a bunch of therapy sessions.
The Spy, 2019. Drama, biopic, history.
It is the true story of Eli Cohen, who was recruited by Israeli intelligence to work undercover in Syria. After a six-month training course at Mossad, he successfully assumed the identity of Syrian businessman Kamel Amin Thaabet. Beginning in 1962, the man actively engaged in espionage activities in Damascus, gaining the trust of high-ranking officials and officers. Throwing parties at his home with plenty of alcohol and easy women, he, remaining sober and collected, found out valuable information for Israel about the enemy’s upcoming military operations.
Spy is a decent mini series about a respectable man. Sacha Baron Cohen gave the best performance of his career, declaring that he is ready for roles in big dramatic cinema.
Behind Her Eyes, 2021. Drama, thriller, fantasy.
Single mother Louise starts an affair with an attractive stranger in a bar, but soon it turns out he is her new boss David. The man is also married, but Louise cannot end this relationship. After some time, the confused woman becomes the best friend of David’s wife and begins to suspect something sinister is hidden behind their marital relations.
I have been eyeing this film for a long time, and I was especially captivated by the almost unanimous delights of the completely unpredictable ending. Mysticism, which can usually easily devalue any thriller, is carefully woven here.
Too Close 2021. Thriller, drama, crime.
Forensic psychiatrist Emily Robinson diagnoses Connie, who is accused of a terrible crime and claims to remember nothing. Despite Emily’s experience and composure, she is drawn into Connie’s sophisticated psychological game.
This British miniseries has three 47-minute episodes each, which I devoured in one evening. I couldn’t tear myself away from the viscous psychiatric drama, which has two tragedies and not a single negative character. It is a great show for fans of British cinema: a small number of characters and locations, a minimum of action, but many telling details.
Halston, 2021. Biopic.
It is a story about the rise and fall of American fashion designer Roy Halston. He first became famous in 1961 when Jacqueline Kennedy wore a hat he designed for her husband’s inauguration, John F. Kennedy. In the late 1960s, Halston began designing clothes, which determined the direction of American women’s fashion in the 1970s.
The series is beautiful. You can’t take your eyes off McGregor, and you want to listen to his gorgeous, deep voice and admire how he holds a cigarette. You will also see many beautiful, beautifully dressed people who smoke, talk about art, and wear impeccably tailored suits. What a contrast to modern times!
The Undoing, 2020. Thriller, drama.
Grace is a successful therapist from New York. Everything is fine with her: a loving husband, a wonderful son, and a rich life. Grace will soon publish her first book, advising women to listen to their intuition and trust their first impressions of men. However, one day, her husband disappears, and her fairytale life turns into a series of unpleasant revelations and a PR scandal.
I did not notice how I began to watch episode after episode—the script was endlessly crazy. The series’ creator, David Kelly, is a real television veteran who keeps viewers glued to their screens. Add great acting with tender Nicole Kidman and charming Hui Grant.
Years and Years, 2019. Drama, fantasy.
The Lyons are an ordinary English family in which everyone is focused on their problems and dreams. Various dramatic events in their lives occur against the backdrop of a turbulent political and economic situation in the country and the world. The outrageous showwoman Vivienne Rook comes to power in the UK, Donald Trump is elected for a second term, and hundreds of political refugees flee from Ukraine to Europe. The action begins in 2019 and unfolds over the next 15 years.
Well, is this future familiar to you in 2024?
The series is very lively. You get involved in the events instantly, and all of them seem completely logical: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, monkey flu, natural disasters, food crises, emigrant concentration camps, and even the explosion of an atomic bomb. Although I preferred a darker ending, overall, I liked the series. Moreover, this is the case when it is simply necessary to re-watch it later to see more details.
Scenes from a Marriage, 2021. Drama.
This modern adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic series explores love, hate, desire, monogamy, marriage, and divorce through the example of one American couple. Self-confident and ambitious Mira, the head of a large company, is dissatisfied with her marriage, while Jonathan, a reasonable and accommodating professor of philosophy, is trying with all his might to save their relationship.
Scenes is a delightful miniseries. It is a withering and emotionally grinding story about people madly in love with each other, but in the end, giving a ray of hope. We are the viewers as invisible ‘gods’ of this film. We do not judge, and we do not interfere; just watch.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, 2023. Drama.
A grandmother welcomes her granddaughter Alice, who lost her parents in a fire, to her flower farm. In her new home, Alice learns the dark secrets of her family.
The symbolism and setting of the series elevate it to the level of art. What can I say? Visually, it is a masterpiece. The camera work, color correction, costume designers, makeup artists, scenery, and nature—that’s what makes the series worth watching! All visuals will be in ecstasy, and there is something for auditory types to enjoy. The series is contemplative, and when music is added, it becomes like a music video in a good way.
Little Fires Everywhere, 2020. Thriller, drama.
Mrs. Richardson and her family live exemplary lives, disrupted when a new resident, Mia Warren, appears in town. With her teenage daughter, she travels around the country, does what she wants, and does not care about the established rules. Mrs. Richardson is shocked and indignant, and as a result, a real fire breaks out between the women, but this meeting will have unexpected consequences for both.
If you are stuck in the boredom of pink snot and need to hate someone to free your emotions from captivity, welcome. Steam will come out of your ears from righteous anger, like mine. And the ending will definitely not leave you indifferent.
A Teacher, 2020. Drama.
The series is based on the 2013 film of the same name. A high school teacher caught in an affair with one of her students, and the devastating consequences of this illegal relationship.
The creators deliberately romanticize the first part of the story, using classic melodrama techniques—beautiful sensual shots, a lyrical soundtrack, and sharp intrigue—which naturally leads to the viewer’s full emotional involvement and empathy for the series’ characters.
Particular attention is paid to the fact that society often refuses to take a man seriously as a victim. If you turn the situation 180 degrees and put a man in the place of the teacher and a girl in the place of the student, then we will not need ten episodes to understand how this story ends.
Olive Kitteridge, 2014. Drama.
The four-part drama “What Does Olivia Know?” was officially released six years ago, but the project was so bright and the abundance of its awards so impressive that it would be a crime to ignore it. The main character’s life looks like a model of family happiness, but she still wants to commit suicide. Why?
The series is full of pure, crystallized pain, which uncontrollably pours from the screen from the first episode to the last. Without exaggeration, every character in this simple but profound story experiences mental suffering.
But the final chord of the series is life-affirming. You will never know where you could have come from if you stopped halfway. Continue, and you will find out what happens next.
Alias Grace, 2017. Drama, crime, biopic.
You will see the story of Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant maid convicted of murdering her employer, Thomas Kinnear, in 1843. Grace claims to have no memory of the crime, but the facts are undeniable. Dr. Simon Jordon tries to help the woman reconstruct past events ten years later.
This TV show is a fantastic historical drama inspired by real events. It is a sad story where we, the viewers, play the role of judge. But it is difficult to judge, living in another century, in a period of equality, and the opportunity to have more optimistic dreams and prospects at 15 years old.
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Final words.
I love all these miniseries because they allow me to immerse myself in a new reality for the weekend. Admit it, how many series do you want to watch from this selection?
Share this blog post if you enjoyed it. I would appreciate it!
Thanks for the review of Mini Seriesin the Last 10 Years. The Queens Gamet, and Making Anna are two of my favorites!
I am intrigued with the series, Scenes from a Marriage, 2021. Drama. I love how you highlighted the emotional depth and complexity of the miniseries. Adding this to my watchlist
I love finding awesome mini series to get into! They’re more played out than a film, but not as much of a commitment as a full series.
What a great list of movie series, some I have seen and some I need to add to my list to check out. One thing for sure, I love a good movie/series and Netflix has a lot of them.
I am not much of an OTT person. Yet, your blog kept me hooked till the end and i realise i am missing a lot! The Queen’s Gambit is almost beckoning me and I intend to watch and binge it over the weekend!
I watched the Netflix series about Anna Sorokina and it’s so good. How she was able to be an heiress and deceive so many people is wild and creepy. It’s amazing how her story explores ambition, identity, and morality.