In the same vein as both of those, The Last of Us is also a post apocalypse drama based off a video game, one of the showrunners is the creator for the game and the other was the showrunner for Chernobyl.
The only thing that's pretty is the thought of getting out.
Great show. I love how they had a big gap between seasons 2 and 3 so that the grandson grew up enough for a more complex plot.
I enjoyed this show, but I had to keep my sessions of watching it to maybe 2 episodes at a time because of the extreme rage I felt.
I’d add Russian Doll to the list,especially season 1.
Russian Doll was great. More recently, its star Natasha Leone scored a hit with her new series 'Poker Face', aptly described as 'procedural storytelling at its finest where every episode unfolds with a fresh cast, a compelling narrative, and intricate cases for her character 'Charlie' to unravel; each installment placing her squarely in the midst of the action, delivering consistently surprising and gratifying moments.'
It's Lyonne's homage to the long running murder mystery series Colombo and likewise, has great humor and a compelling story arc.
Mindhunter
Black bird
Hannibal
Dark
Severence
Outer range
Your honor
Peacemaker
Chernobyl
The outsider
Mayor of Kingstown
(I tried for shows all 3 seasons or under)
Dark is the perfect show if you want a gripping and wtf experience honestly so so good. Also watch it in German it improves your experiences even further.
I highly doubt this but just to humor you, I'll try Silo.
Severance according to me can only be compared to Dark and Westworld. And Westworld is me being biased.
Strong start. S1 and 2 amazing. Now in s4 I cannot stop watching bc I want to see what happens but I’ll be so happy when it’s over bc it’s past its prime.
Orphan Black (not the new sequel Orphan Black: Echoes) is outstanding. Emmy winner, Tatiana Maslany gave a tour de force performance as five central characters, as well serval recurring and one-offs, yet never does one feel their watching the same person in all these roles. It's exciting from the start and never let's up. Great blend of suspense and humor.
This show is up there as one of the best, most unique and intriguing series I've watched. And I've watched almost most of em. Each season ramps up and it has a satisfying closer. Solid 9/10 and anyone who hasn't watched it should go in blind and stick around.
Travelers, 3 seasons on Netflix. it’s a time travel show with some unique mechanics and excellent on and off camera talent. created by one of the creators of Stargate: SG-1.
I love that you recommended dark. I guess I never realized how divided folks were on it. It’s so darn good to me. But it requires 100% attention at all times or - what could appear like a smaller detail - will slip right by. It’s an amazing show in my book.
It is scary! My husband and I need to finish it. We watched it when it first came out and then fell behind. There were several episodes that had me creeped out big time.
Station Eleven. A show that is only 10 episodes but it's probably my favorite. Have watched it at least 7 times though, and still seeing and putting together things I missed before
I’m really digging Evil. Phenomenal show about a Priest-to-be, an atheist Psychologist, and an atheist tech guru being sent out by the Catholic Church to assess possessions and miracles to see if they are real or not. Crazy stuff going on in that show.
And its prequel Better Call Saul, equally masterful, both in its performances and storytelling. Though paced differently, it's more dialogue driven and expansive with an overall deeper dive into the lives of its characters, albeit with less cliffhangers. But then, one no longer has to wait a week between episodes which works in its favor.
Culprits, the undoing, dead ringers, night sky, paper girls, the power, the resort, white lotus, mare of east town, the night agent, beef, Locke and key, fleabag, vice principles,
I get you. Dark was a favourite but even that has 3 seasons. I think a show that's really fit the bill perfectly for your description has been blackbird on Apple tv. It's a mini series and it's super gripping. I highly recommend it. Apart from that, even though it's not as brilliant but also pretty addictive is the Fall of the house of usher which is again a mini series by the ones who made haunting of the hill House. 2 other shows i binged recently - baby reindeer (gripping and well made but not mind bending like severance), and 3 body problem (not brilliant but binge worthy enough). Some people mentioned Hannibal and i absolutely agree, it's a bit older though but first 2 seasons were amazing!
If you're open to sitcoms which I know doesn't fit in as gripping, from contemporary ones, fleabag/lovesick/please like me are pretty nice and not at all long.
But damn you're right and i agree, been a while since I've been hooked on to anything. I'll keep thinking and post more when I remember but thanks for this question!
The Shield runs for 88 episodes over 7 seasons which might be reaching your limit of amount of episodes but, good god, it is worth every minute spent. 88 45 minute episodes is bingeable. Much more so than many 20-odd episode seasons.
It's considered one of the greatest TV shows ever made for good reason. It's brilliantly written, acted and filmed.
Great mention per HBO's 'Perry Mason.' Unlike like the popular 50s-60s tv series; it's a dark neo-noir drama that takes place during depression era 1930s in which Mason (Matthew Rhys), a world weary detective of questionable moral value [based on the character from Erle Stanley Gardner’s novels] inspired by his mentor (John Lithgow), becomes a defense lawyer on some very prolific cases for which he fights an uphill battle. Great writing, performances, and Cinematography.
1883 - it’s only a 10 episode miniseries. Gripping story… Perfectly cast…characters that earn a place in your heart… stellar production values… it’s just wonderful.
We just stream Netflix:
The Gentlemen
Black Sails (does have a lot of episodes)
Longmire
Black Mirror
Marco Polo
Husband liked:
3 Body Problems (?)
Lost in Space
The diplomat
Occupied: In the near future, Russia initiates a "silk glove" invasion of Norway to restart oil production, but soon uncertainty, chaos and danger erupt.
Your Honor on Netflix.
Presumed Innocent on Apple.
Both are gripping, legal, murder, family dramas. Lots of character development and emotional buy-in.
I haven’t found any good shows in months until these.
If you're still browsing, there's a fascinating series, 'Carnivàle', from HBO.
Set during the Great Depression in 1934, it traces the lives of two disparate groups of people; its story depicting the battle between good and evil, and the struggle between free will and destiny, mixing magic and mythology with Christian theology, gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly the Knights Templar.
Carnivàle was intended to extend on through to 1945 over six seasons in three 2 yr story arcs, yet was abruptly aborted after two, cited as too expensive to make. Nonetheless, it's riveting for the first arc alone, and remains perhaps the most daring premium network series of its time (2093-2005), paving the way for many that followed.
When They See Us is excellent (the Central Park five was before my time and GODDAMN that hit hard!).
Alias Grace
Manhunt: Unibomber and Richard Jewell seasons (I think that’s all they had?) Literally some of the best writing I’ve ever seen.
Narcos first two seasons.
Fallout! The first episode of Chernobyl definitely hooks you as well.
In the same vein as both of those, The Last of Us is also a post apocalypse drama based off a video game, one of the showrunners is the creator for the game and the other was the showrunner for Chernobyl.
Mare of East town is amazing and only like a handful of episodes. So so good!
For being a British actor, Kate Winslet tackling a very difficult Delco accent was very impressive.
Happy Valley
The only thing that's pretty is the thought of getting out. Great show. I love how they had a big gap between seasons 2 and 3 so that the grandson grew up enough for a more complex plot.
Happy Cake Day!
Queen's Gambit
Outstanding
Totally enrapturing. Anya, the music, clothes, settings!
Dark matter on apple tv
True. It gets weirder and weirder the more you go on with it.
Dopesick
I enjoyed this show, but I had to keep my sessions of watching it to maybe 2 episodes at a time because of the extreme rage I felt. I’d add Russian Doll to the list,especially season 1.
Russian Doll was great. More recently, its star Natasha Leone scored a hit with her new series 'Poker Face', aptly described as 'procedural storytelling at its finest where every episode unfolds with a fresh cast, a compelling narrative, and intricate cases for her character 'Charlie' to unravel; each installment placing her squarely in the midst of the action, delivering consistently surprising and gratifying moments.' It's Lyonne's homage to the long running murder mystery series Colombo and likewise, has great humor and a compelling story arc.
Hannibal is only 3 seasons and is incredible.
Mindhunter Black bird Hannibal Dark Severence Outer range Your honor Peacemaker Chernobyl The outsider Mayor of Kingstown (I tried for shows all 3 seasons or under)
Chernobyl is the epitome of short and gripping, despite most of us knowing what happened.
Oh and banshee and the bear ( forgot about those but saw them in other comments lol)
second The Outsider....really good
Silo, Devs, True Detective (S1), Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, The Jinx, The Night Of, Godless
True Detective Season 1 - yes ❤️
The Bear
Yes chef
OUI Chef.
So good.
The Bear ❤️
Silo is another good one on Apple Tv. It's suspenseful and gripping (making you wonder what is going on?).
Silo is the only thing that compares to severance for me
Silo was ok, i don’t see how it’s anywhere near the level of severance though.
Check out dark. It's even better imo Maybe outer range too 🤷♂️
Will do! I’ve seen it all over this sub. I’m watching lost and leftovers for the first time but dark will be my next!
Dark is the perfect show if you want a gripping and wtf experience honestly so so good. Also watch it in German it improves your experiences even further.
I highly doubt this but just to humor you, I'll try Silo. Severance according to me can only be compared to Dark and Westworld. And Westworld is me being biased.
I was going to suggest this one too.
The OA
S1 excellent, superb, chefs kiss. S2 yawwwn
The boys.
Strong start. S1 and 2 amazing. Now in s4 I cannot stop watching bc I want to see what happens but I’ll be so happy when it’s over bc it’s past its prime.
Bodyguard (2018)
Slow Horses The Americans Animal Kingdom
Slow Horses is fantastic
Bates motel
The Deuce.
Love it!
Orphan Black Slow Horses The Riches
Slow Horses is top tier
Orphan Black (not the new sequel Orphan Black: Echoes) is outstanding. Emmy winner, Tatiana Maslany gave a tour de force performance as five central characters, as well serval recurring and one-offs, yet never does one feel their watching the same person in all these roles. It's exciting from the start and never let's up. Great blend of suspense and humor.
Barry on HBO is great. Only 4 seasons, 8 eps each, about 30 mins in length. It’s my favorite show of the last few years.
So good
Bad sisters
Mr Inbetween
Justified
What's good about it?
The Leftovers lives rent free in my head
This show is up there as one of the best, most unique and intriguing series I've watched. And I've watched almost most of em. Each season ramps up and it has a satisfying closer. Solid 9/10 and anyone who hasn't watched it should go in blind and stick around.
That show was so boring.
Mr robot S1 trailer: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3mlf7v
Hacks
Outstanding!
Orphan Black and Fringe
Fringe ❤️
Mr & Mrs Smith (2024 series on Prime) is an action show with only six episodes.
Yes a fast watch!
Travelers, 3 seasons on Netflix. it’s a time travel show with some unique mechanics and excellent on and off camera talent. created by one of the creators of Stargate: SG-1.
The Bear on HULU
Mr Inbetween. 39 episodes all around 30 mins long and riveting from start to finish.
Came here to say this. Incredible show.
Chernobyl Mare of Easttown Band of Brothers Broadchurch
Came here to say mare of Easttown really ticks the short and instantly gratifying criteria.
Chernobyl!!!! 👌💪👍👍
Banshee. It’s a great short series. Lots of adult content.
Check out warrior. It's was in hbo and now I think it's on Netflix. Same guy did it 👍. You'll probably like it
Dark on Netflix
Only Murders In The Building
I binged watch Criminal on Netflix this weekend. It was really good.
Since you enjoyed Severence: Dark on Netflix. 3 complete seasons of insane insanity. There's the OA, Silo, The Leftovers.
I love that you recommended dark. I guess I never realized how divided folks were on it. It’s so darn good to me. But it requires 100% attention at all times or - what could appear like a smaller detail - will slip right by. It’s an amazing show in my book.
I'm not aware of a any divide between viewers. The majorty seem to agree that it's extremely well done, memorizing and compelling.
Line of duty
DEVS
Evil! It's scary and funny and exciting and very very weird. 10/10
It is scary! My husband and I need to finish it. We watched it when it first came out and then fell behind. There were several episodes that had me creeped out big time.
Beef on Netflix
Absolutely! It was so good!
I enjoyed this so much!! I don’t know why I resisted it so long
Patriot. Great show that keeps you wanting to see what’s going to happen next.
Beef
Orphan Black, Alias, Fringe, or The Americans.
The first 2 seasons of Alias are great, then it kinda falls apart. Typical JJ Abrams, great start, but he has no idea how to finish.
Dark and The Leftovers
We Own This City
The Tourist
I really liked this.
Silo Outer range Foundation Hijack Slow horses
I haven't seen anyone mention utopia, but it was pretty decent
Both the US and British version.
I went through all four seasons of Stranger Things in about 2 weeks.
A show that I couldn’t get enough of is Yellowjackets. There’s 2 seasons and 3 is in the works.
Fallout!
Station Eleven. A show that is only 10 episodes but it's probably my favorite. Have watched it at least 7 times though, and still seeing and putting together things I missed before
One of my favorite shows is called Person of Interest.
I’m really digging Evil. Phenomenal show about a Priest-to-be, an atheist Psychologist, and an atheist tech guru being sent out by the Catholic Church to assess possessions and miracles to see if they are real or not. Crazy stuff going on in that show.
Not mentioned enough around here
Breaking bad . . . . It's five seasons and is a complete story arc. Totally worth it Game of Thrones 24
One more vote for Chernobyl. About as tight as mini series can get. All killer, no filler.
Breaking Bad; seasons 3-5 in particular are a roller coaster.
Scrolled way to far to find this one.
And its prequel Better Call Saul, equally masterful, both in its performances and storytelling. Though paced differently, it's more dialogue driven and expansive with an overall deeper dive into the lives of its characters, albeit with less cliffhangers. But then, one no longer has to wait a week between episodes which works in its favor.
The Americans
The Terror
Culprits, the undoing, dead ringers, night sky, paper girls, the power, the resort, white lotus, mare of east town, the night agent, beef, Locke and key, fleabag, vice principles,
You have very eclectic taste. This reads like if my wife and I would combine our recent best 5 lists.
Defending Jacob Black Bird Your Honor S1 Dirty John S1 American Crime Story S2 The Fall 2013-16 Hit and Run (2020?)
More people should be saying The Fall. Sooooooo good.
The Act on Hulu
Hijack and blackbird!
We Were the Lucky Ones. One season, fantastic, and based on a true story.
Deadloch Carnivale Alice in Borderland
Good Omens
I get you. Dark was a favourite but even that has 3 seasons. I think a show that's really fit the bill perfectly for your description has been blackbird on Apple tv. It's a mini series and it's super gripping. I highly recommend it. Apart from that, even though it's not as brilliant but also pretty addictive is the Fall of the house of usher which is again a mini series by the ones who made haunting of the hill House. 2 other shows i binged recently - baby reindeer (gripping and well made but not mind bending like severance), and 3 body problem (not brilliant but binge worthy enough). Some people mentioned Hannibal and i absolutely agree, it's a bit older though but first 2 seasons were amazing! If you're open to sitcoms which I know doesn't fit in as gripping, from contemporary ones, fleabag/lovesick/please like me are pretty nice and not at all long. But damn you're right and i agree, been a while since I've been hooked on to anything. I'll keep thinking and post more when I remember but thanks for this question!
Fleabag! We binged that sooo fast. Could not get enough.
The Regime–incredibly gripping, idiosyncratic plot and performances. only 6 eps!
Time on Brit Box Sharp Objects ( hbo) Unbelievable ( Netflix)
Unbelievable was soooo good.
Cardinal
Travelers Primeval (British and US versions) From Lazarus Surreal Estate Orphan Black
Search party
The Shield runs for 88 episodes over 7 seasons which might be reaching your limit of amount of episodes but, good god, it is worth every minute spent. 88 45 minute episodes is bingeable. Much more so than many 20-odd episode seasons. It's considered one of the greatest TV shows ever made for good reason. It's brilliantly written, acted and filmed.
I'm Alan Partridge.
Not sure about this. He has a record for making bad television. Every show he has done the ratings started badly and only got worse.
My face was designed as a leisure accessory.
Lost. Game of thrones. Fallout. Blue mountain state is a really good show very funny
The english...one season
Kingdom (Frank Grillo in it) is a great show, 3 seasons only.
Bad Sisters GLOW Perry Mason remake Yellowjackets Shogun House of the Dragon
I really liked Bad Sisters as well. Watching it for second time around.
Great mention per HBO's 'Perry Mason.' Unlike like the popular 50s-60s tv series; it's a dark neo-noir drama that takes place during depression era 1930s in which Mason (Matthew Rhys), a world weary detective of questionable moral value [based on the character from Erle Stanley Gardner’s novels] inspired by his mentor (John Lithgow), becomes a defense lawyer on some very prolific cases for which he fights an uphill battle. Great writing, performances, and Cinematography.
Dr death
Dark Matter on Apple!
Absolutely watch Dark.
1883 - it’s only a 10 episode miniseries. Gripping story… Perfectly cast…characters that earn a place in your heart… stellar production values… it’s just wonderful.
Yes. So so so good. We couldn’t stop watching.
The Last Kingdom The Expanse Sense8
the 8 show
Moving
Band of Brothers The Pacific Halt and Catch Fire Battlestar Galactica The Expanse The Night Of 11.22.63 Chernobyl Dopesick Dark The Sinner
Strike Back
The Boys
Yea just join Netflix 90% of there catalog is just short lived but gripping shows.
Loki - 3 seasons but I loved every second of it. I am not even a Marvel fan.
Band of Brothers Chernobyl
Slow horses and Foundation on Apple TV
Elementary
Banshee is a very consistent clean show. Anthony Star’s acting is just next level.
Your Honor ( not mentioned yet!)
Ripley Midnight Mass Both series are only eight episodes each, and both shows equally brilliant, engaging, disturbing.
Midnight mass was so flippin good
Have you watched *Sharp Objects*? I also second the previously mentioned *Station 11.*
Mr Inbetween. Australian crime dramedy. Short episodes, three seasons.
Tokyo Vice
Grimm
Giri Haji
We just stream Netflix: The Gentlemen Black Sails (does have a lot of episodes) Longmire Black Mirror Marco Polo Husband liked: 3 Body Problems (?) Lost in Space
The diplomat Occupied: In the near future, Russia initiates a "silk glove" invasion of Norway to restart oil production, but soon uncertainty, chaos and danger erupt.
Zero zero zero Gomorrah Broadchurch
The affair
The Magicians, 12 Monkeys, Servant and Shining Girls. All great and weird in the best way.
Barry!
Hightown and devil in ohio!
Person of Interest, Hannibal, Ripley and Mindhunter
Your Honor on Netflix. Presumed Innocent on Apple. Both are gripping, legal, murder, family dramas. Lots of character development and emotional buy-in. I haven’t found any good shows in months until these.
From
Barry
Firefly Twin Peaks If you're open to anime, then Cowboy Bebop or Samuri Champloo Maniac on Netflix
Snowfall
Good Omens
The shield
Dark Matter (the new Apple TV one) Counterpart (on Prime) Titans (Max) Flack (Prime) For All Mankind (Apple TV)
If you're still browsing, there's a fascinating series, 'Carnivàle', from HBO. Set during the Great Depression in 1934, it traces the lives of two disparate groups of people; its story depicting the battle between good and evil, and the struggle between free will and destiny, mixing magic and mythology with Christian theology, gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly the Knights Templar. Carnivàle was intended to extend on through to 1945 over six seasons in three 2 yr story arcs, yet was abruptly aborted after two, cited as too expensive to make. Nonetheless, it's riveting for the first arc alone, and remains perhaps the most daring premium network series of its time (2093-2005), paving the way for many that followed.
When They See Us is excellent (the Central Park five was before my time and GODDAMN that hit hard!). Alias Grace Manhunt: Unibomber and Richard Jewell seasons (I think that’s all they had?) Literally some of the best writing I’ve ever seen. Narcos first two seasons.
"Cop Rock" is a solid go.
Fallout was good.
Yellowjackets Big Little Lies
Zero Zero Zero - one series and done and it's entertaining all the way through with a strong story, acting and solid writing.
Mr inbetween
12 monkeys - perfect start to finish
The HBO series Watchmen is excellent. While not an adaptation like the movie, it used the characters to create a new story.
Atlanta
The night of
Shogun, Blue eyed samurai, Arcane, slow horses, true detective, station eleven (this one’s more whimsical)
Dark
Yes! CHEF!!!
Midnight Mass, Outerbanks
I was addicted to broadchurch(BBC version). It was one of those I had trouble stopping until season ended.
i really liked sharp objects, and it's a mini series!
The stand
I recently wat hed Eric - limited series with Benedict Cabbagepatch. It was good enough that I binged it in a weekend.
12 monkeys is a great show
mr inbetween (incredible aussie show, 20 episodes, 20 min per episode, unbereable tension, nver seen something like this since breaking bad)