The 10 Greatest 2010s TV Shows Nobody Remembers

I remember the 2010s feeling like the golden age of television. Streaming services were really hitting their stride, and everyone was obsessed with binge-watching. It felt like amazing show after amazing show was coming out – things like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, and The Good Place. These weren’t just shows; they were cultural moments that everyone was talking about, dissecting, and meme-ifying. Honestly, it was a fantastic time to be a TV fan.

It’s ironic, but having so much good TV actually means some excellent shows get overlooked. They aren’t ignored because they’re poorly made, just because something newer and shinier captures everyone’s attention. This is a list of those genuinely great shows that never quite got the recognition they deserved. They might have only lasted a season or two, but they’re all worth revisiting.

‘The Killing’ (2011 – 2014)

I remember when The Killing first came out – it really grabbed me. The story was straightforward: a teen disappears in Seattle, and we follow the detectives trying to find her. It was based on a Danish show, and they kept that same slow, deliberate pace, letting scenes breathe. The main detective, Sarah Lund in the original, became Sarah Linden (played by Mireille Enos), and she was fascinating. She barely cracked a smile and famously wore the same cardigan for ages! Her partner, Holder (Joel Kinnaman), was great too – they had this really compelling, tense relationship that kept me hooked.

Most people tend to recall their frustration with The Killing more vividly than its strengths. The show’s first season drew out a single murder investigation over thirteen episodes without providing complete answers, which upset viewers. This negative reaction unfortunately overshadowed the show’s excellent cinematic style, deliberate pacing, and the fantastic performance of the character Enos, who was truly award-worthy.

‘Burn Notice’ (2007 – 2010)

USA Network

Though it first aired in 2007, Burn Notice truly became popular in the 2010s. The USA Network show ran for seven seasons and, at its peak, was a huge hit on cable television. The series centered on Michael Westen, played by Jeffrey Donovan, a spy unexpectedly fired and left to fend for himself in Miami. Without any support from his agency, he depended on his ex-girlfriend Fiona, his friend Sam, and his mother to get by, all while helping others with their issues.

The show was lighthearted and silly, but surprisingly well-made as a spy comedy. The narration, where Michael explained the ins and outs of espionage, was witty without being pretentious. Gabrielle Anwar and Bruce Campbell clearly enjoyed playing their characters, and Campbell, in particular, was hilarious and stole every scene he was in. If you’re looking for a smart, character-focused spy story – and enjoy seeing Miami – this series is definitely worth another watch.

‘Royal Pains’ (2009 – 2016)

USA Network

I’m a huge fan of Royal Pains – it’s one of those shows you either love or have never come across! It follows Hank Lawson, played by Mark Feuerstein, a really talented doctor who lost his hospital job and decided to start his own practice catering to the rich and famous in the Hamptons. He basically makes house calls for the wealthy, but also helps out the local community. His brother, Evan, is his business manager and keeps everything running smoothly at HankMed.

Royal Pains felt like a summer escape with its bright scenery and cheerful atmosphere. While it wasn’t as intense as some other medical dramas, the show really shone because of the strong, believable relationship between the brothers, Hank and Evan. This consistent focus on their bond made it a consistently enjoyable and heartwarming series.

‘Nathan for You’ (2013 – 2017)

Comedy Central

Nathan Fielder is a uniquely funny and inventive comedian, and his show, Nathan for You, perfectly showcases his talent. He plays a straight-faced version of himself, offering bizarre suggestions to businesses that are struggling. Think of ideas like a coffee shop that only sells ridiculously named drinks, or a complicated gas rebate program involving a difficult hike. But beneath the humor, the show cleverly explores how people act, the nature of business, and just how far people will go to avoid conflict, even when someone is clearly making a situation worse.

Nathan Fielder first gained a following with his Comedy Central show, Nathan for You, which ran for four seasons and felt like a fascinating look at human interaction. While he’s now well-known for The Rehearsal on HBO, that show wouldn’t have been possible without the four seasons he spent developing his unique and surprisingly heartfelt comedic style. Nathan for You never became a ratings blockbuster, but it cultivated a dedicated fanbase.

‘Witches of East End’ (2013 – 2014)

Lifetime

Lifetime’s Witches of East End was a supernatural drama based on Melissa de la Cruz’s novel. It followed the Beauchamp family – a line of witches – who lived in a quiet town. Julia Ormond played the mother, Joanna, with Mädchen Amick as her sister, and Jenna Dewan and Rachel Boston as Joanna’s daughters. The show blended family issues with magic, curses, and romance, maintaining a lighthearted feel.

Despite being cancelled after just two seasons with an unresolved ending, Witches of East End had everything it needed to become a beloved show. It featured captivating acting, a detailed and interesting mythology, and a fresh combination of everyday family drama with supernatural elements. Unfortunately, it didn’t receive as much attention as other popular fantasy series like The Vampire Diaries and Game of Thrones.

‘The Mentalist’ (2008 – 2015)

For seven seasons, The Mentalist drew over thirty-one million viewers, making it a huge hit in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Despite its popularity, it’s rarely mentioned now when people discuss TV shows from that time. The series starred Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, a former fake psychic who uses his skills to help the California Bureau of Investigation solve crimes. What really kept viewers hooked wasn’t just the weekly cases, but also Jane’s intense, ongoing quest for revenge against a mysterious serial killer known as Red John.

Before the series began, Red John tragically killed Jane’s wife and daughter, and the show spent six seasons slowly revealing his identity. This mystery was incredibly captivating for viewers. When Red John was finally unmasked in the middle of Season 6, reactions were divided – some fans were satisfied, while others felt let down. Despite this, The Mentalist remains a show that deserves more recognition.

‘Leverage’ (2008 – 2012)

TNT

From 2008 to 2012, TNT’s Leverage was a consistently entertaining show. It starred Timothy Hutton as Nate Ford, an ex-insurance investigator who brings together a team of skilled thieves and con artists. Their mission? To target and take down corrupt and powerful individuals who prey on everyday people. Imagine Ocean’s Eleven as a TV series – that captures the spirit of Leverage, with a cast that clicked and writers who loved crafting complex heists.

Similar to Burn Notice, Leverage began airing right before 2010, but it truly became popular during that decade. The show developed a dedicated fanbase that remains active online. Leverage tapped into the enjoyment people get from watching skilled professionals succeed, and each episode delivered a satisfying win – though how the team achieved victory always kept things interesting.

‘I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson’ (2019 – 2023)

Tim Robinson, known for his work on Saturday Night Live, co-created this Netflix sketch show with Zach Kanin. The show’s humor comes from taking everyday social situations and exaggerating them until they become hilariously awkward – and then continuing to escalate the discomfort. The sketches and seasons are brief and to-the-point, which surprisingly adds to the comedic effect.

Between 2019 and 2023, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson released three seasons packed with hilarious, meme-worthy sketches – like the hot dog car, Coffin Flop, and the focus group scene – all of which have become ingrained in internet culture. Fans are absolutely obsessed, but surprisingly, it’s often overlooked when people discuss the best comedies of the last few years, perhaps because it’s a sketch show rather than a series with a continuous storyline. Regardless, you really should watch it – you won’t be disappointed.

‘Love’ (2016 – 2018)

Netflix

I recently finished watching Love, a Netflix series created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust, and Lesley Arfin, and it really stuck with me. It’s a dramedy about two people, Gus and Mickey, who connect at a really low point in their lives – think late-night convenience store encounters – and slowly, awkwardly, fall for each other. Now, that premise sounds familiar, right? But trust me, this show doesn’t play out like your typical rom-com. Paul Rust is fantastic as Gus, a guy who’s a little too optimistic about himself, and Gillian Jacobs absolutely shines as Mickey, a woman struggling to get her life on track. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s surprisingly funny.

What I really appreciated about this film was how realistically it portrayed the beginning of a relationship. It didn’t rush things or paint either character as the ‘bad guy.’ It felt incredibly honest, showing those messy, awkward early days – the uncomfortable silences, the misunderstandings, and how you can genuinely care for someone yet still struggle to be around them. The ending was beautiful and felt complete, which made it a little sad to see the story wrap up so quickly. I honestly wanted more!

‘Fargo’ (2014 – 2024)

Fargo is a highly praised TV show, recognized with Emmy awards and lots of media attention. However, it’s not often discussed these days. Created by Noah Hawley, the show was inspired by the 1996 Coen Brothers film, but quickly developed its own unique style. Each season features a standalone story set in a different time period in the Midwest, all linked by a similar mood and underlying ideas.

The first season of Fargo featured a chilling performance by Billy Bob Thornton as the villain Lorne Malvo, alongside Martin Freeman giving one of his best performances as a mild-mannered insurance salesman whose life unravels after a single, terrible mistake. While seasons two and three were equally impressive, they haven’t stuck in the public consciousness as much. The show, which ran until 2024 and earned critical acclaim and Emmy awards, seems to be assumed as widely seen, and that may be why it’s not being discussed as much now.

Any shows from the 2010s you think deserve a spot on this list? Tell us in the comments.

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2026-03-16 01:21