5 most slept-on shows like Dynasty

5 most underrated shows like Dynasty

It’s time to wake up those who haven’t known the distinct pleasure of watching Elizabeth Gillies delivery a cutting one-liner on Dynasty. Without a doubt, The CW’s reboot of the 1980’s classic primetime soap ranks as one of television’s most underrated shows, both literally and figuratively, much like a number of other slept-on shows like Dynasty.

But light ratings and lighter conversation shouldn’t stop new fans from taking a trip to the Carrington manor or watching equally slept-on shows like Dynasty. Inevitably, certain shows will find success in their niche without having a breakout moment. While some of these shows aren’t extravagant or soapy like Dynasty, they have been similarly delegated to underrated status despite having some of the strongest performances and storytelling on TV.

Here are the five most under-appreciated shows that, like Dynasty, deserve far more recognition and viewership than they have received so far. Don’t you agree?

In the Dark

A fellow underdog on The CW, In the Dark has survived its low ratings on grit and tenacity alone. Perry Mattfeld plays Murphy Mason, a blind slacker who continually gets herself into tricky situations. Whether she’s investigating a murder or laundering money for a drug lord, Murphy and her friends make the most of bending the rules.

In the Dark meshes mystery with romance and humor, making for a charming mixture of Breaking Bad and Jane the Virgin. Even though the series will return for another season, it shouldn’t be so under the radar.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

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One of the most underrated new shows of the past year, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist received a season 2 pickup from NBC by the grace of its unadulterated joy. Jane Levy stars as Zoey Clarke, a computer programmer who’s gifted with the mysterious ability to hear the thoughts of the people closest to her in the form of song and dance.

The musical dramedy, which also stars Lauren Graham, offers light stories on love but also gets honest about the darker aspects of loss. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist bops like the song of the summer and should be streamed on repeat.

Search Party

Since premiering on TBS in 2016, Search Party has had quite the journey. The dark comedy debuted its first two seasons binge style on the cable network before making the official bingeing leap to HBO Max for its third (and upcoming fourth) season, which only served to confirm that it’s one of the most underrated series out there right now.

Alia Shawkat leads an excellent cast as Dory, who becomes enamored with the mystery of an old acquaintance’s disappearance. While taking on the case, Dory and her friends get wrapped up in an unexpectedly wild sequence of events.

Good Girls

It’s unimaginable that Good Girls has spent three seasons slept-on when shows like Breaking Bad and Ozark have won awards and topped Netflix’s most-watched lists. Maybe it’s because the NBC crime dramedy blends in a comedic self-awareness that separates itself from those peak TV favorites, but Good Girls stands right beside the cream of the crop.

Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman star as a dynamic trio who turn to robbing a bank when the going gets tough. One thing leads to another, and they launder money. Run, don’t walk, to catch up before season 4.

On Becoming a God in Central Florida

Probably the series with the most thematic parallels to Dynasty, Kirsten Dunst gives one of the greatest performances of her career in On Becoming a God in Central Florida. Krystal Stubbs attempts to make something of herself from the inside of a toxic institution, not unlike a working-class Fallon Carrington.

Although Dunst earned a Golden Globe nomination and the series landed a renewal for season 2, far too few are talking about Showtime’s top-notch dark comedy. With a larger presence on streaming and a tighter second season, On Becoming a God has all the potential of becoming a hit.

Which slept-on shows like Dynasty do you love? Sound off with more picks in the comments!

Dynasty returns for Season 4 on The CW next year. All current seasons are streaming on Netflix.