In a crowded TV landscape, you certainly can’t watch every great show that’s out there. But fear not — Watch With Us is here to make sure you catch the underrated gems not enough people are talking about.
A romantic spy thriller, an animated series every adult should watch and a British romantic comedy are on the list this month. All three are critically acclaimed hits that still don’t get the love they fully deserve. With season 3 of The White Lotus over and the next season of And Just Like That… just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to catch up and watch these three under-the-radar shows.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2024-Present)
In the early 2000s, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt fell in love while filming the comedic spy thriller Mr. & Mrs. Smith, thereby introducing “Brangelina” to the world. Though their marriage didn’t work out, it became a legendary workplace romance.
The series adaptation of Mr. & Mrs. Smith builds on the “married spies” concept, but it also adds in a workplace romance of sorts. “John” (Donald Glover, who co-wrote the series with fellow Atlanta writer Francesca Sloane) and “Jane” (Maya Erskine, Pen15) are recruited to a mysterious spy program that requires them to live as a married couple 24/7. Despite not knowing one another’s real names, they work together on life-or-death missions and form what may be the most genuine relationship either of them has ever had.
This action-packed, smart show is an intense look at what makes a “real” marriage — and how secrets come into play in relationships. The dialogue is snappy, the tension is high, and the performances from Glover and Erskine are deeply engaging. Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been renewed for a second season, but it’s flown under the radar since its February 2024 release.
Watch Mr. And Mrs. Smith on Amazon Prime Video.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005-2008)
People who were watching Nickelodeon between 2005 and 2008 know and love this show, but those who didn’t tend to write it off as “just kids’ TV.” We encourage you not to make that mistake. Although Avatar (not to be confused with James Cameron’s movie franchise) was initially aimed at children, it has received near-universal acclaim for its portrayal of war, prejudice and growth during times of conflict.
In a world where certain people have the ability to “bend” the four elements (water, earth, fire and air) using martial arts-inspired techniques, one “Avatar” in every generation has such spiritual power that they can control them all. But, as the opening title sequence tells viewers, “When the world needed him most, he vanished.”
After a hundred years of war against the imperialistic Fire Nation, Katara (Mae Whitman) and her brother Sokka (Jack DeSena) discover that the 12-year-old Avatar, Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), has been frozen in ice for a century. But now that he’s free, the Fire Nation’s Prince Zuko (Dante Basco, in one of the greatest vocal performances of all time) is determined to capture him at any cost.
In this stunning, imaginative world, no one is what they seem. Villains become heroes, “good guys” are morally gray and problems are not easily solved in a single generation. But hope still persists, even in dark times. Avatar: The Last Airbender blends tremendous worldbuilding and beautiful visuals with dialogue that ranges from funny to poignant in a universally relatable story.
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix or Paramount+.
‘Catastrophe’ (2015-2019)
This British sitcom stars the brilliant Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters, Divorce) and the hilariously charming Rob Delaney (Deadpool and Wolverine), two actor/creators who don’t get nearly enough love for their abilities. In Catastrophe, their characters (also named Sharon and Rob) have a week-long affair while Rob is visiting London on business. Shockingly, Sharon gets pregnant and Rob decides to move to London so they can raise their child together.
Catastrophe is a realistic, no-holds-barred look at the challenges of marriage and raising a family. The relationship between Rob and Sharon is both sweet and biting, as the love they share enables them to wound each other like no one else can and care for each other like no one else will. The always-brilliant Carrie Fisher makes frequent guest appearances as Rob’s mother in what would be her last television role.
Though the series was big in the U.K., Americans shouldn’t miss out on this sharp, funny and emotionally rich sitcom.
Watch Catastrophe on Amazon Prime Video.
