A Netflix Original Series, SHOT in the DARK. / Netflix
1. Shot in the Dark (Netflix)
Seen the Jake Gyllenhaal film Nightcrawler? This is the real life version of that. The eight-part Netflix doco follows three "stringers" as they chase ambulances in Los Angeles, fighting over the best footage and rushing to sell it to news agencies first. It's darkand distressing, but also tense and compelling.
2. Marvel's Runaways (Neon)
It's a show in which six teens combine forces to unite against their parents. Wait, come back, this isn't as boring teenage drama. It's actually about superheroes, and it's supposed to be pretty good. TVLine called it "The Breakfast Club meets X-Men with a splash of Stranger Things thrown in".
If Runaways is a little too soft, The Punisher is the complete opposite. In fact, the Netflix show might be a little too hard. It follows the antics of Frank Castle who is busy seeking revenge on everyone who has ever wronged him. It's had mixed reviews with Yahoo TV saying "the violence of the show is up-close and brutal". At least you know what you're getting.
4. Search Party (Lightbox)
Season two of this hipster comedy has started on Lightbox, but season one is still streaming so there's time to play catch-up. It stars the always awesome Alia Shawkat and her group of narcissistic friends as they search for a missing school friend. Season one ended on a messy cliffhanger so the second season has some things to sort out.
Jessica Biel's big return to television isn't perfect - there are too many S&M scenes featuring Bill Pullman to give it that accolade. But Biel is an underrated actress and she's great here as a stressed suburban mum who turns murderous during a sunny beach trip. Why? That's the show's tease and there are plenty of answers in the opening episodes.
6. Better Things (Lightbox)
Yes, this one's a bit awkward, what with the recently disgraced Louis CK being listed as the show's co-creator and co-executive producer. But Pamela Adlon is the show's star, which follows her trials as a parent. The Philadelphia Inquirer called it "endearing and ... irrepressible". Season two is streaming now; expect CK's name to disappear for season three.
7. She's Gotta Have It (Netflix)
Spike Lee has remade his first feature film into a TV show. She's Gotta Have It launched Lee's career in 1986, and he's taken complete control over this, the TV adaptation that has had rave reviews. "It feels like a high-water mark that may define an age of prestige Netflix television," wrote The AV Club.
8. Casual (Neon)
This unassuming show about a dysfunctional family has slowly but surely turned into black comedy at its finest. Three seasons are currently available on Neon, which stars Michaela Watkins as a newly divorced mum awkwardly re-entering the dating scene. "Casual definitely gets better as it goes along," wrote Vox.com.
9. Alias Grace (Netflix)
Critics say it's not as good as The Handmaid's Tale, but this adaptation of another Margaret Atwood novel has still had amazing reviews and will fill the gap until the second season of what is surely the year's best TV show arrives next April. This six-parter stars Anna Paquin and follows a maid accused of murder.
It's a bite-sized web series in which Australian comedian Ray Badran travels to New Zealand to make "the greatest sitcom of all time". The show features real auditions from real Kiwis, including, wrote Herald critic Alex Casey, "a gentleman named Pablo smoking a giant kebab and quoting Bruce Willis". She called it the "funniest local show in ages" and you can watch the whole thing here.
