The five best series to watch on Netflix this weekend
What makes a perfect weekend Netflix binge for you? For many, it’s not just something to pass the time. Rather, it’s that show that feels like a little something you can gatekeep so that it’s just your little secret before everyone else catches on.
And just when someone brings that up in a conversation, you can shock everyone by discussing the intricate details of that show that only a true fan would know. Sounds like something you might want to do secretly, doesn’t it?
Netflix loves to show off its blockbusters, but true cinephiles know that to find the gold, they need to scroll a little deeper. And somehow, the “hidden” ones speak volumes, and so do the ones climbing the charts. These are the shows that hook you with a single episode and then drag you into their world until you’re rationing snacks so you don’t have to leave the couch.
So if you want a weekend that feels less like a rerun and more like a hidden treasure hunt, here are five series worth your time.
The five best series to watch on Netflix this weekend
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016–2017)
Do you know the best way to describe Dirk Gently? It’s as if Mr Holmes had a caffeine overdose and decided to let fate do the work. Detective dramas usually play by the rules. But Dirk Gently rips the rulebook to shreds and laughs while doing it. Samuel Barnett plays Dirk, a detective who believes “everything is connected”, which sounds like nonsense until it isn’t. Elijah Wood tags along as Todd (Watson much), his perpetually confused sidekick, and together they crash through mysteries that look like nonsense but secretly fit together like a puzzle.
The joy of Dirk Gently is that it’s completely unbothered by being normal. Time travel? Sure. A body swap? Why not! A corgi that matters way too much? Absolutely. And just when you think it’s gone too far off the rails, it all clicks. If you want a mystery that feels like it was built by the universe’s weirdest algorithm, this is it.
Secret City (2016–2019)
When you think of edge-of-your-seat drama, what are the odds Canberra comes to your mind? Possibly zero, but Secret City changes that fast. Anna Torv stars as Harriet Dunkley, a political journalist who pulls one string too many and finds herself knee-deep in a conspiracy that could take down the government. It’s less about car chases and more about whispered deals in quiet corridors.
The show’s power is in its restraint. It is the kind of show that does not need explosions to keep you hooked. To build the tension, they just need a look or a coded message or the realisation that everyone’s lying to everyone else. If you want sharp intrigue, this one deserves your weekend.
Erased (2017)
This show is a mix of everything. It is part crime thriller, part time-travel drama, and you have a mystery to solve. The lead, Satoru, is a struggling manga artist. Her story gets a twist when she is thrown back 18 years into his childhood body after his mother’s murder. Suddenly, she has the chance to stop a string of kidnappings and catch the killer before it’s too late.
Is it suspenseful? Yes. But is it also deeply emotional? Hell yeah. Watching an adult mind navigate childhood friendships while being aware of the stakes breaks your heart, but there is also a ray of hope which keeps you hooked. At just 12 episodes, Erased is the definition of a “start and finish this weekend” binge, and trust us, you’ll want to.
Bloodline (2015-2017)
As is clear from the name, this is a show about a family. A family, with lots of secrets. The Rayburns have some sharp enough secrets to cut. Set in the Florida Keys, Bloodline starts with a reunion that looks picture-perfect but turns into something else fast. The black sheep of the family, Danny (Ben Mendelsohn), has some old wounds, and suddenly the sunny holiday postcard turns into a slow, gripping nightmare.
What makes it brilliant is the slow burn. It’s not a loud thriller, but it will get to you steadily until you realise you’ve been holding your breath.
Delhi Crime (2019-)
Delhi Crime is one of the best productions of Netflix India and will always be one of Netflix’s most important dramas. The Emmy-winning first season follows the Delhi police investigation into the 2012 brutal gang rape case that happened in Delhi, India, and is led by Shefali Shah as Deputy Commissioner Vartika Chaturvedi. It’s gripping, unflinching, and told with a rare kind of respect for the real-life tragedy.
What makes it a must-watch is the way it balances urgency with humanity. You’re pulled into the bureaucracy. You feel the pressure, and the city itself, but it never loses sight of the people at its core. Season two shifts to another case, showing its range, but the first season alone makes this series essential.