Tag Archives: Prime

Last updated: October 1st, 2020.

Amazon Prime Video's library has grown significantly since the service began offering free streaming movies and TV shows to Prime members years ago. What was originally a limited library has grown into a media repository impressive enough to challenge Netflix and Hulu – especially if you own a Fire TV.

If you're looking for a new TV series but aren't sure what is right for you, just browse our list of the best Amazon Prime TV shows available on the service. After all, Amazon Prime offers a lot more than free shipping.

Additional streaming guides

Utopia

This Amazon Original series follows a group of friends whose obsession with a mysterious comic strip leads them to a deadly conspiracy that includes a pandemic that is rapidly spreading across the country. The series is adapted from the British series of the same name from 2013 and includes, in addition to its talented core cast, Rainn Wilson, John Cusack and Sasha Lane in featured roles. Dark and bloody, Utopia balances its somber, all-too-real themes with loads of surreal, fantastic elements and shocking twists that make things unpredictable as the story progresses.

Created by: Gillian Flynn
Occupation: John Cusack, Ashleigh LaThrop, Dan Byrd, Desmin Borges, Christopher Denham, Javon Walton, Cory Michael Smith, Rainn Wilson and Sasha Lane
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

Hunter

Al Pacino makes headlines in the cast of this series that follows a group of Nazi hunters who lived in New York City in 1977 who discovered a plan to create a Fourth Empire in the United States and set about stopping the war criminals' deadly plot . The series marks Pacino's first starring role in a television series, bringing him to Logan Lerman, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Saul Rubinek, Dylan Baker, Carol Kane, and other familiar faces in the cast of the show, which has been renewed for a second season of Amazon.

Created by: David Weil
Occupation: Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Saul Rubinek, Dylan Baker and Carol Kane
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

Dino Dana

If you're looking for a family-friendly series for the young dinosaur enthusiast in your household that adults can enjoy too, add Dino Dana to your list of TV must-sees. The popular Amazon Original series is a spin-off of the Dino Dan series, but improves on the original show's formula with better dinosaur effects, clever dialogue, and a diverse cast of characters that both kids and older viewers will love. The series follows a young girl named Dana (Michela Luci) who uses her ability to see dinosaurs in the world around her to conduct "dinosaur experiments" that teach her not only about the above creatures, but often one teach valuable lesson about life. The series currently has three seasons and one feature film, Dino Dana: The Movie, which was released in September.

Created by: J.J. Johnson
Occupation: Michela Luci, Saara Chaudry, Nicola Correia-Damude and Amish Patel
Number of seasons: 3

View on Amazon Prime

Modern love

A weekly column in the New York Times inspired this romantic comedy anthology series that premiered in 2019 and features an impressive cast of A-list actors across the eight episodes of season one. The series follows various New York City residents as they grapple with the difficulties of finding romance and keeping it alive in modern times. Actors who appear on the half-hour episodes of the series include Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, John Slattery, Catherine Keener, Cristin Milioti, Sofia Boutella, Ed Sheeran and Judd Hirsch. The series was renewed by Amazon for a second season.

Created by: N / A
Occupation: Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, Cristin Milioti, Ed Sheeran and Judd Hirsch
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

Bosch

Titus Welliver plays Los Angeles homicide detective Harry Bosch in this original series from Amazon Studios based on Michael Connelly's novel series. In the first season of the critically acclaimed series, Bosch is on trial for the murder of a serial murder suspect, while simultaneously confronting his past when a cold case involving a missing boy suddenly warms up again. After six well received seasons, Bosch was extended for a seventh and final season in February 2020.

Created by: Eric Overmyer, Daniel Pyne, Michael Connelly, Henrik Bastin, Pieter Jan Brugge, John Mankiewicz
Occupation: Titus Welliver, Annie Wersching and Amy Price-Francis
Number of seasons: 6th

View on Amazon Prime

A very English scandal

This limited series tells the story of Jeremy Thorpe, a MP who was tried and later acquitted of conspiring to murder his ex-lover Norman Scott. The series spans a decade and begins in the 1960s with Thorpe as the youngest leader of the Liberal Party in 100 years. But he is hiding an affair with a man that is still illegal at the time. When his lover Scott threatens to reveal the matter, Thorpe decides on a plan that ultimately exposes the scandal and unearths the dark secrets of the British establishment.

Created by: N / A
Occupation: Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

30 skirt

This satirical sitcom, created and starred in by Tina Fey, was inspired by her experience as a headwriter for Saturday Night Live. It ran for seven seasons, received a staggering 103 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and won 16 times over the course of its run. The series follows the showrunner of a sketch comedy series forced to balance the competing interests of its brazen network boss, narcissistic actor, and sensitive writer as it tries to keep her show on air and thrive. In addition to Fey, the series' impressive cast included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and Judah Friedlander.

Created by: Tina Fey
Occupation: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin
Number of seasons: 7th

View on Amazon Prime

Victoria

This British series tells the story of the reign of Queen Victoria, who came to the throne at the age of 18 and ruled throughout the United Kingdom at a time of immense change and the rapid expansion of the British Empire. Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman portrays Victoria. Season one is about her accession to the throne and early relationships with her advisor Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) and the man who would become her husband, Prince Albert (Tom Hughes). So far, three seasons of the series have aired.

Created by: Daisy Goodwin
Occupation: Jenna Coleman, Tom Hughes and Rufus Sewell
Number of seasons: 3

View on Amazon Prime

Alias

The show that is now truly super creator J.J. Abrams on the Map and star Jennifer Garner, alias, are a sexy, high octane thriller that aired on ABC for five seasons – all available on Amazon Prime. The story follows the super spy Sydney Bristow in her adventures and battles against shady intelligence agencies along with her own crazy family. Alias ​​is famous for exaggerated characters, witty disguises and mind-blowing twists. Alternatively, he is in a good mood, funny and provocatively dark.

Created by:: J.J. Abrams
Occupation: Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber and Mia Maestro
Number of seasons: 5

View on Amazon Prime

Psych

James Roday plays a crime advisor for the Santa Barbara Police Department in this popular comedy series in which Roday's character pretends to be psychological as he uses his heightened observation skills and eidetic memory to help the agency solve difficult cases. Dulé Hill plays the brilliant best friend of Roday's character, who becomes his reluctant business partner after the couple are repeatedly embroiled in local cases. The series developed over eight seasons and also spawned a few television films.

Created by: Steve Franks
Occupation: James Roday, Dulé Hill and Corbin Bernsen
Number of seasons: 8th

View on Amazon Prime

monk

As an eight-time Emmy Award winner, Monk casts Tony Shalhoub as private detective Adrian Monk, who supports the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department in various cases. His strong deductive skills are only matched by his myriad phobias, which – along with his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – make his work with police investigators difficult. The series ended its eight-season run in 2009 with a finale that revealed one of the series' longest-running puzzles.

Created by: David Hoberman
Occupation: Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard and Ted Levine
Number of seasons: 8th

View on Amazon Prime

House

Over the course of eight seasons, actor Hugh Laurie transformed the indescribable Dr. Gregory House into one of pop culture's best-known doctors in this medical drama that became one of the world's most popular shows during its run. The series followed Dr. House when he used his unique discoveries to diagnose mysterious diseases while battling his own addictions. Laurie's unconventional medical genius was the show's title star, but his supporting role played a huge role in making House one of the highest rated series in the U.S. between 2004 and 2012.

Created by: David Shore
Occupation: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein and Robert Sean Leonard
Number of seasons: 8th

View on Amazon Prime

catastrophe

One of Amazon's most popular original series, Catastrophe follows two unlikely parents after a weekend tryst turns into a lifelong commitment. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney write and star in this series as the Irish woman and Boston Ad Exec who have a hot affair in London only to accidentally get pregnant. Despite the disaster, they decide to get it working. Delaney and Horgan are both outstanding and well-meaning, deeply spirited people who are desperately trying to make the most of this new life that they haven't really chosen.

Created by: Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan
Occupation: Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan
Number of seasons: 4th

View on Amazon Prime

Upload

In 2033, people who are close to death can be "uploaded" to virtual reality for the life of their choice. These VR afterlives are run by six tech companies who are running a new type of corporate competition for human death. When the Los Angeles party boy Nathan (Robbie Amell) self-driving car crashes, his girlfriend uploads him to the luxurious digital life after Lakeview's death. There he meets Nora, a customer service representative from Lakeview, who brings Nathan into his version of heaven. The series follows their friendship as Nathan gets used to living far from loved ones, while Nora balances her connection with virtual Nathan with her real-world financial and personal struggles.

Created by: Greg Daniels
Occupation: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo and Chris Williams
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

Stories from the loop

Inspired by the futuristic paintings and designs of the Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, this Amazon original series focuses on a small rural town where people live via “The Loop”, a machine built to unlock and unlock the secrets of the universe explore. Duncan Joiner and Rebecca Hall star in this drama that aims to make science fiction seem more real than ever.

Created by: Nathaniel Halpern
Occupation: Duncan Joiner, Rebecca Williams
Number of seasons: 1

View on Amazon Prime

Good omen

This six-part series is a co-production by BBC Studios and Amazon Studios and adapts the fantasy novel of the same name by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The series follows an angel and a demon played by Michael Sheen (Masters of Sex) and David Tennant (Doctor Who), whose comfortable life on earth is threatened by the impending apocalypse. The couple must unite to prevent the rise of the Antichrist and a war between heaven and hell.

The series' impressive cast is complemented by Jon Hamm, Michael McKean, Miranda Richardson, Adria Arjona, Nick Offerman, Jack Whitehall, and other familiar faces. Like the book that inspired it, the series is full of quirky, disrespectful humor that filters both human history and biblical mythology through its clever lens.

Created by: Neil Gaiman
Occupation: Michael Sheen, David Tennant
Number of seasons: 1

Comrade detective

In the 1980s, as the Cold War warmed, American pop culture produced an abundance of films that portrayed the fears and patriotism of the era: films like Red Dawn or the 1985s lesser-known Invasion USA (starring Chuck Norris). Comrade Detective picks up the aesthetics of 80s action cinema and filters it through a (sardonic) communist lens after two Romanian detectives investigate a conspiracy by Western imperialists to undermine the communist order.

The show – framed as the current show from Romania and dubbed in English with voices from actors like Channing Tatum and Joseph-Gordon Levitt – opens with detective Gregor Anghel (a die-hard cop who plays by his own rules but gets results) and his partner who wrecks drug dealers just for a sniper to shoot Anghel's partner. In revenge, Anghel and his new partner Iosif Baciu hunt down the killer and stumble upon a conspiracy of international proportions. Comrade Detective is an odd show even by the inventive standards of modern television, a parody wrapped in a layer of faux authenticity, but its strange charms are worth watching.

Created by: Brian Gatewood
Occupation: Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jenny Slate
Number of seasons: 1

The wonderful Mrs. Maisel

If you want to see a star being born, stop what you're doing and immerse yourself in Rachel Brosnahan's work as Miriam "Midge" Maisel in the 1950s comedy Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge is a housewife who pursues a career in standup comedy after her husband Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen) unexpectedly left her.

After a drunk, impromptu, mile-long stand-up set that ends with Midge's arrest, die-hard event clerk Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) takes Midge under her wing in hopes of sculpting a diamond in the rough. The show has won numerous awards and is on track for a fourth season.

Created by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Occupation: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen
Number of seasons: 3

The tick

People who watched Fox in the early 2000s may have vague memories of a short-lived superhero sitcom called The Tick (based on the comic book of the same name), in which a blue-clad superhero of the iconic Patrick Warburton tackled awkward situations. Amazon's The Tick is a new adaptation of the franchise with no Warburton in sight (he was just as disappointed as we were), but it maintains the comic's absurd, upbeat sense of humor.

The show follows a superhero named The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) and his companion Arthur (Griffin Newman) as they fight crime and investigate a conspiracy involving a notorious supervillain named The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley). The tick is an upbeat palate cleaner after years of boring superhero stories, even if it only lasted two seasons before the cancellation.

Created by: Ben Edlund
Occupation: Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman and Jackie Earle Haley
Number of seasons: 2

Fleabag

Sometimes introspective and moody, sometimes absurd and raunchy, Fleabag defies simple categorization. In its funnier moments – like the intro, a sleek, drawn out monologue that ends in a sudden whiff of a sex joke – it's one of the hottest comedies (season 2 won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2019), but underneath it runs all a stream of sadness. The show follows a woman known only as "Fleabag" (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who Emmys took home to act and write herself), a neurotic woman who juggles a failing business and a disastrous personal life.

The term flea sack immediately conjures up images of dirt and the protagonist's problems go deeper than her name. Selfish, wanton, and a compulsive liar, she fits in with the various anti-heroes that have become popular on television. What is unique is that Fleabag does not keep its damaged lead at a distance. In hectic monologues, she often speaks directly to the viewer and offers insights into her restless mind.

Created by: Phoebe Waller Bridge
Occupation: Phoebe Waller Bridge, Ben Aldridge, Sian Clifford
Number of seasons: 2

A Mississippi

The death of a loved one doesn't seem like the most promising start to a comedy series, but One Mississippi is far from conventional. The show, with comedian Tig Notaro as a fictionalized version of herself, takes up several tragedies in her real life. The fictional Tig, who still suffers from breast cancer, returns to her Mississippi hometown to see her mother get a life support and decides to stay and reconnect with her stepfather and brother. Despite the depressing first chapter, One Mississippi is not a relentless drama. The show balances sadness and joy in equal measure and examines the long up and down process of trauma and recovery.

Created by: Tig Notaro, Diablo Cody
Occupation: Tig Notaro, Noah Harpster, John Rothman
Number of seasons: 2

Transparent

Transparent is a groundbreaking original series straight from Amazon and follows Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor), a transgender woman who comes to live with her family. The show is not content with just presenting a novel premise, but rather examines the relationships and neuroses of Maura and her children. A show that never wavers when it comes to breaking down the depths of the human condition. It's a bold offer from Amazon. Transparent is also the first show by a streaming service to win a Golden Globe for best series, which is likely a good sign for the future of Amazon's original content.

The harassment allegations made against Tambor have dampened the show's legacy, and the actor hasn't returned for the final season of Transparent, but it's a special show nonetheless. Well worth seeing just the finale of the music series.

Created by: Joey Soloway
Occupation: Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Gaby Hoffmann and Jay Duplass
Number of seasons: 5

View on Amazon Prime

Downton Abbey

Located in the English countryside shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the life of the aristocratic Crawley family and their hierarchy of servants. Downton Abbey offers a fascinating look at the early modern age of English aristocracy, skillfully balancing historical drama with the steamy character-based conflicts that exist within the family and staff.

Created by: Julian Fellows
Occupation: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael and Jim Carter
Number of seasons: 6th

Red oaks

Red Oaks doesn't offer much length. While you can easily spend the entire three seasons in a single weekend, the casual pace is better for fast guessing. Set in the 1980s, the show revolves around a young tennis player (Craig Roberts) who decides to work at the exclusive Red Oaks Country Club during the summer between his sophomore and sophomore year. What follows is a warm and hearty nod to the sex comedies that have been a staple of this decade. With dry humor and a solid ensemble Ennis Esmer As the hilarious professional tennis player Nash, Red Oaks rises above the ruggedness to create characters you really care about.

Created by: Gregory Jacobs, Joe Gangemi
Occupation: Craig Roberts, Jennifer Gray and Paul Reiser
Number of seasons: 3

Jack Ryan

Tom Clancy's "Ryanverse" franchise makes the leap from film to television with this spy thriller, which premiered in 2018, and casts John Krasinski as the eponymous CIA analyst who investigates one far-reaching international threat after another. Lost co-creator Carlton Cuse acts along with Krasinski and Michael Bay (among others) as co-creator and executive producer of the Amazon Original series. The show has had two well-received seasons so far, with a third in preparation.

Created by: Graham Roland, Carlton Cuse
Occupation: John Krasinski, Abbie Cornish and Wendell Pierce
Number of seasons: 2

Homecoming

Julia Roberts in an Amazon Original? Believe it. Homecoming was nominated for three Golden Globes, including the Best Drama Series. It's a slow burn of mysterious government programs, complicated bureaucracy, and characters you can never trust. In season one, this science fiction / drama introduces us to Homecoming, a facility that helps soldiers transition into civilian life. Under Heidi (Roberts) leadership, her mission appears to be a noble one, and soldiers seem to really benefit from the program. The show follows a split schedule, however, and when Heidi starts answering questions from the Department of Defense years after the facility closed, it becomes clear that there was a lot more going on at higher pay levels than she'd ever realized. The just released second season features a new cast of characters (some returning but not Roberts) and storylines that revolve around Janelle Monae's character who wakes up in the middle of nowhere, confused about her identity, with the same sinister organization as the first Season clear to no good.

Created by: Micah Bloomberg, Eli Horowitz
Occupation: Julia Roberts, Bobby Cannavale, Shea Whigham and Janelle Monae
Number of seasons: 2

Suits

When college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) interviews for a position as a lawyer, he immediately impresses the team and is offered the job – despite never having a technical degree. The length he and those who know the truth are doing to keep this a secret not only from customers but from many people in the company is at the heart of the first season. But each episode deals with different cases, mostly with high net worth clients and the lines the company's lawyers are willing to cross to win. It holds your typical legal drama themes of corporate greed and bloated egos, and storylines can sometimes repeat themselves by a few seasons later. But the fabulous cast, which also includes Gabriel Macht, Rick Hoffman, Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres, and now Britain's Queen Meghan Markle makes it a worthwhile watch. The series aired for nine seasons and ended in 2019 (Adams and Markle didn't appear in the final season), all of which are now streamed.

Created by: Aaron Korsh
Occupation: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Megina Markle, Gina Torres
Number of seasons: 9

View on Amazon Prime

Sneaky Pete

Amazon's original series, Sneaky Pete, turns a complicated case of identity theft into a suspenseful drama. Marius Josipovic (Giovanni Ribisi) is a recently released fraudster who takes on the identity of his former cellmate Pete Murphy, who spoiled him for years with childhood stories from his close-knit family (whom he hadn't seen since childhood) ) and their surety business. The show shines thanks to its cast of critically acclaimed actors including Margo Martindale of The Americans, but the core of its brilliance lies in the clever writing. Check out all three seasons that complete the series since it was canceled in 2019.

Created by: Bryan Cranston, David Shore
Occupation: Giovanni Ribisi, Marin Ireland, Margo Martindale
Number of seasons: 3

Hannibal

FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) struggles to catch serial killers while he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown in this surreal psychological thriller based on characters from the best-selling Thomas Harris novels. His therapist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), is a serial killer himself with dark designs for Will. As their friendship deepens, Will finds himself at the center of a symphony of violence.

Showrunner Bryan Fuller (the man behind Pushing Daisies and the first season of American Gods, and creator of Star Trek: Discovery) breathes new life into the franchise with art-house cinematography and a terrifyingly charismatic performance by Mikkelson. It was one of the greatest shows on network television when it first aired on NBC, but the direction and set design turn the violence into some of the most exquisite imagery you'll see on the small screen.

Created by: Bryan Fuller
Occupation: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen and Laurence Fishburne
Number of seasons: 3

The American

It's 1981, President Ronald Reagan has just been elected, and like most Americans, Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) are enjoying the country's growing prosperity as the Cold War intensifies. However, unlike most Americans, the Jennings are actually KGB spies.

From this unique premise emerges one of the most exciting thrillers on the air today. The political intrigue is exciting, but what sets Americans apart is their focus on the Jennings marriage. In examining the tensions in married life, the show shows that personal issues like spousal conflicts can be just as exciting as geopolitical maneuvers.

Created by: Joseph Weisberg
Occupation: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and Holly Taylor
Number of seasons: 6th

Cancel

From the creators of BoJack Horseman, Undone is an Amazon original series that tells the complex journey of a young woman to solve the mystery of her father's death and uncover the keys to her past. Undone is a genre-setting animated series in which Alma Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar) falls apart at the seams after an almost fatal accident conjures up visions of her late father Jacob. The persistent visions begin to unlock a mysterious ability that enables her to move through space and time with the ultimate goal of stopping his untimely death.

Created by: Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Kate Purdy
Occupation: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral and Bob Odenkirk
Number of seasons: 1

Mr. Robot

With information technology creeping into every aspect of life, one cannot help but keep a watchful eye at the people who control the technology (companies, government agencies). The modern world sometimes seems to be the prelude to a cyberpunk dystopia, at least the way Mr. Robot portrays it. The show follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a paranoid security engineer who, in addition to his daily job for a massive corporation, carries out vigilant hacker attacks himself.

When Elliot is courted by a mysterious activist hacker known as "Mr. Robot, ”he has the chance to use his skills for more than just minor justice. Mr. Robot has a grand scheme to overthrow society, and Alderson could play a key role. Mr. Robot is a cyber thriller with a keen sense of the technology it represents, but don't confuse technical accuracy with realism – the show plunges headfirst into a rabbit hole of paranoia and espionage, with a plot that evokes the perception of the Constantly challenges the viewer.

Created by: Sam Esmail
Occupation: Rami Malek, Christian Slater and Carly Chaikin
Number of seasons: 4th

Poldark

After three years of fighting in the American Revolution, Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns to his home in Cornwall, England to find his estate in ruins and his mistress Elizabeth (Heida Reed) is married to his cousin. When Ross tries to rebuild his family's tin mines, he rescues a young woman named Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and gives her a job as a maid. Ross, his rival George Warleggan, an ambitious industrialist, complicates Ross even more.

Basierend auf einer Reihe von Romanen des 20. Jahrhunderts bewegt sich diese Adaption von Poldark in einem zügigen Tempo, das einer modernen Show angemessen ist, und jongliert geschickt mit Romantik, Action und politischem Manövrieren.

Erstellt von: Debbie Horsfield
Besetzung: Aiden Turner, Heida Reed und Eleanor Tomlinson
Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 5

Hanna

Esme Creed-Miles spielt die Titelfigur, einen jungen Teenager, der isoliert in einem abgelegenen Wald in Polen mit einem Mann namens Erik (Joel Kinnaman) aufgewachsen ist, der mit ihr der CIA entkommen ist. Sie war Teil eines Programms namens UTRAX, bei dem Kindern verbesserte DNA gegeben wurde, um Supersoldaten zu werden. Aber als Erik sich in Hannas Mutter verliebte, floh er mit ihr, um das junge Mädchen zu beschützen. Basierend auf dem gleichnamigen Film von 2011, der als „grobkörnige Neuinterpretation“ bezeichnet wird, folgt die zweite Staffel Hanna auf ihrer Reise, jetzt wo sie weiß, wer und was sie ist. Sie entdeckt auch, dass UTRAX nach ihrer Flucht nie wirklich heruntergefahren wurde und dass es andere „Schwestern“ wie sie geben könnte.

Erstellt von: David Farr
Besetzung: Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos und Joel Kinnaman
Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 2

View on Amazon Prime

Die jungen

Von allen Superheldenfilmen und Fernsehsendungen, die es gibt, ist keiner ganz wie The Boys, eine dunkle, verdorbene Dekonstruktion von Helden und Bösewichten mit Superkräften. Basierend auf der gleichnamigen Comic-Serie von Garth Ennis und Darick Robertson folgt The Boys einer Gruppe von Wächtern, die es sich zur Aufgabe machen, die übermächtigen Helden zu überwachen, die ihre Fähigkeiten missbrauchen und das Vertrauen nutzen, das die Öffentlichkeit ihnen entgegengebracht hat .

Die Serie ist ebenso grimmig und schockierend gewalttätig wie klug und spielt in einer Welt, in der Supermächte, Unternehmensgier und Medienkonsolidierung zusammengewachsen sind, um eine besonders beängstigende Form der Korruption zu schaffen. Das Publikum sieht alles mit den Augen von Hughie, einem durchschnittlichen Mann, dessen zufällige Begegnung mit einem Superhelden sein Leben für immer verändert.

Erstellt von: Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Eric Kripke
Besetzung: Jack Quaid, Elisabeth Shue, Jessie T. Usher, Karl Urban, Antony Starr und Erin Moriarty
Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 2

Farscape

Diese Kult-Lieblingsserie, die 1999 uraufgeführt wurde, folgt einem modernen Astronauten, der auf seiner zufälligen Reise durch ein Wurmloch der farbenfrohen Crew eines lebenden Raumschiffs in einer unbekannten Region fernab der Erde beitritt. Auf der Flucht vor einer mächtigen Streitmacht, die als Friedenstruppen bekannt ist, versuchen er und die Besatzung, in einer seltsamen Galaxie Zuflucht – und einen Weg nach Hause – zu finden. Die preisgekrönte Serie ist eine Produktion von The Jim Henson Company und enthält mehrere Charaktere, die vom Creature Shop des Unternehmens erstellt wurden. Auf den Vier-Jahreszeiten-Lauf der Show folgte eine dreistündige Miniserie, die die Geschichte abschloss und eine lange Liste von Spin-off-Geschichten in Romanen, Comics und anderen Formaten inspirierte.

Erstellt von: Rockne S. O’Bannon
Besetzung: Ben Browder, Claudia Black und Anthony Simcoe
Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 4

Philip K. Dicks elektrische Träume

Sie könnten dies den Black Mirror von Amazon Prime nennen, und Sie würden sich nicht irren. The Show ist eine Anthologie-Science-Fiction-Serie, die auf Geschichten des verstorbenen Science-Fiction-Schriftstellers Philip K. Dick basiert, dessen Arbeit Blade Runner und die Amazon-Serien The Man in the High Castle inspirierte. In der ersten Staffel von Electric Dreams geht es um injizierbares Bewusstsein, Gedankenleser, durch Roboter ersetzte Menschen und einen genozidalen Präsidentschaftskandidaten, um nur einige zu nennen.

Der Produktionswert ist beeindruckend: Hidden Figures und die Moonlight-Schauspielerin Janelle Monae spielen einen künstlich intelligenten Roboter in einem Metallanzug, der überzeugend realistisch aussieht. Wie Black Mirror beschäftigt auch die Science-Fiction-Serie von Amazon einige große Stars, darunter Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi und Anna Paquin. Diejenigen, die nach einer packenden Dosis dunklen Science-Fiction suchen, werden sie hier definitiv finden.

Erstellt von: N / A
Besetzung: Geraldine Chaplin, Steve Buscemi und Richard Madden
Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 1

Die Weite

Stellen Sie sich eine Zukunft vor, in der Menschen jeden Teil des Sonnensystems kolonisiert haben. The Expanse verwandelt diese hypothetische Zukunft in ein kraftvolles Science-Fiction-Drama. Die Serie spielt in 200 Jahren und dreht sich um eine Verschwörung, die die Menschheit auszulöschen droht. Don’t let the CGI effects and space setting fool you, The Expanse is a riveting drama that tackles the nuances of human conflict in a way that rivals shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld. Here’s a list of the best sci-fi movies on Amazon if you’re looking for more like this.

Created by: N/A
Cast: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper
Number of seasons: 4

The Man in the High Castle

World War II seems to be the most common source for the “What if?” scenario in fiction. The Man in the High Castle, based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name, starts with the premise that not only did the Axis powers win the war, but they also occupied the United States afterward, with Imperial Japan governing the West Coast and the Nazis controlling the territory east of the Rockies.

The show follows a few different characters living in different regions as they try to endure the occupation and simultaneously investigate a mysterious film reel that depicts an alternate universe where the Allies actually won the war. Dick was a true visionary author, and The Man in the High Castle captures the otherworldly, authoritarian nature of the world he imagined. Rich with intrigue and superb direction, The Man in the High Castle is an exciting thriller. The series wrapped up its impressive run with November 2019’s season 4.

Created by: Frank Spotnitz
Cast: Alex Davalos, Luke Kleintank, Geoffery Blake, Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank
Number of seasons: 4

Orphan Black

In this critically acclaimed Canadian series, a young woman named Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) has a chance encounter with a woman who looks just like her. This sets Sarah down a path to discovering that she is one of several clones who have been created as part of an ongoing experiment. Soon, she is at odds with the corporation that created her, and a mysterious organization that wants to get rid of her. It’s a fast-paced thriller that takes the time to explore themes of self-identity and bioethics. And Maslany does a beautifully captivating job of playing several clones, each of whom has very a distinct personality, mannerisms, and style. Her performance alone, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2016, is worth watching, with the fascinating story surrounding it as icing on the cake.

Created by: Graeme Manson, John Fawcett
Cast: Tatiana Maslany, Jordan Gavaris, Dylan Bruce
Number of seasons: 5

Vikings

For those who enjoy the political maneuvering and messy military battles of Game of Thrones but want something a bit more grounded, Vikings is sure to please. A down-to-earth historical fantasy saga, Vikings chronicles the rise of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) from farmer to legendary warrior. Ragnar sails around Northern Europe searching for plunder, accompanied by his warrior wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), and other allies.

It’s a grim series, drawing on the legends surrounding Viking raids in the Middle Ages. Although not the most historically accurate show, Vikings does maintain a grittier aesthetic than some of its fantasy contemporaries; there’s a lot of blood and a lot of mud.

Created by: Michael Hirst
Cast: Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig
Number of seasons: 6

American Horror Story

The horror anthology that is Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, though novel, continues to surpass expectations with every passing season. Each essentially functions as a self-contained miniseries, focusing on a repertory cast of characters and a storyline that features its own beginning, middle, and end.

Each season — whether it revolves around a coven of witches, an insane asylum, or a haunted house in the middle of Los Angeles — features lavish set pieces and campy aesthetics, both of which add to sterling performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and the award-winning Jessica Lange. Many of the seasons even take a jab at current social issues, and they often leave a weird and wonderful impression. Well, that, and an awful taste in your mouth.

Created by: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Sarah Paulson, Jennifer Lange, Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters
Number of seasons: 8th

Star Trek: The Original Series

A groundbreaking science fiction series from writer Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek follows the crew of the Enterprise as they travel the universe on a mission of peace and exploration. Starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in the roles that launched them into stardom, the series is a cornerstone of television history. Each episode explores timeless philosophical and social ideas.

Star Trek was also famous for incorporating an ethnically diverse cast in the politically tumultuous ’60s, making it a show that was far ahead of its time. Roddenberry envisioned a future where humanity would bring its very best traits and ideals out into the universe, and the show shares his boundless idealism. The primitive special effects can make Star Trek seem a bit cheesy to the modern eye, but even its most inept action scenes have a certain bizarre charm to them.

Created by: Gene Rodenberry
Cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley
Number of seasons: 3

Shaun the Sheep

From Aardman Studios — the creators of Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Creature Comforts — comes the children’s series Shaun the Sheep. Shaun is a sheep who doesn’t follow the herd. In fact, he often brazenly leads them into all sorts of madcap shenanigans around Mossy Bottom Farm. The show also features the iconic studio’s stop-motion animation and remains free of dialogue, which is actually a welcome reprieve for parents who simply can’t get on board with the high-pitched voices and exuberant makeup of many modern children’s shows.

Created by: Nick Park
Cast: John Sparkes, Justin Fletcher, Richard Webber
Number of seasons: 6

Tumble Leaf

Tumble Leaf, Amazon’s heralded foray into the realm of children’s programming, is a stunning example of what a children’s show should be. The recent stop-motion title is based on the short film Miro and aimed at preschool-aged children, though it remains charming enough to entertain adults who want to further engage with their children.

Each episode follows Fig the Fox (Christopher Downs) and his science-centric escapades around the whimsical world of Tumble Leaf, a woodland locale laced with a melange of quirky creatures with whom Fig is friends. Together, the humanoid creatures discover how reflections, shadows, and other facets of our natural world work, examining the value of friendship and kindness as they do so. The scenery is as vibrant and colorful as are the characters, rendering it both eye candy and a conversation starter.

Created by: Drew Hodges
Cast: Christopher Downs, Zac McDowell, Alex Trugman
Number of seasons: 4

Sesame Street

Sesame Street is a veritable institution. The show, which has spanned 50 seasons and won more awards than many of its young viewers could count, takes place on an urban street where humans and Jim Henson’s Muppets interact. The show also includes short animation and live-action films, pictures, and songs. It was the first children’s show to use educational goals and a curriculum to shape its content, and as such, it has taught millions of viewers around the globe about the importance of relationships, ethics, and emotions. Plus, you know, the ABCs.

Created by: Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett
Cast: Various
Number of seasons: 50 (4 currently available on Amazon)

Xploration DIY Sci

Science teacher Steve Spangler hosts this Emmy-nominated series that uses fascinating experiments you can try at home to explore scientific concepts such as the powerful potential of fluids and gases, as well as the secrets behind some magic tricks and seemingly complicated energy systems. Each episode tackles a different theme using everyday items to conduct the experiments, making it a truly family-friendly experience that breaks down complex concepts into simple (but occasionally messy) lessons.

Created by: Steve Spangler
Cast: Steve Spangler
Number of seasons: 3

The Grand Tour

For years, the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond drove cool cars and clowned around with each other on the BBC’s Top Gear. Despite their departure from that series, however, the good times keep rolling on The Grand Tour, which reunites the three snarky hosts for a show that is very similar in format to Top Gear. Episodes often feature studio segments and test drives on the show’s test track, the “Eboladrome.”

As with Top Gear, the best episodes are the ones where the hosts venture to foreign lands, testing unique vehicles on unfamiliar terrain. For car enthusiasts or Top Gear fans not satisfied by that show’s new hosts, The Grand Tour is a welcome return to form.

Created by: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, Andy Wilman
Cast: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May
Number of seasons: 4

Mozart in the Jungle

One of Amazon’s first original series was created by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, and Alex Timbers, and stars Gael García Bernal, Malcolm McDowell, and Bernadette Peters as luminaries in the modern classical music scene. Not a bad get for the platform’s first show. Bernal stars as Rodrigo, the brash new conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra, whose style clashes with the more straight-laced symphony benefactors behind the scenes. However, his talent is undeniable, and as he strikes up a friendship with an up-and-coming oboist (Lola Kirke), it becomes clear that the two of them can bring out the best in each other.

Created by: N/A
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Lola Kirke, Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette Peters
Number of seasons: 4

Animal Kingdom

Based on the 2010 Australian movie of the same name by David Michod, this 2016 series debuted on TNT in 2016 and continues to air, with its fifth season being released last summer. Follow the story of “J,” a teenage boy who moves in with his extended family after his mother dies. But they aren’t baking cookies and taking trips to the beach — they just so happen to be running a criminal enterprise. Finn Cole stars as Joshua “J” Cody and Ellen Barkin as Janine “Smurf” Cody, his grandmother, and the family matriarch whom he eventually tries to challenge for leadership.

Created by: Jonathan Lisco
Cast: Finn Cole, Shawn Hatosy, Ellen Barkin
Number of seasons: 4

View on Amazon Prime

Editor's recommendations