Prime Video has made waves among streaming services with its fantastic original content, but there are many top-tier TV shows that audiences have overlooked on the platform for too long. While there are viewers who know just how incredible these underrated series are, for audiences looking for their next project to fall for, these shows will fill that niche.
Among these projects are some of the Prime shows I knew would be masterpieces from the start, instantly capturing the audience’s attention and proving to be important parts of the cultural conversation. Though some of these series have already come and gone, others are just beginning and have upcoming seasons in the works that viewers will be able to enjoy after diving into the worlds of these shows.
My Lady Jane (2024)
Based on the book of the same name, My Lady Jane was one of the best fantasy TV shows released in 2024, and will be remembered for many years, outliving its too-short run. Starring Emily Bader as Lady Jane Grey and Edward Bluemel as her love interest, Guildford Dudley, My Lady Jane thrives on the chemistry between the two leads and the way the story reimagines history with a fun twist.
The anachronisms and comedic tone of My Lady Jane help the audience willingly suspend their disbelief at the fantastical elements of the narrative. Unfortunately, My Lady Jane‘s cancellation is part of a frustrating trend of streaming services ending fantasy TV shows early, never letting them reach their full potential. Despite its strong reception and popularity, My Lady Jane didn’t earn a renewal from Prime.
Though My Lady Jane has a sillier tone and intentionally pokes fun at itself and the romantasy genre, it also examines deeper questions of discrimination and the way love finds a way to thrive against all odds. Even for audiences who don’t traditionally seek out romance or fantasy, there’s a lot to enjoy about My Lady Jane.
The Tick (2016–2019)
Reboots and revivals are more popular than ever, and not every attempt to bring a cult series back into the cultural conversation works out. However, the 2016 reboot of The Tick is worth watching, expanding upon the franchise’s long history, from the comics and animated series to the 2001 live-action iteration that helped bring the hilarious protagonist into the mainstream.
Peter Serafinowicz leads the cast of The Tick as the titular hero, who was written to poke fun at the classic superheroes that audiences know well. The Tick was well ahead of its time when the titular character was first created in the 1980s, and it remains just as sharply satirical and interesting when viewed through a modern lens.
Though The Tick is undeniably a comedic series, it has a genuine heart and soul, demonstrating that while it puts a satirical spin on the superhero genre, this comes from a place of deep love and respect. The 2016 iteration of The Tick also benefits from its budget and action, and it’s clear that Prime learned from the appeal of The Tick, eventually green-lighting projects like Invinicible.
Overcompensating (2025–Present)
Created by and starring Benito Skinner as Benny, a closeted young man entering his first year of college, weighed down by the high expectations of his parents and peers, Overcompensating pokes fun at the ways people try to find and reinvent themselves in college. Wally Baram co-stars as Carmen, Benny’s new best friend, who’s grappling with her own struggles with identity.
Setting a coming-of-age comedy series in college has always been difficult. Most TV shows that attempt this have fallen short, missing the mark on capturing the era and embodying the particular insecurities and pitfalls of entering adulthood while still feeling like a kid. However, Overcompensating walks this line brilliantly, balancing its empathy for its characters with the acknowledgment of their flaws.
Luckily, Prime has renewed Overcompensating for season 2, so audiences won’t have to wait too long before the next chapter of Benny and Carmen’s story unfolds. Overcompensating is ushering in the next phase of great young adult television, and audiences should get in on the ground floor of Skinner’s hilarious project now, as it’s only going to get more popular.
Undone (2019–2022)
The visuals alone are reason enough to watch Prime’s Undone, an adult animated series that uses rotoscoping to bring its world to life. Surreal and psychologically interrogative, Undone was created by Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, known best for his iconic show BoJack Horseman. Rosa Salazar leads the cast as Alma, a woman who experiences a life-changing car crash.
Though Undone isn’t always easy to watch, as it deals directly with grief and dissatisfaction with life, the way the series engages with these emotionally intense themes will leave the audience wanting more. It’s not surprising that Undone premiered to nearly universal acclaim from critics, and this same positive reception from viewers who have yet to discover the project.
By blending elements of sci-fi and fantasy into the story, Undone justifies its unique visual style, as the powers that Alma develops work best through animation and the freedom it provides. While there are only two seasons of Undone, and it’s a fairly quick watch, the series will stay with you for a long time, cementing itself as a landmark project for Prime.
Butterfly (2025–Present)
There are many spy thriller TV shows available to watch on Prime right now, but Butterfly might be the best addition to the genre you haven’t heard of yet. Starring Daniel Dae Kim as David, a former spy and assassin, and Reina Hardesty as Rebecca, his daughter who works for the organization of assassins that David created.
Butterfly explores the interpersonal drama of families with the added twist of violence and international intrigue. The series uses the stakes of espionage and mystery as a backdrop for the difficult relationship between David and Rebecca, who are better at fighting than communicating most of the time. However, this is what makes their dynamic so compelling to watch unfold, as they discover what’s really important.
It’s uncertain whether or not Butterfly will get a second season, but after the exciting events of the first installment, and with Kim’s star power, it would be a great move on Prime’s part to bring back the show. With gorgeous settings and an ensemble cast who are dedicated to treating each part of the narrative with equal weight, Butterfly excels at engaging the audience in its thrills.
A League Of Their Own (2022)
Best known for starring in and co-creating the iconic comedy series Broad City, Abbi Jacobson lent her talents to reimagining the story of the 1992 film A League of Their Own. Co-creating the period comedy TV show with Will Graham, Jacobson also stars in A League of Their Own alongside Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden, and a fantastic ensemble of actors who do justice to the tone and importance of the story.
Though it’s a comedy, the series attempts to shine a light on the underrepresented and overlooked aspects of the original story. The women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League deserve to have their stories told, but the 2022 A League of Their Own touches upon the way the league discriminated against women of color through Max’s (Adams) story.
Additionally, A League of Their Own explores how many of the women in the league were part of the LGBTQ+ community, and how there were vibrant queer spaces and people everywhere throughout history. Though A League of Their Own was cut short, it’s a great series that expands the traditional scope of period pieces, allowing modern audiences to identify with the project and see themselves onscreen.
Cross (2024–Present)
Aldis Hodge leads the cast of Cross as the titular character, Alex Cross, a detective working in Washington, D.C., who gets involved in some of the most dangerous and shocking criminal cases in the area. Based on the novel series by James Patterson, Cross will appeal to anyone who’s interested in murder, mystery, and protagonists haunted by their dark pasts.
Despite his tragic backstory, Alex Cross is driven to throw himself into his work, creating many dangerous and high-stakes situations for the viewer to watch onscreen. Though Cross doesn’t shy away from leaning into some of the tropes of the crime thriller genre, this is part of the fun of the show, which is elevated by the central performance by Hodge.
Prime has been establishing itself as the de facto streaming service for action-oriented projects that involve mystery and criminal elements, with heavy-hitters like Reacher and Jack Ryan exploding in popularity. However, for fans of these series looking for a new show that delves deeper into detective work and contemporary social conversations, Cross is everything viewers could want.
I’m A Virgo (2023)
I’m a Virgo is a Prime miniseries that’s a masterpiece starring Jharrel Jerome as Cootie, a boy coming of age who happens to be thirteen feet tall. Created by Boots Riley, I’m a Virgo blends elements of magical realism with relevant social themes that audiences will connect with as they identify with Cootie and join him on his journey of learning more about the world and himself.
With plenty of humor infused into the emotional core of the story, the audience quickly gets used to the magic and otherworldly elements of I’m a Virgo, as the world-building is immersive. The series could’ve easily gone on for additional seasons, but I’m a Virgo wasn’t renewed for season 2, despite the sharp narrative of the first installment.
However, season 1 of one of Prime Video’s most interesting projects of the past few years is just as satisfying to watch with or without a follow-up season. Viewing I’m a Virgo will encourage audiences to explore more of Riley’s work, as the show is just seven episodes long and easy to binge in a weekend.
