25 Foreign Shows to Add to Your Netflix Lineup ASAP
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Netflix is a treasure trove of great original content these days, but wading through all of the choices can seem overwhelming. And that's especially true when it comes to foreign TV shows. Do you watch that new Danish series you've been hearing about for months, or try that brand-new Netflix Original set in India? While it seems like there's always something new and it can be hard to keep up with everything that's available, you just have to know where to start. Whether you want to be on the cutting edge of new series from across the globe or just want to be able to engage in the latest water cooler banter at work, these are the best foreign TV shows on Netflix this year.
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Dark
If you love Stranger Things, you'll love Germany's Dark. Half thriller, half sci-fi mystery, it follows the residents of a sleepy town as they grapple with the disappearance of a young boy.
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Luther
If you still haven't seen Luther, you have a lot of catching up to do. One of the best detective dramas out of Britain (and that's saying something, because there are a lot), it's the perfect vehicle for the megatalented Idris Elba.
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Something in the Rain
Take a break from crimes and thrillers and indulge in a romance with Something in the Rain. A hit from South Korea, it's brand new to Netflix this year and incredibly popular in its home country.
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Bordertown
Not to be confused with the animated TV series, Finland's Bordertown features one of the most compelling and complicated detective characters in recent memory. You'll be hooked.
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Ingobernable
If you love political thrillers like House of Cards, Ingobernable is for you! This Mexican political drama is full of intrigue and suspense, all set against the backdrop of beautiful Mexico City.
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3%
In a dystopian future, people compete to live a better life "Offshore" and leave a life of poverty behind. This series out of Brazil just aired its second season on Netflix.
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The Rain
A deadly virus that's spread through the rain kills most of Scandinavia's population, and a group of survivors try to find their way to safety. This Danish web series is great for fans of The Walking Dead.
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Merlí
On a lighter note, Merlí is a Catalan-produced TV series about a philosophy teacher who encourages his students to think outside the box. Season three just came out on Netflix, so there's plenty to catch up on!
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Babylon Berlin
History buffs and period-drama-lovers alike will enjoy Babylon Berlin, set in late-1920s Germany. Its lighter moments balance perfectly with the heavier reality of the day, making it totally binge-worthy.
Rita
Denmark's Rita is about a teacher and single mom of three whose life gets even more complicated when her ex comes back into it. It first aired in 2012, so you'll have four seasons to catch up on!
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The Office
Sorry, The Office fans — we're talking about the original British series here! This three-season series reshaped comedy shows as we know them and truly ushered in a new era of TV. A classic by Ricky Gervais.
Stranger
If you're tired of Nordic noirs and British crime dramas but you're not quite ready to give up on the genre altogether, try South Korea's Stranger. It's already been featured on Best Of lists since airing in June 2017.
Celia
With only one season but a whopping 80 episodes, Celia is a dramatized look at the life of the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. For those of you who don't know, Cruz was a groundbreaking performer from Cuba who broke boundaries to become a singing sensation.
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Black Mirror
While many people mistake Black Mirror as an American TV series because of the much-loved episode starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Black Mirror is actually British. Its standalone episodes are full of familiar faces and occasionally pretty terrifying plots!
Shetland
It's hard not to love Douglas Henshall's handsome and broody DI Jimmy Perez. Shetland somehow manages to make the detective drama feel new again and uses the nuances and beauty of the Shetland Isles to its advantage.
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Gomorrah
Italy's Gomorrah revolves around a Neopolitan crime syndicate, the Camorra. While it's a relatively new addition to Netflix, it first aired in Italy in 2014.
Hotel Beau Séjour
It's hard not to compare every supernatural drama with Stranger Things, but Hotel Beau Séjour has that kind of vibe. It follows a teenager as she investigates her own murder while she's caught in afterlife limbo.
Charité
Charité is a German-language series that takes place in 19th century Germany and follows a nurse working in the world-famous Charité Hospital. It involves romance, drama, and a few characters taken straight out of the history books.
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The Forest
A French detective gets caught up in her own investigation when her daughter goes missing. The Forest is new to Netflix this July, so you'll want to get watching ASAP to avoid potential internet spoilers!
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Sacred Games
Also brand new in July is Sacred Games, an Indian thriller based on the novel. It follows police inspector Sartaj Singh as he works for a corrupt police force investigating the criminal underworld.
La Mante
La Mante, or The Mantis, is a French series about a serial killer who begins helping police catch a copycat killer. It's a little gruesome and definitely gritty, but fans of this genre will love it!
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Cable Girls
Spain's Cable Girls tells the story of three young women as they work at a brand-new telecommunications company in 1920s Madrid. Come for the period costumes, stay for the superb acting and storylines with women at the forefront.
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The Crown
Some people may be tired of hearing about The Crown, but believe the hype! It's a fascinating and exceptionally well-made TV series that you don't need to be a royal-lover to enjoy. (Trust me, just ask my husband.)
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The Honourable Woman
The Honourable Woman is a Golden Globe- and Peabody Award-winning miniseries set in Britain and Israel. You can expect complicated political issues mixed with spy thriller moments and a career performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
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Club de Cuervos
Mexico's Club de Cuervos is a sports comedy of sorts, following two siblings who fight over ownership of a soccer team after their father dies. It has been on for three seasons now and does a great job of balancing humor and drama.